The Issue

Alta Lifts has proposed a number of projects on public land in the Alta Ski Resort. These include remodeling and replacement of buildings and some parking lot alteration. Also among the plans are terrain modifications relating to ski trail alterations, lift replacement, expansion of snowmaking facilities, and tree cutting. These projects have been studied in a Forest Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and a decision by Forest Service officials is imminent. Save Our Canyons believes that Albion Basin is probably threatened by some of these projects and the Forest Service should not approve all of them at this time.

Picture of Albion Basin by Aaron Goldenberg

Save Our Canyons' Position

SAVE OUR CANYONS does not wish to dispute the desirability and plans for most of the items presented in the DEIS. We are requesting, however, that the decision, at this time, exclude for further consideration trail modifications on Devil's Elbow, Roller Coaster, and Crooked Mile ski Trails, the plans for snowmaking facilities, and the vegetation management plan adoption. These latter projects would involve blasting of glacially polished rock, extensive surface regrading, tree cutting, filling in stream beds with rock, and trench digging on public land.
The proposed split decision would allow the lift company to use the upcoming summer construction season to advantage in getting started on the projects which we are not challenging and would not undertake to challenge so long as we get a chance to study the other proposals next summer.

Our Rationale

SAVE OUR CANYONS believes that the very extensive summer use of the Albion Basin area for picnicking, hiking, and wildflower viewing needs to be considered along with the plans of the ski resort The national forests do not exist solely for the downhill ski industry.
We and other interested individuals and groups have not had adequate opportunity to do on-site study of the proposed projects. The DEIS was issued in October of 1996 and reached us after snow had begun to cover the area. Although our organization had been actively involved in this round of Alta's plans at least since 1994, the release of and details in the DEIS took us genuinely by surprise. There was little if any press coverage. Further, we have been told that details of Alternative 3 (designated in the DEIS as the one prefered by the Forest Service) were still being changed until the last days before that document was released. We are asking for one summer season's delay in the decision so that we can study the proposals in detail.

Our Concern

We have good reasons for this request. In 1992 Alta Lifts, under the supposed supervision of the Forest Service, did very extensive blasting and regrading of an area north of Cecret Lake (see pictures below). This action has alarmed and angered many summer visitors to the area. We and they want to be convinced that the present proposals will not involve similar destruction.

An area of rocks and gardens lost in the 1992 blasting of Upper Devil's Elbow Run in Albion Basin. This is a view looking up hill from the region of the small remaining rock visible in the accompanying photo.

Condition of Upper Devil's Elbow Run area in the summer of 1997. This is a view looking downhill. Before 1992 there was a cliff running parallel to the light of sight down the hill. The flattened surface of this run accommodates snow groom equipment.