Emigration Canyon Sustainability Alliance

OUR HISTORY:

The Emigration Canyon Sustainability Alliance was formed in March 2019 in response to concerns about the future of water in the canyon. Approval of new public wells in the Burr Fork drainage, impairment of private wells, E. coli contamination of the creek, lack of stream flow, effects of climate change, and lawsuits about water in the canyon were driving residents apart. In response to these issues, a group of dedicated residents decided to establish a grass-root organization to unite the community behind a common goal:

To protect the natural environment of Emigration Canyon and work towards a sustainable source of water for all residents - human and animal alike.

Their desire stemmed from an acute realization that changing weather patterns related to climate change and increasing private/public water diversions threaten limited groundwater resources. They felt it was time to reach out to all stakeholders to promote implementation of a long-term water strategy to ensure a sustainable future for water in the canyon .

OUR GOALS:

PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY

• Facilitate studies that provide data on the effect of climate change and private/public water diversions on the groundwater system.

• Support water management decisions that are guided by sustainability goals and based on climate research and long-term monitoring of the groundwater system.

• Promote increased oversight of Water Service Districts and implementation of State Legislative Code supporting sustainable use of water resources.

IMPROVE WATER QUALITY

• Educate residents on E. coli contamination of the creek and the risk of well water contamination related to leaking septic systems.

• Implement programs that address problems with faulty septic systems and educate residents on proper care of septic systems.

• Promote programs that slow down spring run-off to decrease turbidity of water in the creek.

INCREASE STREAMFLOW

• Promote policy and programs that help maintain year-round streamflow in Emigration Creek.

• Prevent groundwater mining and related hydrological drought, associated with public water diversions, by supporting 24 hour well monitoring systems.

• Implement water conservation programs.

PROTECT WILDLIFE, FLORA AND FAUNA

• Promote sustainable development in the canyon that ensures private/public water diversion do not exceed available groundwater resources to protect the natural environment of the canyon.

• Support changes to the Emigration Canyon General Plan that limit commercial zoning and ensure environmental capacity of roads/trails are not exceeded.

• Restore riparian vegetation along Emigration Creek to protect essential wildlife habitat and shelter.

OUR MEMBERS:

Willy Stokman (Skycrest); Mindy McAnulty (Emigration Oaks); David Steed (Main Canyon); Michelle and Steve Anderson (Sunnydale); Jessica Kramer (Skycrest), Mary Tull (Trails End); Steve Moore (Pinecrest); Matt Velinder (Main Canyon); Lindy McIlwaine (Pinecrest); Ben Dobbin (Pinecrest); Suzanne Plumb (Emigration Oaks); Phil Triolo (Skycrest); Katie Winters (Maple Grove); John Porcher (Pinecrest); Bonnie Baxter (Skycrest); Don Clark (Skycrest).