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Forest Service outlines 4,900‑acre treatments in Big Cottonwood Canyon watershed project under accelerated EA
Summary
The Forest Service presented a draft EA for a Big Cottonwood Canyon watershed and fuels‑reduction project proposing about 4,900 acres of treatments on federal land (within an 18,600‑acre analysis area) to reduce wildfire risk and address balsam woolly adelgid; implementation could begin this summer under emergency authority and would occur over a multi‑year horizon.
The U.S. Forest Service outlined a draft environmental assessment for the Big Cottonwood Canyon watershed project at the Salt Lake County Council’s June 16 meeting, saying proposed treatments would apply to roughly 4,900 acres within an 18,600‑acre project area and would be limited to lands managed by the Forest Service.
Adam Shaw, district ranger for the Salt Lake Ranger District, said the project aims to improve forest health, reduce the probability of high‑severity wildfire by lowering fuel connectivity and density, and support aspen regeneration. "We're looking at treating about 4,900 acres of treatments... within the larger project area," Shaw said, describing cut‑and‑pile, lop‑and‑scatter and subsequent pile burning and prescribed fire as primary tools.
Shaw said the Forest Service will not treat designated wilderness, will not perform commercial timber harvests, and proposes a 16‑inch diameter‑breast‑height limit on trees to be removed. He said several limits (no off‑road heavy equipment beyond existing roads) and wildlife considerations (retaining snags and downed material) are part of the design criteria.
The agency said it is using an emergency action determination to accelerate the process because of widespread balsam woolly adelgid (BWA) and low snowpack last year; that determination shortens the public‑comment period to 14 days. Shaw said implementation could begin this summer and the full program of cutting, piling and burning may span five to 10 years depending on conditions.
Council members expressed appreciation for the collaboration between county staff and the Forest Service and asked about the timeline and public outreach; the Forest Service said it hosted an open house and would hold a second open house at Brighton and that final decision signing was anticipated in late June or early July.
