Public Meeting 7/20/09 - Albion Basin Alternative Transportation Study

SALT LAKE CITY – The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is hosting an open house
meeting regarding the Albion Basin Alternative Transportation Feasibility Study on Monday, July 20th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Our Lady of the Snows Center in Alta, Utah. A short presentation will be held at 4:30 PM.
The Forest Service received a grant through the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit in
Parks Program to conduct a study of issues and opportunities related to summer transportation in the heavily visited Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Albion Basin is the headwaters for the Little Cottonwood Canyon protected culinary watershed and is renowned for its spectacular wildflower displays, unique wetland and geological features, and wildlife. The 2.5 mile gravel Albion Basin Road is traveled by automobiles, pedestrians, and cyclists during the short alpine summer season. Over the years, traffic congestion has increased causing concerns about natural resource impacts, safety, and the recreation experience. High visitation to Albion Basin resulted in the installation of an information booth and the need for traffic control.
To assist in reducing traffic, the Town of Alta, in cooperation with the Forest Service, has
offered a free voluntary shuttle van service on weekends and holidays in 2006. Traffic counts conducted by the Forest Service revealed that up to 1,300 automobiles traveled the Albion Basin Road over a 24 hour period on peak days.
“The open house is a perfect opportunity for the public to learn more about the study and
provide input,” said Salt Lake District Ranger Cathy Kahlow. “The study will assist in collecting baseline data to better understand visitation, traffic patterns on the road and trail system, and how to preserve recreation opportunities while considering sustainability of sensitive natural resources.”
“It will also evaluate the effectiveness of the voluntary shuttle vans and develop a range of
alternatives for managing summer recreation visitation in Albion Basin on the road and trail
system,” Kahlow added.
Partners in the study include Alta Environmental Center, Town of Alta, and Friends of Alta.
The National Park Service and David Evans and Associates are working with the Forest Service on the project. Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities/Watershed is providing technical assistance on watershed resources. Data collection will occur throughout the summer and will also include sampling on a peak day at the Wasatch Wildflower Festival event on Saturday, June 18th at Alta.