Thread by @EricLiptonNYT

MINING THREAD PART 4: Industrial-scale helium project will be give FINAL approve by Trump Interior Depart(not mining but drilling) as soon as this week in one of most iconic locations in US. An unspoiled area of majestic beauty. Pics by Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance/Bloxham

The plan near here, in part controlled by Interior's Bureau of Land Management: one of the largest helium drilling operations in the US. Would start small, to prove the reserves. But backers of project could ultimately produce "5 to 10% of world annual helium production"

As BLM evaluated this project, it asked a series of questions.

The helium project would be in part on state land, part of in the LABYRINTH CANYON WILDERNESS AREA "one of the most sublime and least traveled areas of federal public lands in the nation. A stunning and remote redrock landscape, it lacks any sign of human development"

So what kind of IMPACT would this project have on this WILDERNESS area? Let's look at the findings by Interior Department, which is slated to approve the project in the coming week. Eight NEGATIVE impacts on this page.

Another FIVE on this page.

Another SEVEN on this page, evaluating how it will impact the sense of SOLITIDUE, which is a goal of national wilderness areas.

Stepping back, it is clear that the United States needs more helium. A lot more. It is broadly used in medical devices, electronics, and even balloons for kids. And there is not enough of it. nytimes.com/2019/09/04/opi…

Also, the backers of this project are working hard to minimize impact. The actual drilling will take place, according to the plan, just outside the wilderness area, but then travel horizontally underground. Also roads and other improvements needed. Statement from the company

Officials at Interior Department told The NYT that the Trump administration is rushing these permits. It is pushing staff to wrap up the review by as soon as this week. It transferred authority to oversee project out of local office. Environmentalists sued last week to block it

Here readers is the draft Environmental Impact study by Interior for this project. You can read it yourself. int.nyt.com/data/documentt…

And here again is the story where we examine this project, and three other public land mining projects--all of which expect to soon get or just recently received major approvals from Trump admin. Please read and share. This is your land. nytimes.com/2020/12/19/us/…