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Show FEBRUARY CANYON 1995 REPORT Will Overhaul of Avalanche Forecasting Come Soon Enough? Ss six weeks after the lead avalanche Cottonwood with — the quit Utah lransportation, saying the avalanche raced across throwing a car over burying its two Seth Brown, he the incident had avalanche been “It isn’t a matter but when would They Judd by a new system by the end of ski season ‘There will be a clear work said meeting among a all claiming and late plan. It December experts veterans only system takes must work for years Now, one with “What before said Judd, forecaster any in Little experience at al they need now is someone is old and wise and is an avalanche forecaster avalanche the apprentice- forecaster expertise. has and he is relatively new. who Litthe Cottonwood organized seasoned UDOT will be in place by the end of March,” said Craig Zwick, UDOT director Zwick to build. Cottonwood avalanche forecasting that with critics and Canyon explained Judd, it will want- In the mean- former UDOT they remains the same.” A of whether in feel good forecasting Dan the together years 17 avalanche, implement just what everyone style avalanche issue Times, from them 1992, to rebuild program said, referring to UDOT brought made forecaster in Canyon done Judd he forecasters is in the works, Judd, UDOT has to be done time, the program it will happen.” to pressure as a ed to do,” narrowly predicted forecaster Before the Jan. a solution quit every- necessary,” he former Littke Cottonwood only was not all of said much Marnie In the January of The Wasatch Mountain it who and with avalanche a half dozen experts. bowed believe an road, and a bus filled with skiers happen, no attitude among change They've 23, rescued The a But occupants were injuries. said, was a good that ol steep minor UDOT said safety, missed The one an embankment Horowitz, 25, in Little position could public’s There Wyatt, his Department longer guarantee Rick forecaster Canyon, has — a hopefully, ‘lot of someone experience» who in Tittle Cottonwood Canyon,” Judd said. “Then Bill Hale could fade into the sunset. But oO of the present major system, problems with according to Judd the from Littke Cottonwood Canyon, following critical news reports of UDOT's and others, is that forecasters do not have avalanche the forecasting Lake Tribune and system in 7he Wasatch The Salt Mountain authority tion, to close the road. HEBER As The Wasatch the avalanche forecasts are not circu- reported in its January Times but are three UDOT say on when Mountain issue, Liam avalanche forecasters have quit in protest since 1990, was left avalanche time claiming open hazard. UDOT the during canyon periods The of trio cited supervisor Bill by Hale, road high the authority who to open to close to the avalanche But his own Times he safety and defense, always had Hale erred a on good told the side of in the record road Canyon is more “The Hale apparently responsible was for opening not solely the canyon Jan. 17, 30 minutes before the 9:30 a.m. slide system in the view, approach. Snowbird and UDOT Service, Alta, to work out a new itive step.” avalanche safety programs their resorts safe. The danger, to critics, is only individto keep according over the canyon road, UDOT We're not to the too much going to took a The information director proclaimed meeting a success: “It was the most the pro- ductive large meeting I've ever sat in... various Times snow inter- conciliatory who Fitzgerald to say Brighton’s following up the canyon said. “We knew away, Two in pro“But is also excessive.” PAGE said proposed site The that once there would 756-acre known come @ The Pen the ski resort be an opportu- second, piece is now asking 110-acre parcel, may soon parcels Hansen “If family explained. mining The Mid- Parks mitigation, the town we through can of Midway with get state, the a two-thirds is no question:the and Wasatch and some to come portion, there wants conservation the land easement conservation The Summit Nature own there Hansen is a on it.” easement would space in perpetu- Conservancy and the Land Trust are working with the Snake Creek group for the common long it,” including the unless hold the land as open ity. state state should said. “But no one, “We were Preservation Utah CUP get the said. Creek private investors to ante up. A on together and Hansen Snake is County, Hansen said. as the Big Four Mine, Both ee Society Hansen from development. Mid-Park A are trying to take this opportu- land purchased,” available. operations, 14 last against large land parcels hold the key ‘the market. for to drive down outery of the canyon. family. a family originally in Heber “We Commission thumbs public by a Boston-based nity to get funding sources, the plan a to saving the canyon it is hazardous based pur- Preservations County nity to save the canyon,” ty issue in the canyon. someone was Wasatch the development director “The stance taken by UDOT if a to Park is owned The Big Four Mine by Recreation, canyon year said personalities had polarized the safe- excessive,” Creek funding gave is a real possafety funding for Hansen. the went Snowbird space recreation, find of for the expansion of Brighton Ski Resort. But is no one person open and can Snake The do claiming Bill Hale an avalanche expert is not at the resorts. The from George it snows remain wildlife Purchases northwest Society is hoping to find about $1 million America. close is at fault,” he said. “The effort by UDOT to get this new maintain is too that,” he said. “There in times of avalanche hazard. in North will group The prone to avalanche than Fitzgerald plan for closing the winding canyon road Alta and Snowbird private Canyon, chase two large, strategic parcels. Cottonwood Wasatch Mountain called the meeting of forecastthe Forest Littke road canyon. Ina Zwick said he had full confidence in watershed, will recti- Creek Creek Midway, assigned Fitzgerald said zones and anything about Hale, but U.S. main avalanche ers from up any other highway canyon Ss... forecasters at UDOT. no forecasting The 7he snow like to see the road fy the natural hazards, In Snake final the Snowbird director, said he would as the problem has the and close the road. Fitzgerald, safety long- Hale kept VALLEY Group Seeks $1 Million for In addi- lated to the various entities in the canyon Times ual Hellgate Slide Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon. that ain't goin’ to happen.” goal, said. don't as there tion easement,” care who holds is a permanent he said. @ title as conserva- |