Why is it all so complicated?
The Central Wasatch Commission (CWC) is made up of representatives from a variety of municipalities in Salt Lake County. These representatives exist to voice your opinion. Please speak up! Basically, the CWC is a rebooted, re-branded version of the Wasatch Mountain Accord which exists for the same purpose. Both groups were created with our best interests in mind, yet lack of public input and transparency has led to frustration.
Here are some reasons we OPPOSE the CWC supporting Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act:
1. Transportation problems have existed in the canyons for years. This bill does nothing to hold resorts accountable for addressing congestion in our canyons. This would ultimately cause taxpayers to pay UDOT or UTA to create a solution to our already overcrowded canyons.
2. It's a BAD deal. In the "land swap" residents would trade 300-600 acres of federally protected, pristine mountain peaks for small sections of privately owned steep embankments along Wasatch road. Ski resorts would have the option to develop their land, but the acreage received in compensation is too steep to develop.
3. Environmental destruction occurs when we build in the mountains and it can never be repaired. The bill does not require an Environmental Impact Survey to be completed before the 600 acres are transferred to the ski resorts.
4. Increased development would potentially occur in our pristine, majestic mountains. This bill opens the door for resorts to build hotels, condos, or homes on 600 acres of newly acquired mountain terrain. Increased development would further congest the canyons while also negatively impact the environment we love. Snowbird, Brighton, and Solitude are all owned by major corporations which makes development easier. Alta, the locally owned ski resort, does not support this bill.
5. Limited access for residents to their mountain wilderness. Different ideas have been proposed to reduce congestion in the canyons including tolls, increased public transportation, and increasing property taxes to pay for infrastructure up the canyons. All of these limit access to the mountains for those of our most economically vulnerable citizens.
6. This bill was already turned away. Back in 2016, this bill was sponsored by former representative Jason Chaffetz and turned away due to a lack of accountability. View the full legislative hearing and Q&A HERE.
7. No local control! This congressional act would legally allow congress to ignore the results of an Environmental Impact Survey (EIS) and the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process which would do away with local control over this land. (This is because congress is "higher up" than the National Forest Service.)
Here are some reasons we OPPOSE the CWC supporting Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act:
1. Transportation problems have existed in the canyons for years. This bill does nothing to hold resorts accountable for addressing congestion in our canyons. This would ultimately cause taxpayers to pay UDOT or UTA to create a solution to our already overcrowded canyons.
2. It's a BAD deal. In the "land swap" residents would trade 300-600 acres of federally protected, pristine mountain peaks for small sections of privately owned steep embankments along Wasatch road. Ski resorts would have the option to develop their land, but the acreage received in compensation is too steep to develop.
3. Environmental destruction occurs when we build in the mountains and it can never be repaired. The bill does not require an Environmental Impact Survey to be completed before the 600 acres are transferred to the ski resorts.
4. Increased development would potentially occur in our pristine, majestic mountains. This bill opens the door for resorts to build hotels, condos, or homes on 600 acres of newly acquired mountain terrain. Increased development would further congest the canyons while also negatively impact the environment we love. Snowbird, Brighton, and Solitude are all owned by major corporations which makes development easier. Alta, the locally owned ski resort, does not support this bill.
5. Limited access for residents to their mountain wilderness. Different ideas have been proposed to reduce congestion in the canyons including tolls, increased public transportation, and increasing property taxes to pay for infrastructure up the canyons. All of these limit access to the mountains for those of our most economically vulnerable citizens.
6. This bill was already turned away. Back in 2016, this bill was sponsored by former representative Jason Chaffetz and turned away due to a lack of accountability. View the full legislative hearing and Q&A HERE.
7. No local control! This congressional act would legally allow congress to ignore the results of an Environmental Impact Survey (EIS) and the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process which would do away with local control over this land. (This is because congress is "higher up" than the National Forest Service.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Won't the land swap allow the land to be given federal protections?
The Wasatch-Cache National Forest has had Federal Protections for the past 100 years.
Won't this boost the economy by bringing in more skiers?
Maybe. But the ski industry needs to address current infrastructure and create safer road conditions first.
Why doesn't Alta support this bill?
Michael Maughan, President and General Manager of Alta Ski Area thinks this will have a negative impact on infrastucture, environmental preservation, and the back country skiing community. Click HERE to read the full letter.
Can't I just avoid the ski resorts?
Sure! But development would land lock certain areas by resorts and make them inaccessible to you. Development would also damage sensitive areas like White Pine, Grizzly Gulch, and Silver Fork (among others).
The Wasatch-Cache National Forest has had Federal Protections for the past 100 years.
Won't this boost the economy by bringing in more skiers?
Maybe. But the ski industry needs to address current infrastructure and create safer road conditions first.
Why doesn't Alta support this bill?
Michael Maughan, President and General Manager of Alta Ski Area thinks this will have a negative impact on infrastucture, environmental preservation, and the back country skiing community. Click HERE to read the full letter.
Can't I just avoid the ski resorts?
Sure! But development would land lock certain areas by resorts and make them inaccessible to you. Development would also damage sensitive areas like White Pine, Grizzly Gulch, and Silver Fork (among others).
In the news...keep yourself updated with local news stories.
Former Mayor Ralph Becker Hired as Director for New Central Wasatch Commission, By Katie McKellar (Deseret News) June 6, 2018
Questions continue to dog possible federal designation for the Wasatch, By Amy Joi O'Donoghue (Deseret News), July 26, 2018
Wasatch canyons controversy heats up over possible federal designation, by Amy Joi O'Donoghue (KSL), August 7, 2018
Some Utah conservationists worry that ski area land swaps designed to protect the Cottonwood Canyons may have the opposite effect, by Brian Maffly (Salt Lake Tribune), August 11, 2018
Questions continue to dog possible federal designation for the Wasatch, By Amy Joi O'Donoghue (Deseret News), July 26, 2018
Wasatch canyons controversy heats up over possible federal designation, by Amy Joi O'Donoghue (KSL), August 7, 2018
Some Utah conservationists worry that ski area land swaps designed to protect the Cottonwood Canyons may have the opposite effect, by Brian Maffly (Salt Lake Tribune), August 11, 2018