Kriston Capps has an update on his piece from the last print issue (now available online here) about how oil drilling threatens a rare and unique piece of art:
According to Jim Springer, spokesman for the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining, the state's Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands requested additional information from Pearl Montana whereas the Division of Oil asked for additional bonding. The bond would cover reclamation costs in the event that the company goes bankrupt; the higher bond addresses costs particular to a drilling operation in the Great Salt Lake. So far, Pearl Montana has responded to neither request.
What does this mean for Spiral Jetty? Nothing, necessarily. "Once the permit is issued, the operator has 1 year to excercise the permit," Springer says—but there's no timeframe on the permitting process itself. According to Springer, the application process is "taking longer than normal." "Some [companies] are more responsive than others. Usually, if a company wants to get the permit and get going, they supply that information more quickly.
--The editors
