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Show Appendix D Public Comments and Responses COMMENTS There was an inquiry as to the number of back country users in the watershed each • year. A comment stated that fires should be prohibited other than in designated/ constructed fire pits. Land Use/ CommerciaVResidential Development A comment states that fees and use restrictions should be imposed on ski area construction projects, ski area parking lots, and residential construction, in the interest of water quality. " Salt Lake City should adopt a policy that, subject to its contractual obligations and the legal rights of property owners, it will not support any new development or facility, or any modifications to an existing development or facility, in the canyons ." " It was stated that the ski resorts have been evaluating the impacts of ski area developments for the last 20 years and water quality has actually improved during that time period. The statement in the plan suggests that the ski resorts are doing the opposite and polluting the watershed/' Page 118 RESPONSES One of the purposes for instituting a back country group permit system is to collect more accurate back country user data. A message aimed at educating back country users regarding fires will be incorporated into the group permit system. Salt Lake City does not possess the authority to charge fees for these types of commercial projects. The Forest Service requires fees associated with leasing federal land. The ski resorts are required to pay a percentage of the lift ticket price to the Forest Service which is returned to the Treasury Department. Please refer to the Proactive Watershed Management Protection section in the recommendations chapter. Water quality has improved in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons since the sewer lines have been constructed. Salt Lake City does not feel this negative view toward the ski resorts is represented in the Plan. |