Salt Lake Canyons Masterplan

1989:Canyons Masterplan

Statement of Position: SALT LAKE CANYONS MASTERPLAN

The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake has long supported mass transit and this support applies to vehicular traffic in the Cottonwood Canyons. An increase in mass transit alternatives, especially at rush times and in summer, is needed. We support incentives to encourage carpooling and park and ride, including parking fees at ski areas, vehicle tolls at canyon entrances, and annual parking fees, with fee revenues to be used to improve mass transit.

We believe that because of traffic problems and the need to protect natural amenities for future generations, man-made ski facilities should not expand at the present time beyond U.S. Forest Service boundaries. Alpine skiing operations should not be extended into White Pine Canyon in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and we believe a chair lift system connecting Park City with the Cottonwood Canyons would not be practical or safe.

Siting of the Olympic Games in Salt Lake should be conditional on limiting the number of permanent structures in the canyons and holding no events in the Cottonwood Canyons. At this time we remain concerned about profitability of the Games and costs to taxpayers.We approve of fees for canyon use, particularly fees for group picnics and overnight or car camping.

The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake supports a formal, diverse group to coordinate canyon policies in the interests of all affected government and non-government entities.

January 1989