H.C.R. 1 Enrolled

RESOLUTION URGING OPEN SPACE ALONG
JORDAN RIVER TRAIL
2004 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Todd E. Kiser

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges local government,
state government, and private landowner action.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. urges local and state governmental entities and private landowners that own various
portions of open space along the Jordan River between 12600 South and the
Bangerter Highway to work together to assure that the land is preserved as open
space.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
WHEREAS, the people of Salt Lake County value open space;
WHEREAS, one of the last remaining open spaces along the Jordan River is a 500 acre
area, 370 acres of which is publicly owned, between 12600 South and the Bangerter Highway;
WHEREAS, the majority of the area is undeveloped and includes wetlands, trails, and
Native American ruins;
WHEREAS, this land has persisted in almost its natural state, as one of the few stretches
of the river which has not been hardened or straightened;
WHEREAS, unlike most of the river corridor, large sections of open space exist on both
sides of the river and are still frequented by deer and other wildlife;

WHEREAS, this land is also home to all types of waterfowl and is an important
migrational stop for a variety of birds;
WHEREAS, protection of this valuable open space is crucial in order to ensure that a
remnant of the historic Jordan River will remain;
WHEREAS, creating and implementing a joint plan for Jordan River open space will
provide the citizens of Utah with a natural oasis that is protected from the encroachments of
development;
WHEREAS, despite the fact that a large portion of the open space is publicly owned,
ownership is spread across several local and state governmental agencies, which complicates
efforts to move forward with a coordinated and specific purpose;
WHEREAS, local governments, state entities, and private landowners should explore
together the various means for establishing both the public and private portions of the land as
open space for the benefit of the citizens of the state of Utah; and
WHEREAS, by working together, these groups can formulate a process that will make
more open space available for the citizens of the state while recognizing the need to respect and
accommodate public utility rights of way impacted by the process and respecting property rights:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
Governor concurring therein, urge the city of Draper, the city of Riverton, Salt Lake County, and
the state of Utah to develop an action plan for open space along the Jordan River between 12600
South and the Bangerter Highway and to work together to assure that the land is preserved as
open space.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Riverton City,
Draper City, the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, the Central Utah Water Conservancy
District, the Great Salt Lake Audubon Society, the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and
Conservation Commission, the South Valley Trails Committee, the Salt Lake County Parks and
Recreation Department, Utah Back Country Horsemen, the Natural Resources Forum, Salt Lake
County, the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, and the Department of Transportation.

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