PROVO — Scores of residents packed the Utah County Commission chambers Tuesday to voice their anxiety and disapproval of a proposal that would trade just over 400 acres of coveted land in American Fork Canyon for about 1,400 acres of federal forest land located in Salt Lake County.

At issue is a potential land swap between the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and the U.S. Forest Service.

The resort is proposing swapping approximately 1,400 acres of forest area for 416 acres of land in one of American Fork Canyon’s more popular recreation areas.

Critics contend that Snowbird has plans for expansion in Mineral Basin, installing a gondola at Tibble Fork and building condominiums on Miller Hill as well as the Utah County land swap that is part of the Mountain Accord process in Salt Lake, Wasatch and Summit counties. If approved, the swap would give the resort a contiguous connector to land it already owns in the canyon area.

In February, Mountain Accord, a consortium of public and private entities, released its proposed plan for future development of the central Wasatch recreation areas. The overall plan noted economic centers and transit routes, and asked the public to give specific feedback about what Utah should look like in the future.

Mark Allen, co-founder of a group called Protect and Preserve American Fork Canyon, said this most recent development proposal is troubling to many who fear they might lose access to some of the most scenic open land in the region.

“If you want to see the hand of God, come over to American Fork Canyon,” he said. “The views are undisturbed and it’s absolutely fantastic! It’s the reason why 1.2 million people (visit) American Fork Canyon.”

He queried about the impact of commercializing one of the most naturally appealing recreation areas in the state.

“What happens if the mouth of the canyon becomes like Springdale by Zions — a gateway community to a recreation area?” he asked. “It might be beneficial to Cedar Hills perhaps, but it’s detrimental to the whole (American Fork community).”

Allen said he believes Snowbird is being evasive about its plans for potential development of the land they are considering trading with the Forest Service.

“We just want to know what their intentions are,” he said. “What’s the end game?”

He also voiced strong concerns about the lack of inclusion of Utah County in the ongoing Mountain Accord planning process, noting that Utah County civic leaders have been mostly removed from the discussions concerning the possible land swap.

Utah County Commission Chairman Larry Ellertson said commissioners were recently notified of the proposed land deal and are eager to learn more about what the potential impacts of such a swap might be, though no specific plans have been introduced thus far.