Eagle Mountain City Council Approves Wildlife Corridor Code

During the Feb 2nd, 2021 Eagle Mountain City Council meeting the City Council approved a Wildlife Corridor zone to protect migration trails through the city. The City made the following statement today (2/3/2021)

The Eagle Mountain City Council has approved a Wildlife Corridor Overlay Zone, becoming the first city in Utah to implement this type of zoning. The approval enables the city to continue planning for a potential 1300-acre wildlife corridor that will provide a route for mule deer to migrate from two critical habitats in the northwest and southeast areas of the city. The corridor would also protect other animal habitats and plants. The wildlife corridor is a collaboration between Eagle Mountain City, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and the Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance, a resident-based group. DWR has contributed data on deer migration and is currently working with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to build a wildlife fence on the south side of SR-73. The fence will help guide deer to cross the highway through a narrower area, in conjunction with a driver alert system. DWR is also overseeing habitat improvement projects that replace invasive weeds with native shrubs, grasses, and trees within the corridor. The Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance was tasked by Mayor Tom Westmoreland to conduct research and consult with staff, elected officials, and property owners. The group has been invaluable in moving the project forward. “This zoning addition is an important step in the city’s effort to preserve open space and maintain the connection with nature and outdoor recreation that is in large part what draws people to locate in Eagle Mountain,” Mayor Westmoreland said. Eagle Mountain City has a unique opportunity being a newer and fast-growing city to proactively address the need for preservation before more development occurs. Next steps for the project include working with property owners to solidify a plan for the corridor and adjusting current OHV access in the area as needed.[SOURCE]

The process has been in the works for a while. As the statement states, it was spearheaded by a resident-based group called the “Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance”. There have also been residents and City Council members involved from the inception of the idea. Because of the idea, there has been a lot of data collection. For more details, you can read these cedarvalleysentinel.com articles: Eagle Mountain Residents Rally to help Protect Eagle Mountain Wildlife, Eagle Mountain Residents Propose Wildlife Migration Plan, and Officials Take Tour Of Eagle Mountain To Discuss Possible Wildlife Corridor. You can also follow more wildlife by viewing the Eagle Mountain Kestrel Projects kestrel webcam. It is currently located on 5.5 acres off Lake Mountain Road on the Quail Run Farms property. The equipment did an upgrade for the 2020 breeding season, including a second camera and full-time recording which allowed the following video to be compiled. One of the fascinating things that happened during the season was the female kestrel from the pair that hatched the clutch in the webcam nest box went AWOL shortly after the eggs hatched. It was interesting watching the group get together to make sure that the male of the pair was up to the task of taking care of the young ones. He did a great job, he would bring food to them and stay in the area long enough to see them leave the nest box. During the off-season, we have seen several banded males return to the box, and even spend the occasional night to stay out of the weather. You can see more about the project on the projects Facebook Page. Here are some of the scenes around Eagle Mountain and the wildlife you can find in the Cedar Valley.