Background & Purpose

In April 2022, SLC Public Lands was made aware of the Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) Wildfire Mitigation Project. Three phases of the project are primarily on SLC Foothills property. Salt Lake City’s Public Lands & Public Utilities Departments worked with legal and real estate teams to create specific processes and requirements for Rocky Mountain Power’s construction plan to minimize environmental disturbances.

Project Phase 2: July – September, 2023

• Popperton Park trails and nearby trails were closed temporarily.
• Trees at the eastern end of the South Popperton Bike Loop were trimmed up to 14′ to allow for truck thru-clearance on the South Popperton walking path.
• A crane was needed for pole 2, requiring a traffic control plan on Virginia Street above 11th Avenue.
• Due to a design change, poles 6 – 8 (west fence of South Popperton along Shriner’s Hospital) have been fire-wrapped and will be replaced in the winter or spring when materials are sourced.

Project Phase 1: June – November, 2022

• In July, SLC Public Lands and Public Utilities conducted a post-construction site visit to prepare for conversations with RMP for Phases 2, 3, and 4 on SLC property.
• From August through October, Public Lands initiated the coordination of a full rehabilitation and revegetation plan with the University and RMP, including the creation of temporary signage for trail wayfinding around areas closed for vegetation regrowth.

On May 19, RMP contacted SLC Public Lands to inform them of trail closures the following week as the construction equipment would be using the BST and other legacy trails to access the poles. Public Lands posted on social media on May 20: 

Rocky Mountain Power and its subcontractor Wasatch Electric will be replacing their wooden power line poles with metal ones for wildfire mitigation as part of their public safety efforts between Red Butte Canyon and Dry Creek Canyon from May 23 – June 10. The BST, Medical Campus Trail, and various other user trails will be subject to detours during this time period. Exact dates of trail closures will be announced on these channels. 

The construction ran through June 17 and created extensive damage to the trails and to the adjacent open space, widening trails and cuttings access roads up to 30’-40’ wide in some areas. Construction debris left trails impassable in certain areas. The construction and access plan was not provided to the City (as this is not SLC property), but SLC Public Lands was brought in to consult with the University on the rehabilitation efforts. RMP’s subcontractor returned in late June to make the trails safe and usable.