DRAPER, Utah. – At its’ March 29 meeting the Draper City Council members voted 5-0 to approve Ordinance No. 1197 amending Sections 7-1 and 7-5 of the Draper City Municipal Code regarding watershed protection. The change amends the code to keep dogs (off or on leash) out of the Corner Canyon watershed area. This watershed supplies drinking water to Draper residents. A copy of the new map is attached to this release.
The ordinance states: “It shall be unlawful for any person keeping, harboring or having charge or control of any animal to allow said animal to be within any watershed area so designated by ordinance.”
The ordinance continues: “Animals shall be allowed in a designated watershed area on and downhill from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from Hidden Valley Park in Sandy to the junction of Potato Hill Trail and on and downhill from the Potato Hill Trail to the junction of Ann’s Trail. This subsection shall not apply to dogs specially trained for and actually assisting a person with a disability, or dogs used in law enforcement or search and rescue work.”
Draper City and WaterPro will work together to educate the public about the new law by placing signage on the trails, sending out messages to residents in newsletters and on social media and will continue using volunteer trail ambassadors to encourage compliance. The Draper Police Department will be monitoring the watershed area and will issue tickets for non-compliance.
Draper is currently working on a new Open Space Master Plan, and the city is considering a new area dedicated for dogs to be off-leash as part of that plan. The city will be also be opening Dayland Dog Park on April 23 at 11:00 am, the first dedicated dog park in Draper City.
History of Watershed Area:
Draper City purchased 1020 acres of land in Corner Canyon 11 years ago, with a condition to protect the watershed. While WaterPro has been cooperative in accommodating the dogs on leash for many years, there have been concerns about decreased water quality in the canyon. Some of the people who bring their dogs to the canyon have not cleaned up their dog’s waste, which has resulted in the coliform bacteria being measured at two times the acceptable level. Coliform bacteria has been reported at 1200 parts per million in Corner Canyon, while other canyons in the area have a level of only 50 ppm.
Contact Information: Public Information Officer Maridene Alexander (801) 576-6527 or cell (801) 831-7224