It's not entirely clear how a nonprofit corporation will revive commercial operation around Bridal Veil Falls. Neither is it clear whether it should.

The double cataract waterfall plunges 600 feet down a cliff in Provo Canyon. It's one of the most attractive spots in the region.

In the 1960s, a local entrepreneur built Eagle's Nest Lodge atop the cliff, and also built a tramway, said to be the world's steepest, to carry people to the lodge and back down again. Many longtime residents recall eating at the spectacular cliffside restaurant, or attending wedding receptions or other special events at the lodge.

People reportedly waited in line for up to two hours to ride the tram. In 1993, for example, there were 27,000 riders during the summer season.

But in 1996 an avalanche wrecked the tramway and its base. The restaurant was abandoned and became a place for teenagers to party as well as a target of vandalism. On July 25 this year a fire broke out there, destroying the building, and spreading across another 240 acres. After the blaze, local officials ordered the old cable lines to be taken down.

The story is not over, however. The blaze apparently motivated Bridal Veil Falls LLC to step up its ongoing effort to acquire the site.

A couple of weeks ago, the non-profit corporation announced that the public could buy shares as part of an effort to revive commercial activity around the falls. The enterprise is also seeking other backers.

The corporation's core idea is that only commercial development can draw the kind of funding and community support needed to return the Bridal Veil area to the kind of attraction it once was.

Its partners envision rebuilding the tram. At the top of the cliff would be a site for special events such as weddings and receptions -- just as the Eagle's Nest Lodge was for many years. Down at the base would be a plaza with cafe, complete with outdoor seating. Opposite the falls would be an amphitheater, and trails and other aspects of the landscape would be upgraded.

The partners vow that this would all be done in an environmentally sensitive way. Modern technology could make the site and the tramway safe from avalanches, they say, though longtime observers may be skeptical.

From the point of view of the developers, a well-done project would draw more people to enjoy this natural attraction and maintain the area. After all, for decades people rode the tramway and used the lodge. Why not return to that day?

There have been objections, however.

One opinion is that the removal of the old tram lines has made the site more aesthetically attractive. Without the tangle of cable to distract from the scene, the falls seem even more charming and the setting is closer to its natural state. It might be that man-made facilities would only detract from the very sight they are meant to highlight.

Bridal Veil Falls LLC pledges to be environmentally sensitive, which we don't doubt. But this is not some huge tract on which a facility can hide. The falls and its immediate area encompasses a relatively small space. It has to be wondered if any effort, no matter how well-intentioned, can spare the rather delicate environment.

As for rebuilding the tram, it would face new safety and environmental requirements and apparently would have to start off 300 feet farther away. And however it's built, the tramway presents challenges. Looking up at where the lodge was, it's easy to sympathize with those invited to an event there who looked up the 1,500 feet of cable line and quailed at the thought of ascending on it.

A retired transportation official has publicly noted the avalanche dangers the tramway always faced. And risks remain. A quick glance suggests that a safer tramway -- a bigger, stronger one -- would be potentially a bigger eyesore.

The root question, then, is this: Is there a real need for commercial facilities at Bridal Veil Falls? The operation has been owned by several entities over the years, and the history of the enterprise seems to suggest that any business venture there faces a myriad of problems. Modern environmental concerns can only be an added roadblock. It has to be wondered if new construction is justified.

It's easier to see a cafe of some kind near the old tramway base. Bikers, hikers and sightseers might find it a good place to relax and refuel in the summer. But bigger projects face bigger obstacles.

In any case, it's now in the hands of the people -- at least as Bridal Veil Falls LLC presents its proposition now. Will local people lay down their cash to rebuild the tram and restaurant? Or will the lure of a pristine site be stronger?

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Do you agree?