Residents to get look at draft of Utah Lake plan

Residents to get look at draft of Utah Lake plan
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:12/01/2008 04:18:18 PM MST

Provo » Imagine a Utah Lake with walking trails, recreation areas and few carp.
That is part of the vision for the future outlined in the Utah Lake Commission's proposed master plan, "Awake Utah Lake."
The commission is conducting two open houses this week to give the public a chance to see the proposed document and weigh in.
Rick Cox, project manager for URS Corp., told the commission late last month that the document involves setting goals for the lake and outlining policies that would implement them. URS Corp. is the San Francisco-based consultant the commission paid $210,000 to draft the plan.
Cox said the plan was based in part on residents' comments during public workshops, similar to those done for the Envision Utah process. But it's not done yet.
"This Master Plan is still a work in progress," Cox told the commission.
Among its objectives are supporting the June sucker and the lake's other native species, as well as providing ways for people to use it for recreation and educational purposes.
The plan calls for establishing a trail network along the shoreline, as well as a scenic byway for people who want to see the lake from cars.
The document does not take a formal position on any particular plan to put a causeway across Utah Lake.
The plan also calls for promoting mixed uses for adjacent land, such as agricultural, residential and commercial. It also recommends creating buffer zones to protect particularly sensitive areas.
One concern: Eagle Mountain City Councilman David Lifferth said the plan lacked any method for the commission to enforce its policies.
Cox said that would not be the job of the commission, but rather for the individual communities along the lake that are members of the commission.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
What's next
The Utah Lake Commission will conduct an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Willowcreek Middle School, 2275 W. 300 North in Lehi; and from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center St., Provo.