The Central Wasatch Commission is accepting another round of comments from the public on the proposed Central Wasatch National Conservation Recreation Area Act (CWNCRA). This bill, H.R.5718, was introduced by Representative Jason Chaffetz in 2016. It proposed turning the Central Wasatch into a National Recreation Area. The goal was to “balance the need to protect drinking water, preserve recreational opportunities and traditions, enhance access, and accommodate future population growth.”
But H.R. never made it out of committee. But that did not kill the effort. After engaging the public and making changes to the original bill, new legislation will be proposed. But first, the Central Wasatch Commission is asking for more public comment before reintroducing the changed and updated bill.
That’s where you come in. You can read the legislation here. After you’ve done your homework, write your comments here.
In a nutshell, the bill will do the following:
- Preserve 80,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land
- Facilitate ski resorts to own more land in their established base areas.
- All existing recreational uses and permits will continue
- Natural resources and watersheds will be protected
- Existing Wilderness Area boundaries will be adjusted for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail alignment and for transportation improvements
- Approximately 8,000 acres of new wilderness will be added
- The U.S. Forest Service will maintain ownership and management of the lands
- Land exchanges between the U.S. Forest Service and the four Cottonwood Canyons ski resorts are authorized
- Ski resort permit boundaries on U.S. Forest Service land will be fixed permanently after some adjustments through the existing permitting process
- New roads for automobiles will be prohibited on U.S. Forest Service land
- No restrictions will be placed on U.S. Forest Service management for fire suppression, vegetation maintenance, avalanche control or other emergency measures
- Private land within the area or adjacent to the area being designated will not be affected
- Future transportation improvements are anticipated. The legislation enables transportation improvements to meet growing demand
If you like what you see, or is you absolutely despise this proposal, you are strongly encouraged to comment before the legislation is finalized and brought to committee. Read more and comment at cwc.utah.gov
Leave it alone.