Bear River Watershed Council

Past Projects

February, 2010: A low elevation ski resort was proposed for the mouth of Cherry Creek Canyon and finally pulled after BRWC kept public pressure applied during the process. BRWC made it public that the original proposal had ski runs and lifts in a National Forest designated wilderness area. BRWC also uncovered that the developers had cleared ski runs before the permit had been granted. The proposal was finally pulled after this pressure and the developer realized the expense to provide a NEPA document for a right-of-way request with the Division of Wildlife Resources and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The document would have to prove there would be no impact to wildlife. An outcome BRWC doesn't believe could have been found.
		We confirmed that four of the proposed ski runs (green) and one lift (blue) were actually inside the ForestService's Mount Naomi Wilderness boundary (red).
Vegetation was removed prior to the permit being granted.

Four runs and one lift were inside the wilderness boundary.

^ Top October 10, 2009: This is the first time BRWC worked with a private landowner, Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife, to address impacts from irresponsible motorized users. Their property is critical winter wildlife habitat and lies between the National Forest's Logan Ranger District and Smithfield City.

Spreading seed on the unauthorized route climbing the hillside toward Cedar Ridge.		Common Ground volunteers preparing lunch with food and stoves donated by Camp Chef.

Our friends the Wastach Outlaws 4x4 Club hualing garbage.		Building many hundreds of feet of barrier fence.

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September 6, 2008: BRWC organized a restoration project and free outdoor concert in one of the most impacted areas, Providence Canyon. The project was in part to unite the citizens of Providence and surrounding communities and restore the canyon from its current situation to a family and wildlife friendly recreation area. The project was in cooperation with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and had many sponsors. Read The Herald Journal


This barrier fence will shut down an unauthorized route and protect the creek and a spring, one of the water sources for Providence City.

Way Way East Bay one of the bands that played for the free concert.		Volunteers prepare to attached the pole to bucks.

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May 31, 2008: BRWC in cooperation with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, many supporting organizations, and over 110 volunteers restored seven miles of unauthorized routes in Millville Canyon. The illegal, user-created routes have impacted wildlife habitat and the watershed for years.


Camp Chef provided dinner for the 119 volunteers.

Cody Mozingo with the Boy Scouts of America working on an Eagle Scout project.		Bridgerland Trail Riders Association provided ATVs to shuttle tools to the sites.

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April 21 and May 19, 2007: This project was funded by a grant from National Forest Foundation & REI and in cooperation with the Wasatch-Cache National Forest's Logan Ranger District and thirty-six volunteers.

The Project accomplished the following objectives as outlined in the grant: 1) Complete restoration, by reseeding, of unauthorized routes that extended into the Mt. Naomi Wilderness; 2) Construction of a vehicle barriers to stop illegal travel in the wilderness; 3) Curtail weed dispersal such as Dyers Woad, Leafy Spurge and Houndstongue; 4) Stop erosion by placing appropriate erosion-control barriers in strategic locations; and 5) Bring public attention to these issues currently impacting the Mt. Naomi Wilderness.


Unloading barrier materials.		Placement of the intial barrier fence to stop illegal access.

Spreading seed on the unauthorized route up Cedar Ridge.		Digging post holes in Hyde Park Canyon.

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July 2007: Utah Conservation Corps intern, Travis Taylor and BRWC volunteers removed an illegal a-frame built from live trees and used the material to build a barrier to stop a hillclimb. This scar had climbed 100 yards up through the trees and had topped out on a ridge. We cut water bars to help stop erosion and placed dead wood and brush to discourage future use.


Travis inspects the site. . .		then digs a post-hole for the barrier.

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September 30, 2006: After Project MUD identified serious issues in Millville Canyon such as the creek being used as a "mudding" or "digging" area BRWC launched a restoration project for National Public Land day with volunteers from Wasatch Outlaws and the Circle K club from Utah State University.


Volunteer places restoration sign.		Before

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September 24, 2005: BRWC teamed up with Millville Scout Troop #305, and the Wasatch Outlaws (4x4 club) and others for National Public Lands to build a barrier fence up and remove a large 15x25' lean-to, wood stove, and sofa. The new fence will protect a side canyon and spring from an unathourized motorized route.


Volunteers secure the final pieces of the barrier.

Volunteers begin removel a lean-to.		Boy Scouts carry material to the site.

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October 16, 2005: Volunteers from BRWC and Bridgerland Audubon Society deconstructed and removed materials from this well-built, illegal shelter in Logan Dry Canyon.


Before		After

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September 25, 2004: Twenty-three volunteers from Bear River Watershed Council, Utah Conservation Corps, Bridgerland Audubon, and Cache Valley's Goodwill Riders in cooperation with the National Forest Service's, Logan Ranger District built a buck and pole fence up High Creek. The barrier will protect and help the restoration of an unauthorized hill climbing area and serve as a visual reminder that motorized travel is allowed only on designated open routes.


Volunteers finish the last touchs of the barrier fence in High Creek.

Before		After (2008)