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Mountain Accord seeks input

Michael Kaplan, Special to the Park Record

Tuesday evening Park City High School hosted a public forum presented by Mountain Accord, a collaborative effort of local, state and federal stakeholders to determine an ideal scenario for future uses of the Wasatch Mountains.

The group’s website explains "The preferred scenario will identify optimal areas for preservation and development and environmentally-sustainable transportation corridors and modes."

Tuesday’s forum included a formal presentation of the group’s organization and goals followed by a question-and-answer discussion. A wide range of community leaders and interested citizens attended it. Phyllis Robinson, Park City’s public affairs manager, labeled the Forum as "Mountain Accord 101," an effort to give the public an opportunity to learn about the organization. She emphasized that while the group has developed goals and a vision statement, "no decisions have been made yet." She added that "these meetings are an opportunity for a cross-section of the public to provide feedback."

The Mountain Accord is comprised of two hundred key Wasatch Mountain stakeholders including local, county and state political and community leaders, Ski Utah, representatives of the various Chambers of Commerce, state and federal transportation officials, and several environmental groups amongst others. The project is organized into four key system groups: Transportation, Environment, Economy, and Recreation.

Park City Councilor Andy Beerman has been working with the group and wrote "the Mountain Accord is an ambitious project with the potential to profoundly shape the central Wasatch. It’s finally taking shape in a way that we can better engage the public and I am excited to start the conversation with our citizens."

The implications of Vail Resorts’ recent purchase or Park City Mountain Resort are unclear but speculation is that it will eventually aid efforts to link several ski resorts since Vail also has a long-term lease of Canyons Resort.

The group is clearly seeking public input and participation. Laynee Jones, the Mountain Accord program manager, said "We hope to increase public awareness so we can get public feedback." Jones also asked for anyone interested to sign up at the Mountain Accord website (http://www.mountainaccord.com) to receive future email updates. Added Beerman, "There will be a lot of outreach the next few months and I encourage everyone to get involved, learn more, and share their thoughts."

The next Mountain Accord public forum will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at a location to be determined.

Park City resident Michael Kaplan is an Adjunct Professor of International Marketing and Ski Resort Management.

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