In some ways, that was LeRoy Hooton Jr.'s mantra in 49 years with the Salt Lake City public utilities department, the last 27 as director.

He opposed having an Olympic venue in the Salt Lake County canyons. He helped limit the scope of ski resort development including killing a big resort proposed above Lambs Canyon. He said no to schemes to build tunnels connecting Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, put a moratorium on water sales to canyon homeowners and fought the idea of using lifts to connect Park City with the Cottonwood canyons.

Hooton, who recently retired, grew up in the Wasatch Mountains with a father who skied and fished and a mom who provided Thermos bottles filled with tomato soup to help keep family members warm when skiing.

"I've been in the mountains all my life," he said. "I love to hike, take pictures and look at animals. I've traveled a lot in my job, but I've never found anywhere more beautiful than these Wasatch canyons."

Recreation demands have the potential to threaten the drinking water supplies for Salt Lake City residents. Dating back to when the pioneers first came into the valley, the city actively protected the pure mountain water that sustained life. It is no accident that dating back to 1851, city leaders passed ordinances protecting City Creek from pollution.

"This is more than recreation, skiing or taking a drive up the canyons," said Hooton, who looks far younger than his 70 years. "The water sustains us. It sustains our life in the valley."

Hooton likes to quote Robert Morgan, a long-time Utah Department of Natural Resources water expert, on the importance of watersheds.

"Watersheds are really lifesheds that sustain our existence and support our economy," wrote Morgan. "We need healthy watersheds to protect the quality and quantity of our water."

A side benefit of protecting the canyons from massive development is that city officials like Hooton have also played major roles in preserving open space that includes wilderness areas, climbing spots and hiking trails used by thousands.

Hooton said one of the most critical periods in the history of Salt Lake County's watershed came in 1991, when development seemed to be getting out of control.

A 10-year moratorium was placed on new water permits in the canyons so the city, county and U.S. Forest Service could complete master plans. Those plans dictated the size and boundaries of ski areas.

Hooton is encouraged by new Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's understanding of the issues, largely because Becker's planning firm completed one of the most recent master plans.

Hooton, who hopes to do some writing on the history of water in Utah, said he can't think of a watershed protection fight he ever lost, though he had to make a few compromises.

His stewardship helped maintain the elusive balance between protecting Salt Lake City's watershed, allowing for some canyon development while providing acres of open space for a growing population.

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* TOM WHARTON can be contacted at wharton@sltrib.com. His phone number is 801-257-8909.