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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Congressman Jim Matheson announced Thursday a compromise agreement that he believes will lead to more official wilderness in Utah.
He plans to introduce the Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act when Congress reconvenes next week.
The legislation would give special protection to 26,000 acres of land in Millcreek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon.
"It is a compromise reached by a number of individuals, environmentalists, businesses, and city and county entities," said Matheson. "And as is the nature of any compromise, everyone gave up something to arrive at the bill that is before us today."
The bill would create about 10,000 acres of "special management areas" that Matheson says will protect watershed while still allowing helicopter skiing.
It also includes 7,700 acres of the first new wilderness area in Utah since 1984. That wilderness area would be on Grandeur Peak and Mount Aire and would be named the Wayne Owens Wilderness Area.
