John Knoblock is the Central Wasatch Commission’s outgoing Stakeholders Council Chair. In this role he has actively participated in nearly every System Committee meeting, every Stakeholders Council meeting, and every Board meeting for the last two years. Since his term is up at the end of the month, we wanted to give him a chance to share his thoughts on his tenure in a podcast-style exit interview. To make it a special event we asked him to choose a location in the Central Wasatch that he’s passionate about. For reasons that become increasingly clear through the duration of the conversation, he had me meet him at the foot of Grandeur Peak on a sunny summer morning where the latest section of the Bonneville has recently been completed.The conversation switched back and forth as we ascended the singletrack trail, but a strong narrative thread ran throughout: Whether the topic is trails, transportation, or conservation, John touts the importance of embracing long-term thinking. Without a decent grasp of history, he says, it’s hard to remain committed to big and important projects. This newest section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, for example, took him more than 20 years to finish. By the end of our walk, 20 years seemed like a much shorter duration than it did at the trailhead. The Mountain Accord is only 10 years old and the Central Wasatch Commission is only seven years old, John reminds us–and big goals such as the Central Wasatch Conservation and Recreation Area Act (CWNCRA) could take 20 years to complete, but they will get done.Chapters00:00 The Journey of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail01:52 Connecting Community and Nature04:51 The Urban-Wildland Interface09:00 Land Acquisition Challenges12:54 Trail Development and Community Involvement15:48 Trail Design Considerations19:47 Legislative Challenges and Opportunities25:32 The Role of IMBA and Community Support30:52 Incremental Progress vs. Comprehensive Solutions34:54 Ski Resorts and Legislative Support35:30 Reflecting on Two Years of Progress41:08 Building Collaborative Relationships47:59 The Long View: Patience in Progress54:07 Education and Long-Term Thinking01:01:08 Finding Common Ground in Conservation01:05:51 The Personal Connection to Nature#BonnevilleShorelineTrail #CentralWasatchCommission #landacquisition #communityinvolvement #traildevelopment #urbanwildlandinterface #outdoorrecreation #environmentalprotection #legislation #IMBA #CentralWasatch #MountainAccord #collaboration #environmentalconservation #longterm thinking #stakeholderengagement #recreation #communitydialogue #sustainabledevelopmentMountain Accord https://cwc.utah.gov/mountainaccord/Central Wasatch Commission https://cwc.utah.gov/Visitor Use Study https://cwc.utah.gov/visitor-use-study/CWNCRA https://cwc.utah.gov/legislation-and-federal-designation/Donate to CWC Project work https://cwc.utah.gov/contribute/Trails Utah https://trailsutah.org/
--------
1:15:20
A New Season In The Wasatch
Season 2 (and winter) have both come to an end, and a new chapter is beginning. While the gamble oaks and maples have been leafing out, a changing of the guard is taking place at the Central Wasatch Commission. Mia McNeil is heading out on an adventure, and Ben Kilbourne, the new Communications Director, will be taking over the pod. Listen to learn a little about Ben and find out how Mia's relationship with the Central Wasatch has changed during her time at CWC. The Mountain Accord Charterhttps://cwc.utah.gov/InstagramFacebook
--------
19:56
Public Comment Periods with Kirk Nichols
A public comment period is an essential component to many government projects. It provides evidence as to why the development should or should not be implemented, needs to be reevaluated, or does not follow official protocol. Comments can change the trajectory of a project in a positive way, but how can the public give effective input that makes a substantial difference? Kirk Nichols joins me in this episode to explain how public comment periods work, the history and laws behind them, and ways to improve your comment submissions. "Now is the time. Don’t wait for a comment period, write your legislators, governor, BLM, Forest Service, and Park Service in support and in encouragement to do the right thing by our public lands." - Kirk NicholsResources: How to Participate in RulemakingNational Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)Administrative Procedures Act (APA)Central Wasatch Commissionhttps://cwc.utah.gov/Instagram - Facebook -
--------
1:01:27
The Mountain Accord
The Central Wasatch Commission was created because of a document called the Mountain Accord charter. This document is the foundation of the organization and its goals to help alleviate issues regarding the economy, environment, recreation, and transportation throughout the Central Wasatch. The CWC’s Executive Director, Lindsey Nielsen, will read verbatim the Mountain Accord charter. This episode is specifically for auditory learners, who would prefer to listen than to read the document.Mountain Accord Charter: Read hereCentral Wasatch Commissionhttps://cwc.utah.gov/Instagram - Facebook - X
--------
52:35
The Central Wasatch Economy with Morgan Mingle
The state of an economy depends on a variety of factors. Job opportunities, housing availability, business prosperity and more. The Central Wasatch’s economy consists of tourism, recreation, hotels, restaurants, and multiple towns and cities. The wasatch front and back are physically separated but have common themes. In this episode, I talk economics with CWC stakeholder Morgan Mingle and how it relates to the four interdependent systems of the Central Wasatch.More Information:Park City Chamber of Commerce and Visitors BureauSustainable Tourism PlanCentral Wasatch Commissionhttps://cwc.utah.gov/Instagram - Facebook - X
Created by the Central Wasatch Commission & hosted by Ben Kilbourne, In The Wasatch Podcast serves as the table everyone sits at, where real conversation happens, so we can find real solutions to real issues in the Central Wasatch Mountains. You’ll hear from stakeholders, commissioners, and others who love and want to preserve the mountains for generations to come. As we gather Wasatch stories, profiles, and expertise, we hope to establish this podcast, and the CWC generally, as a hub for finding belonging in the Central Wasatch. After all, it's the mountains that make this place what it is.
USA