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A trail plan that had pitted neighbor against neighbor in Emigration Canyon sailed through the Salt Lake County Council by an 8-1 vote Tuesday.

The process of plotting trails in Emigration was the cause of contention for roughly two years, as trail enthusiasts argued for access to open space while residents feared the increased use would bring fire danger and criminals into the canyon.

The trails will connect the Bonneville Shoreline Trail with the Great Western Trail, the Donner Reed Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

Now that a master plan for the future trail system is in place, council Chairman Mark Crockett said it's time to let the healing begin.

"Please don't allow the small differences ... to get in the way of the good feelings that ought to exist," Crockett said. "I would hope this becomes healing in time."

Sarah Bennett Alley, an Emigration resident who lobbied for the trail plan, said she was "thrilled" that the council approved the trail plan and said now is the time for the community to work together to "really hammer out these details."

"At times, it's been very divisive," said Bennett Alley, who founded and is current director of Friends of Emigration Canyon Trails and Open Space. "It really inflamed the passions of people."

The master plan is just a "wish list" for the trail system, which has no funding yet, said Emery Crook, director of parks and planning for the county.

The council on Tuesday also voted to urge future leaders to preserve Perkins Flat once the trail system is developed. Councilwoman Jenny Wilson said one way to preserve the swath of open space is to restrict parts of the path to hikers only.

The trail system, which includes a path on the north slope that abuts the Red Butte research area, is subject to environmental studies and approval from the U.S. Forest Service.

Councilman Randy Horiuchi cast the lone "no" vote -- a vote he says is his first against a trails or open-space master plan in his 16 years as an elected official. Horiuchi said he was "very uncomfortable" and believed there were too many questions about the plan to earn his approval.

"We've put too much pressure on the canyon," Horiuchi said. "The more we do up there, the more we invite problems. I'm still very concerned about what the future of Emigration Canyon holds for us."

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com

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