SALT LAKE CITY -- The future of three of Utah's major canyons is being discussed as Salt Lake County planners balance development with preservation.
Salt Lake County hosted an open house to get input on future plans for Parley's, and Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. The last time the master plan was updated for the three canyons was in 1989.
"The canyons are always a myriad of issues and a balancing act, trying to balance development pressure with preservation of the natural environment and the things we've come to love about the area," said David Gellner, a planner with Salt Lake County's Planning and Development Services.
About 150 people packed the Salt Lake County Government Center to give their input.
"I spend a lot of time hiking and backcountry skiing, a little bit of rock climbing and my concerns to protect the freedom to do that," said Walt Haas.
The canyons have each faced pressure from development and growth. Some in attendance at Monday night's meeting complained about proposals for a Ski-Link between resorts; others wanted more to be done to protect the watershed and cut down on traffic.
Additional information on the master plan for the canyons can be found here. Another meeting is scheduled for July.
