Davis County staff propose land swap with U.S. Forest Service to complete Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Davis County planning staff on Tuesday detailed a proposal to secure a key 160‑acre stretch east of Bountiful that county leaders say is required to complete the Bonneville Shoreline Trail through Mueller Canyon. The presentation described a proposed 1‑for‑1 land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service that would transfer the private parcel to the Forest Service after the county constructs the trail.

The county’s planning manager, Jeff Wyler, told commissioners the parcel “is smack dab in the middle” of the trail corridor and that there is no viable alternate route around the property. He said the county and landowner have explored purchase and easement options but “the landlord wants to get more value” than the county is willing to pay. Wyler said the trade arrangement would allow the county to build the trail before turning the land over to the Forest Service to avoid additional administrative delays.

Jaren Davis, who said he was chosen to help the landowner with the transaction, framed the exchange as a conservation‑oriented, no‑net‑loss strategy designed to expand public recreation. Davis said preserving the parcel would add about 1.84 miles of new trail and connect existing segments of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail up to Elephant Rock. “This calls out to be part of a public setting that Davis County residents can participate in,” he said.

Presenters described several parcels proposed as part of the broader exchange package: roughly 11 acres (the Lions Gun Club site), about 28 acres between Layton and Centerville, approximately 6.5 acres above the Davis County shooting range (intended to host a berm for public safety), and roughly 113 acres in Fernwood. The county team said easements and existing access roads on Forest Service parcels would remain in place.

Commissioners asked whether neighboring cities had been consulted and were told Bountiful City has expressed opposition, preferring to retain the land as open space. Wyler and Davis recommended further outreach to Centerville, Layton and other nearby jurisdictions to answer questions and reduce opposition. Several commissioners voiced general support for pursuing the exchange in principle but urged staff to return with clearer details about annexation risks, development covenants and potential county liabilities.

A key procedural question is timing. Davis said administrative Forest Service exchanges can take many years — “about a 10 year process” — and that congressional legislation introduced by Congressman Mike Lee’s office could accelerate the transaction by directing the Forest Service to complete the swap. County officials did not commit public funds beyond routine surveying and trail planning but agreed to pursue city outreach and a site visit before any formal endorsement.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the exchange proposal at the work session. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate follow‑up meetings with affected city managers and to schedule a field visit to the property before winter.