08/22/2024
Some context about the Via Ferrata!! Lots of questions about this project and hopefully this time-line helps explain things a little!
Via Ferrata Timeline
January 2022 – Utah Legislature Appropriated $1,000,000 for Outdoor Access and Vertical Trails through an Economic Development Pass-Through line item. The Utah-based non-profit, Access Utah, is awarded the funding to develop Via Ferrata routes in Utah. https://cobi.utah.gov/2022/2509/issues/19068 , https://le.utah.gov/MtgMinutes/publicMeetingMinutes.jsp?Com=APPBEL&meetingId=17831
October 12, 2022 – Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation connects with Uintah County on a potential Via Ferrata route in Uintah County.
November 2022 – Uintah County connects with local Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management offices regarding potential sites.
January 2023 – Uintah County is informed the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will not allow for Via Ferrata development due to the activity being relatively new in the U.S.
January 23, 2023 – Uintah County staff meets with Access Utah to tour various sites on County and State lands.
September 5, 2023 – Uintah County staff meets with Via Ferrata Solution to tour various sites.
o Via Ferrata solutions are experts in Via Ferrata design,
construction and management.
o Via Ferrata solutions provides feedback on potential for each
site
o Ashley Gorge is identified as an ideal site due to the
unsuitability of other locations, rock formations, length of
possible routes, and multiple options for access.
September 25, 2023 – Uintah County Commission Work Session: Via Ferrata project is presented to County Commissioners and receives a general consensus in support of moving forward. The county receives positive feedback from some in the community in the days following this meeting.https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1031987.pdf
December 2023 - Via Ferrata Solutions visits Ashley Gorge to conduct strength tests on the rock formations in Ashley Gorge. Test results exceeded specification requirements.
December 2023 – Uintah County connects with private property owner and agrees to begin discussions in early 2024.
February 21, 2024 – Uintah County begins discussions with private property owners in the Ashley Gorge area, identifying the point person in the family as well as answering general questions about the project.
March 14, 2024 - Uintah County Submits an application for the 2024 Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant. Funds are intended to supplement original funding appropriation. Application includes letters of support from: Uintah County Travel and Tourism, Dino Trails Committee, Dinoland Adventure Project, Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, representatives from local municipalities
April 2, 2024 - Uintah County submits an application for the 2024 Recreational Trails Program. Funds are intended to supplement original funding appropriation.
March 26, 2024 - Ashley Valley Water District Board Meeting: Uintah County presents the Via Ferrata project to Ashley Valley Water District Board. Presentation identifies Ashley Gorge as an ideal site. The District cited a concern to make sure the water source is protected with the possibility of a fence being built around the spring house, and asked Uintah County to work with the private property owner first. No decisions were made by the Board. https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.utah.gov%2Fpmn%2Ffiles%2F1117035.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK
May 22, 2024 -Uintah County meets with water users in Ashley Gorge. Uintah County provides an overview of the project area.
May 28, 2024 – Uintah County hosts a meeting with water users at the Uintah County building. Uintah County Commissioners answer questions and address concerns about the project. The water users group decides that Vernal City will develop a security plan in conjunction with Ashley Valley Water and submit the plan to Uintah County.
May 2024 - Uintah County meets with private property owners to further discuss the project.
May 21, 2024 – Ashley Valley Water District Board Meeting: Uintah County presents updated information to the District Board. No decisions were made by the Board. https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.utah.gov%2Fpmn%2Ffiles%2F1149321.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK
June 10, 2024 - In conjunction with Ashley Valley Water District, Vernal City provides Uintah County with an outline of security measures to provide adequate security protections to the spring house and other infrastructure in the area. Uintah County agrees to measures and discusses funding contributions - consensus on Uintah County contributing 50% of the costs for security measures.
June 17, 2024 - Visit with Ouray, CO. Via Ferrata groups. Uintah County visited in-depth with administrators, guides, equipment outfitters, and local businesses to learn about processes.
June 18, 2024 - Ashley Valley Water District Board Meeting:
June 19, 2024 – Uintah County meets with private property owner to discuss Via Ferrata project, access, and county road vacations.
June 20, 2024 – Uintah County directs construction crews to pause any additional work on county property. Construction crew begins to secure the installed route and will be completed by June 28, 2024
June 20, 2024 – Uintah County meets with Vernal City staff to discuss security measures for water infrastructure.
June 24, 2024 – Uintah County receives letter from Ashley Valley Water District citing 4 concerns:
1. Concerns over public access to Ashley Gorge through the
Water Districts property.
2. Proposal to use the district’s existing parking lot.
3. District may be willing to consider a walking trail east of
the facility. A security Plan will need to be completed to
analyze additional risks due to increased use.
4. Any plan will have to include measures to preserve the
spring and a protection zone around it… The District is
willing to work with the County to address these
concerns…
June 26, 2024 – Joint City/County Meeting; Uintah County hosts a joint public meeting with Vernal City and Naples City. Uintah County presents an update on the Via Ferrata project.
July 2024 – Uintah County begins meeting with Ashley Valley Water Board members and staff individually to discuss cited concerns; access points, parking/restrooms/trash collection, security measures for water infrastructure. Uintah County agrees to recommended security measures as well as funding.
July 16, 2024 – Ashley Valley Water District Board Meeting: Uintah County presents updated plan to Board members. Plan includes steps discussed during individual meetings. Uintah County adopted the security measures provided by Vernal City and Ashley Valley Water and agreed to provide funding for security measures
1. Ashley Valley Water Board votes to prohibit access to Ashley
Gorge through District property.
2. Ashley Valley Water Board does not make a motion specific to
the Via Ferrata project.
3. Ashley Valley Water advises Uintah County to look at other
options for access.
August 2, 2024- Joint Board Meeting: Ashley Valley Water District Board hosts a joint meeting with Uintah County Commission. No additional direction is given to Uintah County. Ashley Valley Water District Board tells Uintah County that they will provide a proposal within the week.
August 13, 2024- Ashley Valley Water District Board Meeting: Ashley Valley Water District holds a meeting to discuss the Via Ferrata project. Ashley Valley water states the Board will continue to discuss additional steps forward, but did not give a timeline. No additional direction is given to Uintah County.
Public Open House- Coming Soon.
