Box Elder County approves temporary relocation of Willard Canyon trail easement for public‑safety reasons

Box Elder County commissioners voted March 11 to approve a temporary vacation of a trail right‑of‑way in Willard Canyon and instructed staff to draft the necessary ordinance for a future meeting.

Scott Lyons, the county’s community development director, told the commission the easement relocation is proposed for public‑safety reasons while adjacent landowners conduct mining; the Planning Commission had recommended approval. Lyons said the trail will be moved to the south side of the canyon to separate users from active mining areas.

Public commenters expressed appreciation for restored access but raised practical concerns about the proposed easement dimensions and the physical access. Brad Wells, speaking for the Wells family, thanked county attorneys and staff for finding a way to maintain public access while protecting private land rights. Mike Bragger of the Willard City Council said the new trail alignment “is in a good location and is away from the mining.”

Lynn Murphy of the Willard Canyon Coalition said the historical route has largely washed out and cautioned that a three‑foot easement offers little leeway if the trail becomes muddy or eroded; she said the current access involves a steep stile and suggested a gate might be preferable to improve usability and protect the corridor. BJ Wells and Rod Mund (Willard City Council) also described parking improvements and measures to discourage motorized vehicles from the trail.

Commissioner Lee Perry moved to close the hearing and to approve the easement vacation; Commissioner Boyd Bingham seconded. The motion carried on a roll‑call vote with Chairman Tyler Vincent, Commissioner Bingham and Commissioner Perry voting yea. Commissioners directed staff to prepare the formal ordinance to appear on the next commission agenda.

The decision changes only the recorded right‑of‑way to allow the temporary southern alignment; the commission’s action was to approve the vacation and initiate ordinance drafting rather than to adopt a final engineering plan. Additional details about the eventual trail standard, surfacing, width and parking provisions were not specified and will be addressed as staff prepares the ordinance.