COSAC-June 1, 2026

- The committee reviewed and moved both the Birch Canyon Weed and Seed and Willow Ranch conservation easement applications forward for county council consideration, unanimously recommending round one/preliminary approval for each. In both cases, members emphasized the projects’ wildlife, agricultural, scenic, and public-access benefits. - Birch Canyon was described as a 5.5-acre parcel in Smithfield bisected by Birch Canyon Road and Birch Creek, with strong habitat and scenic values. Discussion focused on its adjacency to county land, potential future trail connections, and whether the small size and limited parking would affect public access and funding strategy. - Members noted that Birch Canyon’s owners are interested in preservation and restoration, but are not primarily driven by money and are concerned about long-term oversight of any easement. The committee discussed possible easement holders such as Bear River Land Conservancy or DWR, and agreed to highlight the project’s unique location and public-access potential in the council presentation. - Willow Ranch in Mendon was presented as a multigenerational family farm with two parcels, strong agricultural value, intermittent stream habitat, and restoration work already underway, including beaver analogs, water tanks, and plantings. The committee and the landowner discussed how the property connects to forest lands and how that may support future trail or conservation planning. - Public access was a major topic for Willow Ranch, including a historic/proprietary corridor to the National Forest and the possibility of a future Bonneville Shoreline Trail alignment. The applicant said the family wants to preserve the land as working agricultural land rather than housing, while still allowing compatible public access if feasible. - The committee heard updates that the Poulsen Family Valley View Farm and Hatjay Ranch projects were unanimously approved by county council and are now in round two. Staff also reported that the Silva project in Trenton received NRCS funding and will return with a phase-two package, while the Harris Farm project did not receive funding this round and will reapply. - Blair Stringham from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources gave public comment supporting the committee’s work and said DWR is interested in partnering on open-space and wildlife projects. He outlined potential funding sources, including Pittman-Robertson matching funds and conservation permit revenue, and said DWR may be able to contribute to easements, habitat, and recreation-compatible projects. - Seneca presented a new GIS/agricultural and sensitive lands viewer and story map that tracks county-purchased lands, round one and round two approvals, trail applications, and conservation easements. The tool includes project details, funding amounts, ordinances, scoring sheets, and attachments, and staff asked members to test it and provide feedback. - Staff also discussed upcoming county fair outreach, planning a 10-by-10 booth to share information about the program and answer public questions, with a request for volunteers and sign-up scheduling. The meeting ended with trail-related updates and an invitation for members to share any additional feedback after the meeting.