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Letter: Snowmobilers are destroying saplings in watershed; perhaps they should be banned

(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Varvell family visiting from Connecticut rented snowmobiles at Daniel Summit Saturday, Dec, 23, 2017. While the number of snowmobile licenses in Utah is declining, trail usage is up dramatically.

Hundreds of snowmobiles are destroying young sapling trees in the Wasatch mountains. The evidence is in the area of Guardsman Pass at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is a common practice for snowmobiles to ignore posted signs to stay on state highway and to stay off protected forested areas.

The evidence is overwhelming in forbidden areas where young developing trees in light snowpack are damaged by heavy snowmobiles. Irresponsible snowmobilers are affecting our watershed and the quality of our shared resource. Perhaps snowmobiles should be banned in valuable watershed areas.

Tom Jackson, West Valley City