The Future of the Central Wasatch Mountains Comments Due March 16th!

Clean water, open space, and the beauty of nature—the qualities valued most in the Central Wasatch.

This valuable and pristine natural resource is facing pressure from increasing population and visitation, sprawling development, and changing climate. On peak days, the Central Wasatch supports 50,000+ visitors. Annually, there are 5.7 million visitors—this is more than the annual number of visitors to the Grand Canyon and nearly twice the number of annual visitors to Zion National Park! Mountain Accord was established as a collaborative effort to make critical decisions and implement solutions to preserve the Central Wasatch and ensure long-term vitality for future generations.

Here are some of their ideas:

• Secure protections on federal lands to provide permanent and predictable management, and work with ski areas to place lands into public ownership.
• Broaden watershed protections.
• Protect key wildlife corridors
• Connect the regional trail network for recreation
• Generate sustainable economic growth to reinvest in the Central Wasatch
• Expand transit services to potentially include:
  • Mountain Light Rail service in Little Cottonwood Canyon and possibly full corridor service all the way to Kimball Junction. This would be made possible by one tunnel between Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood and another tunnel (or aerial transportation) between Big Cottonwood and Park City.
  • Millcreek shuttle service
  • Year-round Big Cottonwood bus service

Over the last year, Mountain Accord has worked to develop goals and define an “ideal” future for each system: environment, recreation, economy, and transportation. Their plans are summarized in a blueprint that is open for public review and comment until March 16. The blueprint contains several links to more detailed documents. Consider reviewing these documents for additional information and to develop a comprehensive response.

Visit: mountainaccord.com/get-involved

Comments may be emailed to comment@mountainaccord.com or mailed to:

Mountain Accord

375 West 200 South, Ste. 275

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Please take the time to share this with others.  It is the future of the Central Wasatch!