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Show Chapter 3 Watershed Jurisdiction and Ownership 1. Forest Management and Planning The 1985 Wasatch- Cache National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan directs the activities of the Forest Service within the plan area. The Forest Service's planning and management activities in the plan area are oriented primarily to watershed management, developed and dispersed recreation, wilderness areas, Research Natural Areas, and grazing. The Forest Service is a major provider of developed and dispersed recreation in the plan area for local residents and visitors. The Wasatch- Cache National Forest leads the nation in visitor days for any national forest. A substantial amount of these visits were made to the Wasatch Canyons. The close proximity of the Wasatch- Cache National Forest has made it a favorite local choice for family and individual recreation activities. Ski resort development on National Forest System lands is a major provider of recreation. Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon, are dependent on Forest Service special- use permits for the majority of their development. In the past, the Forest Service has leased land for development of private recreation residences on national Forest System lands. Currently, the Forest Service is encouraging residential development on private lands only, but still honors existing leases. These residences are under strict guidance by the Forest Service for house- addition permits and other on- site activities, including gardening and landscaping. The Forest Service provides trail heads and parking facilities for summer and winter dispersed recreation. A wide variety of dispersed recreation activities take place on these lands including hiking, cross country skiing, fishing, hunting, backpacking and nature study. The Forest Service operates and maintains picnic and camping facilities in Millcreek, Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Under the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978, and the Utah Wilderness Act of 1984, three wilderness areas have been designated within the plan area. These include Lone Peak, Mount Olympus, and Twin Peaks Wilderness Areas. Lone Peak is located between Little Cottonwood and American Fork Canyons. Mount Olympus is bounded on the north by Millcreek Canyon, on the south by Big Cottonwood Canyon, on the west by the Salt Lake Valley, and on the east by Gobblers Knob. Twin Peaks is located between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, east of the Salt Lake Valley, and west of Alta and Brighton ski Page 36 |