The inadequate Little Cottonwood Canyon — Environmental Impact Statement (LCC-EIS) considered future demand based solely on “population growth in Utah.”
From the LCC-EIS:
“The transportation needs in the study area are related primarily to traffic during peak periods, avalanche risk and avalanche mitigation in … and anticipated future increases in visitation to Little Cottonwood Canyon as a result of population growth in Utah.” (emphasis added)
Unfortunately, the LCC-EIS preparers declined to study the much greater demand that is already here in the valley, waiting to be released. This demand can be called latent demand, dormant, or hidden demand and it will overwhelm the gondola. This pent-up demand is just waiting for less congestion. Early, during the NEPA scoping for the draft EIS, a UDOT representative was asked when they would study this latent demand; the UDOT representative said that it was too hard to study. The courts, on the other hand, say that it is the standard duty of the EIS preparers to take a “hard look.”
Informally, I polled my neighbors who visit the Wasatch in winter. I simply asked, “If you were reasonably sure that you would not get caught in traffic delays in the Wasatch canyons, would you go up there more often?” All said, yes, even twice as often. (It wasn’t very hard to study.)
Therefore, if UDOT manages to reduce the congestion by their 30% target, once the word gets out that there is less congestion in the canyon, the latent demand will immediately flood the canyons. Reservations, and timed entry are all required to reduce congestion. Not everybody will get to enter the canyon on every day that they wish. We are in the age of limits.
Remembering those difficult lessons from kindergarten —”take turns and share” — are we ready to accept limits?
Kirk Nichols, Salt Lake City