Trust for Public Land Celebrates the Passage of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail Act 

Washington D.C. – Today, Congress passed and President Biden signed, as part of omnibus end of year spending bill, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail Advancement Act [BSTAA] – a landmark lands bill which will help improve public access, protect the lands around the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, and help ultimately complete the unique and popular 280-mile outdoor recreation treasure.

In 2016, TPL worked with the Boy Scouts of America to convey the lands around Camp Tracy to the U.S. Forest Service, protecting public access and ensuring Camp Tracy’s future in Mill Creek Canyon. Utilizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, nearly 850 acres were added to the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The property contains a portion of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, as well as Mill Creek — a tributary to the Jordan River. Mill Creek Canyon and the Bonneville Shoreline Trail are major recreational destinations for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and picnicking due to its proximity to Salt Lake City and the greater Wasatch Front.   

A statement from Jim Petterson, Vice President Mountain West Region and Colorado & Southwest Director for Trust for Public [TPL]:  

 “The passage of Bonneville Shoreline Trail Advancement Act will help solidify the decades-long dream to protect this special land along the foothills of the Wasatch Front, helping achieve the vision of the 280-mile-long Bonneville Shoreline Trail, stretching from the Idaho border to Nephi in the heart of Utah.

Trust for Public Land is extremely pleased to see Congress and President Biden secure this landmark legislation for not only Utah, but the American West. We are grateful for the work of Utah Congressman John Curtis in championing the Bonneville Shoreline Trail Advancement Act and the trail itself. For over three decades, Trust for Public Land has worked to protect the foothills of the Wasatch Front in support of advancing the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, completing more than 20 land acquisition projects since 2000. 

The Bonneville Shoreline Trail Advancement Act will help to complete the vision of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, giving mountain bikers, runners, hikers, equestrians, cross-country skiers – and families – new opportunities to get outside, enjoy the outdoors and the wonders of the Wasatch Front. Trust for Public Land celebrates this important legislative accomplishment and applauds President Biden and Congress for taking this important step for one America’s most treasured places.”  

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