Still no resolution from Ophir Canyon usage. Last year, the community of Ophir and its residents that lease the mountains raised a spat about walk-through access to BLM land and cut down trees and posted signs to keep public taxpayers such as myself out. After council meeting and rulings, it was determined that certain roads would be shut down or have limited access. Maps were distributed to some of the lucky few that were able to obtain them. Yet a year later, canyon land lessors still promote a no-access, no-tresspassing, get-out-of-the-mountain range attitude, as if they own everything in a 360-degree radius. Being a 30-year native to Tooele County, I’ve grown up in these mountains and not until last year was there a big stink to stay out of Ophir. Then to everyone’s surprise a marijuana field was found growing in the hills. Is this coincidence? Why has there been no public information given out to the community as to what is accessible and what is not? Why have the land lessors not staked and fenced their property units to clearly show where you can hike, hunt, camp or visit? I suggest signs and mapping of the backcountry, rather than some yahoo running up on you in the woods as you’re trying to walk in the backcountry. I hope the community can get some clear answers so we can enjoy the beautiful landscape as one people sharing the earth and respecting it.

Dom Sandoval

Tooele