This past week Rep. JIm Matheson introduced the Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act to the US House of Representatives. That is welcome news for those in favor of protecting Flagstaff Mountain from development. Contact information below. He will surely receive many letters of opposition, so it is important to demonstrate local support for this to move forward.

On the other end of the spectrum, Solitude Resort has responded to the US Forest Service regarding development in Silver Fork. On April 12, Solitude came up with a revised development plan for the canyon. They wish to develop the east side of the canyon, and leave the west side Meadows Chutes & upper West Bowl without lift access. They wish to acquire 182 acres of public land, and use 162 acres of private land and extend the Honeycomb lift to the canyon bottom, and then run a lift over Flanagens (east Silver Fork) up to the Emma Ridge, & connect with Alta. The resort boundary will be Silver Fork Creek. A lift to East Bowl will allow riders to simply traverse the ridge around to West Bowl and then of course to the Meadows Chutes.

This will negatively impact the watershed quality and backcountry experience for those climbing by their own power from the nearby trailheads. This will become a lift access area, with significant spillover onto the Emma Ridge and Days Fork. Solitude will likey exert control over this area (West Bowl & Meadows Chutes), because these avalanche paths will affect their boundary, and hence their guests.

Other major issues include;
-the 1989 Canyons Master Plan and most recent Forest Service Plan, oppose ski area expansion and resort parking expansion.
-the canyon road and parking lots are already at capacity on many days; adding more is like adding lanes to a congested highway.
-Solitude used to have Silver Fork in their Master Plan as expansion (1985), but it later traded or gave away that right away in exchange for the Sol-Bright connection with Brighton.
-the most current public polling data on Salt Lake Canyon development has come from Envision Utah, which is conducting public surveys for a new Canyon Master Plan. The surveys strongly oppose further development, especially resorts.

This request must be stopped. Letters of opposition should be written to Cathy Kahlow, Salt Lake District Ranger, and Brian Ferebee, Wasatch-Cache Supervisor. Apparently, a Forest Service decision about whether or not to grant a NEPA study on the impacts will be out in 1-2 months. Once this goes to NEPA, it is very difficult to overcome. The time to act is now.

Contact information for comments:

Jim Matheson – matheson.house.gov/ Click the ‘contact Jim’ link

Cathy Kahlow – ckahlow@fs.fed.us
Salt Lake Ranger District Office
6944 South 3000 East
SLC, UT 84121

Brian Ferebee – bferebee@fs.fed.us
125 South State Street
SLC, UT 84138

On April 11, the SL Tribune Editorial Board announced in a lead opinion piece, that they were in favor of Jim Matheson’s introduction of this bill. Many highlights of the bill were discussed, including preserving watershed, and compromises by all stakeholders.

The issue of Alta Town and Alta Ski Lifts (ASL) being opposed to preserving Flagstaff Mountain is raised again. It stated Mayor Pollard of Alta said “the lift to Flagstaff Peak is necessary to carry ski patrol workers to avalanche zones to drop hand charges when the common means of control, discharging military artillery, is unsafe.”

It is fairly common knowledge that avalanche control work in this area is largely overseen and directed by Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). State Highway 210 runs right through Alta Town and the resort. The slopes of Flagstaff and nearby environs avalanche control work is not under the direction of ASL or Alta Town. However, to be fair, ASL and UDOT do work together on avalanche risk reduction.

UDOT stated quite clearly last year that a lift is not being sought after by their agency. Please refer to the pertinent video clips below. If safety is the issue, then why isn’t the agency charged with delivering that safety seeking this wrongly placed lift? It’s because it is not a necessary or needed method of avalanche risk reduction in this portion of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

On April 6, 2010, a SL Tribune article addressed concern about the new land bill by Alta Town and Alta Ski Lifts (ASL). The article goes on to state that the ‘town and ASL officials want to keep the chairlift option open for public safety reasons.’ It goes on to state that the current use of explosives is ‘dangerous’.

Some observations about this concern comes to mind. First, the safety record of avalanche control work in the area is nothing but state-of-the-art. It is effective and has an excellent safety record. It seems a little strange to imply that the public has not been safe for the past 50-60 years (artillery era). Second, a new weapon safe for overhead fire will likely be installed this year.

It seems that the ’safety’ card will be a popular argument against protection of Flagstaff Mountain in the new land bill. There are numerous alternatives to protecting the slopes above the road and Alta besides a chairlift. ‘Skier compaction’ buys no guarantee to eliminate avalanche risk. This is about ski-area expansion dressed in a coat of ’safety.’

Also, Solitude seems quite unhappy about potentially losing the option of expanding into Silver Fork. Solitude management stated ‘Having wilderness back up to business and communities is not really what it’s for.’ We at FOFM disagree with that assessment. That’s exactly what it’s for.

Lastly, BCC landowners are also apparently disgruntled. FOFM is aware of many property owners in BCC in favor of this bill. They are simply not as vocal as the organized opponents.

On April 1, 2010 Rep. Jim Matheson agreed to introduce a Central Wasatch land preservation bill. Many stakeholders have had numerous meetings over the past 2 years. Numerous compromises were undertaken by all involved.

The best part of this proposed legislation is the protection of Flagstaff Mountain. As a result, the surrounding area including Days, Cardiff and Silver Fork will see enhanced protection. This is a wonderful victory for Utah residents and visitors alike. Having public access in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon year round is a great asset to all.

As the legislation moves forward, show your support toward the stakeholders and Rep. Matheson on this issue.