From Deseret News archives:
Legacy foes talking, but suit could still come
Talks are the most amicable they've been in years, according to Marc Heileson, regional representative for the Sierra Club. Whether that means opponents will step away from threats of a lawsuit has yet to be decided.
"Right now, I don't know about that," Heileson said. "That seems a little optimistic at this time."
But there is room for hope.
On Wednesday, top officials with the Utah Department of Transportation met with Senate President John Valentine to give an update about the 14-mile roadway, proposed to extend from Salt Lake City to Farmington in Davis County.
Valentine, who hasn't been part of negotiations, said he left the meeting "hopeful" that ongoing talks will allow the state to move closer toward construction of Legacy. He was tight-lipped, however, about specifics of the negotiations.
"There have been ongoing discussions with the parties who originally sued the state on how to resolve some of the differences they saw with the proposals (for Legacy)," he said. "I'm not at liberty at this point to get you those details because they're still in negotiation and there is potential for litigation."
"We've always tried to keep our talks between the parties, between the parties," he said. "I think just the very fact that we're still talking to each other is a good sign. We're always hopeful that we can stay out of court."
Currently, the state is reviewing and responding to public comments on a draft supplemental environmental study of the roadway. The supplemental study was requested by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver after a successful lawsuit by the Sierra Club, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and Utahns for Better Transportation in 2001.
By fall, UDOT anticipates releasing a finalized copy of the supplemental study. Pending court review, the state could receive approvals to build as early as next year.
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com
Comments
- Rescuers reach stranded hikers 10:49 a.m.
- Blind woman follows the Son 10:41 a.m.
- Madoff's yacht on auction block 10:23 a.m.
- Report: OSHA needs to improve 10:21 a.m.
- GM reports $1.2B loss 10:20 a.m.
- Bacall, 2 others receive early Oscars 10:16 a.m.
- '2012' has box-office bang of $225M 10:13 a.m.
- Cox ready to shriek in 'Scream 4' 10:11 a.m.
- 'Hair' opens London with B'way cast 10:10 a.m.
- 'Twilight' part of heartthrob history 10:08 a.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- TCU creams U.
231 - BYU happy to escape with victory
231 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
208 - Will state consider gay rights law?
151 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
105 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
90
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
This kind of article might sell papers but does anyone really believe that...
So what you are saying is that the socialist, government-provided health care...
Hey all you frustrated Utah Fans... Don't you have your own message board?...
Ignore SJ Bobkins, fellow Aggie fans. Every DesNews Aggie-football related...
--When will people learn? - stop killing each other and feed each other...
Free speech is one thing. Teaching is another. Indoctrination is yet another....
There was not a single word written by Barberi that was about an issue....
To "Florida, the other Red State | 10:06 a.m. " actually if you watch the...
I think you might be able to add Miles to the trade list.
"BYU is not a top 25 program." BYU may not be a Top 10 program, but...

You can be the first to comment on this story.