According to the Outdoor Industry Association, recreation generates over 120,000 jobs in Utah. It brings in $12 billion in consumer spending each year and nearly $1 billion additional in related taxes. 82% of Utahns participate in the outdoor recreation economy each year and that doesn’t include hunting or fishing.
In this program, we look at how to value recreation in the hierarchy of water uses. Whether it’s skiing, boating or fishing, a lot of us recreate on the water, but do those activities trump uses like irrigation, power generation, or drinking water? We’ll look at three specific cases where recreation comes into conflict with other uses of water and some of the ways groups have resolved those conflicts.
It’s contentious. It’s litigious. It’s fun! It’s recreation and water on The Source.
Part 1 - Dams vs. Kayakers
Water is a public resource and dams often just “borrow” it while they’re generating power. But when that water is impounded in reservoirs or forced into pipelines, it’s temporarily not available in the river for boating. Jennifer Pemberton talks to Charlie Vincent, a volunteer with American Whitewater. He’s spent countless hours over the years in dam relicensing meetings advocating for “recreational releases” of water for kayakers to enjoy. She also talks to two representatives from dam-operator Pacificorp and asks them why on earth they’d spill water from a dam just for fun (hint: because they have to).
Playlist:
- Andrew Bird, “Groping the Dark”, Echolocations: Canyon
- Andy Gibb, “[Love Is] Thicker Than Water”, Andy Gibb [Greatest Hits]
Part 2 - Don’t Put Your Feet Down
Sometimes when water crosses invisible political lines, tempers and lawsuits ensue. Currently in Utah, recreationalists are forbidden from walking on stream beds where public streams run across private lands. Some say this basically limits the public’s right to use nearly half of all Utah’s rivers and streams. A battle has been smoldering in Utah’s capitol and courts for several years now. Ross Chambless tells the story and talks to Kris Olsen of the Utah Stream Access Coalition.
Part 3 - Drinking the Best Snow on Earth
We can’t talk about recreation in Utah without talking about skiing. What’s the most environmentally friendly way of getting thousands of skiers to the slopes and back on any given powder day? How can we keep our reputation as “life elevated” and our thriving outdoor recreation economy without loving our backyard to death? These are the big questions the Mountain Accord is seeking to address. Jennifer Pemberton talks to Save Our Canyons director Carl Fisher and Salt Lake City Public Utilities Water Resource Manager Laura Briefer about what it’s like to sit at that giant table.
Playlist:
- Bob Gibson, “Talking Skier”, Ski Songs
- Bob Gibson, “What’ll We Do”, Ski Songs
- Bob Gibson, “In This White World”, Ski Songs
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