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Private tow-rope proposal for Fairview Canyon draws mixed reactions from Emery County council
Summary
A private proposal to install a tow-rope and fee area at Fairview Canyon drew both support (safety, youth access) and caution (road capacity, precedent) from council members; proponents estimate multi-year fundraising and possible permits under a special-use framework.
A private proposal to install a tow-rope and associated managed parking at Fairview Canyon was described to the council as an effort to reduce hazardous roadside drop-offs and improve safety for informal skiers and snow-boards.
Forest/rec staff summarized the concept as a privately financed, permitted operation that could include a seasonal fee (example figures discussed: $10 per day or $100 per season) and said proponents were tentatively targeting about $2,000,000 to develop a formal tow-rope operation and parking. “They're looking at it would probably be another year or 2 out before they raise the money,” staff said.
Council reaction was mixed. Supporters said a managed area could reduce risky roadside activity and create safer access and a controlled landing area for less-experienced users. One long-time recreational user said the location historically hosted a small tow rope and that reintroducing managed operations could improve safety and access.
Opponents warned that Fairview Canyon’s two-lane road lacks the infrastructure to handle large visitor inflows and questioned where permitting precedent would end: “Once you do that, then Fairview Canyon don't have a wide enough road … Where is it gonna end?” a council member asked, warning the change could encourage much larger inflows and create new traffic, parking and enforcement demands.
Staff and council members noted that the site would require multiple approvals — special-use permits on mixed ownership (forest service and some private parcels), potential recreation grants for parking or safety improvements, and NEPA or other federal approvals depending on the footprint. The proposal is still at the concept stage: staff said no formal NEPA decision or permit has been issued and the council was asked to watch for more detailed public input and funding plans.
The council took no formal vote; members requested additional information and recommended public outreach if the proponents advance the concept.
