Comparative values of wetlands located near Salt Lake City, Utah

Abstract

This paper compares the functional values of existing natural and constructed wetlands with the wetlands that will be filled during construction of the proposed Legacy Highway near Salt Lake City, Utah. Wetland impact along the proposed highway alignment is the most important issue considered in the project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This paper proposes a reconnaissance level method by which the Legacy wetlands were compared with six other wetlands, namely, the Salt Lake City wastewater treatment plant wetland (WWTP), Airport and Kennecott mitigation wetlands, Farmington Bay, Murray City Jordan River Parkway wetland and a high elevation natural wetland. Relative ratings for the functional values for each wetland site were developed based on reconnaissance level observations made during October and November 1998. Evaluations of the Legacy Highway wetlands indicate that their functional values are not as high as the other sites observed. The northern Legacy wetlands were given a medium value and the southern Legacy wetlands a low value. The comparison wetland sites considered were mostly rated high. The rating system indicated that flood control and groundwater protection were not significant functional values for these wetlands. Water quality and habitat were the most important values. Copyright ASCE 2004.