Summary: A Shaded Fuel
Break in City
Creek Canyon was
proposed at a public meeting in April 2009. Given feedback and
community concern for the impact of the Shaded Fuel Break on the canyon, SLC
Department of Public Utilities further engaged the community via a Citizen’s
Review Committee and has pursued deeper review of the project and possible
impacts on City Creek.
This Citizen’s Committee is comprised of representatives
with backgrounds and expertise in wildlife management, native plant
communities, avian populations and various community and recreation based
interests. Through a series of site tours, meetings and field trips,
this committee has recommended the installation and study of three test
plots located within the canyon.
The next step in this process is to present the
Committee’s recommendations to the general public and assess direction after
public feedback is collected on these recommendations.
Test Plots: Site Selection & Study:
Sites have been selected by the Citizen’s Committee and confirmed as
effective fire suppression example locations by representatives from the
Unified Fire Authority. In addition to invasive weed baseline mapping by
SLC Watershed, both sites have been surveyed by native plant and avian
specialists to obtain baseline data. The avian specialist recommends a
broader site study which is incorporated into staff recommendations.
Wildlife (mammalian) experts did not do any studies given that shaded fuel
breaks will attract more large ungulates to the area.
The proposal is to install the test plot examples of a
shaded fuel break during the fall, a season that does not impact nesting
bird habitat, and then study the test locations over time. The reports
on the impacts to plants and birds, completed by outside agencies and
citizen representatives, will be presented to the public along with
community feedback solicited on the test plots, to determine any further
actions.
1.
Lower
Canyon Site
Latitude: 40°47'59.66"N
Longitude: 111°52'21.89"W
Description:
Located just up canyon from Picnic Site #5 on the north side of the
road.
2.
Middle
Canyon
Site
Latitude:
40°48'46.70"N
Longitude: 111°50'12.23"W
Description: 1/3 mile
down canyon from the water treatment plant on the north and
west side of the road.
3.
Upper
Canyon
Site
Latitude:
40°49'31.34"N
Longitude:
111°47'53.01"W
Description: Down from
Picnic Site #29 on north side of road
Staff Project Recommendations:
·
Hold a public meeting
to introduce the Citizen’s Committee’s & SLC joint recommendation of the
creation of the test plots, their location and the study of the ecological
impact. The meeting should be adequately advertised in various media
outlets.
·
To install the test
plots either fall 2009 or after/before the 2010 bird nesting season.
Citizen Committee ornithological experts should advise as to cut timing.
·
Fund the avian studies
as recommended by member of Citizen’s Committee in 2010 to ensure adequate
environmental review.
·
Following reports on
habitat impact and adequate public feedback post the installation of the
test plots, further recommendations will be made, anticipated timeframe Fall
2010. Other alternatives may be explored if feasible options are
presented that address both public safety and ecosystem health.
Public Meeting:
A public meeting will be held September 17, 2009 at the Salt Lake City
Main Library, 4th
floor conference room, 6pm.
Background
Materials:
April 6th 2009 Open House (6.5 MEG PDF)
September 17th 2009 Update Meeting (6.4 MEG PDF)
The
Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities and the Citizen’s Review
Committee have jointly proposed creating three Shaded Fuel break test plots
in City Creek Canyon. Additionally,
further studies of avian populations and native plant communities will be
conducted in these test plot areas.
Please give us your feedback in regards to this specific proposal in the
link provided below:
Comment Form Link
Google
Earth View of City Creek Shaded Fuel Break Area "Click Here"
