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Show Volume II, Issue XIII THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 1 July 2000 Guest Commentary Local U.S. Congressional Candidate Calls for Stop of Imported Nuclear Waste to Utah On Saturday, June 24, concerned citizens filled the streets to protest a Great Basin radioactive storage site as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission began their discussions with the Goshute Nation, and Private Storage Corp, a consortium of electric utility providers in the Eastern U.S. The utility’s objective is to push ahead with plans to export nuclear waste into Utah for generations to come. Our Governor opposes this action, as this waste material consists of tons of spent uranium fuel. No guarantee of safety comes along with the deal. Having studied and worked extensively in the naval nuclear industry, I strongly oppose any shipments of hazardous materials from their points of origin. “The Basel Protocol, an international agreement yet to be ratified by the U.S., calls for the ban on toxic waste exports around the world. Third world countries often face multiple difficulties down the road as waste ends up being mishandled or problematic. Free-trade proponents argue that wastes are more economically handled in remote locations. Limited liability corporations walk away from problems as the economic returns diminish. The chemical industries that produce wastes, and our citizens who use their products must take responsibility for the clean up. It’s very expensive. We must establish a mechanism to price our consumption with wastes’ real costs. I believe that the Goshute Nation is playing the pawn in this titan struggle between the nuclear industry giants. We need to strengthen their hand. Waste exporters know that their big money will open many doors. Our leadership must take immediate action in helping all Native Americans; as there are open lands, grazing permits, and jobs that would help rebuild native spirit. Utah must begin to remove itself from the industrial waste list and ban any imports of interstate toxic wastes. I can see Utah moving into this new century as a high tech state, exporting renewable energy. One third of humanity, two billion people, live without electrical power. Maybe our contribution could be small energy supplies to the world that would aid in their contentment; least we face more impoverishment that will play into the hands of the industrial titans. Matthew Frandsen U.S. Congressional Candidate www.naturallaw.net/ut Custom home designs by: LaMar Design As little as 2 weeks from beginning of design to submittal for building permit. Call 745-1656 for free consultation of your DREAM HOME! Early Bird Coupon - Early Bird Coupon A Casual Eatery in Beautiful Ogden Canyon EARLY BIRD COUPON...EARLY BIRD COUPON...EARLY BIRD COUPON Visit The Oaks Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and when purchasing an entree receive a second entree of equal or lessor value for free. THIS OFFER IS NOT VALID HOLIDAYS. OPEN SUNDAY - THURSDAY: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner TAKE OUT ORDERS 750 Ogden Canyon ..................394-2421 County Proposing Sensitive Lands Ordinance By Shanna Francis Ogden Valley News Staff Guided by Ogden Valley’s General Plan, the Weber County Planning Department is proposing a new Sensitive Lands ordinance that will affect zoning in the unincorporated areas of Ogden Valley. A draft copy of the Sensitive Lands ordinance states that, “The purpose and intent . . . is to coordinate the application of all natural and scenic resource protection guidelines and standards, as well as to protect the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Weber County and minimize potential degradation of natural and man-made resources by identifying known sensitive areas. “ When implemented, the ordinance will map identified sensitive areas that will be subject to the new zoning. Community zoning ordinances are customarily adopted by local legislative and administrative bodies to further the goals and objectives identified and supported by a community through the public hearing process, as verbalized in the community’s General Plan. Ogden Valley’s adopted plan states that it is the goal and objective of the Valley to maintain high quality air and water through the prevention of groundwater contamination, the control of erosion into surface waters, and the reduction of non-point source pollution to surface waters. It also states that it is the goal of the community to identify and promote the preservation of open space, and ensure that development does not harm sensitive lands. The General Plan has identified several classifications that fall within the Sensitive Lands category: Steep slopes with a 30% or greater slope, ridgelines, flood plains, wetlands, agricultural lands, view and entry corridors, historical and cultural resources, riparian areas, watersheds, groundwater recharge areas, vegetation, wildlife habitat, and Pineview Reservoir. The draft proposal suggests that mitigation measures implemented to reduce the impact of development on sensitive areas may include, buffer areas, setbacks and grading. The proposed sequence of mitigation is: Avoid the impact altogether by not taking a certain action; Minimize the impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and implementation by using appropriate technology, or taking affirmative steps to reduce impacts; Rectify the impact by repairing, rehabilitating or restoring the affects of the impact to the conditions existing at the time of the initiation of the project; Reduce or eliminate the impact over time by preservation and maintenance of the area during the life of the action; Compensate for the impact by replacing, enhancing or providing substitute areas or environs. Before being adopted, the many Township Planning Commissions within the county, and the public will have an opportunity to review and request improvements to the proposed ordinance, modifying it to fit the community’s needs. |