As chairman of the Central Wasatch Commission, I encourage readers to consider the following response to Vaughn Cox’s critique of the congressional legislation being developed by the CWC (“Speak up about Cottonwood ski resort land grab,” July 15).
Mr. Cox’s commentary fails to note that Mountain Accord and the congressional legislation introduced in 2016 and under review for new legislation is a consensus proposal developed over years and supported by local governments, state leadership, ski resorts and environmental groups, and many others who signed on to the agreement.
Contrary to Mr. Cox’s assertions, the legislation would provide new protections for the resources and lands of the Wasatch Mountains. Land exchanges would go through a public process of the U.S. Forest Service, result in new lands being protected from development, and meet fair market valuation. Ski area base lands that would become private are largely developed today. Legislation would also contain a pathway for transportation improvements to relieve traffic congestion.
UDOT is working on details of those improvements in the Little Cottonwood Canyon EIS. Finally, the CWC process has been open and transparent and has addressed dozens of public comments — including those of Mr. Cox — that have helped improve our decision making. The public comments and CWC's responses have been, and will continue to be, provided to the public via the state’s Public Notice website.
We welcome the participation of anyone interested in the future of the Wasatch Mountains.
Chris McCandless, Sandy, Central Wasatch Commission