On the edge of ruin?
I’ve been involved with dozens of issues in Utah over the decades but I can’t remember a legislative session and a time this overwhelming. I got into the advocacy side of preservation to make a difference and not give up. I appreciate how people are stepping up to be strong and see how historic preservation tools can help them preserve the past and leave a legacy. So what am I specifically referring to? Let me get on my soapbox. OK now I’m ready.
No gondola. In every poll I’ve seen, Utahns are overwhelmingly against this idea. Every Mayor surrounding the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon plus County Mayor Jenny Wilson is also against the idea. Who’s for it? Two ski resorts - Snowbird and Alta. Why do I care? Well, beside the environmental scar on the landscape, data has also shown it won’t do much to improve air quality and reduce driving as much as improved, and possibly electric, bus service plus financial disincentives for single drivers. But the biggest reason is the direct impact to the Little Cottonwood Canyon Climbing Area Historic District. As potentially the first recreational climbing area to be listed on the National Register, it was a place where the sport evolved in its approach and technologically through locals involved in the Alpenbock Climbing Club as well as nationally-renowned climbers that hung out with the Alpenbock members. The gondola would remove some of the historic bouldering locations as well as be a visual and sound adverse effect. Photo is of (Mayor) Ted Wilson ca. 1958 rappelling from Pete’s Rock.
Stop the gravel pit. Parley’s Canyon is threatened by the starting of a new gravel pit. And once they start, it is very difficult to stop them from growing and even regulate their permitted size. It is a threat to air and water quality for the east valley as well as communities in the canyon, the closest of which is the historic Mountair Canyon cabins. This relatively unknown private community has deep roots in early LDS Church leadership (Pratt, Richards, Smith) and unique architectural qualities that take advantage of the mountainous landscape. From its start as the Old Arm Chair Resort in the late 1890s, the community has evolved into a series of historic and new cabins, dozens of which are still owned by descendants of the original families. The gravel pit will be located just over the ridge from Mt. Aire Canyon affecting the owners’ historical way of life and safe and quiet enjoyment. There is likely a legislative bill coming forward to support development of the gravel pit.
Do we really need a hydrocarbon highway? The BLM is currently considering an application to widen, straighten and pave a section of County Road 32 through Gate Canyon which then connects to Nine Mile Canyon. Nine Mile Canyon has been threatened numerous times, saved, and remains in limbo. That is despite an amazing collection of rock art, historic structures from many eras, and continued use by long-term resident families. Nine Mile Canyon also has a Buffalo Solder history where they utilized the road for marching between Colorado and Fort Duchesne. But the road through Gate Canyon was constructed in part by Duchesne-stationed Buffalo Soldiers and they left their names on the nearby canyon walls. This is all threatened by a “need” for a tanker truck every three minutes to be going up or down the canyon to transport oil. And once the Uintah Basin Railway is completed in approximately three years, the hydrocarbon highway will be duplicative of needed transportation.
All three of these are unfortunate examples of what the public does not want but the lengths to which agencies, legislators, and companies are apparently willing to go and what they would sacrifice in Utah. Not for the greater good if you ask me.