Think Tooele County residents are pushovers? Think again. In 2009, citizen opposition to two major development projects showed that local folks can and will mobilize together when they see their quality of life being threatened.

In early 2009, a proposed rezone that would have allowed for another gravel pit operation at the Stockton Bar drew outrage and galvanized widespread public opposition, especially from Stockton residents. They were concerned about another pit’s impact on air quality and quality of life, and the destruction of a significant geological and historical landform. Many residents complained that current gravel operations at the bar have left cracks and chips in their windshields, dust in their homes, and posed a traffic hazard.

In multiple Tooele County Planning Commission and Tooele County Commission meetings, Stockton residents showed up en masse to let their voices be heard. A citizens committee was formed in an effort to preserve the Stockton Bar. Some even sported T-shirts with the saying “SOS, Save our Sandbar” to public meetings.

In the end, the rezone request was withdrawn by the applicants.

“Hopefully this is the beginning of the end for preserving the sandbar,” said Kendall Thomas, a Stockton resident who was instrumental in the formation of the citizens committee to preserve the Stockton Bar. “I really think it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning of what we can do with the sandbar now. There are a lot more questions that need to be asked as we come to a conclusion on it, but I really think we’re in the driver’s seat.”

The second project that fired up citizen opposition was Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed Mona-to-Oquirrh transmission corridor project, which would have transmission lines cutting through Tooele County. That issue caused the formation of citizens groups in Tooele to oppose the proposed east-bench route through Tooele’s foothills and in Grantsville to gather information and analyze alternative options for the proposed west line route.

Residents held meetings at their homes, attended public meetings, did mass distributions of fliers door-to-door, and circulated petitions.

“Everybody’s interested and concerned and opposed to the route that Rocky Mountain Power has proposed to take this transmission corridor through,” said Kaye Pratt, who helped spearhead the creation of the Tooele citizens group. “We agree we need power, but it doesn’t need to go where it’s populated, developed, and in an established community. It needs to go on the outskirts. We have plenty of barren land.”

James Vera, the Grantsville resident who spurred the formation of the town’s opposition group, said, “I am empathetic and totally understand the point of view of the citizens of Tooele, and I hope they will back us up as well in an effort to try to come up with other solutions. Don’t put it on either mountain range and don’t threaten the citizens’ health of either city.”

Residents put pressure on elected officials to state their opinions regarding the project and its proposed routes. Subsequently, the Tooele mayor, Tooele City Council and the Tooele County Commissioners voiced their official opposition to RMP routes traveling along the southeast benches of Tooele City.

Though the power line issue is still alive, there is no doubt that Tooele County citizens made their voice heard in 2009.

Sarah Miley: swest@tooeletranscript.com