Resident urges Summit County Council to oppose hunting on 9/10 Ranch and to notify Legislature

During public comment at the Feb. 25 Summit County Council meeting, Park City resident Sean Ziegler urged the council to oppose hunting on the 9/10 Ranch and to notify the state legislature of the county's position.

Ziegler identified himself as a long-time resident and said the 9,10 ranch acquisition presents "a unique opportunity to preserve an almost 9,000-acre tract of wilderness" that is home to diverse wildlife. He urged the council to "formally notify the state legislature ... that Summit County is strongly opposed to hunting on the 910 Ranch," and asked the council to honor what he described as the landowner's wish that the property become a nature and wildlife preserve. He also urged the county to do more public education about the pending transaction and its likely future uses, saying many residents are unaware of the pending acquisition and associated issues.

The comment was received during the meeting's public-comment period; the council did not take action on the matter during the Feb. 25 meeting. The transcript records Mr. Ziegler's remarks and his request that the council act to prevent hunting and to protect the property from development.

Council members thanked Mr. Ziegler for his comments. The issue of permitted uses on the property — including wildlife management and any hunting policy — would be subject to the terms of any conservation easement, county policy and applicable state law. No policy change or formal council action related to the 9/10 Ranch was recorded in the Feb. 25 public transcript.