LOGAN CANYON
MINUTES OF ID TEAM MEETING
October 6, 1986
Attendance:
Stan Nuffer, CH2M HILL
John D'Amico, CH2M HILL
Cliff Forsgren,CH2M HILL
Sherril Pitkin, CH2M HILL
Fred LaBar, USFS
Mark Shaw, USFS
Clark Ostergard, USFS
Gale Larson, Valley Engineering
Neal Stoeger, FHWA
John Neil, UDOT
Jim Naegle, UDOT
Bruce Swenson, UDOT
Jack Spence
Steve Flint
Item 1 - Review of Minutes
Steve Flint asked that in all tech memo's and minutes, traffic
volumes be stated as either winter, summer or annual.
Item 2 - Review of Public Information Meeting
Stan Nuffer led the discussion on the public information
meeting. Steve Flint pointed out that the distance from
Garden City to Montelier, Idaho was 31 miles and the distance
between Logan and "Garden City is 40 plus miles. Steve
also indicated that he had spoken with people in the emergency
room at the Logan Hospital and they said that there
were medical services available in Montpelier and that the
decision _to come to Logan for medical treatment was a personal one. Steve was concerned that there may have been an
impression created at the meeting that there were no medical
services in Montpelier. No one at the meeting was certain
just what services were available in Montpelier. It was
generally concluded that since Logan is a regional medical
facility and has a greater range of services and specialists
than the other communities in the general area, Logan would
be a more desireable place to go for medical attention.
There was also a question about an increase in RV traffic in
the Canyon. RV traffic is expected to increase at the same
rate as the overall traffic volume. There has been nothing
to indicate that the percentage of RV traffic will increase.
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Jim Naegel mentioned that during the public meeting Rudy
Lukez had said that he had traffic flow data dating back to
the 1930's. Jim wondered why that information had not been
brought to the ID Team and if Rudy wanted it considered as
part of this study. No one in attendance was certain what
Rudy wanted to do with the data.
There was some discussion on the problem with the accident
rate calculations obtained from UDOT. Jack Spence and Steve
Flint expressed concern that the safety analysis may not be
as good as it might be because of uncertain data. After
some discussion it was decided that a letter would be written
to the appropriate UDOT officials pointing out the calculation
problems and the fear that there may be problems
with the data itself. Cliff Forsgren will write the letter.
Further discussion of safety led to the conclusion that those
0.01-mile highway sections which appeared to have a greater
number of accidents/year (at 80 percent confidence) than the
average for the Canyon would be included in the alternative
development phase. If during the alternative development
phase it was determined that more information was needed on
a specific site, the original accident reports for that site
would be examined.
Item 3 - Visual Considerations Presentation by Clark Ostergard
Clark Ostergard made a presentation which explained the Forest
Services' approach to classifying visual aspects and impacts
of a proposed project. In addition to a written presentation,
there were slides illustrating the important features of the
visual classification system. Clark also had some references
on designing and/or mitigating visual impacts on scenic highways.
Clark has also taken the time to classify the roadway
between Right Hand Fork and Ricks Springs. This information
will be extremely helpful as alternatives are developed and
evaluated.
Fred LaBar also discussed the Forest Plan, in particular
Logan Canyon. Fred pointed out the provision for classification of the highway in Logan Canyon as a "scenic highway". John D' Amico asked if the "scenic highway" designation would increase traffic in the Canyon. Fred said that it might
especially if the Forest Service could increase its camping
facilities. @ Beaver MTN junction one group camping area 200-300 at once - Beaver Creek within 10 years
Item 4 - Garden City Meeting
Gale Larson said that there was a lot of interest in a meeting
in Garden City. A meeting was scheduled for Monday,
November 3, 1986 at 7:30 p.m. in Garden City.
SLC-STN/03
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Highway 89
