While a wagon train group holds firm in its opposition to a potash plant proposed on a section of the Oregon trail the example shown in nearby Wendover could be a compromise that will allow the past to be preserved while letting the present be developed.
Earlier this month the Bureau of Land Management rejected a prospecting permit application for a Canadian company that wants to build an $85 million potash extraction plant near Pilot Mountain 15 miles north of Wendover.
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Opposition to the project which would have created at least 40 very long term high paying jobs was spearheaded by the Oregon-California Trails Association which began a letter campaign against the proposed mine because of its proximity to the Hastings Cutoff, the “shortcut” taken by the infamous Donner Party as well as four other wagon trains in the mid 1800’s.
The Oregon-California Trails Association is the nation’s largest and most influential organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of overland emigrant trails and the emigrant experience.
However as numerous examples located not 20 miles away in Wendover prove the past and the present can peacefully co-exist to mutual benefit.
Just in front of West Wendover City Hall is the monument to the Victory Highway one of the first transcontinental roads. A mile east just over the Utah border is the monument to the first transcontinental telephone lines and of course is the preservation of the Wendover Airfield that was not only the Army Air Corps testing ground for the atomic bombing of japan but also is a fully functional regional commercial airport.
In addition to more recent history ancient history of Neolithic native Americans are preserved at Juke Box Cave while the artifacts discovered in nearby Danger Cave are preserved at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
“We really have no problem in creating a buffer zone between our proposed mine and the trail,” said Foster Wilson President and CEO of Mesa Mining. “I think a visitors center or some kind monument would be a great idea.”
However according to a letter from the OCTA indicates that the only compromise the group would entertain is for the mine to go elsewhere.
“We are kind of limited to where there are phosphates,” Wilson said. “I am all for preserving history, and I think this country has done a pretty good job. The main trail is marked over 2,000 miles across six states. Locally there is an Oregon Trail Interactive Center in Elko. But the Hastings cutoff was used by just four trains and is only note worthy because of the Donner Party.”
The Donner Party’s claim to infamy came several weeks after they took the Hasting Cutoff when against advice from experts attempted to cross California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains in late fall, got stuck in an early snow storm and resorted to cannibalism to survive the winter.
“There is a park named after the Donner Party, a lake and a monument to them.” Wilson said. “And it is not like our site attracts thousands of tourists every year. There is only one mark in the whole area and its shot up. There is literally nothing out here and the pioneers were overjoyed to leave it behind. Our project will bring 40 well paying long lasting jobs to the area.”
In their effort to kill the project the OCTA enlisted the aid of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. The opposition dovetailed nicely with recent efforts to set aside millions of acres of Utah lands as wilderness and therefore untouchable to any industry.
