Last spring, Snowbird received approval from the Utah County Board of Adjustment to begin preparations for placing two ski lifts on our private land in Mary Ellen Gulch. Our first step was to better understand the current water quality conditions in the basin, as guided by the approved Water Quality Monitoring Plan (WQMP). As water quality is so important to each of us, I’m writing this op-ed to share with the community what we’ve learned so far.
Snowbird, Utah County, American Fork City and the Division of Water Quality (DWQ), collaborated on where water could be best sampled in Mary Ellen Gulch. Each month, a third-party contractor and Snowbird sampled water quality in-field, with American Fork City often in attendance. Then, the samples were sent to an independent laboratory for testing of the numerous metals. The sampling results were sent to Utah County, American Fork City and the DWQ. Even though Mary Ellen Gulch is not classified as a drinking water source, the results from the first year of sampling show that all sites meet drinking water standards. With the exception of zinc, concentrations of all other metals are low and support a healthy cold-water fishery (including lead, arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, nickel and iron). Many of the other metals are consistently below lab detectable levels (including chromium, mercury, selenium and silver).
One concern expressed in the community has been the quality of the water that flows out of the Live Yankee Mine, an abandoned mine located on Snowbird property. The quantity of water from this mine is low, about 0.4 percent (on average) of the flow of American Fork River at the Timpanogos Caves. Though water quality sampling results from the portal show heightened levels of zinc, sites sampled just downstream often meet the water quality standard. At the confluence of this tributary with American Fork River, zinc concentrations are low and support aquatic species. Snowbird will continue to work closely with DWQ and follow its recommendations to ensure water quality standards are met.
At the request of a few community members, the EPA is again assessing the soil and water quality conditions in American Fork Canyon. In 2002, the EPA determined that “no further remedial action planned” was the appropriate approach. Despite this, we proceeded forward with voluntary remediation of the Pacific Mine, an abandoned mine on our property. In partnership with Trout Unlimited, EPA, U.S. Forest Service, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Tiffany & Co., Snowbird proudly received the EPA Environmental Achievement Award for this effort. As in the past, we are working with EPA and providing historic and current water and soil data for its re-assessment. We will continue to provide information, access and support toward its efforts.
As Snowbird begins its 46th year of operations, I, too, begin my 46th year. I love these canyons, and I remain dedicated to preserving these natural resources for the coming generations, while at the same time working to provide sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities for our growing community. Snowbird will continue to take pride in our efforts to protect and improve the watershed as we proceed with plans for future ski and summer activities.
Bob Bonar is general manager of Snowbird.