Stakeholder Interests in the Central Wasatch

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The Central Wasatch Commission recently hosted an symposium that brought together stakeholders to discuss the interconnected systems shaping the Central Wasatch: economy, transportation, recreation, and environment. Panelists included local government leaders, ski resort general managers, public utilities experts, and federal land managers, offering insights into key topics such as the Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act, watershed protection, forest planning, and the future of recreation access. This event highlighted the complex relationships between these systems and the collaborative efforts needed to preserve and manage the Wasatch for future generations.

Listen to the following talks to learn more about the stakeholders. You can find the recordings for all 15 of the presentations here.


Why the Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act โ€“ Ralph Becker

This presentation by former SLC mayor, state legislator, lawyer, urban planner, and founder of the Mountain Accord process  Ralph Becker is a good overview of the original Mountain Accord:  its inception, process, and evolution into the Central Wasatch Commission.  Ralph is ambitious yet humble and optimistic but a pragmatist.  


What Happens to the Water, Happens to the People โ€“ Laura Briefer; Salt Lake City Public Utilities

As most folks know, Salt Lake Cityโ€™s culinary water comes from the Cottonwood Canyons (and the Provo!?) and as good as water anywhere in the country, despite its relatively urban origins near towns and highways.  SLC also is mandated to provide water to the rest of the valley as well.  We take drinking water for granted, but as SLCโ€™s director of public utilities, Laura Briefer does not.  She provides a great history of water in the valley, the vulnerability of it, and the importance of the watershedโ€™s integrity.  


Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Plan 101 โ€“ Adam Shaw; Uinta-Wasatch-Cache  National Forest

Is there any kind of a plan for our local National Forests?  Yesโ€ฆ..and itโ€™s from 2003!  Acting  – and possible future – Salt Lake District Ranger Adam Shaw discusses the 2003 plan, why it still matters, and what the future is of Forest Plans in general and specifically the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Forest Plan.  A good overview of the opportunities and limitations of our Forest Service. 


Mayor and City Council Member Panel โ€“ Park City, Millcreek, Salt Lake City, Sandy, Town of Alta, Town of Brighton

The Central Wasatch Commission is made up of the mayors of the towns at the foot of the Wasatch mountains.  Despite their busy schedules of making sure their garbage gets picked up and their cops get paid these mayors are committed to addressing the pressures being applied to the Wasatch range and solving the complex matrix of issues facing our mountains.  


Ski Resort Panel โ€“ Snowbird Resort, Alta Ski Area, Brighton Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort

The four Cottonwood Canyon ski resorts get a lot of attentionโ€ฆ.for good reason.  Great terrain, great snow, great accessibility.   And the state heavily relies on them for tourism reputation and tax dollars.  Is this attention warranted?  How is the ski industry at large and in Utah?  What are their plans for the future?   This panel of the four resortsโ€™ general managers helps to understand their perspective.  


Forest Service NEPA and Public Participation โ€“ Lance Kovel; Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

The National Environmental Policy Act – created under the Nixon administration – has been a bulwark for the Forest Service and almost every other agency that manages lands and the development on them for over 50 years.  Every project from the LCC gondola to the Wasatch Powderbirds Guides special use permit is considered under the auspices of NEPA, and (almost!) every NEPA-affected project requires multiple public comment periods that the likes of WBA is always promoting to get your voice heard.  Lance gives an overview of NEPA and a description of the comment process. 


Transportation Panel โ€“ Moderator: WFRC โ€“ Panelists: UDOT, UTA, HVT

If we want to go skiing – or snowboarding, or sledding, or mountain biking, or hiking, or drinking at the Oktoberfest – we gotta get there.ย  Transportation up the three canyons is essential, resource intensive, and clearly controversial.ย  While UDOT deftly dodges the topic of the LCC gondola in this panel discussionย  – moderated by Andrew Gruber, whoโ€™s the director of the under-the-radar-but-very-important Wasatch Front Regional Council – itโ€™s a good overview of the status and challengesย  that face the agencies to get us all up the canyons.


Preserving Utahโ€™s Climbing Legacy โ€“ Julia Geisler; Salt Lake Climbers Alliance

Climbing and skiing go hand in hand in the mountains, and the Wasatch is no exception.   Climbing in the Wasatch has a storied history, and the advocacy group Salt Lake Climbers Alliance has had some great successes in working with the Forest Service and The Church to preserve access to iconic crags in the Cottonwoods.  Julia Geisler is the savvy director of SLCA and talks about the history of climbing in the Wasatch and their effective advocacy work.


Backcountry Skiing in the Wasatch: What it is and Why it Matters โ€“ Aaron London and Will McKay; Wasatch Backcountry Alliance

The Wasatch Backcountry Alliance (WBA) is the voice of the growing backcountry skiing community, advocating for human-powered winter recreation and the preservation of the Central Wasatchโ€™s unique terrain and access. This presentation will cover WBAโ€™s mission, history, and key initiatives like the Backcountry Shuttle and Trail Counting Program, highlighting our commitment to sustainable access and data-driven advocacy. Weโ€™ll also discuss efforts to secure access in areas like Cardiff Fork, oppose the proposed gondola, and address backcountry parking challenges, while showcasing our role in education, outreach, and collaboration with stakeholders to protect these special backcountry zones.


You can find the recordings for all 15 of the presentations here.


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