Policy Path

Crisis Prevention Through Smart Protection

Utah recognized a critical threat: existing quarries were being squeezed out by zoning changes as communities expanded around them. Losing these operations would create supply shortages and force expensive long-distance hauling.

What HB 288 Did:

• Created Critical Infrastructure Materials Protection Areas around existing operations

• Protected quarries operating since before 2016 from sudden zoning changes

• Allowed "vested" operations to expand onto adjacent land they already own

• Required clear evidence of public health or safety risks before blocking operations

The Result: Utah's existing aggregate infrastructure was secured, providing a stable foundation for future growth and preventing the loss of critical local supply sources.

Data-Driven Planning for Strategic Growth

Protection alone wasn't enough. Utah needed comprehensive data to understand exactly what resources it had and what it would need. HB 502 launched the state's first complete aggregate planning initiative.

What HB 502 Required:

• Statewide study led by the Division of Oil, Gas & Mining

• County-level supply plans updated every five years

• 20-year demand projections

• Analysis of transportation costs and distances

• Mapping of potential future extraction sites

Key Study Findings: Utah has abundant rock resources statewide, but the Wasatch Front could exhaust local supplies in 10-20 years. Transportation costs become prohibitive beyond 30-45 miles, adding real costs to every construction project.

Refined Rules for Sustainable Expansion

With protection in place and comprehensive data in hand, Utah fine-tuned its approach. HB 355 refined how quarry expansions are managed, balancing supply security with community concerns.

What HB 355 Established:

• Streamlined expansion processes for operations onto adjacent owned land

• Maintained strong public health and safety protections

• Required public meetings for transparency and community input

• Protected critical areas from rezoning without operator agreement

• Emphasized mitigation measures when concerns arise

The Balance: A framework that secures Utah's aggregate supply while ensuring communities have meaningful input in expansion decisions. Effective May 7, 2025.

The 2025 Utah Aggregate Study

Utah's First Comprehensive Look at Construction Materials

In 2024, Utah lawmakers recognized a critical gap: the state had no comprehensive understanding of its aggregate resources or future needs. HB 502 directed the Division of Oil, Gas & Mining to conduct Utah's first-ever statewide aggregate study—and the results were eye-opening.

What the Study Found:

Supply: Utah has abundant rock, sand, and gravel resources statewide, but they're not evenly distributed. The Wasatch Front, where 80% of Utahns live, could exhaust easily accessible local supplies within 10-20 years.

Demand: Utah will need approximately 2 billion tons of aggregate materials by 2060 to support projected growth—enough to build every road, foundation, and concrete structure the state requires.

Transportation Reality: Hauling costs double when materials travel beyond 30-45 miles. This "economic haul distance" means every mile matters when it comes to keeping construction affordable.

The Math That Matters:

• $4,000 added to the cost of every new home when materials must be hauled long distances

• $1 million additional cost per mile of highway construction

• 2x the truck traffic and emissions when local sources aren't available

Bottom Line: Utah has the resources to support its growth, but only with strategic planning that keeps materials close to where they're needed. Without action, every Utah family and business will pay the price through higher costs and increased traffic.

Link to Study