Backers of trail dominate public hearing

Supporters of the proposed Salt Lake County master trail plan for Emigration Canyon made up the majority of speakers at a public hearing held Tuesday to discuss the controversial plan.

Of the 30 to 40 speakers, no more than a handful spoke out against the county plan. The emotional two-hour hearing held before the County Council was marked with colorful and sometimes fiery comments from concerned county residents, trail activists and others.

Kathy Christensen, an Emigration Oaks resident who opposes the county plan, said many people from the Oaks disagree with the plan, but they did not attend the meeting because they are tired of debate and feel intimidated by the trail enthusiasts who clap and cheer when their side speaks.

Councilman Mark Crocket, who represents the residents of the canyon, said the majority of his constituents probably support the county plan but there have been no formal polls taken on the issue.

The plan proposes creating a number of trails in the canyon, but the primary contention is over a mid-slope trail that would run above private homes along the canyon's northern wall on public lands. Some residents of the Emigration Oaks neighborhood, below where the trail would run, are against the plan because they fear it would bring fire danger and criminals into the canyon among a host of other concerns.

Proponents of the county plan said the concerns of Oaks residents are misguided and that trails have many benefits for the community.

"Concerns about urban trails and green ways are really an urban legend," said Greg Schultz, a supporter of the county plan. "They are based more in fear than fact."

Opponents of the plan said the northern slope of the canyon is not a good place for the trail because it's too steep, not suited for the average user, would be difficult to build and would scar the hillside.

"It's steep, hot, dry and a fairly long length for the average user," said Jim Karkut, chairman of the Emigration Town Planning Commission. "It didn't seem like the type of trail that should be a priority right now."

The plan is sponsored by the county's Trail Advisory Committee, but it is not the only plan. Another plan that replaces the mid-slope trail with a northern ridgeline trail is being proposed by the Emigration Canyon Township Planning Commission.

County plan proponents argue that the ridgeline trail will never work because the Forest Service will not allow a trail to be that close to the Red Butte Natural Research Area.

They also argued that if the mid-slope trail is not included, trails that may take its place like the ridgeline will be forced to cross the winding canyon road, creating the potential for accidents between motorists and hikers.

No decision was made on the plan. Another hearing will be held sometime in July. Council members said they plan to evaluate the plan for a substantial amount of time before making a final decision.

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E-mail: dgardiner@desnews.com