CWNCRA
Central Wasatch National Conservation & Recreation Area
Overview
Since 1972, Save Our Canyons mission has been to protect the wildness and beauty of the Wasatch Mountains. We do this in a variety of ways by working on land use ordinances, partnering to purchase lands, engaging in land planning processes, and responding to proposals confronting the Wasatch. One of the most productive ways to protect lands is to petition Congress to permanently protect this place for the values that we, their constituents, hold dear.
As such, our current goal in partnership with local communities, governments, and stakeholders is to protect 80,000 acres of public land and your watershed by working with Congress to designate the Central Wasatch National Conservation & Recreation Area (NCRA). We have worked collaboratively on this effort since 2014 and are proud of the things we have accomplished with the help of SOC members and community. This legislation has the potential to connect fragmented wildlife habitat, expand Wilderness designation, and keep ski resort development within existing area boundaries.
However, there are several outstanding issues that must be resolved to bring this legislation to a place where the lands we are charged with stewarding for future generations are protected. Tell the Central Wasatch Commission that in order to continue supporting this proposed legislation the following must be addressed and resolved:
- The proposed “White Pine Watershed Protection Area” area in Little Cottonwood Canyon contains wilderness quality lands that should be added into the Lone Peak Wilderness Area to protect plants and animals as well as the future of non-mechanized experience for hikers, walkers, picnickers, or wildlife viewing.
- Grizzly Gulch, Patsy Marley, Mount Wolverine, and Catherine’s Pass must be permanently protected within this legislation.
- Transportation is given priority over the protection of water and numerous dispersed recreational activities along the Little Cottonwood Riparian Habitat Conservation Area threatening species, water quality and activities like camping, bouldering/climbing, hiking and mountain biking at areas like Tanners Campground, White Pine, and Little Cottonwood Trail.
- The proposed legislation should support transit access to trailheads and dispersed recreation sites. Or encourage the implementation of/and adherence to a recreation management plan that would benefit the recreation experience and protection of our environment.
These issues must be resolved in the next draft of the National Conservation and Recreation Area Act before introduction. This is a pivotal time for our communities who wish to protect the Wasatch Range as a source of water, place of solitude, and our shared home with 1,200 plant and animal speciesConservation and Recreation Area Act before introduction. This is a pivotal time for our communities who wish to protect the Wasatch Range as a source of water, place of solitude, and our shared home with 1,200 plant and animal species.
The Mountain Accord
The Mountain Accord was established to make critical decisions and implement solutions to preserve the Central Wasatch and ensure its long-term vitality. The Central Wasatch mountains are one of Utah’s most pristine and valuable natural resources. In the face of a rapidly growing population, those values could be at risk unless action is taken now. This unprecedented collaboration of diverse groups seeks to create a Blueprint for the future of the Central Wasatch. This Blueprint’s goal is to meet Mountain Accord’s purposes, which include responsible stewardship of natural resources, preservation of quality recreation experiences, establishing an environmentally sustainable transportation system, and contributing to a vibrant economy.
On August 3, 2014, a historic agreement, 30 years in the making created the Mountain Accord. In signing the Accord, they created a new context to address long standing contentious issues that have muddled decision-making for decades. The Accord is the culmination of two years of public feedback and an unprecedented locally-led process among government agencies, environmental advocacy groups and ski resorts and private landholders. It’s visions, directives and principles will guide future decision-making in the Central Wasatch and help build a legacy of good stewardship for the future.
As directed by the Mountain Accord Executive Board, The Central Wasatch Commission (CWC) was created. The CWC’s mission is to implement the actions outlined in the Accord and they will continue Mountain Accord’s tradition of public engagement, transparency and consensus building.
The Central Wasatch Commission (CWC) is an interlocal agency and a political subdivision of the State of Utah. The CWC will formalize collaboration and streamline decision-making among the multiple jurisdictions with authorities in the Central Wasatch Mountains. The area of focus is between I-80 and the Salt Lake County line south of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Our Involvement
Save Our Canyons staff and volunteers have been heavily involved in this important process from the beginning. We hold a seat on each of the four “system groups” as well as the “executive committee” which means we have a powerful opportunity to impact the decisions being made about the future of our environment and watershed.
We continue to be involved because the built environment of the Wasatch Mountains that exist today are the results of piecemeal jurisdictional decision making, the result of conflict, decisions made by judges evaluating whether an authorization was legal — not whether it was a sage land use decision. The Mountain Accord process is heavily weighted by the concerns of the public — the public that skis, the public that hikes, the public that visits on a daily basis, and the public that never sets foot inside our national forest. All voices matter!
As a visitor to the Wasatch Mountains, member of Save Our Canyons, or a lover of wild places your voice and involvement in the Mountain Accord process is vital. Below you will find resources to learn more about our involvement in the Mountain Accord.
Resources
- Mountain Accord July 13, 2015 Accord final document
- Mountain Accord; The Most Critical Issues are Looming for the Wasatch Mountains
- Save Our Canyons comments on Mountain Accord “Proposed Blueprint”
- Save Our Canyons “Idealized Transportation Concept”
- Mountain Accord Update; Cottonwood Canyon Task Force Negotiations
- Op-Ed: Mountain Accord is Utahn’s chance to shape the future by Carl Fisher, Save Our Canyons Executive Director
- Wasatch Environmental Update; Mountain Accord by John Worlock (Member, Save Our Canyons Board of Directors)
- United States Forest Service Federal Designations Briefing Paper
