Salt Lake City and Sandy file lawsuit against UDOT for alleged inadequate analysis of construction impact on drinking water
On Monday, Salt Lake City and Sandy filed a lawsuit against the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and other government entities, alleging that UDOT failed to adequately analyze how drinking water in the Salt Lake Valley would be impacted by construction in Little Cottonwood Canyon. This legal action comes just days after environmental groups filed a similar lawsuit against the state of Utah for cutting corners in an environmental study of the canyon.
The lawsuit requests that the court toss out UDOT’s environmental impact study and prohibit any further progress in the department’s plans for addressing traffic issues in Little Cottonwood until a new environmental impact study can be completed. The plaintiffs claim that UDOT and other government bodies failed to fully study the environmental impacts of construction in the watershed canyon, in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
In addition to UDOT, the lawsuit also names the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, and UDOT executive director Carlos Braceras as defendants. The municipalities are specifically suing in the hopes of protecting the area’s drinking water, alleging that UDOT’s environmental impact study failed to adequately map out the impact on the valley’s water resources. Both lawsuits filed against UDOT are asking for the department to redo their environmental impact study and ensure that the new study meets federal standards.
It is important to note that the municipalities are not seeking to block transportation improvements, but are instead interested in protecting drinking water for residents in the Salt Lake Valley. A representative for UDOT has not yet responded to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
Historic Background:
Little Cottonwood Canyon has long been a key transportation corridor, connecting the Salt Lake Valley with the Wasatch Mountains. Over the years, increased population and urban development have resulted in traffic congestion and safety concerns in the canyon. UDOT has been working on plans to address these issues, including potential construction projects, which have sparked concerns about their potential impact on the canyon’s environment, particularly the drinking water in the Salt Lake Valley.
As this story develops, we will continue to provide updates on any new developments or responses from the involved parties.