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Lawmakers discuss Mountain Accord, possible Olympics bid

Posted at 4:53 PM, Feb 12, 2015
and last updated 2015-02-12 18:57:37-05

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers discussed a blueprint for the future of the Central Wasatch mountains Thursday morning.

The Mountain Accord is a plan drawn up by various governmental agencies, the business community and local non-profit organizations with vested interest in the Central Wasatch mountains to manage recreation, the environment, economy and transportation in the area.

Sen. Wayne Niederhauser (R-Sandy), who also serves on the Executive Board for Mountain Accord, asked the Utah State Legislature’s Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee to set aside $5 million this year for Mountain Accord.

“The implications here are tremendous. We have seven ski resorts that are very close together. There’s been some talk about connecting those ski resorts. What are the transportation implications of that. We’re talking about the Olympics and maybe making a bid for the Olympics and there’s probably about 14 years or something down the road, but you have to start planning for that type of thing now. So this is, I believe, money well spent,” Niederhauser said when he addressed the committee.

Lawmakers will make a final decision on Mountain Accord funding when this year’s legislative session wraps up next month.

In the meantime, Mountain Accord has scheduled a series of question and answer sessions and open houses that are open to the public. Click here to visit the Mountain Accord website for more information.