Nine Mile advisory panel discusses completing Great Hunt Panel project

By Sun Advocate

The Nine Mile Canyon Advisory Committee met last Thursday at the College of Eastern Utah.
The group discussed last month’s trip into the canyon to view ongoing projects and study future needs.
A lengthy discussion at the April 6 meeting centered on the Great Hunt Panel pictograph and the need to complete the project at the site.
A barrier fence is under construction in front of the panel and plans for picnic tables have been drawn up.
There has been some discussion recently about the scope and intent of the project and alternate plans have been proposed and discussed.
Due to a light turnout at last Thursday’s meeting, no action was taken by the advisory committee.
But Mike King will present several alternate proposals to fellow committee members by email.
King will ask the members to vote on which proposal they prefer.
Proposals range from completing the project as originally designed to restoring the site to as near its natural wild state as possible.
Another item of discussion at the April 6 session was a proposed kiosk at the mouth of Gate Canyon.
The mouth of Gate Canyon is the junction of the Nine Mile road and the Gate Canyon road to Myton and the Uintah Basin.
Addressing an unrelated matter, the committee indicated that Hunt Oil Company has given the company’s preliminary approval to lease about one-half acre of ground at the mouth of the canyon to Carbon County for a kiosk and a small parking lot.
Pam Miller presented drafts of interpretive signs that have been drawn up to be placed in the proposed kiosk.
Discussions with Hunt Oil officials are ongoing.
The committee discussed the need to complete an engineering study of the site to help make preliminary proposals of where and how the project might best be located and designed.
Visitor impacts at the Rasmussen Cave site and dust damage to petroglyph panels was also discussed.
Miller reminded the committee that the Nine Mile coalition has scheduled the annual canyon cleanup day on April 22.
Members of the general public, groups and civic organizations are encouraged to participate in the Nine Mile Canyon cleanup effort.
Participants will meet at the mouth of Gate Canyon at 9 a.m. on April 22 to coordinate the efforts and divide up the work.
A potluck dinner will be served to volunteers.