June 6, 2000
Developers of a big, controversial resort in Heber Valley are in deep trouble after bulldozing a wetlands area.
They say it was all a mistake. But criminal charges are a possibility.
Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst has the story.
Natural springs sprinkle the area generously with water, warm as bathwater.
It's even been used for bathwater over the years.
And the warm wetlands are a favorite habitat, especially in winter.
BOB ROBINSON/MIDWAY RESIDENT: "MANY, MANY DEER COME IN HERE AND FEED."
Which is why neighbors in Midway were none too pleased when bulldozers churned up part of the area. Federal law protects wetlands. And this area turned out be very wet indeed.
"IT MAKES ME ANGRY."
Developer Mike Anderson says it was an honest mistake.
He wants to build a huge condo, hotel and shopping complex-- a Swiss-flavored resort called The Springs of St. Moritz.
He considers warm springs, wetlands and open-space marketable assets, and points out he's won support from the Midway city council.
MIKE ANDERSON/RESORT DEVELOPER: "THERE IS A CONCERN TO THE ENVIRONMENT. I THINK WE'VE BEEN VERY SENSITIVE TO THEIR NEEDS."
Why then, did he chew up wetlands? He says a bulldozer started in a dry area.
MIKE ANDERSON/RESORT DEVELOPER: "WE DID NOT FEEL THAT WE WERE EXCAVATING IN AN AREA THAT WAS DESIGNATED WETLANDS. TO OUR KNOWLEDGE THERE WASN'T ANY FLAGS OR INFORMATION THAT TOLD US THAT." "IT BECAME WETTER AND WETTER AND AT WHICH POINT IN TIME WE DECIDED TO STOP."
JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING: "BUT A FEDERAL OFFICIAL TOLD US HE SPECIFICALLY POINTED OUT TO THE DEVELOPERS THAT THE AREA QUALIFIED AS A WETLAND. A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY, AND THEY HAVE NOT RULED OUT CRIMINAL CHARGES."
One issue is whether drainage ditches were put in, specifically to keep a protected wetlands dry.
The incident has fired up critics who say the project is too big and destructive.
BOB ROBINSON/MIDWAY RESIDENT: "THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AROUND HERE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THIS PROJECT."
JANELL BRYAN/MIDWAY RESIDENT: "I THINK 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL BE A TRAGEDY TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THIS AREA WITH DEVELOPERS PUSHING PROJECTS THROUGH THAT SHOULD BE SCALED DOWN OR DISMISSED."
Anderson promises, if he did anything wrong, he'll fix it.
MIKE ANDERSON/RESORT DEVELOPER: "WE'RE DEDICATED TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THIS PROPERLY."
Just how that might happen could become more clear when the developer meets with government officials next week.
The developers had hoped the hotel would be up and running in time for the Olympics. But with all the political trouble they've run into, that timetable now looks highly unlikely.
