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 species.
