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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution encourages the Utah Department of Transportation to pursue the least
11 impactful transportation solutions for Little Cottonwood Canyon.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ recognizes Little Cottonwood Canyon as an iconic destination for year-round
15 dispersed recreation;
16 ▸ identifies the importance of protecting water resources; and
17 ▸ describes the Legislature's intent for the Utah Department of Transportation to
18 pursue the transportation solutions that have the least impact on the natural
19 environment.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
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23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24 WHEREAS, Utah's treasured natural wonders are "unique and iconic destinations" for
25 millions of residents and tourists alike in all seasons for a wide variety of dispersed recreation
26 activities, including:
27 (1) walking and hiking;
28 (2) trail running;
29 (3) snowshoeing;
30 (4) backcountry skiing and snowboarding;
31 (5) rock climbing and bouldering;
32 (6) ice climbing;
33 (7) mountaineering;
34 (8) road biking;
35 (9) hunting;
36 (10) fishing;
37 (11) fall foliage or leaf peeping; and
38 (12) bird watching;
39 WHEREAS, the state is home to Little Cottonwood Canyon, and access to unique
40 natural recreational areas such as the Canyon are, according to a 2021 Kem C. Gardner Policy
41 Institute study, among the leading reasons that people chose to live, work, and play in Utah;
42 WHEREAS, many of the dispersed recreation opportunities in Little Cottonwood
43 Canyon are accessed year-round from parking areas and trailheads below the resorts of Alta
44 and Snowbird;
45 WHEREAS, year-round dispersed recreation activities offer the most accessible
46 outdoor recreation opportunities through which lower-income and otherwise economically
47 marginalized Utah residents can experience the natural wonders of Little Cottonwood Canyon;
48 WHEREAS, Little Cottonwood Canyon is also a recognized outdoor rock climbing
49 training ground for some of the most accomplished climbers in the world, including an
50 Olympic silver medalist, and 98% of climbers surveyed in 2018 indicated that "access to
51 climbing" was important in shaping their decision to live in Utah;
52 WHEREAS, large-scale transportation infrastructure projects in Little Cottonwood
53 Canyon should be planned to minimize impacts on dispersed recreation opportunities including
54 climbing and bouldering, and protect water resources; and
55 WHEREAS, large-scale transportation infrastructure solutions, such as the gondola and
56 Enhanced Bus Service, disproportionately service commercial ski resorts and their users while
57 minimizing access to and the experience of other Canyon users:
58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages
59 transportation solutions which preserve Little Cottonwood Canyon's unique natural aesthetic
60 with the least possible visual and auditory impacts by limiting to the greatest extent feasible
61 any permanent environmental impacts to Little Cottonwood Canyon.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports transportation solutions
63 that equally balance the needs of year-round dispersed recreation users with winter season
64 commercial ski resort needs.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature intends that the Utah Department of
66 Transportation pursue the least impactful transportation solution for Little Cottonwood Canyon
67 that preserves access for recreation throughout the Canyon, limits the destruction of climbing
68 and bouldering sites, and protects water resources.