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Show CHAPTER 1 Introduction INTRODUCTION The seven major canyons of the Wasatch Mountains, on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley, provide a high quality water source for approximately 400,000 people. The Salt Lake City Watershed Management Plan ( 1988 Watershed Management Plan) was formulated in 1988 to protect this valuable watershed. The Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities ( Public Utilities), and other affected jurisdictional parties, are seeking to proactively manage this watershed by addressing issues that have arisen since the 1988 Watershed Management Plan. To accomplish this, a planning process was initiated to develop the Salt Lake City Watershed Management Plan ' 99 (' 99 Watershed Plan). The area encompassed by the ' 99 Watershed Plan includes the seven major canyons of the Wasatch Mountain Range ( the Wasatch Canyons), and their drainages. From north to south these drainages are: City Creek, Red Butte Creek, Emigration Creek, Parleys Creek, Millcreek, Big Cottonwood Creek, and Little Cottonwood Creek. The Salt Lake City watershed is comprised of the waters of these creeks, the surrounding lands that support these water sources, and the groundwater recharge areas for the Salt Lake Valley. Along with providing management direction to maintain water quality, the " 99 Watershed Plan continues the multiple use policy outlined by the 1988 Watershed Management Plan. Large numbers of people use the watershed for a variety of recreational activities. Small and large- scale commercial and residential development is found in five of the seven major canyons. While mining in the canyons has become almost inactive, many mining claims remain. Livestock grazing is also not as prevalent as it was in the past. PLANNING PROCESS In September of 1997, Salt Lake City began the ten- year review process of the 1988 Watershed Management Plan. The purpose of the ' 99 Watershed Plan is to revisit the Page 1 |