Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CACHE COUNTY — Cache Valley often gets attention for having some of the worst air quality in the nation. Some homeowners there are concerned a new truck stop could add to the problem. They say the proposed truck stop in Wellsville would not only be an eyesore but add to some of the nation's most polluted air.
"We've got to get our air under control," said Wellsville resident Katie Christensen. "This truck stop is not in line with that."
We've got to get our air under control. This truck stop is not in line with that.
–Wellsville resident Katie Christensen
The truck stop would be right along Highway 89 and have around 30 parking stations. It would be very close to certain neighborhoods.
Christensen says she would get a front door view of the truck stop if it's approved that would mean dealing with added traffic as they try to get in and out of their street. Christensen is part of a group of citizens that are also concerned about the noise and large lights at night.
"You bring in a truck stop of this magnitude, and it's going to change the whole way our town is set up," Christensen said.
The city's planning commission is waiting to hear back from the developer with a study on the trucks stop's potential impact to the area. Commissioners have said that the development would mostly affect those close by, but it would offer more jobs and a new convenience store for the area.
There's potential for an alternate place to go for fuel, to wash your car, a convenience store.
–Kent Larsen, Wellsville Planning Commission
"There's potential for an alternate place to go for fuel, to wash your car, a convenience store," said Kent Larsen from the Wellsville Planning Commission.
Larsen says the land owner is playing by the rules. The area is zoned for commercial use and truck stops were recently added to the city code. In the meantime, the nonprofit group, Utah Moms for Clean Air, is trying to fight against the idling trucks on the state level.
"Because diesel has benzene in it, it's a known carcinogen," said Cherise Udell, Founder of Utah Moms for Clean Air. "The areas around these overnight truck stops will basically become virtual cancer corridors."
Because diesel has benzene in it, it's a known carcinogen. The areas around these overnight truck stops will basically become virtual cancer corridors.
–Cherise Udell, Founder of Utah Moms for Clean Air
They're asking the governor to push for plug-in stations at truck stops statewide and put a ban on overnight idling. For moms like Christensen, the concern is for young children in the neighborhood and their life ahead.
"These are crucial years for their physical development, and their mental development," Christensen said.
The developer is preparing a report for the planning commission about possible impacts to the area. If this goes forward, commissioners say the city council could vote in a provision to require plug-in stations at this truck stop.
