Sign the Petition
HAVE A VOICE. As our City population grows the Foothills natural lands provide an increasingly critical buffer between the City’s urban center and the nearby wilderness-quality lands. Salt Lake City Public Lands Department is in the process of reviewing a problematic Trails System Plan that was hastily prepared with limited public involvement, inadequate scientific review, and which prioritized trail construction over environmental protection. It is important that you let your elected representatives know that you value balancing environmental protection with responsible and respectful recreation.
This Petition will be presented to the Salt Lake City Council and the Mayor who approve and fund Public Lands projects. The petition requests that Salt Lake City create a comprehensive land use and recreation management plan that better reflects our community’s priorities.
SPEAK UP
The Phase 1 implementation of the SLC Trails Master Plan resulted in significant problems including extensive erosion, spread of invasive plants, habitat destruction, defacing of hillsides, and scarring of the City’s view scapes. Implementation of Phases 2 and 3, which includes the construction of more than 50 miles of additional trails in the Foothills, is scheduled to begin this upcoming summer (2023).
The City Council and Mayor approve the plans and provide funding for these projects.
We need your help to ensure that the problems created in Phase 1 are not repeated as the trail development plan moves forward. Please contact the City Council, Mayor’s office, and Public Lands Department, to request that the City:
Inventory the 100 miles of already existing Foothills trails.
Prepare an updated and science-based Foothills Land Use Management Plan that includes identification of wilderness quality lands and essential flora/fauna habitats.
Prepare a comprehensive Foothills Recreation Management Plan, based on actual user data and analysis, to identify areas suitable for different types of recreation.
Prepare and fund Maintenance and Management plans for the existing trails network and for any future trail systems.
Engage in comprehensive community outreach and outdoor education specific to the Foothills natural lands.
Respect the 95% of Salt Lake City residents who, in the 2020-2021 Reimagine Nature Masterplan survey, prioritized “Put environment first.”
As a community we can preserve the environmental integrity of the Foothills while responsibly accommodating all Salt Lake City residents who enjoy this unique landscape.
Call, write a letter, or send an email to:
Salt Lake City Council: (801) 535-7600
council.comments@slcgov.com
Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall: (801) 535-7704
mayor@slcgov.com
Public Lands Department:
tyler.fonarow@slcgov.com
Donate
Yard signs, Media, Bumper stickers, Flyers, Posters. All donated funds will be used to help spread the word. Your support helps us make the protection of our foothills a priority.