SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah, May 13, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The U.S. Forest Service has awarded $40 million to Summit County to purchase the 910 Cattle Ranch property north of Jeremy Ranch.
The U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program is contributing the funds to the Wasatch Back Forest Conservation Project to purchase the 8,588-acre property in western Summit County for $55 million. The remaining $15 will come from the general obligation bond for open space that Summit County voters passed in 2021.
“The county is incredibly grateful for this federal support and our strong partnership with [the Utah Division of] Forestry, Fire and State Lands,” said Shayne Scott, Summit County manager. “This is a momentous acquisition for current and future generations of Summit County residents.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday announced the Wasatch Back Forest Conservation Project as one of 26 proposals in 17 states receiving a share of more than $154 million to conserve working forests that support rural economies.
“Public and private forests give us clean water and air, places to connect with the outdoors, good paying jobs, physical and spiritual renewal, habitat for threatened species, and so much more,” Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small said. “Joining with state partners to invest in conservation, we are making a real difference in the communities that depend on these forests.”
Summit County will immediately become stewards of the land, developing and implementing land management plans until it assumes ownership of the property, which could be as late as summer 2025, county officials said.
The work will include documenting current conditions of the land and which animal species are present, and identifying sensitive areas such as spaces frequented for elk calving.
“We are thrilled to finalize the purchase of the 910 Ranch and are thankful for all our local, state and federal partners,” Summit County Council Chair Malena Stevens said. “The county is eager to discuss what conservation, watershed restoration and responsible recreation opportunities look like on the 910. We encourage our community to stay involved in this process at every step.”
County officials have trained and vetted volunteer ambassadors to assist in monitoring the property, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office will be actively patrolling the area.
Recreating in the area only is allowed on the dirt east of Canyon Road, county officials said. In addition, dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after to avoid pollution of East Canyon Creek.
The Forest Legacy Program allows states to work with local communities to identify private forestlands and develop proposals to conserve them as places for recreation, wildlife habitat or sustainable sources of wood and other forest products.
