CACHE COUNTY – The Cache County Open Space Advisory Committee is inviting landowners to submit proposals to help preserve Cache Valley’s scenic and rural character. Committee member Eric Eliason joined KVNU’s For the People on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the committee’s recent successes and encourage landowners to explore preservation options.
The committee is calling for applications from landowners who wish to keep their land undeveloped. Eliason emphasized that the process is voluntary and the intent is to benefit both the community and the landowner.
“This is a win-win,” he said, “and if this works for you, let’s work together.”
The committee was established after voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to allocate $20 million to fund open space preservation in five target areas: scenic vistas, gateway corridors to the valley, trails, agriculture, and wildlife. The funds are used to purchase the development rights from the property owners, allowing them to maintain ownership of the land and continue farming while safeguarding the land against large-scale housing or commercial development. Since the committee’s formation in 2022, hundreds of acres have been preserved, including 800 acres in the Sherwood Hills area of Sardine Canyon and nearly 600 acres in the foothills of Smithfield.
One notable success involved Elkhorn Ranch, where federal, state, and county funds combined to preserve farmlands near Nibley. The landowners received compensation while retaining the ability to continue farming.
“They [the landowners] ended up with $30,000 an acre and they still get to keep farming,” Eliason said.
With the recent land preservation in Smithfield, Cache County’s Trail Division is working to extend the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, with the goal of connecting Green Canyon to Smithfield Canyon. Eliason also mentioned that the committee is looking at two farms in the Richmond area, with one landowner approving the possibility of a trail that runs along the Cub River.
Landowners who are interested in exploring options to preserve their property as open space are encouraged to request a pre-application meeting where they can discuss options without commitment and receive help on their applications. “We’ve intentionally made the application easier than federal applications,” said Eliason. “It’s easy to do and easy to talk to us.”
For more information, visit cachecounty.gov and go to the Open Space Advisory Committee page. To contact the committee, call (435) 755-1640 or email devservices@cachecounty.gov.