Weber County meeting on the Inland Port, recap
UPHE, along with community and coalition partners, were so encouraged by the turnout at last week’s Weber County meeting to discuss concerns and brainstorm paths forward with the Utah Inland Port.
The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) voted in May to adopt the county’s West Weber Project Area plan, paving the way for the development of a 9,000-acre inland port. This decision has sparked worry among local residents and advocacy groups, including UPHE, about the potential impacts on wetlands, wildlife, and the health of people living and working in the region.
Inland Port projects have consisted of a lack of transparency and public involvement. Wednesday’s meeting saw participation from a diverse group, including representatives from advocacy groups, Weber County officials, Steven Van Wagoner (a candidate for Weber County commissioner), local farmers, and other residents.
- Dark skies
- Who benefits?
- Extra traffic
- Road conditions, and fill to fill wetlands
- Preserving wetlands? Mitigation banking/moving wetlands decreases quality
- Degradation of wetlands impact on GSL
- Air quality
- Quality of jobs being created
- What is the limit of growth, residents don’t necessarily want growth in the area and does this open it up to more, cited false promises from amazon
- Will they actually use clean energy and lead standards on building development?
- 3% differential for wetlands is not enough
- Who is paying for the infrastructure? Taxes are already raising
- A duck hunter asked about the impact to migratory birds
- Why isn’t the Division of Natural Resources involved
- Is there enforcement and follow up coming?
- Native American cultural sites are included in project area. If tax money is used, the land has to be surveyed for cultural resources.
- If we improve Lake quality won’t these areas flood?
- Why is it out here in untouched land and not downtown?
- Is there new rail being added? Will rail increase and impact traffic? How is rail being paid for?
- Studies on impacts? Wildlife? Health?
- Has an environmental review been done?
- Economic advantage being touted but Utah unemployment is very low so what is the benefit to the community?
- Who is getting the incentives/the money?
The overwhelming theme of the meeting was that residents didn’t have a clear picture of what is planned for their community but from what they have heard, it doesn’t reflect their vision for the community.
The group plans to move forward to address the concerns raised at the meeting with a follow-up meeting with county or port officials. Please stay alert for ways to get involved and continue spreading the word among your Weber County friends and neighbors, especially those in the West Warren area, where the project is proposed.