19–006 

112TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 112–452 

WASATCH RANGE RECREATION ACCESS ENHANCEMENT 

ACT 

APRIL 19, 2012.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington, from the Committee on Natural 

Resources, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 3452] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 3452) to provide for the sale of approximately 30 acres 

of Federal land in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Salt 

Lake County, Utah, to permit the establishment of a minimally 

invasive transportation alternative for skiers, called ‘‘SkiLink’’, to 

connect two ski resorts in the Wasatch Mountains, and for other 

purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 

with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do 

pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Wasatch Range Recreation Access Enhancement 

Act’’. 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

Congress finds the following: 

(1) Canyons Ski Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort and other ski areas are 

interested in providing direct public access between the Wasatch Range front 

and back in the State of Utah by linking these ski resorts by means of a transportation connection, such as skier transport, lift, or tramway. 

(2) The seven ski resorts in the Wasatch Range in Utah are situated within 

a 5-mile radius, and the resorts are separated by mountain ridges and other 


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natural features of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, but currently 

there is no convenient transportation link between the resorts. 

(3) Wasatch Mountains Resorts have proposed a public-access transportation 

connection through construction of a minimally invasive transportation alternative gondola for skiers, called ‘‘SkiLink’’, which would cross approximately 30 

acres of lands managed by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest from private land at The Canyons Ski Resort in Summit County, Utah, to private land 

at Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. 

(4) The land and resource management plan for Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest prohibits new alpine ski lifts on National Forest System land. 

(5) Despite efforts by Utah Department of Transportation, the Wasatch Front 

Regional Council, and the Utah Transit Authority to increase transit and carpool access in Big Cottonwood Canyon, daily traffic on peak winter weekends 

ranges between 8,000 and 9,000 vehicles per day. Addressing congested traffic 

conditions in the Wasatch Canyons is important for the safety, health, and 

economy of the Wasatch Range front and back. 

(6) Studies show that the establishment of the SkiLink would reduce ski-season vehicle traffic between The Canyons Ski Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort by as much as 18,000 cars per year or 1 million fewer miles driven per 

year, and the amount of the reduction is expected to increase over time. 

(7) SkiLink would produce immediate traffic benefits, including a reduction 

in PM 2.5 and other emissions in Parley’s and Big Cottonwood Canyons. 

(8) A preliminary environmental review of the proposed SkiLink corridor assessed the potential impact to special-status species, water quality and watershed resources, and visual resources and found that no federally listed species 

or critical habitat would be affected and that any water, plant, and wildlife 

issues could be addressed through mitigation. 

(9) Minimally invasive, environmentally sound construction techniques would 

be used to construct SkiLink, including the use of helicopters for concrete placement and tower installations. 

(10) The winter sport industry in Utah is a significant contributor to the economy of Utah, with the ski/snowboarding industry bringing $1.26 billion to Utah 

during the 2009/2010 ski season and resulting in 20,000 jobs. 

(11) Economic analysis of SkiLink shows it would infuse another $50,000,000 

a year into Utah’s economy and create 500 new jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries by creating the largest interconnected ski network in the 

United States and providing access to more than 6,000 acres of existing ski terrain. 

SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND, UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST, SALT LAKE COUNTY, UTAH. 

(a) CONVEYANCE REQUIRED; PURPOSE.—Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary of 

Agriculture shall convey, by sale, to Canyons-SkiLink, LLC, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a parcel of National Forest System land in the 

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Salt Lake County, Utah, consisting of approximately 30 acres, as identified on the map entitled ‘‘Wasatch Range Recreation 

Access Enhancement Act’’ and dated February 27, 2012, for the purpose of permitting Canyons-SkiLink, LLC, to construct a ski-lift, gondola, or tramway to serve as 

a public-access transportation interconnection of the Wasatch Front and the 

Wasatch Back Mountains. 

(b) CONSIDERATION.—As consideration for the conveyance of the National Forest 

System land under subsection (a), Canyons-SkiLink, LLC, shall pay to the Secretary 

an amount equal to at least the fair market value of the land as of the date of the 

enactment of this Act. Any funds received by the Secretary under this Act shall be 

deposited in the general fund of the Treasury to reduce the Federal deficit. 

(c) DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE.—The fair market value of the National Forest System land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be based on an 

appraisal acceptable to the Secretary. The appraisal shall be completed no later 

than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(d) ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.—The Secretary shall complete all actions that 

may be required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 

4321 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and all 

other applicable laws in making the conveyance under this section. 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of H.R. 3452, as ordered reported, is to provide for 

the sale of approximately 30 acres of Federal land in the UintaWasatch-Cache National Forest in Salt Lake County, Utah, and to 


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permit the establishment of a minimally invasive transportation alternative for skiers, called ‘‘SkiLink’’, to connect two ski resorts in 

the Wasatch Mountains. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Although the Canyons Ski Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort 

are within a five mile radius of each other, there is no convenient 

route between them. The Wasatch Range Recreation Access Enhancement Act (H.R. 3452) would authorize the fair market value 

sale of a 30-acre parcel of U.S. Forest Service land to CanyonsSkiLink, LLC, to construct the ‘‘SkiLink’’ project (a ski-lift, gondola 

or tramway) to connect the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back 

Mountains, and, accordingly, the two resorts. 

As local governments and the State of Utah work to address comprehensive transportation issues in the Salt Lake area and nearby 

ski resorts, studies show that construction of SkiLink could reduce 

vehicle traffic between the two resorts by up to 18,000 cars per 

year. The legislation also specifies that the sale of this parcel would 

be subject to the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered 

Species Act, and all other applicable laws to ensure protection for 

the Salt Lake area watershed. 

COMMITTEE ACTION

H.R. 3452 was introduced on November 17, 2011, by Congressman Rob Bishop (R–UT). The bill was referred to the Committee 

on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. On December 2, 2011, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill. On 

February 29, 2012, the Full Natural Resources Committee met to 

consider the bill. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests 

and Public Lands was discharged by unanimous consent. Congressman Rob Bishop (R–UT) offered an en bloc amendment to the bill; 

the amendment was approved by voice vote. Congressman Raul 

Grijalva (D–AZ) offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to the bill; the amendment was not adopted by a roll call 

vote of 16 to 19, as follows: 


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The bill was then adopted and ordered favorably reported, as 

amended, to the House of Representatives by a roll call vote of 20 

to 18, as follows: 


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COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 

Natural Resources’ oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(2)(B) of that rule provides 

that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Under clause 

3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 

section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for this bill from the 

Director of the Congressional Budget Office: 

H.R. 3452—Wasatch Range Recreation Access Enhancement Act 

H.R. 3452 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to sell 30 

acres of National Forest System land to a private entity. The land 

would be sold at fair market value and used to construct a tramway that would connect two ski resorts in Utah. Based on information provided by the Forest Service regarding the value of the affected lands, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation 

would increase offsetting receipts by less than $500,000; therefore, 

pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the bill would not affect 

revenues. 

H.R. 3452 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Jeff LaFave. The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant Director for 

Budget Analysis. 

2. Section 308(a) of Congressional Budget Act. As required by 

clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, 

this bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or 

tax expenditures. Based on information provided by the Forest 

Service regarding the value of the affected lands, CBO estimates 

that implementing the legislation would increase offsetting receipts 

by less than $500,000; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. 

Enacting the bill would not affect revenues. 

3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 

clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or objective 

of this bill, as ordered reported, is to provide for the sale of approximately 30 acres of Federal land in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache 

National Forest in Salt Lake County, Utah, and to permit the establishment of a minimally invasive transportation alternative for 

skiers, called ‘‘SkiLink’’, to connect two ski resorts in the Wasatch 

Mountains. 


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EARMARK STATEMENT

This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined under clause 9(e), 

9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4

This bill contains no unfunded mandates as defined under Public 

Law 104–4. 

PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law. 


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(9) 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

The Wasatch Range Recreation Enhancement Act provides special access between two ski resorts at the expense of land protections sought by the United States Forest Service, the City of Salt 

Lake, and the County of Salt Lake. H.R. 3452 gives Canyons Ski 

Resort monopoly access to Solitude Mountain Resort by conveying 

30 acres to be used to construct a gondola between resorts. The legislation overrides a carefully crafted land management plan that 

balances the need to protect water quality with continued recreation access in a popular ski area. Finally, the bill cloaks this special access as a solution to persistent and real transportation issues 

currently being addressed by local lawmakers. 

A 120-mile corridor framed by the Wasatch Mountains on the 

East and the Great Salt Lake to the west, the Wasatch Front is 

home to nearly 80 percent of Utah’s population. Within the Salt 

Lake area of the Wasatch Front, the Cottonwood Canyons are the 

municipal watershed for over one million residents of Salt Lake 

Valley. Big Cottonwood Canyon is home to Brighton and Solitude 

ski resorts. Alta and Snowbird ski resorts are nestled within Little 

Cottonwood Canyon. The area over the ridge of these mountains to 

the East is known as the Wasatch Back. Canyons, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley are the three most popular Wasatch Back resorts. 

H.R. 3452 would require the Forest Service to convey approximately 30 acres of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to 

Canyons-SkiLink, LLC, a subsidiary of Talisker Corporation, a 

global real estate development corporation and owner of Canyons 

Ski Resort. Currently, there is no access to the Wasatch Front from 

Wasatch Back ski resorts. The construction of the SkiLink would 

connect one resort on the Wasatch Back to one resort on the 

Wasatch Front. This not only provides special treatment for one resort, but creates a dangerous precedent for additional development 

in this sensitive watershed. 

Eighty percent of the Salt Lake City watershed is federal land 

managed by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. In 2003, 

after an extensive public process, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest developed a management plan focused almost exclusively on providing longterm, high-quality culinary water to the 

Salt Lake Valley. The management plan expressly prohibits expansion of the existing four ski areas in the Wasatch Front outside of 

their current boundaries. The lands identified in this legislation 

are set aside for watershed protection and any new recreational facility development, such as the SkiLink, is prohibited. By legislating the land conveyance, H.R. 3452 overrides the watershed protection plan. 

Salt Lake City owns the largest percentage of water rights in the 

Wasatch Canyons and is congressionally directed to protect water 


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supply and quality. In testimony before the subcommittee, Salt 

Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker expressed deep concerns with the 

legislation’s impact on the ability of Salt Lake City to sustain a reliable water supply for a growing Salt Lake Valley population. 

Finally, the legislation purports to address transportation issues 

by arguing that skiers will now access Wasatch Front resorts via 

SkiLink from the Wasatch Back instead of using surface transportation in the Cottonwood canyons. This is unlikely. The idea that 

Salt Lake Valley residents will opt to drive from Salt Lake City to 

Park City to then ski in their backyard resort by taking a gondola 

from the Canyons resort defies logic. The Salt Lake City Council 

and Salt Lake County Commission have expressed strong opposition to the legislation in a letter to the Committee. Both the City 

and County find that addressing transportation issues through this 

legislation is contrary to local, collaborative planning. The Department of Agriculture did not support the legislation during subcommittee consideration citing with the role of public input when 

legislation mandates the sale of land to a private entity. 

There is universal agreement that the region needs to address 

transportation issues associated with the Cottonwood Canyons. 

There is also universal support for the importance of protecting key 

watersheds that supplies the Salt Lake Valley. To that end, both 

the City and County have aggressively pursued local collaborative 

planning efforts to identify alternative canyon transportation methods that are consistent with protecting water quality. The prudent 

course of action is to allow local officials and local processes to 

move forward without providing a legislative solution favoring one 

entity. 

EDWARD J. MARKEY, Ranking 

Member. 

NIKI TSONGAS. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO. 

RAU ́ L M. GRIJALVA. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO. 

GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO

SABLAN. DALE E. KILDEE. BEN RAY LUJA ́ N. PAUL TONKO. RUSH HOLT. 

Æ 


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