BLM to Convey Mineral Interests to US Magnesium LLC to protect Great Salt Lake Ecosystem

Conveyance supports project to prevent further contamination of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Salt Lake Field Office

Media Contact:

Lola Bird

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Salt Lake Field Office has published a Notice of Realty Action (NORA) in the Federal Register for conveyance of sub-surface mineral interests to US Magnesium LLC. The mineral interests are located adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, 40 miles west of Salt Lake City. The BLM is processing an application to convey 3,548.41 acres of federally owned mineral interests in Tooele County, Utah and is accepting public comments on the proposal.

“Conveying the sub-surface mineral interests supports US Magnesium’s responsibilities to further protect the Great Salt Lake ecosystem by helping them to more efficiently prevent further contamination and fulfill regulatory requirements,” said BLM West Desert District Manager, Mike Gates. 

US Magnesium, LLC (USM) applied for this conveyance to help streamline their work with the State of Utah and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve dikes and construct a sub-surface retention barrier for primary ponds. The construction of the sub-surface barrier will help retain materials and keep them from spilling onto the surrounding environment. 

“The EPA, the State of Utah, and US Magnesium have been working together for many years to ensure contamination at the site is addressed,” said Betsy Smidinger, director of EPA Region 8’s Superfund and Emergency Management Division. “This conveyance will pave the way for ongoing and planned remedial actions that will continue to protect the environment.”

The parcel of land is a split estate where the BLM owns the sub-surface mineral estate and USM owns the private surface interests for the commercial production of magnesium from the Great Salt Lake. In 2009, the EPA, with support from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, added USM to the National Priorities List, also known as Superfund Sites, which need environmental remediation. The conveyance would help USM to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Acts, managing both surface and sub-surface interests consistently.
Publication of the NORA in the Federal Register initiates a 45-day public comment period ending on July 30, 2021. Written comments may be submitted to the BLM Salt Lake Field Office, 2370 S Decker Lake Blvd, West Valley City, UT 84119. The BLM is no longer accepting land use applications affecting the described public lands, and the lands have been temporarily segregated from appropriation under public land laws, including the mining law.

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

For additional information, please contact Jessica Wade, Salt Lake Field Manager, at 801-977-4350. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.