Preserving Natural Living Space

Our city boundaries make us one of Utah’s geographically largest cities. Rapid growth will have us filling the over 50 square miles of buildable land in the not-too-distant future. However, with much of the land still yet to be developed, Eagle Mountain City has a unique opportunity to plan a city that preserves open spaces and the natural habitats of wildlife in ways that others simply cannot. One of the most significant ways Eagle Mountain has already done this is through the creation of a wildlife corridor that passes through the center of the city. The wildlife corridor prevents development on lands that are the proven and consistent migration routes of large herds of mule deer. The Tickville Wash also traverses much of Eagle Mountain City and is home to many wildlife species. The City has made significant efforts to work with state and local experts to monitor the conditions of the wash and preserve areas along the wash to ensure wildlife can continue to thrive. Where areas are unable to be preserved for wildlife, Eagle Mountain City works with local experts to ensure additional resources are contributed to other areas that can be preserved such as the deploying nesting boxes for the American Kestrel. Eagle Mountain City will continue to make preservation of natural living space for wildlife a top priority.

Managing Impacts of Growth

High growth has been part of the story of Eagle Mountain City nearly from its incorporation. The speed of the growth seems to only increase year after year. The growth can cause concern about the impacts on the environment, local wildlife, and qualify of life for residents. Eagle Mountain City aims to be forward-thinking and to be ahead of potential environmental impacts as much as possible. One way the City has done this was by adopting lighting standards to abide by the dark sky initiative. This initiative aims to reduce overall light pollution. By introducing this long before the city is fully built-out, we have a greater chance of maintaining the ability to see our night sky in years to come. Additionally, Eagle Mountain City participates in the Tree City USA program organized by The Arbor Day Foundation. This program requires aggressive tree planting and management practices. Finally, Eagle Mountain City incorporates environmental planning and wildlife impact assessment within its planning processes. Known wildlife habitats, ridgelines, water run-off, and many other factors are considered prior to project approval. Although there is not much we can do to slow the growth, we can help to minimize the impact on our environment and local wildlife.

Combining & Coordinating Efforts

Eagle Mountain City relies on the expertise of many individuals, groups, and agencies to ensure we are planning well and doing enough to protect the local wildlife. These partnerships allow us to tap into expertise and resources we might not otherwise have and help us to refine some of our guiding documents such as the General Plan and Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan. Our work has included cooperative efforts alongside the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, local trails groups, and with area developers who take guidance from Eagle Mountain in how they plan their projects. Over time, these partnerships will help us to advance our conservation efforts, especially in regards to helping us obtain additional funding. Eagle Mountain City has big plans, including the possibility of a wildlife bridge over Pony Express Parkway. But these plans need funding the surpass what the City can handle on its own. We hope that coordinating with our incredible partners will lead to innovative and effective wildlife conservation solutions.

Eagle Mountain Kestrel Project

S.R. 73 Expansion Environmental Study

Historic Site Preservation

Although Eagle Mountain City was only founded in 1996, the Cedar Valley has long seen activity from various groups and cultures. The City takes historic preservation very seriously and actively preserves known sites of historic significance. One of the most at-risk evidences of past inhabitants of the Cedar Valley is rock art preserved as petroglyphs that date back to the Fremont Native American people. You can read more about the history of these people using the links below. Eagle Mountain city prohibits development within a certain distance of the petroglyphs and has erected barriers to protect these petroglyphs. We ask that all residents or visitors refrain from handling or altering any petroglyph art, and to report any new sightings of unprotected petroglyphs to the City.

History of Fremont Period

Utah State Historic Preservation Office