Bill Overview
Title: Bonneville Shoreline Trail Advancement Act
Description: This bill modifies the wilderness designations of certain lands in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah. The bill designates approximately 326.27 acres in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest as part of the Mount Olympus Wilderness. The bill also removes the following lands in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest from designation as wilderness: approximately 11.17 acres in the Mount Naomi Wilderness, approximately 197.4 acres in the Mount Olympus Wilderness, approximately 9.8 acres in the Twin Peaks Wilderness, and approximately 107.9 acres in the Lone Peak Wilderness Area. The lands removed from designation as wilderness shall be managed as part of the forest.
Sponsors: Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals using or affected by the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and affected wilderness areas
Estimated Size: 120000
- The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is located in Utah and specifically affects the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which means the impact will be localized to this region.
- The trail is used by various outdoor enthusiasts including hikers, bikers, and potentially equestrians, who partake in recreational activities in and around the wilderness areas.
- Modifying wilderness designations may open more areas for activities that were previously restricted in designated wilderness areas. This could change the level of access for recreation and conservation-focused groups.
- Environmentalists and conservationists who are invested in the management and preservation of forest land will be interested in the changes to wilderness designations.
- Local communities and tourism businesses that rely on the trail, such as those in surrounding municipalities, will be economically and socially impacted.
- Although the bill pertains to specific geographic changes, outdoor enthusiasts who plan to visit the area from other regions could also experience impacts.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects a relatively small geographical area in Utah, so most direct impacts will be felt locally.
- Outdoor enthusiasts who use the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, both locals and visitors, are the primary demographic.
- The change in wilderness designation affects access and the types of activities permissible, impacting recreational use.
- Conservationists and environmentalists will be concerned with the trade-off between access and conservation.
- Local businesses reliant on ecotourism might see economic benefits from increased access but possibly at a conservation cost.
- Given the small scope of land area changes, substantial impacts at a broader national level are unlikely.
- The budget constraints mean large-scale promotional or infrastructural changes are not feasible, keeping impacts localized.
Simulated Interviews
Outdoor Guide (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will likely increase foot traffic on the trails, which is good for business but might worry conservationists.
- I hope the increase in traffic does not lead to deterioration of the landscapes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Environmental Scientist (Provo, Utah)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry the reduction in wilderness designation might harm biodiversity and disrupt local ecosystems.
- The access changes might bring more awareness and appreciation for natural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Restaurant Owner (Ogden, Utah)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An increased trail accessibility might bring more tourists, boosting local businesses.
- Sufficient infrastructure is required to manage the increased traffic without damaging the ecosystem.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Logan, Utah)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the new access opportunities but hope it doesn't come at the cost of conservation.
- Better managed trails might lead to improved safety and environmental education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm looking forward to increased biking opportunities on the trails.
- I hope the changes will maintain environmental integrity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Teacher (Brigham City, Utah)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about balancing access with preservation of natural resources.
- Educational trails can offer good learning opportunities for students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Freelance Photographer (Logan, Utah)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The changes could lead to overuse and erosion of beautiful photographic sites.
- Increased people traffic might raise awareness of conservation needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Software Engineer (Boise, Idaho)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Potentially more hiking opportunities would be great.
- I hope visitor numbers don't compromise the area's natural beauty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Logistics Manager (Sandy, Utah)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could improve local tourism logistics needs with more consistent traffic.
- The balance between nature and logistics is crucial for sustainability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired Park Ranger (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am wary of the impact on the wilderness authenticity and the natural beauty.
- Hope the policy includes measures for the responsible increase in visitor access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000 (Low: $200000, High: $300000)
Year 2: $200000 (Low: $150000, High: $250000)
Year 3: $150000 (Low: $100000, High: $200000)
Year 5: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000)
Key Considerations
- The re-designation of certain areas from wilderness to non-wilderness could face resistance from conservation groups.
- Economic impacts are expected to be positive for local tourism but minor on the broader economic scale.
- Initial implementation costs are predominantly administrative.
- Long-term impacts will depend on how the re-designation affects ecological conservation and recreational use.