City Acquirement of Bonanza Flats

Potential Changes Plan

PRT 5965-001 On-Site Policy and Analysis

Full Class Project
Fall 2017

Section 1: Land Access 4

1.1: Land Accessibility and ADA Requirements 4
1.2: Recreation Impacts on Trails 8
1.2.1 Trails and Signage Impact 8
1.2.2: Regarding Natural Resources 11
1.3: Winter Access 13
1.3.1: Nordic Skiing 15
1.4.1: Hiking 19
1.4.2: OHV 20
1.4.3: Mountain Biking 20
1.4.4: Canoeing/Kayaking 20
1.4.5: Dogs 21

Section 2: Overnight Stays 22

2.1: Camping & RV Camping 22

Section 3: Rules and Regulations 25

3.1: Fires 25
3.2: Water and Water Sources 26
3.2.1: Water Regulations 28
Water Background 28
3.3: Roads, Cars, and Shuttle Systems 34
3.3.1: Roads and Shuttle Systems 34
3.3.2: Cars 35

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 3.4: Law Enforcement and Emergency Services 35
3.5: Backcountry Permits 37
3.6: Fish and Wildlife Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4: Other Concerns 39

4.1: Environmental Education 39
4.2: Special Projects 43
4.2.1: OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL COMPANY PROJECT 43
4.2.2: Outdoor Recreational Company Business Model 44
4.2.3: Sky Trail and Zip Line 48

Sources 51

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As we all know, the Park City Government recently acquired the entire area of Bonanza Flats.
While this is exciting news for conservationists everywhere, the future of the Flats has yet to be
determined. We are proposing various changes and solutions to the different topics entertwined
with the flats, such as seasonal access, water resources, and much more.

Each topic discusses the different potential changes to be made in that area, and how much of an
impact those changes would make. Ultimately, it is up to Park City and its official managers of
the Flats; these proposals are simply designed to help bring forward all possibilities for the future
of the land.

The following sections delve further into these subjects and changes, offering information and
and proposals as stated previously.

We encourage you to remain inquisitive about the future of Bonanza Flats since it is, after all,
everybody’s public land.

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Section 1: Land Access

1.1: Land Accessibility and ADA Requirements

According to the 2000 census, “54 million people, or one in every five people in the United
States, had a disability that significantly limited one or more major life activities such as
walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, thinking, and so forth. Of that number, 4 percent used
wheelchairs and 7.4 percent used crutches, canes, walkers, or other assistive devices.

Additionally, the population of the United States is aging. By the year 2030, 110 million
people will be older than 55. As people age, impairments are more likely to hinder activities.”
(Forest Service)
With that said, allowing for Bonanza Flats to offer activities or option for every ability is of
the utmost importance. The land purchased primarily by the citizens of the city of Park City
Utah, should be available for all Park City citizens to use. Below you will find high, medium
and low impact plans for the Bonanza Flats land:

Low Impact Plan:

In many popular, high trafficked tourist destinations, there are “tower viewers” (See Image 1).
Bonanza Flats has breathtaking views anywhere you look. The idea is to put in place tower
viewers along the roads leading to Park City, Midway and at the top of Guardsmans Pass. The
viewers would go in designated pull of locations that would allow for visitors to take in the
beauty around them without having to hike.
Along with the viewers would be interpretive signs that would explain what visitors would be
looking at around. These would include things like: mountain ranges/peaks, vegetation,
possible animals/creatures and information about the area.
Advantages of this plan:
● Relatively inexpensive

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 ● Can vary the heights of the viewers to make them accessible to a wider
audience
● Can charge a small amount to use them. This money can go back into
maintenance or land management.
Disadvantages of this plan:
● There is not a lot of shoulder space for pull offs along Guardsmans Pass
● Some people might not be able to reach the viewers

Moderate Impact Plan:

A medium impact plan would be increased trail maintenance to Bloods Lake. The beginning of
the trail is in moderate condition, but the last stretch right before you reach the lake is
treacherous. (See Image 4) In order to make the trail to Bloods Lake more accessible, an increase
in trail maintenance is a must.
Currently, the last few hundred yards of the trail are incredibly steep, slick and overgrown. In
order to make it more accessible, small switchbacks should be put in place. This would have a
small impact on the surrounding vegetation, but shouldn’t cause much disruption.
Advantages of this plan:
● The trail is already in place, it just needs some adjustments/maintenance
● The trail would be more accessible to varying abilities
Disadvantages of this plan:
● The trail would still be somewhat steep, not making it ADA accessible
● Cause for vegetation to be uprooted
● Pay for maintenance crews to upkeep the trail
● The parking lot for the trail is overcrowded, so making the trail more accessible
could cause the trail to become more overcrowded

High Impact Plan:

A high impact option would be to sacrifice a 1.5 mile section of flat land for a boardwalk to be
put in place. The boardwalk would wind through a heavily forested area of Bonanza Flats,
allowing for visitors to get the feeling of wilderness without having to hike through mountainous

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terrain. The boardwalk would be wide enough for strollers, wheelchairs and walkers. (See Image
2)
According to American Trails, the trail must have a slope of 5% or less. Finding a relatively flat
parcel of land would be key. To keep with ADA protocol, American Trails states the boardwalk
must meet the following guidelines: Tread width of 36” minimum, a passing space provided at
least every 1000' where trail width is less than 60",Tread Obstacles at least 2" high maximum (up
to 3" high where running and cross slopes are 5% or less),a trail grade meeting one or more of
the following (- 5% or less for any distance,up to 8.33% for 200' max. Resting intervals no more
than 200' apart, up to10% for 30' max. resting intervals 30', up to 12.5% for 10' max. resting
intervals 10' ) signs indicating the length of the accessible trail segment, and no more than 30%
of the total trail length may exceed a running slope of 8.33%. For more information on ADA trail
accessibility, please visit: www.americantrails.org.
Along the boardwalk would be interpretive signs explaining to visitors what is around them.
These would include signs about vegetation, mountain ranges, history of the area, local wildlife
and much more. (See Image 3)
Advantages of this plan:
● Completely ADA accessible
● People of various ages and abilities would be able to enjoy the path
● Adding a trail in a different section of Bonanza Flats could disperse some of the
use from Bloods Lake
Disadvantages of this plan:
● Extremely costly to build
● More money for upkeep and maintenance
● Could have a negative effect on vegetation or wildlife living in the area

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Image 1 Image 2

Image 3 Image 4

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1.2: Recreation Impacts on Trails

1.2.1 Trails and Signage Impact

In order to safely view and appreciate the land around us we have to take initiative in protecting
existing land and maintaining the natural wonders that this planet provides us. Trails provide
visitors an opportunity to venture into areas less traveled, to see things they might not see every
day, giving them a greater understanding of the area they are exploring. Signage also plays an
important role in communicating information to the public about the surrounding area and the
various hazards present in the area. Signs may also serve as an effective form of advertisement
for the trails. Below we have outlined trail and signage plans for the low, medium, and high
impact plans.

High Impact Plan:

A high impact plan would include maintaining and adding trails to multiple destinations within
the Bonanza Flats area. The trail to Bloods and Lackawaxen will be expanded to circle each lake,
and a trail will be added to the east of the lakes to create a lollipop loop hike. A separate trail will
be built specifically for mountain biking. This trail will start at the same trailhead but will
descend the slope to the southeast of the parking area and will enter the eastern portion of the
Bonanza Flat area, separate from the hiking trail.

Interpretive trails around the lakes will be built and will allow visitors to understand more about
the area, which will likely make them care more to protect the area.

The kiosk at the trailhead will need to be completely replaced with regulatory and interpretive
information about the area. Signs will be placed at all trail junctions with distances to the various
destinations. A few interpretive signs will be placed along the interpretive trails surrounding
Bloods and Lackawaxen with information that is unique to the area.

Advantages of this plan:

● This plan will allow for the greatest number of user groups to recreate in the area.

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 ● Adding interpretive signs along the trails may help people better understand the
area, making them more likely to care about the area.
Disadvantages of this plan:
● This plan has the greatest impact on the environment. Adding new trails, updating
existing trails, and adding signage all have impacts on the physical environment.
● This plan will require the most resources and will therefore cost the most money
to create and maintain.

Moderate Impact Plan:

A medium impact plan would include adding or designating trails for both hikers and mountain
bikers. Adding a trail specifically for mountain biking will allow more user types to utilize the
area and will allow these sometimes-conflicting users to recreate with little to no conflict. We
would also continue to maintain safe, usable, and low impact trails and close those that do not
meet these criteria.

The trails to Bloods Lake and Lackawaxen Lake will be kept as they are in their current locations
and updated or rearranged as necessary. A separate trail will be built specifically for mountain
biking. This trail will start at the same trailhead but will descend the slope to the southeast of the
parking area and will enter the eastern portion of the Bonanza Flat area. Adding a mountain
biking trail will create a greater environmental impact but will allow for more user types to
utilize and enjoy the area.

A medium impact plan will include signage updates and additions. The kiosk at the trailhead is
old, worn out, and a bit confusing, with the new signs pinned up over old messages. This kiosk
will be replaced, and the new signs will be placed in a more straightforward manner. Some
interpretive information will also be added to the kiosk at the trailhead. Interpretive information
is added in hopes of allowing people to better understand the area in hopes that they will then
care about the area and treat it with respect.

Signs at trailheads and junctions will be added to include mileage to destinations. A sign will be
placed at the beginning of the trail to Bloods and Lackawaxen with mileage to each destination.

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An additional sign will be placed at Bloods lake stating direction and mileage to Lackawaxen. A
mileage sign will also be added to the beginning of the mountain biking trail.

Advantages of this plan:

● This plan will likely satisfy the largest group of people because it is the middle
ground between conservation and heavy use. The addition of a mountain biking
trail will allow for a new user group to recreate within the area.
● Adding directional signs at trailheads and junctions will reduce confusion and
increase preparedness for visitors.
Disadvantages of this plan:
● Adding a new trail will have an impact to the environment and may cause impacts
to visitor experience if visitors are looking for an experience closer to wilderness.

Low Impact Plan:

We will keep the existing trails as long as they are safe, useful, and have a minimal impact on the
land. Trails not meeting these criteria will be closed.

The existing trails down to Bloods Lake and Lackawaxen Lake will be kept as they are, with the
possibility of minor changes if necessary. Recently, some of the social trails have been closed
with logs and small boulders placed to keep people from walking off the main trail. These
closures will remain in the low-impact plan. The unofficial trail to Clayton Peak will need to be
rerouted in such a way to minimize erosion of the slope on which it lies.

The trailhead sign will need to be updated to include new or pertinent information about
Bonanza Flats. No new signage will be added to the area. The current kiosk will be updated with
resurfacing and a new coat of paint. The recently placed signs and mutt mitt dispenser will be
kept up but rearranged in a manner which is less confusing and more pleasing to the eye than the
current arrangement.

Advantages of this plan:

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 ● This plan places the least strain on the environment and leaves much of the area
unaltered. Visitors looking for an experience similar to what one would find in a
wilderness area will be attracted to this area. Attracting and allowing a narrow
range of user types reduces the likelihood of user group conflicts. This plan will
also use the fewest resources and will therefore cost the least amount of money.
Disadvantages of this plan:
● Many user groups are excluded from this plan, meaning that fewer people will be
able to participate in their preferred form of recreation in this area.
● A lack of signage giving directions could create confusion among visitors to the
area.

Trail Maintenance: Trails Utah will be responsible for building and/or maintaining trails in the
Bonanza Flat area in all impact plans.

1.2.2: Regarding Natural Resources

There is an abundance of natural resources at Bonanza Flat, and preserving and protecting these
resources should be one of our greatest concerns and main focuses. The main resources would
be the open land, water, and wildlife.

Low Impact Plan:

The low impact option would include minimal trail work and road maintenance. We would want
to keep the area pretty much how it is at the moment. This would include making trail
improvements to the Bloods Lake trail, and removing excess social trails to and around the lake.
This would help the area recover from the overuse it has seen in recent years and would create a
more pleasing trail to hike and walk. Some basic road work and maintenance would need to be
done as well, as the road below the Guardsman Pass overlook isn’t in the best shape, and sees a
hard winter. Repaving that road would be high cost, but would last many winters, and wouldn’t
affect the surrounding area.

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Moderate Impact Plan:
The Bloods Lake trail is quite a popular hike, as dogs are allowed in the area, it is short and
pretty easy, and very accessible. More than basic trail work is needed in order to keep this area
beautiful for years to come. It would be feasible to reroute the trail so that it drops in elevation
lower with switchbacks, then comes to the lake, rather than down the steep hill next to the lake.
This would take a lot of work, but it would make it easier to hike, and would allow the plants and
soil to recover in the area it currently is. Along with this, some widening of the road, coupled
with repaving would greatly increase the safety of the road for motorists. As it is, it is very
narrow and dangerous, and while doing this could be slightly detrimental to the area along the
road, and would be costly, it would be worth it, as this would make it easier for emergency
vehicles to reach the area, and would lessen upkeep costs in the long run.

High Impact Plan:

The high impact option for Bonanza Flats would include paving/boardwalking trails to Bloods
Lake, along with informative signage and expanding the parking area. This trail would be ADA
Accessible, and would follow the same reroute as the medium impact plan. This would require a
lot of money and a lot of work, and while it would be a good option for the community, it really
isn’t feasible with the budget and the area.

The medium impact plan appears to be the best course of action, as it has very little impact on
the resources in the area, but nothing that is too impactful and would make the area safer and
more enjoyable for visitors. This is a great piece of land, and we need to make sure it can be used
and enjoyed for years to come.

1.3: Winter Access

The purpose of the winter access plans is to allow communities to have a safe, enjoyable and
sustainable experience. Winter access is only allowed through access points/gates. Accessible
from Big cottonwood canyon. Area’s will be designated for multi-purpose use,
hiking/snowshoeing, backcountry ski/snowboarding, snowmobiling. Area will not be avalanche

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maintained. Below is outlined three different winter access plans, each giving options for varying
levels of impact.

High Impact Plan: Allowing snowmobiling, alpine ski/snowboard touring, cross country skiing,
snowshoeing / hiking, adding parking to accommodate snowmobile trailers. Adding XC ski and
snowshoeing trails.

The high impact plan would include regular trail grooming and maintenances to XC ski and
snowshoe trails. Various trails will connect creating several different places to start and end.
Create two trailheads one at, Guardsmans Pass and another in Park City. Allowing both
communities to recreate and more users. Interpretive signs along trails with educational
information and trail directions. Allow access from Park City / Midway / Guardsman Pass all
year. Expand existing parking lots to maximum capacity to accommodate more vehicles and
trailers. Areas surrounding XC & snowshoe trails in bonanza flats will be designated for
snowmobile and alpine touring.

Advantages of this plan

● This plan would allow users to fully use all of the resources in the area.
● Full access could introduce commercial outfitters to guide in different recreational
activities. This could help local economy.
Disadvantages of this plan

● This plan would increase overall use enormously.

● High volumes of visitors will have detrimental impacts to overall ecosystem and
resources.

Moderate Impact Plan: Zoned areas designated for specific use. Still allow snowmobile, alpine
touring, snowshoeing, XC skiing.
A medium impact plan would include specific zoning to designated areas for each recreational
use. These would include, snowmobile, alpine touring, snowshoeing, and XC skiing. Access to
Bonanza Flats will stay the same with seasonal gate access. No additional parking or road
improvements will be made. Access points to Bonanza Flats will have interpretive signs

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informing of different zoning. Trails for XC & snowshoeing will be established but not
maintained. Snowmobile and alpine touring zones will not be maintained.

Advantages of this plan

● This plan has a balance between regulation and recreation.

● Zoned for multi recreational usage.
● Aims to support several different types of recreation.
● Mitigates big impacts and preserves resources.
Disadvantages of this plan

● Need proper management plan to keep users safe, reducing impacts and help
improve over experience for all.
● Multi-use recreation.

Low Impact : Minimal to no trails for XC skiing and snowshoeing. Only keep and maintain
existing trails. No access to snowmobile or motorized vehicles.
Low impact plan would keep existing trails and access to area the same. Any area with high use
will be closed till a full restoration has been completed. Not allowing any motorized vehicles i.e.
snowmobiles will keep the area at low impact to resources / land. Access will stay the same,
seasonal. No improvements will be made for road / parking. New signage at access points will be
placed to inform users of regulations.

Advantages of this Plan

● This plan would preserve land and maintain resources the most.
● Restricting vehicles, improve overall soundscape, pollution ect.
Disadvantages of this plan

● Restrict overall recreation and use in area

● Cross country ski trails

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1.3.1: Nordic Skiing
Utah is known to be a ski mecca, people travel both far and near to come experience the greatest
snow on earth. Although downhill skiing is the more popular choice, Utah also offers great
access to cross country skiing, also known as nordic skiing. Nordic skiing is a popular sport
among Park City, Wasatch, and Salt Lake residents. Each of these three counties have access to
maintained nordic trails as well as backcountry access in the high country. The Bonanza Flats
area is a popular location among residents of the three counties to participate in nordic skiing.
After Bonanza flats was bought a survey was completed to look at what activities would be
accepted. “More than 90% of respondents were in favor of cross country skiing in the area.” This
area is a 1,350 acre playground in both summer and winter. You can carve trails through aspen
and evergreen trees and have a 360 degree stunning view.

High Impact Plan:

The high impact solution would implement a nordic ski resort into this area. This plan would
entail building a lodge which includes, a rental shop and a maintenance area. The lodge would
accommodate a place for individuals to gather, whether that is parents waiting for kids to get out
of lessons, or to come warm up on a cold day. The lodge would somewhat replicate White Pine
Touring or Soldier Hollow, which provides rentals, a maintenance shop for ski repairs, and a
place to gather. For implementing a trail system White Pine Touring, Soldier Hollow, and Round
Valley would be utilized as a base to look at potential trail systems. Round Valley and White
Pine Touring have around 20 kilometers of ski trails and Soldier Hollow has around 30
kilometers. Having 1,350 acres of land there is an abundance of space to work with to implement
a trail system. “Cross-country skiers travel 2 to 8 miles per hour with most skiers averaging a
little over 3 miles per hour. Desired experiences usually range from 2 to 4 hours with trail
lengths ranging from 4 to 8 miles. When possible, provide several short loops ranging from 1⁄2 to
3 miles in length.” Implementing the correct trail layout and lengths with connecting loops is key
to creating a trail system in this area. This trail system will also consider safety, feasibility,
access to shortcuts back to parking area, environmental concerns, and try to implement a
minimal maintenance approach.
Advantages of this plan

● Attracting more visitors to see this area

● The lodge and rentals shop would increase access for a wider variety of public
● Involve more people in the sport and create new recreation possibilities

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Disadvantages of this plan:

● Increased amount of individuals in the area creating a busier environment

● Environmental degradation with the lodge and amount of people visiting
● High-costs

Moderate Impact Plan:

A medium impact solution would provide a smaller trail system, but not include the various other
amenities like a lodge and rentals shop. The medium impact would implement a trail system that
provides cross country ski trails to explore around the Bonanza Flats area, but would look to do
this with minimal required maintenance of the trail system. Residents of the three counties
played a major role in buying this area so it would be protected from development. That being
said input from residents would be key to decision making process of a trail system. This would
entail decisions for how large of a trail system and access to the area. This goes for both summer
and winter. This option would provide a smaller trail system, but allow access to off-trail terrain.
The medium impact solution would provide an inviting open space for individuals to come
recreate, but have less negative environmental impacts as opposed to the high impact option.
Advantages of this Plan:
● Provide a trail system for those who desire a set route
● Allows off-trail access for individuals who desire the path less traveled
● Lower negative environmental impacts than the high impact plan
Disadvantages of this Plan:
● Requires maintenance of trails which would be additional costs for equipment and
maintenance crew
● More limited, but will still reap negative environmental impacts with increased visitation
and impact to the surrounding environment

Low Impact Plan:

A low impact option would be the most environmentally friendly. This option would have
minimal, if any changes to the current landscape. This would give individuals the same access to
the area and would provide the same opportunities to recreate as what are currently in place. The
low impact solution would look at current trails or areas where the least amount of

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environmental damage could be done and implement a non-marked, but optional trail route. This
would then reduce the overall negative impacts of not having a trail system, which allows users
to recreate wherever. If designed properly and became knowledge to users this could be a
beneficial solution. The optional trail route with information on why this was implemented
would be provided on the new signage, where trail regulations are posted.
Advantages of this plan:
● Least amount of negative environmental impact
● Keeps the land as natural as is currently, which is why it was bought in the first place
● Opportunity with non-marked but optional routes to reduce negative environmental
impacts
Disadvantages of this plan:
● Lower amount of people experiencing this great outdoor playground
● Lower amount of individuals getting involved in nordic skiing as a form of recreation

1.4: Summer Access

To provide a safe, enjoyable and sustainable experience in using Bonanza flats, the access to the
area must be monitored and managed to ensure that user satisfaction is optimized. In the summer
access to Bonanza flats is fairly simple taking only a 20 minute drive up Big Cottonwood
Canyon or an even shorter drive from Park City. Because of this ease of access and the narrow
nature of the pass it is necessary to ensure that precautions and steps are in-place to provide a
safe and comfortable experience for all users and guests. Below is outlined three different
summer access plans, each giving options for varying levels of impact.

High Impact Plan: allowing for all activities to take place on the land some with limitations and
an increase in many activities such as dogs for visitors and a development of trails for both
hiking and mountain biking.
The high impact plan would allow for more vehicles to park at guardsmans pass with a widening
of the parking lot and the road for safety. This plan would also allow for limited OHV use by
private land holders in and around the bonanza flats area. In addition to these new developments
a new system of trails both hiking and Mountain biking will be built and mapped for the area this

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will draw more visitors. Water sports will be allowed on an unlimited basis. The bonanza flats
area will also be an off leash dog recreation area with the public being allowed to bring dogs
through big cottonwood canyon to access bonanza flats.

Advantages of this plan

● This plan would allow users to fully use all of the resources in the area.
● Full access could introduce commercial outfitters to guide in different recreational
activities. This could help local economy.
● Full access could make for a safer experience allowing EMS to respond to issues
quickly
Disadvantages of this plan

● The large amount of visitors may scare off wildlife

● The visitor population may cause accelerated erosion on trail
● A sense of solitude may be lost
● Multi use recreation

Moderate Impact Plan: to improve the recreation area and to build and map new hiking trails
with an emphasis on dog use and visitation for day hiking

This plan will allow for any OHV use by only the girls camp and the wasatch state park as seen
fit by those organizations but will permit Mountain bike use and encourage visitation by dogs. A
repaving of the parking lot, additional jersey barriers along the road and the installation of one
way metering through the pass. A development and repair of the existing trail system along with
an accompanying map will be developed for the area along with a mapping of the existing
mountain bike trails, no new MB trails will be developed. Water sports would again be unlimited
use. And dogs would be encouraged heavily.

Advantages of the plan

● A reinforcement of the existing safety measures

● New trails help to separate recreators for safety
● Large impacts are mitigated for resource preservation

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Disadvantages of the plan

● The plan is expensive and will cause high impacts during construction
● Dogs owners are not always conscious

Low Impact Plan: minimal improvements will be done with the focus of the improvements
being visitor safety.

This plan sees the parking lot at guardsmans pass repaved and the actual pass having a one way
metering light put in to direct traffic flow. The trail system would be left as is with a mapping
project to be under taken for visitor and EMS safety. OHV use will be prohibited by all except
the state park and the girls camp and then only under approval from the city of Park City.
Mountain biking will be allowed but no new trails will be developed. Water sports will continue
to be on an unlimited use basis, while dog visitation will be on-leash only and dogs can only
access from Summit or Wasatch Counties.

Advantages of the plan

● User safety is put at the forefront

● Traffic issues on the most narrow part of the pass are mitigated
● On leash Dog use helps to manage a larger impact
Disadvantages of the plan

● The plan is expensive and will take time to implement

● The plan will restrict overall recreation to the area
● Takes away some privileges that users are fond of

1.4.1: Hiking

High Impact Plan: a large development and mapping of trails in the area with a goal to provide
over 25 miles of trails in the bonanza flats area

Moderate Impact Plan: no changing made to the access of hiking with a mapping and repair of
the existing trails in use for the area

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Low Impact Plan: a restriction of hiking with the closing of trails.

1.4.2: OHV

High Impact Plan: Unlimited access and use of the bonanza flats area to OHVs

Moderate Impact Plan: the girls camp, private property owners, state parks, and forest service
will be permitted to use their OHVs within designated means

Low Impact Plan: No OHV will be allowed to use the area at any time

1.4.3: Mountain Biking

High Impact Plan: a large development and mapping of trails in the area with a goal to provide
over 25 miles of trails in the bonanza flats area

Moderate Impact Plan: on and off days for bikes and dogs with biking allowed on specific and
designated trails

Low Impact Plan: no mountain biking will be allowed and existing biking trails will be closed

1.4.4: Canoeing/Kayaking

High Impact Plan: Unlimited access and creating a direct loading path to the largest lakes

Moderate Impact Plan: current availability will stay in place

Low Impact Plan: only the girls camp will be allowed to access on the water and only at lake
brimhall

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1.4.5: Dogs

High: the entire area will be open to off leash dog use at any time of the summer

Medium: dogs will be allowed with on and off leash days that correspond with the days that
allow mountain biking

Low Impact Plan: dogs will not be allowed to visit the bonanza flats area

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Section 2: Overnight Stays

Camping is an activity that is enjoyed by people all around the world and is a good way to bond
with others or to enjoy a solitude experience in nature. Camping and other outdoor recreational
activities are becoming more popular as people head to the rural areas to escape the fast moving
pace of the cities. The purchase of all of the gear required for these activities boosts the sales for
the companies that sell the gear and helps with the economy. There are more jobs coming from
outdoor recreation activities than there are lawyering jobs in America. Rv camping is a popular
way for people to go camping and bring along their kitchen and beds.

The number of people who visit natural and public spaces has been growing in the past few
years. A stable economy, more free time, and more people have led to the increase in numbers.
An increase in visitor use undoubtedly leads to an increase in environmental degradation as well.
For this reason, a solid plan for camping and overnight stays should be established within the
Bonanza Flats area. According to the 2011 National Parks statistics 3.3 million visitors were tent
campers and 1.8 million were backcountry campers. Camping can have a devastating negative
impact on the environment if the activity is done incorrectly or policies are not made clear. For
example, an improperly made fire can result in vegetation damage and even wildfires. Camping
to close to water sources can pollute the water with chemicals and harm the watershed for
thousands of people.

2.1: Camping & RV Camping

Camping is an activity that is enjoyed by people all around the world and is a good way to bond
with others or to enjoy a solitude experience in nature. Camping and other outdoor recreational
activities are becoming more popular as people head to the rural areas to escape the fast moving
pace of the cities. The purchase of all of the gear required for these activities boosts the sales for
the companies that sell the gear and helps with the economy. There are more jobs coming from
outdoor recreation activities than there are lawyering jobs in America. Rv camping is a popular
way for people to go camping and bring along their kitchen and beds.

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The number of people who visit natural and public spaces has been growing in the past few
years. A stable economy, more free time, and more people have led to the increase in numbers.
An increase in visitor use undoubtedly leads to an increase in environmental degradation as well.
For this reason, a solid plan for camping and overnight stays should be established within the
Bonanza Flats area. According to the 2011 National Parks statistics 3.3 million visitors were tent
campers and 1.8 million were backcountry campers. Camping can have a devastating negative
impact on the environment if the activity is done incorrectly or policies are not made clear. For
example, an improperly made fire can result in vegetation damage and even wildfires. Camping
to close to water sources can pollute the water with chemicals and harm the watershed for
thousands of people.

High Impact Plan:

Construct a big paid campground in the middle of bonanza flats to bring people into the area.
The campground would be rather large and would offer several amenities for the visitors
including picnic tables, drinking water, showers, toilets, fire rings, and wildlife resistant garbage
cans. This high impact campground would also contain RV camping spots which will be a little
bigger and have additional parking. Ideally, this campsite would also have yurts and other
shelters for winter camping and cross country skiers.

This impact solution is high because it will take away a big portion of the flats and there will be a
lot more people coming and staying in the area. This plan would also be a big financial impact as
well. However, if this campsite were to become popular then it would have the potential to bring
in revenue and increase access into the area.

Advantages of this plan: This plan would condense camping use to a single area within the flats
rather than dispersing the use throughout the entire conservation area. This big campground
would capture and contain the majority of the visitor created impacts.

Moderate Impact Plan:

Build small designated campsites in multiple places throughout the area to minimize the amount
of campers in the area. This plan would consist of developing a few designated campsites in hot
spots throughout the flats. For Example, Cecret Lake is a popular destination within Bonanza
Flats and many people like to camp there because it is close to the lake and fairly easy to access.
This plan would build a few established campsites near that lake and other hot spots in the area
for visitors to use.

This impact solution spreads out the big campground into many different smaller ones that will
reduce how many people are camping in the area. Building established campsites will also
decrease the amount of impacts that those areas are currently seeing. Building the established

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campsites the appropriate distance from the lake will keep people at a safe distance and will help
improve the quality of the watershed. Additionally, the campsites would have camp pads where
visitors could put their tents and this would help keep track of visitors and would decrease
vegetation damage and trampling.

Low Impact Plan:

Sell a small amount of permits to let people camp wherever they please in bonanza flats.

This impact solution would allow people to go out and backcountry camp wherever they please
which could give them a better feeling of solitude. The permits that they would buy would limit
the amount of people that could be camping there at one time and for how long they can camp
there. A permitting system would definitely control how many people were accessing the area
for overnight stays.

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Section 3: Rules and Regulations

3.1: Fires
Given that only 10 percent of fires are caused by natural causes such as lightning, this means that
90 percent of forest fires are caused by human error and poor behavior. Therefore, it is important
to manage and educate visitors about appropriate behavior regarding the proper use of fires in
backcountry areas. However, it is also important to restrict the use of fires in certain areas in
order to prevent as many wildfires as possible. Educational and informational signs about fires
should be considered and managers should consider using the National Fire Danger Rating
System in order to inform visitors of the potential fire danger.

High Impact Plan:

Fires will have a high impact if visitors are uninformed and if there are no established places to
build fires. Hot embers and ashes are more likely to stay contained if they are in a fire pit or ring.
Additionally, if there are no established spots for fire then visitors will start fires wherever they
please and that will lead to impacts on soil, water, vegetation, and wildlife. Therefore, a high
impact solution would have to solve the problem of spreading fires while still allowing people to
have them. In this high impact solution, visitors would only be prohibited from having fires on
days when the fire danger is very high. Policies regarding fires will be posted at beginning of
trails, online, and will be printed on backcountry passes. If the National Fire Danger Rating
System is at a yellow or below visitors would be allowed to have fires in established fire rings. In
order to allow people to do this, many fire rings and pits would be established and signs and
posters would be hung up to educate visitors on how to build a proper fire in the backcountry.

This is a high impact solution because it allows a lot of fires during a lot of different times of fire
danger. Additionally, this plan would have a high impact because it requires the use and
distribution of signs, posters, and information. Also, this plan requires the building of
infrastructure and amenities such as fire rings and fire pits in established sites.

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Moderate Impact Plan:
Small campfires are allowed for campers depending on the fire hazard warning. Fire would be
more restricted and would only be allowed in the blue and green zones. Fires would still have to
be a certain distance from the water and would have to be in a fire ring or pit. Policies regarding
fires will be posted at beginning of trails, online, and will be printed on backcountry passes.
Small camp stoves are recommended.

This solution would allow for the people that are camping there to have small maintained fires as
long as they won’t get out of control.

Low Impact Plan:

No fires are allowed in the flats except in designated established campfire rings and pits. No fires
would be allowed in backcountry areas. The use of camp stoves would be required.

This would make sure that there are no fire hazards in the area at all and there would be no
destruction throughout the area. Financial resources for this plan would be minimum, however
the enforcement of this may prove to be difficult.

3.2: Water and Water Sources

The act of land management affects more than just land. It affects all the different variable in a
nature setting, both animate and inanimate. Water is a major inanimate variable in any nature
setting as it sustains life, creates change, and provides aesthetic pleasure. Any recreational setting
usually benefits from having any form of water (i.e. rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, swamps, etc.).
Recreational activities usually incorporate water in some sort of way. A waterfall can be the
destination for a hike, a lake can be the setting of stand-up paddle boarding, or a river can be a
place to sit by and relax. The variety of lakes within Bonanza Flats are valuable commodities in
attracting and promoting care from its recreational users.

This was touched on above but water is valuable to both animate and inanimate things in nature.
Besides animate humans, flora and fauna heavily rely on water sources in order to retain vitality
and continue to grow, reproduce, die, and nourish the land it came from. Retaining water health

26
and quantity is absolutely crucial to sustain the wildlife in an area. Wildlife are another
commodity when it comes to attracting recreational users so it’s important to take note that all of
these factors connect like a big spider web.

Inanimate objects are not thought of as much as living plants and animals but are affected by
water as well. Sediments and nutrients are carried around through different water channels.
Flows of water create new changes in the land as rocks and dirt get pounded with currents of
water. As land changes, new environments and ecosystems can be created to further evolve a
piece of land.

In coming to a conclusion on why water is important, it is made apparent that both nature and
recreational users crave water to be present. A juxtaposition is created as recreational users often
times are responsible for the destruction in water health in nature. Conscious or unconscious,
humans have and will continue to create impacts on water health through recreational use
(kayaking, swimming, pets, etc.) but also through pollution (littering, improper waste disposal,
toxic waste, etc.). Recreational users deserve the right to use their public lands but in a
responsible manner. Striking a balance in regulations and freedom to recreate will be vital for all
parties involved.

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3.2.1: Water Regulations

Water Background

Water Sources:

Water flows into Wasatch County through 2 man-made sources

○ Ontario Drain Tunnel

○ Weber/Provo Diversion Canal
○ Underground water wells are plentiful in the county
There are 21 main bodies of water in the county, the ones marked with an asterisk are located in
Bonanza Flats

● Bloods Lake* - 40.60153N 111.55129W

● Blue Lake - 40.64644N 110.98118W
● Broadhead Lake - 40.61874N 110.92786W
● Currant Creek Reservoir - 40.33760N 111.05594W
● Deer Creek Reservoir - 40.42973N 111.50185W

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 ● Harry’s Reservoir - 40.29908N 111.28790W
● Heart Lake - 40.46418N 111.06049W
● Iron Mine Lake - 40.56543N 110.93682W
● Jones Reservoir - 40.48252N 111.26126W
● Jordanelle Reservoir - 40.63652N 111.42041W
● Lake Lackawaxen* - 40.59185N 111.55540W
● Lake Brimhall* - 40.60030N 111.53943W
● Leonard Lake - 40.46517N 111.06080W
● Lost Lake - 40.67269N 110.93936W
● Midway Reservoir - 40.58946N 111.50152W
● Mill Hollow Reservoir - 40.49004N 111.10631W
● Silver Lake* - 40.59810N 111.54392W
● Silver Lake Islet - 40.59567N 111.53882W
● Strawberry Reservoir - 40.14336N 111.03866W
● Witts Lake - 40.48395N 111.25689W
● Yellow Lake - 40.46433N 111.09109W
There are many creeks in the county but only one that flows in Bonanza Flats

■ Pine Creek

Water Exits:

● Water flows out of the county via the Provo River

Current Water Regulations:

● Bonanza Flats is not a protected watershed

Low Impact Plan:

Regulations must be increased and enforced as strictly as possible

○ The area should be registered as a protected watershed

■ No dogs, horses, etc. allowed
○ Water is usually very cold but swimming should not be allowed

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 ○ Dumping/littering of any kind will be harshly disciplined and enforced
○ Camping will not be allowed, to prevent unauthorized campsites near water
sources
○ Creations of any sort of man-made water infrastructure (i.e. dams, reservoirs) will
not be considered
○ Restroom facilities of some sort will be provided at major trailheads to reduce the
risk of human contamination

○ OHV and any other motorized vehicle will not be allowed due to toxic oils/gases
they contain

○ Eliminating parking and creating a public transportation system to reduce the risk
of car waste from leaking into the ground should be considered

○ Watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and SUP will not be allowed

Maintenance of areas near water sources

○ The managing agency will hire employees, contractors, volunteers, and/or any
other participant to do litter clean ups

○ Scientists such as hydrologist and biologist will be hired at least once every 3
months to examine the conditions of water sources

○ The managing agency will make any necessary changes to bring more resources
in to protect water sources

Advantages of this plan

○ Preventing non-native animals from using the water source is the only surefire
way to prevent the pollution of water sources in the area, hence the regulations
preventing humans, dogs, horses, etc. from either being by the water or nowhere
in the vicinity.

○ Preventing machinery such as OHVs, drones, excessive cars, etc. is necessary as

the oils, parts, and overall impact machines can have on an environment's water
sources can be huge.

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 ○ Prohibiting the use of water sources for recreation purposes such as kayaking,
swimming, SUP, etc. along with commercial purposes such as damning, tapping,
etc. prevent the most direct impact on the structure and health of water sources.

Disadvantages of this plan

○ This low impact plan will likely provide the strongest resistance out of all the
plans due to its restrictive qualities. Recreation groups, corporations, and locals
might be the population that would be most upset by this proposal

High Impact Plan:

Regulations and policies should reduce as much as possible to allow users/corporations to use the
water sources as desired

○ Dogs, horse, and any other animals will be allowed in Bonanza Flats

○ Dogs will be allowed to roam off-leash in areas considered to be fit

○ Camping will be allowed with the hopes of users staying 200 feet away from
water sources, but enforcing it would be an unneeded cost

○ OHV and other motorized vehicles will be allowed to recreate in designated trails

○ Dams, reservoirs and other ways to make the water sources will be considered and
encouraged

○ Swimming will be allowed for humans and animals alike

○ Kayaks, SUP, and any other water craft will be allowed where they can be used
without contamination checks

Maintenance of the water sources

○ To reduce costs maintenance will be considered on a seasonal basis when deemed

fit by a researcher

Advantages to this plan

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 ○ This impact plan would reap the most economic benefits out of all the other
options due to its nature of allowing use with possibilities of contracts, permits,
etc. being created for revenue.

○ The possible revenue that could be generated could help go back into the
maintenance and protection of water sources deemed fit to protect.

○ This plan would have the possibility of appealing the most to users if proper
management of the water sources allowed for continuous use
recreationally/commercially year after year.

Disadvantages to this plan

○ This plan would cause the most impact to the water sources in the area which
could then stem to affect other surrounding areas in Wasatch County due to its lax
regulation on water use.

○ This plan would be the most against the reason why Bonanza Flats was purchased
in the first place. Although this plan isn’t on the same level as a ski resort
would’ve done, environmentalists would likely protest some or all aspects of the
plan.

Moderate Impact Plan:

A balance must be made between regulations and the use of the water for recreational based
activities

○ Dogs will be allowed on trails not leading to fresh water lakes

○ In the same manner horses will be allowed on trails not leading to fresh water
lakes

○ Camping will be allowed once a permit is filled out at any trailhead that teaches
and tells of the regulation against camping nearer than 200 feet from a fresh water
source

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 ○ In that same vein, the management agency will patrol as much as resources allow
to enforce the camping regulation

○ OHV and motorized vehicles will not be allowed unless separate trails are made
for dog users and OHV motorists that don’t lead to fresh water lakes

○ Restroom facilities of some sort will be provided at major trailheads to reduce the
risk of human contamination

Maintenance of water sources

○ Litter clean ups will largely rely on the volunteer work of citizens to reduce the
use of the management agencies resources

○ Hydrologists and biologists will be brought in at least once a year to consider

water source health

○ Increased maintenance will be considered as well as decreased maintenance if

items are unnecessary

Advantages to this plan

○ This plan has the most balance between regulation and recreation. Commercial
use is not allowed in this plan due to its heavily impactful nature. Recreation on
the other hand is an impact that can be controlled if done properly.

○ This plan would also be held in favor with the largest portion of users as it aims to
allow multiple recreational activities to be allowed, dogs to be brought, and
camping to be had.

Disadvantages to this plan

○ This plan would need to have proper management in order to not let a snowball
effect of impact to occur on water sources where users are being trusted to use
responsibly.

○ In that same note, users would need to be properly permitted and/or educated on
how to behave in the area if they are being allowed more freedom.

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3.3: Roads, Cars, and Shuttle Systems

3.3.1: Roads and Shuttle Systems

Shuttle systems have been a success in multiple areas such as Zion National park and have been
successful at eliminating traffic and parking problems, reducing impacts on vegetation, and
reducing impacts on the soundscape. Bonanza Flats has limited parking and many visitors end up
parking along the narrow road or park on top of vegetation. Since Bonanza Flats is going to be
managed as a conservation area, it makes sense to at least consider the advantages of a shuttle
system. In the winter, Big Cottonwood Canyon already has shuttles that go up and the roads are
already plowed. The shuttle could be extended to reach Bonanza Flats and would extend access
to cross country skiers and other visitors.

Low Impact Plan:

Disallow people from driving themselves up to guardsman pass and add more natural gas UTA
buses to the schedule and extend their route to drop visitors off at the top of Guardsmans pass on
the Cottonwood canyon side. The gates leading towards Guardsmans pass on the Cottonwood
canyon side would remain open during the winter to provide visitors access. Not allowing
visitors to drive their own car up the pass would decrease impacts. This option would also
decrease the parking impacts. As of right now, the parking lot at the top of Guardsman Pass is
very small and cannot accommodate the amount of visitors that it receives on an average summer
weekend. Because the parking lot is so far and there in no shuttle system, visitors park wherever
they can. This damages vegetation, disturbs wildlife, and makes the road more dangerous.

Moderate Impact Plan:

Shuttles would extend their service to take visitors from the base of big cottonwood canyon up
all the way up to guardsmans pass but the shuttle would not be required. People/visitors would
still be able to drive their own car to the top of the pass. However, personal vehicles would have
to pay a fee in order to drive up to the scenic overlook. The purpose of this fee would be to
discourage visitors from driving their private vehicles up the pass and to save parking. The

34
money collected from fees would go directly back into the conservation of the Bonanza Flats
area.

High Impact Plan:

Guardsman pass will be opened year-round from midway and park city up to Bonanza flats.
Shuttles from both sides would bring visitors to the top of the pass. This would increase access
and use. UDOT snow removal services would have to take care of the snow removal in this area
and would also have to improve the road leading from park city to the top of the pass.

3.3.2: Cars

High Impact Plan:

An expansion of the parking lot at guardsman’s pass and a widening of the road through the pass

Moderate Impact Plan:

Repaving the existing parking area and adding signs along the edge of the road restricting
parking. Adding a metering system to allow only one way traffic through the pass both directions

Low Impact Plan:

No change will be made to the existing road or parking area

3.4: Law Enforcement and Emergency Services

The purpose of the following section is to discuss viable law enforcement options for the
Bonanza Flats area, with the goal of providing a safe and protected area to visitors. Definitions
for viable in this context would include permanent solutions to meet current needs, solutions that
the city is able to financially meet and provide resources to for an extended period of time.
Things to be considered are cost, jurisdiction, and man-power based off peak seasonal needs, and

35
to compare current happenings with potential management plans for the future. To do this we’ve
organized three potential management plans below in regards to their level of impact on the area
and budget.

Low Impact Plan:

The lowest level of impact for the immediate future would be to allow Bonanza Flats to
continue with the current management practices. These practices are the result of the shifting
ownership of the flats over the last five to ten years, these practices involve providing the bare
minimum of involvement on a management level. Mostly allowing visitors to the area to police
themselves, with the exception of when the Wasatch Dispatch comes into direct traffic during
peak season. Wasatch Dispatch does not deal with anything of serious note in that area, allowing
proper jurisdiction from the city to take over.

Advantage: By providing a bare minimum of management you save tax dollars from Park
City citizens and it has been working up to this point.

Disadvantage: Response time to incidents will be slow, no point of contact within the
area, no daily patrols to double up as a regular maintenance, Wasatch Dispatch spread
thin during peak season or not enough personal. People visiting the area are not educated
on rules and regulations, and have very little deterient.

Moderate Impact Plan:

Partner with the people working in the Wasatch Dispatch office to extend jurisdiction of
Bonanza Flats (Property owned by the city) to their lieutenants, allowing their already existing
equipment and resources to cover the area. Extend a budget for the additional personnel,
equipment, and management strategy meetings that would have to be used to get this plan
operational. Consider hiring an emergency temporary hire crew to get the area back into an
acceptable level where regular personal could then do regular patrols while performing other
duties and maintain an acceptable level of care. Expand current facilities and personnel.

Advantage:Regular personal present in the area deter crime, perform regular

maintenance, response time to incidents is likely improved. Personnel hired from this
employer would likely be familiar with doing regular maintenance work while
performing a patrol. (Trail Work)

Disadvantage: Partnering with the Wasatch Dispatch would require many meeting that

36
 considered budgets, jurisdictions, liability, and future plans for the area. This method of
management could take a year or more to plan and longer to work out the kinks. Funding
and goals for area management are different.

High Impact Plan:

Allow police officers from Park City to police Bonanza Flats, coming in for semi-regular
patrols and regulating traffic during peak seasons. Additional personnel would be needed to
perform these new duties, and an on-site would not be necessary but some form of contact point
would be best.
Hire a contract for an outside agency to see to the regular maintenance of the area. Travel and
equipment could be considered and included in the contract.

Advantage: Regular personal would deter crime, not hard to create plan or to work with
jurisdiction issues, could easily be changed if circumstances changed.

Disadvantage: Travel time would be extensive and personal would be needed more in
peak season and rarely during the off season. Officers would not perform regular trail
work or sign maintenance, a separate contractor would be hired and provide equipment
for jobs.

3.5: Backcountry Permits

The backcountry is an undeveloped area that is sometimes difficult to access. Hiking and
camping in the backcountry is a popular activity around the world. There are many different
activities that people can partake in such as skiing, snowboarding, hunting, and fishing. People
who like to take the time to go out and enjoy what nature has to offer like to spend a lot of time
exploring the backcountry. Permits are important because they limit the amount of people who
have access to the area which helps to maintain the feeling of solitude in the area. Limiting the
number of people that are in the area at one time also helps to protect the environment from
overuse. When people go to buy their permits, it lets them learn more about the area that they
will be in which helps them to prepare for their trip better.

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High Impact Plan:
Not requiring people to obtain a permit before accessing the area would lead to overuse of the
area. Letting anyone roam freely through the area ruins the feeling of solitude that people are
going to the area to enjoy in the first place. This plan would ruin the experience for many of the
people that love to come to the flats to enjoy the nature around them. It would lead to people
starting to leave their trash around and would require the area to be well looked after in order to
maintain the health of the area.

Moderate Impact Plan:

Having a set number of people that can buy permits at a time would limit the amount of people
that could access the area at any given time. This would also go along with camping permits so
that there could be a record of how many people there are using the area for the day and how
many are staying overnight. Having less people in the area would help to sustain the environment
so that it stays usable for the future.

Low Impact Plan:

Closing the area on the weekdays and opening it up for people to use on the weekends would
significantly reduce the damage to the area and would allow the area to recover from the heavy
weekend use during the weekdays. This plan would be the best for the environment because it
would not be overused daily. The disadvantage to this plan is that people would be upset about
not getting to use the area when they want and on the weekends it would increase the number of
people that would be using the area at once.

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Section 4: Other Concerns

4.1: Environmental Education

High Impact Plan:
To get the most out of the existing natural resources at Bonanza Flats it would be appropriate to
establish a permanent field station located in the vicinity of Bloods Lake. This would be a great
location for local schools to send students on field trips. The field station could also be used by
local organizations for activities such as: bird-watching clubs, dark sky observations, avalanche
trainings, etc.

The field station would include:

· Running water
· Fully functioning restroom
· Electricity and lighting for after dark events
· 600 sq/ft of group discussion place
· 100 sq/ft of storage space for maintenance equipment and education resources

The structure will be LEED certified and blend in with the surrounding environment. This will
be done by collecting rainwater from the living roof (green roof) and using solar to provide
electricity. By utilizing a living roof, the structure will not be seen.

Moderate Impact Plan:

Constructing a 15x15 information pavilion in close proximity to the parking lot would create an
opportunity for visitors to learn about the plants and wildlife found on Bonanza Flats. By
building a small pavilion next to the parking lot, there will be little impact to the surrounding
vegetation.

Signage in the pavilion would inform visitors on what they expect to find on the guided nature
walk provided by a concessionaire. These guided walks would take visitors to locations and

39
resources pointed out on the signs. By providing guided walks, more users could be kept on trail,
minimizing impact, and direct education could occur.

Low Impact Plan:

Installing a self-guided nature tour would be a low impact way to address environmental
education and natural resource awareness at Bonanza Flats. By placing makers at key locations
along the pre-established trails throughout the area, visitors could learn more about Bonanza
Flats by purchasing the self-guided walk brochure. The brochure would keep visitors on a
thought-out route around the Bonanza Flats, minimizing spread out impacts.

By utilizing a self-guided walk, there would not be large groups traveling together and foot
traffic would not be as concentrated.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Environmental Education and Natural Resource Awareness are both crucial to preserving and
protecting these lands for future generations. Recreation is very important and should be a
priority on land like Bonanza Flats, but this land should be used to teach as well. By providing an
Environmental Education program on Bonanza Flats, local school districts, local clubs, and
private groups could utilize the land to learn more about the resources and land that they love.
Building a Field Station may have high impacts, but it would provide a wonderful platform for
EE in the Wasatch Mountains.

There is an abundance of natural resources at Bonanza Flat, and preserving and protecting these
resources should be one of our greatest concerns and main focuses. The main resources would
be the open land, water, and wildlife.

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The low impact option would include minimal trail work and road maintenance. We would want
to keep the area pretty much how it is at the moment. This would include making trail
improvements to the Bloods Lake trail, and removing excess social trails to and around the lake.
This would help the area recover from the overuse it has seen in recent years and would create a
more pleasing trail to hike and walk. Some basic road work and maintenance would need to be
done as well, as the road below the Guardsman Pass overlook isn’t in the best shape, and sees a
hard winter. Repaving that road would be high cost, but would last many winters, and wouldn’t
affect the surrounding area.

The Bloods Lake trail is quite a popular hike, as dogs are allowed in the area, it is short and
pretty easy, and very accessible. More than basic trail work is needed in order to keep this area
beautiful for years to come. It would be feasible to reroute the trail so that it drops in elevation
lower with switchbacks, then comes to the lake, rather than down the steep hill next to the lake.
This would take a lot of work, but it would make it easier to hike, and would allow the plants and
soil to recover in the area it currently is. Along with this, some widening of the road, coupled
with repaving would greatly increase the safety of the road for motorists. As it is, it is very
narrow and dangerous, and while doing this could be slightly detrimental to the area along the
road, and would be costly, it would be worth it, as this would make it easier for emergency
vehicles to reach the area, and would lessen upkeep costs in the long run.

The high impact option for Bonanza Flats would include paving/boardwalking trails to Bloods
Lake, along with informative signage and expanding the parking area. This trail would be ADA
Accessible, and would follow the same reroute as the medium impact plan. This would require a
lot of money and a lot of work, and while it would be a good option for the community, it really
isn’t feasible with the budget and the area.

We believe that the medium impact plan is the best way to go. It has some impact on the
resources in the area, but nothing that is too impactful and would make the area safer and more
enjoyable for visitors. This is a great piece of land, and we need to make sure it can be used and
enjoyed for years to come.

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42
4.2: Special Projects

4.2.1: OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL COMPANY PROJECT

Now that the town of Park City has purchased 1,350 acres of land for $38 million, called
Bonanza Flats, we bring forth a molding project that plants the seed for commercial recreational
companies. This project shall be a guiding booklet for those who feel like their company could
not only benefit their profits, but give the community a positive recreational outlet that supports
the environment in the outdoors. Throughout this project, viewers may read about the necessary
structure they should acquire in their company that abides the laws set forth by land management
agencies. All commercial recreational companies need to be compliant with the land
management agencies and shall come together to share and meet and end goal that serves the
environment and community. With the beloved land of Bonanza Flats, crucial steps must take
place to keep it in a pristine manner.

The following letter is addressed to the government entity of Park City, UT, for the potential
plans of development of Bonanza Flats:

November 27, 2017

The University of Utah Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism

1901 E South Campus Drive
Annex C, Room 1085
Salt Lake City, UT, 84112

The Recreation Advisory Board of Park City

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1200 Little Kate Rd
Park City, UT 84060

To Whom It May Concern,

Subject: Potential Development of Bonanza Flats

Your recent purchase of Bonanza Flats has served the community well and everybody feels the
great relief of commercial real estate projects to not be foregoing. As a conservation-minded
commercial company, we take great caution while putting forth a plan for business in outdoor
recreation. Many have questioned the future of Bonanza Flats, in regards with how the land will
be managed. Luckily, with Utah Open Lands, a organization that supports environmental
conservation, plans to keep the area protected. The question of allowing a commercial outdoor
company take part in the future of Bonanza Flats is long in the process what may happen. We
believe it very well could be beneficial to have a company that takes place in Bonanza Flats that
makes a profit. A company that forms a coalition with the land management agencies will defer
any error made by a company who doesn’t abide by conservation laws. An obliging company
who supports Utah Open Lands will help you manage any risks that may bring uncertainties that
could be set forth by a acquisitive business.

We appreciate any and all considerations to our recommendations. Please feel free to contact us
at our normal business hours, 9am-5pm M-F with any questions or comments. Thank you for
your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

The University of Utah Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism

4.2.2: Outdoor Recreational Company Business Model

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Winter Operations
As a prospect concessionaire, the more time a potential business is open- more time is allocated
towards financial gains. In a location such as Bonanza Flats, the winter road closures are of
major concern. Multiple options are available to ease the stress of the off-season slows.

Although it would be accepting, potentially, the least amount of business- having a backcountry
ski shack or yurt could be a possibility. Based upon a simple Google search- eight thousand
dollars is a market price for a yurt; one source for a kit to build a more permanent cabin had a
DIY cabin kit selling for seventeen thousand dollars. This cabin kit included the pieces to
assemble a cabin with three bedrooms and a loft for gear storage, more sleeping area or whatever
else one may fit in the space. These cabins do not come equipped with any gas/electric
components, but it has been done when other buyers of these cabins outfit the structures with
small kitchenettes, electricity and plumbing. A business may offer multi-day rentals of the cabin
or even have employee(s) tend the cabin and guests for a “never going to forget” experience. The
initial installation of a structure in the Bonanza Flats area may have large costs that must be dealt
with when encountered, but the positive of this aspect is that when the overhead is reduced, our
ongoing expenditures will be much less than plowing the roads for multiple years, numerous
times a day or week. One other notable factor is that this could and would be operated as a low-
impact and sustainable business. If employees were to manage the field station, they would do so
only after having demonstrated competency in Leave No Trace standards. Not only could this be
a sustainable and enjoyable winter destination and a one of a kind in the immediate Wasatch
Range, but it could also be highly profitable if managed and staffed with knowledgeable and
experienced leaders in the ski service industry. These employees, given the appropriate
resources, could provide an extremely catered and personalized trip allowing the participants to
just focus on the tasks at hand. If a highly catered experience is provided, the higher the cost will
be for the client/participant/user(s). Some recreation opportunities provided by the cabin or yurt
access may include guided backcountry skiing tours, outdoor education, snowshoeing, work in
coordination with the Girl Scouts, and even provide as an office during the summer months
while the zip line course is being set up. The final point to mention about the cabin is that there is
no floor installed when building it yourself and there is no wall insulation. These two items may
not be too big of a concern when one is already investing seventeen thousand in a cabin. Users of

45
the structure must reserve days and must travel by trail to the structure- employees will manage a
snowshoe trail or skintrack to the yurt. If one or more humans prefer an accessible method of
entering the cabin the cost would be large and the company should know about that. Dawn your
own personal Beta search as well.

The second option is to offer transportation to Bonanza flats. The advantage of this is that it may,
in the grand scheme of things, reduce the need of entirely changing the road and parking
structure that is already implemented there. In fact, a train could arguably be
placed in that area and remove the existing parking and replace it with an effective train station.
This idea is impractical as it would insanely expensive and budgets are limited.
A sky trail and zip line course is to be built. The Deep Forest Challenge Company will install,
operated and maintain the Bonanza Flats Sky Trail Adventure. Revenue from the adventure will
be a 50-50 split between the Deep Forest Challenge Company and the Bonanza Flats
maintenance budget. We project split revenue of $150,000 in the first year as seen by other
Deep Forest Challenge Company projects. An aggressive marketing approach should see
increased revenues over time.

The Sky Trail Adventure will consist of a series of challenging rope course style pathways and
zip lines. It will consist of different levels of difficulty. The Sky Trail Adventure is truly a build
your own adventure types course. There are many different types of paths and zips to choose
from. No two adventures are the same.

With the Help of the Deep Forest Challenge Company, the Sky Trail Adventure will uphold the
deepest environmentally friendly standards. Most course hardware are made of reclaimed
materials. The course is hung and constructed using existing trees thus minimizing the use of
any reinforcing materials.

High Impact:
Anytime you add more people to an area there is concern about the disruption of nature and
humans there to enjoy nature. Finding a location that is more isolated in order to not disturb
hikers, bird watchers and such could prove challenging.

46
Though the Deep Forest Challenge Company prides themselves on utilizing existing trees as
support for the adventure courses. Native trees in the Bonanza Flats area may need additional
supports due to the delicate nature of many of the tree species. Also, some bird nests and living
conditions of species that dwell in the tree canopies may be disrupted within the scope of the
course.

Medium Impact:
Noise during the implementation and construction of the course may disrupt the living conditions
of native animal species. This could cause a temporary disruption to their otherwise tranquil
habitat.

New trail pathways may need to be developed as to provide access to the course.

Low Impact:
There is a very low element of financial risk to the maintenance budget of Bonanza Flats. The
Deep Forest Challenge Company assumes almost all of the risk. The profit share is an
alternative to an actual land lease. Permitting and insurance are handled in house by the Deep
Forest Challenge Company.

The Deep Forest Challenge Company prides themselves on being environmentally friendly.
They are a great partner to help further the land management environmental mission.

Advantages of this plan:

● Brings in revenue to help supplement the Land Management budget

● Low financial risk / Substantial reward
● Provides recreation for children and adults alike
● Helps drive business for surrounding areas
● Provides activities for the thriving company retreat industry in the area
Disadvantages of this plan:

47
 ● Could cause some disruption to the natural habitat
● More foot traffic that may require additional trails
● Some may see the experience as to far removed from nature

4.2.3: Sky Trail and Zipline Adventure

A sky trail and zip line course is to be built. The Deep Forest Challenge Company will install,
operated and maintain the Bonanza Flats Sky Trail Adventure. Revenue from the adventure will
be a 50-50 split between the Deep Forest Challenge Company and the Bonanza Flats
maintenance budget. We project split revenue of $150,000 in the first year as seen by other
Deep Forest Challenge Company projects. An aggressive marketing approach should see
increased revenues over time.

The Sky Trail Adventure will consist of a series of challenging rope course style pathways and
zip lines. It will consist of different levels of difficulty. The Sky Trail Adventure is truly a build
your own adventure types course. There are many different types of paths and zips to choose
from. No two adventures are the same.

With the Help of the Deep Forest Challenge Company, the Sky Trail Adventure will uphold the
deepest environmentally friendly standards. Most course hardware is made of reclaimed
materials. The course is hung and constructed using existing trees thus minimizing the use of
any reinforcing materials. (D. Chapin, Guest Relations Manager NorthWest Trek, Oct. 30th,
2017)

High Impact:
Anytime you add more people to an area there is concern about the disruption of nature and
humans there to enjoy nature. Finding a location that is more isolated in order to not disturb
hikers, bird watchers and such could prove challenging.

Though the Deep Forest Challenge Company prides themselves on utilizing existing trees as
support for the adventure courses. Native trees in the Bonanza Flats area may need additional
supports due to the delicate nature of many of the tree species. Also, some bird nests and living

48
conditions of species that dwell in the tree canopies may be disrupted within the scope of the
course.

Medium Impact:
Noise during the implementation and construction of the course may disrupt the living conditions
of native animal species. This could cause a temporary disruption to their otherwise tranquil
habitat.

New trail pathways may need to be developed as to provide access to the course.

Low Impact:
There is a very low element of financial risk to the maintenance budget of Bonanza Flats. The
Deep Forest Challenge Company assumes almost all of the risk. The profit share is an
alternative to an actual land lease. Permitting and insurance are handled in house by the Deep
Forest Challenge Company.

The Deep Forest Challenge Company prides themselves on being environmentally friendly.
They are a great partner to help further the land management environmental mission.

Advantages of this plan:

· Brings in revenue to help supplement the Land Management budget

· Low financial risk / Substantial reward
· Provides recreation for children and adults alike
· Helps drive business for surrounding areas
· Provides activities for the thriving company retreat industry in the
area

Disadvantages of this plan:

· Could cause some disruption to the natural habitat

49
· More foot traffic that may require additional trails
· Some may see the experience as too far removed from nature

50
 Sources
USDA Forest Service, Technology and Development (2013). Accessibility Guidebook for

Outdoor Recreation. DC, USA: 2013

(2017). Log Cabin Kit. Bonanza. U.S.A. (2017).

51