030 of 2022 - Joint Ceremonial Resolution Supporting a Phased, Lower Impact, Adaptive Approach to the Utah DepartmSALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
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A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PHASED, LOWER IMPACT, ADAPTIVE
APPROACH TO THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S
LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT
WHEREAS, the Little Cottonwood Creek watershed is a critical water supply for more than
45o,000 people in Salt Lake County; and
WHEREAS, for more than a century, residents of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County have
invested significantfinancial and other resources to the stewardship and
protection of the Little Cottonwood Creek watershed, ensuring clean and
reliable drinking water to the public; and
WHEREAS, in the midst of drought, climate change, and population growth, water
resources must be protected now more than ever; and
WHEREAS, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has been conducting an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to transportation alternatives
for State Route 210, from the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon to the upper
reaches of the Little Cottonwood Creek watershed for the last several years
(LCC EIS); and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City has served as a Cooperating Agency for the LCC EIS and has
invested hundreds of hours to the LCC EIS process since its inception: and
WHEREAS, UDOT recently issued a Final EIS in which it identified a gondola alternative
with proposed phasing as the preferred alternative to improve transportation
in LCC, and is conducting a 45-day comment period for the Final EIS prior to
issuing a Record of Decision; and
WHEREAS, the gondola has a very high cost to taxpayers, with at least $55o million in
construction costs, serves only two private ski resorts, creates an additional
transportation corridor to the existing road, introduces additional water
resources risks, and is fixed industrial infrastructure with limited flexibility to
adapt to changing circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the LCCEISfailed to effectively consider many of the additional water
resources risks raised by Salt Lake City during the LCC EIS process, including
the risks associated with construction and operation of the gondola, as well as
the risks associated with increased visitation to the watershed, because the
gondola is not shown to reduce the number of personal vehicles per hour in the
peak period over other alternatives evaluated and will increase overall
visitation capacity; and
WHEREAS, because the LCC EIS failed to consider the additional water resources risks, the
mitigation of and costs associated with these risks was not identified,
potentially unfairly shifting future unevaluated financial and social water costs
to the public; and
WHEREAS, lower impact, highly adaptive approaches were not effectively evaluated, such
as a multi faceted approach that could include strategies like tolling, electric
buses, parking management, regional mobility hubs, and carpool incentives;
and
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council and the Salt Lake City Mayor wish to communicate
their position on the proposed gondola alternative in the Final LCC EIS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Salt Lake City Council and the Mayor of Salt Lake City recommend
removing the gondola alternative from consideration in the Record of Decision.
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
d
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
The Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City support UDOT in
implementing a lower impact, adaptive approach to addressing transportation
issues in Little Cottonwood Canyon, offering our collaboration while ensuring
protection of the LCC watershed and water resources.
Adopted this — day of October 2022
Erin Mendenhall Daniel Dugan, Chair
Salt Lake City Mayor Salt Lake City Council Member, District Six
Darin Mano, Vice Chair
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Five
Alejandro Puy
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Two
Ana Valdemoros f�
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Four
Victoria Petro-Eschler
Salt Lake City Council Member, District One
. V V
Chris Wharton
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Three
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Seven