Preserve Rock Canyon

After interviewing the leading contenders for Provo City Council, our organization has selected three candidates who are firm in their commitment to protect Rock Canyon.

David Acheson    –    District 2

Cindy Richards    -   District 5

Coy Porter    –    City-wide

Please read THEIR words regarding the Rock Canyon issue:

David Acheson –

I need your support and vote to continue working for Rock Canyon’s preservation. I bask in the beauty of Rock Canyon every day and will not allow it to be destroyed by mining interests. I will preserve it for the generations to come.

I appreciate The Rock Canyon Advocates steering committee endorsing me as the only candidate recommended for election in the Provo City Council District 2 race. As a current member of the Provo City Council, I have been actively involved in the issues surrounding protecting Rock Canyon from being mined. I have spoken out at public meetings and represented the Council in proclaiming support for Rock Canyon’s preservation. I attend and participate in meetings conducted by the Rock Canyon Advocates—and, importantly, my views and actions are in alignment with those who advocate preserving Rock Canyon. I have done, and will do, everything within my power to keep Rock Canyon pristine.

Rock Canyon is in the district that I will represent and my support is key to achieving the Rock Canyon Advocate organization’s goals with regard to preserving Rock Canyon.

You may contact me directly to express your support and assist in my election campaign. My cell phone is 801.319.7103. www.davidacheson.com Reach me via email at dacheson@gmail.com

Cindy Richards –

I have long been committed to the preservation of Rock Canyon and remain so.  As a council member I will support all and every legal means and also include my voting power to push for finding better options and opportunities for resolution of this conflict.

This issue will remain at the center of my radar until we accomplish a resolution that preserves our beloved and irreplaceable community asset.

As a member of the Provo City Council, I will use all of my voting power to ensure the preservation of this irreplaceable community asset.

Coy Porter –

Rock Canyon is Provo’s only direct gateway  into a truly pristine wilderness area.  Not only is it an exquisite example of nature’s rugged terrain, but it is a place of wonder and raw beauty.  It is home to the adventurous, the bold, the novice, those that picnic, those who hike, those who climb and those who just want to be surrounded by the many virtues of nature itself.  It is a singular canyon whose magnificence must be preserved and protected by all, for the benefit of all.

Rather than ravage her and break her into small bits of rock and rubble, let her mighty stone colonnades stand together and portray the true majesty of the peaked buttresses which form her entrance.  I hope everyone will take the time to support and protect this wonderful jewel which flows out into our eastern foothills.  Let us stand together and make a difference that is meaningful to all.

As a member of the Provo City Council, I will use all of my voting power to ensure the preservation of this irreplaceable community asset.

The Rock Canyon Advocates steering committee conducted extensive interviews with the three leading candidates for Provo City Mayor. Support for preserving Rock Canyon was expressed by each candidate.  However, it is a unanimous decision of the committee to endorse Steve Clark because of his involvement and knowledge of the issues, as well as his solid commitment to Rock Canyon preservation.

Steve Clark’s unique set of life experiences has made him the only candidate having open lines of communication with all parties involved in this issue.  We are impressed by the steps Steve has taken with this issue and believe that as Mayor he will play an important role in a solution for Rock Canyon that fairly addresses the needs and interests of all parties involved.

Many of you have wanted to know how the U.S. Forest Service is responding to the mining threat in Rock Canyon.

On July 9th, 2009, the Forest Service District Ranger over Rock Canyon – Sylvia Clark – met with two representatives of our group and there was a discussion of how the mining enterprise would adversely impact Forest Service property.  She has scheduled a meeting with representatives from Provo City regarding specific elements of the conflict.  Additionally, Ms. Clark said that the Forest Service DOES consider the Rock Canyon issue as a priority.

Brian Ferebee, the Forest Supervisor, wrote the following letter to the citizens who have written letters of concern.  Please feel free to comment on the letter.

Dear Concerned Public:

Thank for your correspondence regarding concerns for both existing and long term uses of Rock Canyon. The proposed rock quarry is located on private property adjacent to National Forest System lands. The rights associated with private land falls under jurisdiction of the local city government.

As part of the Forest Service mission and stewardship, we are required to provide reasonable access to private land when property is surrounded by National Forest System lands. To facilitate the process for access, the private land owner would need to initiate a request for access.   The Forest Service would then determine where, when, and to what level access would be granted through a special-use permit.

The Uinta National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan provides guidelines to identify lands that could be acquired by the Forest Service. The private land in Rock Canyon meets the intent of the criteria in terms of lands that enhance public access or recreation opportunities, provide protection to aesthetic values, and lands that would effect more logical and efficient management (e.g. isolated private inholdings). We have attempted to acquire the parcel in Rock Canyon, based on the criteria above, but were unsuccessful.

Once again, I appreciate your letter of concern, and if you would like to have further discussion please contact the Pleasant Grove District Ranger at (801) 785-3563.

Sincerely,

Brian Ferebee

Forest Supervisor

–Give Back to the Canyon that Gives So Much–

DATE & TIME: Sat Jun 6 from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

PLACE: Rock Canyon Trailhead, Pavilion & Amphitheater
1400 East 2300 North

• JOIN US as we honor efforts nationwide to Clean Up, Repair and Beautify the trails in Rock Canyon. WE ALL USE THESE TRAILS – so let’s show some good stewardship by Stepping Up, Cleaning Up and Fixing Up the trails and routes in the canyon.

• MORE – Letter Writing to Key Officials (pavilion-all day)
• MORE – Quick & Easy Usage Surveys (pavilion-all day)
• NEW! – Volunteer Work Crews at 7am, 9 am, 1pm
• MORE – Free! Live! Music! from 6-10 pm (amphitheater)
• MORE – Save Rock Canyon tees for sale (pavilion-all day)

• Are you hiker? Cleanup crews will be meeting at 9 am and 1 pm at the pavilion. Bring a bag or bucket for trash. Don’t forget gloves, a hat & sunscreen. (4 hands & legs are better than 2- so why not bring a friend for a hike afterward?)

• Are you a climber? There will be some Terracing and Erosion Repair in the Tinker Toys climbing area, just before the Green Gate. Look for signs. Crews at 7 & 9 AM. Bring gloves, and a shovel and other trail tools if you have them. (And a partner for some climbing while you’re at it…)

• Volunteers: Interested in helping out with the event?
For more info, email: RockCanyonEvents@gmail.com

The mining operation wants to use the asphalt trail that leads from parking lot as the thoroughfare for their semi-trucks and their claim is that this route is NOT used for foot traffic  into the canyon. The maps on their application show the “Rock Canyon Trail” as being the small path near the river.  From their rendition, trail does not even connect with the trailhead parking lot.  (You may want to look at the application HERE and scroll down to page 12.  Enlarge it and you’ll see.)

We need to provide PROOF that the ASPHALT TRAIL IS the MAJOR PUBLIC ACCESS to the canyon for the hikers, bikers, climbers, etc.  Accordingly, public safety will be greatly impacted by the mining operation. Does anyone have ideas how this could be accomplished?

City code states that the mining project must not be detrimental to the health, safety or general welfare of residents.  (CLICK HERE for city code.) It also mentions safety of “persons”, which could be assumed to include the general public.

In what ways do you see this project as violating city code?

In making comments, it would be helpful for you to look at the request for Professional Statements – CLICK HERE.  In that section, several concerns are raised.  They are ones which require experts to provide statements.  (Your help is NEEDED to find those experts!) There may be additional considerations.  Those comments would be most helpful.

On Thursday, April 2nd, there was a public meeting in the Provo City Council Chambers to discuss the Rock Canyon issue.  City officials would like to know how the meeting was perceived by those in attendance.  Please post your feedback here . . .

On Saturday, March 28th @ 8 a.m. there was a public meeting at the Rock Canyon “Bowl” Park regarding a conditional use permit to create a mining quarry on the front side of Rock Canyon.  It would be helpful to create a record of comments made at that meeting.  Please submit here . . .