2023 Legislative Session Recap

Written by our Policy Associates, Crystal Chen And Katie Balakir

Bill Breakdown

HB 527 Mining Operations Amendments (Rep. Stratton)

HB 527 would’ve allowed mine operators to bypass local regulations and open new mining sites throughout the state.

The impacts to our land, air, and water would be considerable. HB 527 never made it out of the House Rules Committee, but the effort to protect Parley’s and the rest of the Wasatch from exploitative mining uses is far from over.

Zero-Fare Pilot Program (Rep. Sen. Weiler’s)

We supported a push by Sen. Weiler to fund a statewide zero-fare transit pilot program. Removing barriers to accessing transportation, like cost, is a critical first step to improving public transportation and ridership in the Salt Lake Valley.

The 2023 legislative session is officially in the books. Over 850 bills were introduced, making it the largest number of bills in any session since at least 1997. Because of your incredible engagement, we were able to stop the legislature from forcing Salt Lake City to potentially divert water away from the Great Salt Lake (HB 276) and allowing the proposed gravel pit in Parley’s Canyon to move forward (HB 527). (Check out our Policy and Pikas blog for more information.)

Here are the three main areas we focused on this session, along with some notable bills.

Our watersheds are our most critical resource, as is the Great Salt Lake. Replenishing the lake to its healthy levels is imperative to protect watersheds in the Wasatch Mountains, and the life that depends on them.

We heard a swath of bills ranging from a mandate that would’ve required Salt Lake City to route water to dry lots outside of its service area (HB 276) to an attempt to set a target elevation for the Great Salt Lake (SCR 06). It’s hard to deny that restoring the Great Salt Lake was a big theme this session, however, little was done to drastically change Utah’s water conservation efforts.

During Free Fare February in 2022, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) saw a 16% increase in ridership on weekdays and a 46% increase in ridership on weekends, across all transit. February ridership also resulted in a significant decrease in vehicle source emissions.

Unfortunately, Sen. Weiler’s proposal for a statewide zero-fare pilot program wasn’t included in the final budget.

HB 276 Water Supply Amendments (Rep. Lyman)

HB 276 would’ve required Salt Lake City to supply water to dry lots in the Wasatch Mountains by routing water up the canyons or diverting it from streams.

If the bill passed, we would’ve seen less water making it to the Great Salt Lake and an impaired water supply for people in Salt Lake City’s service area.

Thanks to your help, HB 276 was held in the House Natural Resources Committee. We expect the bill to be studied in the interim and make another appearance in the 2024 session.

Funding for Transportation Solutions in the Cottonwood Canyons

The legislature appropriated $100 million dollars for the Utah Department of Transportation to enhance bus service, enact tolling, build a mobility hub, and add bus stops in the Cottonwood Canyons.

This will be supplemented by $50 million from the Cottonwood Canyon Transportation Investment Fund, bringing the total amount to $150 million.

We support the legislature’s decision to fund common-sense solutions to help alleviate traffic in our canyons.

Central Wasatch Resort Employee Survey

Written by Conservation Director, Claire Parsons

Robust transportation options are critical for the preservation of the Wasatch Mountains. This is true not only for the current threats our mountains face, such as the proposed gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon, but also as we consider access to public lands for all users. Year-round bus service to the canyons, with enhanced service in the winter, would reduce the number of vehicles on the road. We could further promote equitable access by adding routes to connect communities west of I-15 to the Wasatch Mountains.

We noticed a good deal of conversation around public transportation this session, including talk of turning last year’s Free Fare February into “Free Fare Forever”.

Utah is one of the fastest-growing states, which comes with opportunities and challenges. One of the most notable challenges is building the necessary infrastructure to support a growing population while protecting our natural landscapes–the reason so many chose to call Utah home.

During the session, we saw an effort to exempt mining projects from local land use ordinances, including the proposed gravel pit in Parley’s Canyon, and open up new mining sites throughout the state (HB 527).

As we are facing the possible development of a massive gondola system that will change Little Cottonwood Canyon forever - we want to provide a space for Central Wasatch Resort Employees to share your input, concerns, and ideas about how we can better advocate for you and transportation solutions that will also work for you!

There is a common misconception that resort employees can get up the canyons without an issue and somehow magically avoid the red snake. We know that you are struggling to get to work on time, navigate the canyon safely, carpool with one another as your schedules vary, wish shuttle services were provided by your employer, and so many other obstacles you face.

Save Our Canyons wants to hear from you, the resort employees up Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon, that make the winter seasons possible year after year. So far we have 183 people who have completed the employee survey, and we have a goal of reaching at least 300!

We will be releasing the results of the survey Summer 2023 and all answers will be kept anonymous.