Provo moves on potential conservation easement at mouth of Slate Canyon

PROVO — Provo is moving to potentially place 115 acres near Slate Canyon into a conservation easement.

The Provo City Council unanimously voted during a work meeting on April 28 to pursue a conservation easement on city-owned parcels near the mouth of Slate Canyon. The approximately 115 acres in the foothill area would still be owned by the city but would be protected by the easement holder, Utah Open Lands.

Wendy Fisher, executive director of Utah Open Lands, said the organization works with private landowners and government entities to create conservation easements "primarily with the purpose of protecting agricultural, recreational, wildlife, scenic and open space resources throughout the state."

"I do believe that our long-term economic vitality is tied to our quality of life, and a huge part of that quality of life are our open spaces," she said during a presentation in the work meeting.

Fisher explained that she loved exploring the outdoors as a kid and feels that Utah is losing some of those places, so she wants to protect them. A conservation easement puts an encumbrance on the land, meaning the city is still the property owner, but the easement holder has the obligation of protecting the land from improper uses.

"People think that a conservation easement locks in the fate of the land, and yet development locks in the fate of the land far greater than a conservation easement would," Fisher said.

Melia Dayley, a policy analyst for Provo, said there are very few buildable portions in the proposed property area, as most of the land is at a 30% grade and too steep to build on.

Despite that, the city has received proposals for development of the property, including a controversial proposal last year to expand the Splash Summit Water Park. Residents spoke out strongly against the proposal, and then-Mayor Michelle Kaufusi announced the land is "not for sale."

The city will be able to install adaptive "guardrails" in the easement to guide future land use. While the area is slated to become a park one day, the council noted that placing the land in a conservation easement may not expedite that process, as park funding is "few and far between."

The city entered into a similar easement for Bunnell's Fork in Provo Canyon and has previously worked with Utah Open Lands on the protection of Bridal Veil Falls.

Local nonprofit Conserve Utah Valley offered to cover the estimated initial stewardship costs of $10,000 for the conservation easement. The organization hopes to raise the funds by June 13 through a hike-a-thon where participants pledge dollar amounts per 1,000 steps or a step goal to donate a flat fee upon completion.

"All funds raised will go directly toward the long-term stewardship costs required by Utah Open Lands to hold and defend the easement in perpetuity," a statement from Conserve Utah Valley said.

Conserve Utah Valley praised Provo for taking steps toward environmental preservation over the last few years, citing the city's purchase of 29 critical acres and the rezoning of another 26.

"This final conservation easement will provide a permanent legal shield against commercial development, ensuring the canyon remains an open-access recreational and biological haven," the organization said.

Conserve Utah Valley will host an open house with the city at Slate Canyon on June 13 at 8:30 a.m. to educate citizens about the canyon, the conservation easement, and the importance of preservation.

"Slate Canyon is a vital biological corridor and a critical watershed for our community," said Kristina Davis, executive director of the organization's Provo chapter. "By securing this easement, we aren't just protecting a trail; we are ensuring flood safety, wildfire buffering and a legacy of stewardship for the thousands of residents who visit this canyon every year."

The next steps in the government process include creating a memorandum of understanding between the city and Utah Open Lands, drafting an easement agreement and conducting a public-interest valuation study. After those are completed, the city will hold a public hearing and then vote on a resolution to enter the agreement.

City Councilman Craig Christensen voiced his approval for the easement, saying it will prevent the area from being overdeveloped and keep it a "wonderful gateway to Slate Canyon."

"Every once in a while we have a chance to make a significant difference in the city ... what this signals is a commitment to our citizens that we're serious about maintaining what makes Provo so incredibly unique," he said.

The conservation easement would be a huge gain for the city and is a "tremendous gift" for generations to come, he added.

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