Questions for the City Manager of

Spanish Fork Regarding the Inland Port

November 8 and 20, 2023

The City Manager’s responses are in bold, in quotes,

or are paraphrased by me,* also in bold.

     1.  What exactly are the significant reasons Spanish Fork City government thinks it (a) needs and (b) will benefit from the inland port that is to be constructed? For a long time, the area involved has been zoned for industry. This inland port project will allow for industrial development which Spanish Fork City leadership encourages and thinks is beneficial. It is the city’s responsibility is to provide for growth and development. It is possible in the future that the zone will grow beyond current city limits into what in now the surrounding area [which is mostly rural and agricultural].

     2.  Were any thorough, rigorous, independent, science-based studies done which clearly establish that an inland port complex for Spanish Fork is both needed and will benefit—not harm—Spanish Fork’s environment and human health? Something akin to an EIS, Environmental Impact Statement? No such studies were done, required or needed.

     3.  If such studies were done, where are they, and were those studies widely shared with the community? If not, why not? No such studies were done, required or needed. We already know the consequences of development.

     4.  If not done, must such a study/studies be done before beginning actual construction? Please explain why or why not. No such studies were done, required or needed.

     5.  Are or were such thorough studies required prior to construction of the port? If so, by what authority, and who is/was to conduct them and pay for them? No such studies were done, required or needed.

     6.  Is a major warehouse complex actually needed in Spanish Fork or in Utah Valley? If so, please indicate the solid evidence. Noted BYU science professor Ben Abbott says the Spanish Fork inland port project is “a bad idea,” and “a solution in search of a problem.” UVU Emeritus Dean of the College of Science, says the Spanish Fork inland port is a “terrible idea.” No studies were done to establish the need for the inland port development. City leadership thinks it is a good opportunity to develop that area which is already zoned industrial.

     7.  How much air-pollution-related disease such as asthma, miscarriages, birth defects, COPD, and forms of cancer will be associated with the construction and functioning of the inland port, including diesel truck emissions, vehicle emissions and anticipated jet and diesel train emissions? We don't know. We don't know or dictate how the area will be developed. That’s up to the landowners, individuals and corporations involved. In terms of regulations and its responsibility, the city will do what is required of it by law.

     8.  How will the project affect the life expectancy of residents in Spanish Fork and Utah Valley? Medical science has shown that air pollution shortens the lives of people with longer term exposure. We can’t answer that question. We don’t know.

     9.  How much noise and light pollution will be associated with the construction and operation of the inland port, both from diesel truck, jet and diesel train sources? We can’t answer that question. We don’t know.

     10.  How many commercial, cargo-carrying vehicles (both loaded and not loaded) are estimated to be passing through or visiting Spanish Fork—counting I-15, Route 6 and other roads—during a typical month before the inland port construction begins? We don’t know. What is the same estimate for after the inland port is completed? We don’t know. And after the subsequent inland port expansions take place? We don’t know. Was this data gathered in a professional, thorough and rigorous manner? That kind of data was not gathered. And if so, who did the study, and where is it?

     11.  How many acres of valuable, irreplaceable farmland will be lost to inland port development and later expansion? We can’t answer that question. We don’t know.

     12.  How will paving over soil, and the construction and operation of an inland port on the scale that is planned, affect water pollution and Utah Lake? I would expect it will have no impact since we’ll follow all regulations that are required of us.

     13.  How much liquid pollution will be added to Utah Lake as a result of the inland port and what will be the impact? We can’t answer that question. We don’t know.

     14.  How will paving over soil, and the construction and operation of an industrial inland port area on the scale that is planned, affect day and nighttime ambient air temperatures, especially in warmer months? I have no knowledge of that.

     15.  How much water will be required for the operation of the port? We can’t answer that question. We don’t know. How will that affect the valley’s water supply, both now and in the foreseeable future as Utah continues in a 1,200 year drought? The city thinks it should not be a problem. The city gets its water from springs on land which the city owns. The city thinks their water sources are in good shape with no indication that will change in the foreseeable future.

     16.  How much wetland will be destroyed or adversely affected by the construction and operation of the inland port, and its eventual expansion? I don’t expect that any wetlands would be lost. If they are, the law says they will need to be replaced.

     17.  How will migratory birds and other wildlife be affected by the inland port development, including (a) the loss of wetlands and natural areas, and (b) the associated noise, light and air pollution? I think there will be no loss of wetlands if the developers follow the law. We don’t know how the noise, light and air pollution associated with the inland port will affect migratory birds and wildlife.

     18.  How will vehicular traffic be affected by the inland port area, including: congestion, noise, accidents and injuries, road maintenance costs, and interchange construction costs? There will be increased traffic on the highways [Route 6 and I-15] but I imagine you won’t notice any increase traffic on the highways as a result of the inland port development.

     19.  Who will pay for the new I-15 interchange/s planned to facilitate the operation of the inland port area? Utah taxpayers via UDOT. How much will those two interchanges cost? We don’t know. When is construction scheduled to begin and then be completed? That’s a questions for UDOT.

     20.  How will the construction, operation and eventual expansion of the inland port area, compared with the traditional pre-port condition, affect the social character and quality of life in Spanish Fork, especially in the affected areas? I think this inland port project will enhance the quality of life in Spanish Fork. If I do my job right, I hope this project and the increase in commerce will not affect the character of our community.

     21.  How will the construction and operation of the inland port area area affect the population growth of Spanish Fork and the associated costs to the community? I imagine the number of jobs created by the inland port will be in the thousands. The city’s population, now at about 45,000, will continue to grow. Is that growth a good thing? Yes. The city welcomes and facilitates growth.

     22.  How will the construction and operation of a major warehouse inland port affect the taxes residents pay? Please be specific. Only those people and businesses living in the area zoned for industry will pay taxes that can or will be used to facilitate that industrial zone. The taxes of people or businesses located outside that industrial zone will not be affected by what happens in that industrial zone.

     23.  What is the estimated total square footage of the structures that will comprise the currently planned 2,200 acre inland port facility? We don’t know. That is up to the businesses involved.

     24.  How will this development be implemented to minimize environmental and health impacts? That’s up to the developers. The city will follow all applicable laws.

     25.  How long will the 2,200 acre development of the inland port take? We expect the port will be developed over the next 20, 30 or 40 years, but that is not under city control.

     26.  Are any Spanish Fork city officials related to inland port private developers, or have a vested interest in, this inland port project? I have no knowledge of that.

     27.  How much public money is being used, and will be used, to help finance this project, both in the short and long term? No amounts were specified by City Manager.

     28.  Who will or has initially received UIPA money, including the $5M, and moneys from UIPA for the inland port related project?  “I am not aware that any UIPA money has been received by anyone. There are no project revenues yet. The earliest I would expect to see project revenue will be in 2024.“  “The City will generally be the main recipient of Project Funds. In turn, those funds will be spent to pay for the construction and installation of the area infrastructure, which also includes any relevant land acquisition needs.”

     29.  I was told by UIPA that Spanish Fork City has received an appropriation from the Utah Legislature for $5,000,000 during the last legislative session. Is that correct? As of this writing, the City Manger has not yet responded to that specific question.

     30.  How can it and will it be used, and by whom? See answer to question #29

     31.  How will all the public supplied funds be accounted for and made fully transparent so anyone from the public can view it?  UIPA and City Council meetings are open to the public. Our meetings are broadcast. Budgets are included and available to view.

     32.  How will be the SF inland port project affect storm water runoff and wastewater generation associated with the inland port? Who will measure that and how? That will be determined with each project. All projects must follow Federal, State and City laws and standards.

     33.  How will this inland port development affect carbon emissions in Utah Valley and Utah? And by what amounts?  We don’t know at this time. It depends on what industries and businesses locate in the Project Area. That is TBD.

     34.  What are the likely environmental and human health impacts the port’s development will have on other UV communities in the general area?  I think that is “immeasurable.” . . .

     35.  How many public tax dollars will be spent facilitating the development of the inland port industrial area that would normally be the responsibility of the private, for-profit developers involved?  See answers to questions 27, 28 and 29. . . .

     36.  Is spending public funds on this project more important and pressing than spending the same allocated public funds on projects that directly help people in need such as the less fortunate, and on public infrastructure maintenance and repairs? —— The question as asked was not answered. His answer was “The Project is only using revenues that are derived from Project Area Tax Differential …”

     37.  What additional port related rail and airport construction and infrastructure work will be done and when? What will that cost in dollars and environmental and health impacts associated with adding rail and air capabilities, both short and long term? “None are specifically contemplated at this time.” …

     38.  What percent of the jobs alleged or hoped to be created by the port project will be low-paying warehouse jobs? That depends on what happens. We don’t know at this time.

     39.  How many of the jobs which the inland port project is alleged to create or facilitate will be low-paying, low-benefit, warehouse jobs rather than highly-skilled, high-paying jobs with very good benefits? That depends on what happens. We don’t know at this time.

     40.  How long will low-paying Spanish Fork inland port warehouse jobs last before they are phased out or replaced by automation and robotics? That depends on what happens. We don’t know at this time.

     41.  How will this project and its subsequent expansion affect the most serious threat to humanity and other species here and worldwide: global warming and climate change? “See the answer to question [34]. The development of individual parcels in the Project Area - which are required to follow all relevant Federal, State and City laws - will have the same impacts - for positive or negative - that are incident to development.”

*Questions prepared by James Westwater, resident of Spanish Fork