With the Wasatch Mountains in its backyard, Holladay is taking a bigger role in protecting the canyons. By approving an interlocal agreement, the city now has a voice in the Central Wasatch Commission.

Holladay will work to preserve and protect the canyons and address issues that directly affect city residents by joining with neighboring communities to plan for the future of Utah’s iconic mountains. Recent CWC projects include invasive weed control, a visitor-use study, maintenance of bathrooms located at trailheads and the formation of a youth council for people from 16-30 years old.

Since the CWC was formed in 2017, entities like Salt Lake City, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Millcreek, Salt Lake County and the Utah Department of Transportation have focused their efforts on sustainability, recreation, economic viability and traffic control in the canyons.

“Representatives from the Central Wasatch Commission presented to the council, asking us if we’d like to be part of that coalition of different government entities that are engaged with what’s going on with the canyons,” said Holladay Mayor Rob Dahle. “There’s a lot of pressure on these canyons. They’re dealing with issues that revolve around winter activities and these canyons are becoming so crowded in the summer months as well.”

The CWC’s mission is to implement the Mountain Accord charter, which proposes plans to address issues in the Wasatch Mountains. To preserve natural resources, along with sustainable recreation and traffic control, the CWC works with stakeholders to create effective, long- and short-term solutions.

The Holladay City Council unanimously approved the agreement and Councilmember Emily Gray was appointed to serve on the CWC board, giving Holladay a seat at the table to represent the city’s interests.

Gray said the CWC’s mission is aligned with issues that affect Holladay, especially the traffic impact along Wasatch Boulevard and dealing with water resources like Big Cottonwood Creek that runs through the city. 

“I think in looking at all of the factors, both economic and environmental, I think [the CWC has] a really good, holistic and collaborative approach that I think is very beneficial to protect this resource and also allow it to be used responsibly,” Gray said. “I’m very excited to be Holladay’s voice on this commission.”

The City Council approved $25,000 for the interlocal agreement, which covers membership fees to join the CWC. Contribution tiers in the CWC range from $15,000 to $200,000.

“We did have a budget impact, and just for the record, the council wanted to make sure we just weren’t throwing money away,” Dahle said. “We wanted somebody who’s willing to serve and Emily indicated her passion to serve on this commission. That’s what drove the approval of that budget line item.”

Learn more about CWC projects, meetings and volunteer opportunities at cwc.utah.gov.