LEAFY STREET: Endangered ash trees along Canyon Road.

By Clay Möffitt

October 18, 2006 | LOGAN -- Larry Cannon's voice is being heard regarding the Canyon Road development, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to save his trees.

Cannon, who has lived at his residence on Canyon Road for about 40 years, was distraught when he found out Logan city was planning on cutting down some of his beloved ash trees on his property.

The trees were scheduled to be taken out as part of the new plan to improve the steep dugway that connects the intersection of 600 East and 400 North to Canyon Road.

"When the designers got to the bottom of the road, they decided they wanted to realign the Canyon Road slightly -- and without giving much thought to it apparently, they decided to take out the trees on the west end of the area."

Logan City Council announced Tuesday that Public Works Director Mark Nielsen will have a study conducted to determine if the road can be widened without uprooting any of the trees.

"Our goal is that we will examine what we need to do to save the trees," Nielsen said. "Now those impacts will be evaluated in regards to, 'OK, is it easy to save them all, is it not so easy?'"

Neilsen said the study came as a result of a meeting that he, Logan Mayor Randy Watts, Cannon and other residents attended at Mark Lunt's home, which is located along Canyon Road. During the meeting Nielsen agreed to determine if it would be reasonable to perform the renovation.

Cannon says he understands the safety issues regarding the dugway and realizes the construction will allow traffic to flow more efficiently through the island portion of Logan.

"All of that is important and necessary," Cannon said. "We think it's possible to accomplish the same thing by realigning slightly to the south without taking out the trees."

Like Cannon, Lunt opposes having the trees taken out. Although he wants to remain in his home on Canyon Road, he said he has not ruled out the idea of relocation.

"If our quality of life is going to really be damaged... we would consider possibly selling," Lunt said.

But until the study is completed in six weeks, Cannon and Lunt will have to wait.

"Until I get all the information, I'm not going to say yea or nay, that is what our plan is," Nielsen said.

Mayor Watts acknowledged Cannon and the other residents' concern, which pleased Cannon.

"I think the mayor is making a good faith effort to see what can be done," Cannon said. "The mayor is a good friend of mine and I respect his judgment, and I'm very happy to work with him."

And on Tuesday Watts addressed some misunderstandings circulating about his position.

"I've heard everything from we're taking all the trees down, to my view on trees, and I'm personally now attacking every tree, so we'll move ahead with discussion," Watts said.

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