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Show MAY THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER Page 9 If STEVE REBM COMPANY 676-2300 • PANGUITCH For all of your Farming, Ranching, Lawn 8 Garden needs Potting Soils Killsall 1 qt. - $19.00 Fertilizers Hoses 8 Sprinklers Wood Shavings Miracle Grow Peat Moss Tomato Gages Sprays/Sprayers Compost Oat Seed Deer Block Grass Seed FEED NEEDS: Alf Alfa Seed Feeds by Nutrena & LMF Pumps Minerals, Protien Tubs, Salt Rock Chemicals Fencing & all your Pharmaceuticals. and See what we have! PRESCRIBED FIRE IN BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK According to Acting Superintendent Eddie Lopez four prescribed fires will be ignited in Bryce Canyon National Park this spring or fall as conditions permit. The first burn unit, a 165-acre project (Fairyland 2 Bum), is located near Fairyland Point in the northern portion of the park. The second burn unit, a 323 acre project (Dave's Hollow), is located on the west side of highway 63 across from the Fairyland 2 burn. The third burn unit, a 400 acre project (Residential) is located around the visitor center and park residential area. The fourth burn unit, a 414 acre project (UPD) is located at mile marker 4 on Highway 63 and incorporates East Creek Meadow and an additional 12 acres near the trailer dump station. These burns will only occur if specific, predetermined weather conditions are met and adequate personnel.are available for their management. The goal of the prescribed fire program in Bryce is to use prescribed fire, where appropriate, for the restoration of fire-dependent ecosystems and species-specific resource management goals. The primary objectives of the Fairyland, Dave's Hollow and Residential prescribed fires are to reduce the wildland fire hazard to Ruby's Inn, the Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center, and other developments located in or near the northern portion of Bryce Canyon National Park. The primary objective of the UPD project is to restore and enhance habitat for the threatened Utah Prairie Dog. Prescribed fire projects are to be conducted in a man- ner consistent with land and resource management plans, public health considerations, and approved prescribed fire plans. The policy of using fire as a tool will help decreaserisksto life, property, and resources; prescribed fires will help perpetuate the natural resource values for which Bryce Canyon National Park was established. Since the park was established in 1928, wildlandfireshave been routinely suppressed. Over the years, this practice has contributed to high fuel loadings, reduction in extent of grasslands and old growth ponderosa pine forests being replaced by more shade tolerant species. Prescribed fire is a treatment to reverse changes brought on by fire exclusion. It will reduce fuel loadings, increase success of remaining ponderosa pine forests to withstand natural fires, reduce extent of brush lands, rejuvenate aspen stands, thin dense mixed conifer stands, and improve wildlife habitat. The reintroduction offiresto the park is an effort to restore it to its presettlement state. These prescribed fires are being conducted under the guidance of Bryce Canyon's Fire Management Plan, and are four of several prescribed fires anticipated in the next few years. The park works very closely with other state and federal land management agencies in the planning and management of these fires. For more information about these or other prescribed fire projects planned in Bryce Canyon National Park, contact Fire Management Officer Bruce Fields at 435-834-4912. 25,2006 LETTER TO THE EDITOR In response to last week's letter to the editor, I think it's important that the residents of Garfield County and the surrounding area consider a fair, balanced but opposing viewpoint. I would like to take a moment to present some indisputable facts, and some food for thought for all of the residents in the area. I completely understand and respect the thoughts and viewpoints expressed in last week's letter, but there is another side that must be considered. Everyone can certainly understand the desire to maintain the small-town atmosphere as well as the LDS philosophies and morals that thrive in this area. The entire region was founded on them, and most aspects of life in the area revolves around them. Even a large percentage of my customers say they visit this area because of those values and philosophies. It's also important to note that in the towns and areas that last week's writer used as examples of recent over-growth, the natives still thrive on their local values while benefiting from the tourist dollars. Local tourism can do more good for this area than it could ever do to harm it. The dollars that local businesses and individuals generate stays here and is spent here. It creates jobs and opportunities, and considering Garfield County has one of the highest levels of residents on public assistance than any other county in Utah, this can only be a good thing. It's not the tourism that has driven out some of the long-time local residents ... it's the lack of jobs, opportunity and a lagging economy. The Jarge increase in tourism in the past few years has already started reversing this trend. More and more residents who were planning on leaving the area at one time have now Boulder Mountain IliC chosen to stay. The majority of tourism dollars immediately go back to the local businesses, churches, and residents, and it stays in the local economy year-round. If you talk to many of the local business owners they will tell you that they would not be able to support their families withT out seasonal tourist dollars. Without tourism, local shops, restaurants, stores and other business would go away and drive the areas economy down. When you combine this and add in the local city and county taxes, you sustain a great local community, local government and a sustainable economy all year, not just during tourism season. Even in large "tourist cities" like Las Vegas or small ones like Moab, you will stillfinda thriving local economy behind the tourism. You will alsofindthat the local residents thrive and hold on to all of their values, morals and beliefs. Most importantly, despite all else, we all must keep in mind is that 90% of the land in Garfield County is owned by the very tourists who are coming here to visit/ Federal taxes pay for National Park and BLM land, not local dollars. And in most cases, the tourists are coming here to see the parks and the land either by car, foot, horse or ATV. The local towns offering their services to tourists is-a fundamental example of the economy working the way it should. The simple fact is, the tourists are going to come no matter what, and we should all focus on making sure everyone benefits from that. Remember that it's not too late to start standing up for the values that everyone holds dear. In fact, it's the perfect time to embrace the opportunity to protect them, while allowing the tourists dollars to provide the means to do so. • Brian Douglas - Panguitch 245 East Main RO - B o x 9» T o r r e y 425-3ZOO www.bouldennountainrealty.com CathyBagley, principal broker Dean GledhiU-Sales Agent Escalante. 826-4378 BROKEN BOW RV PARK AND CAMPGROUND. A good business in an ideal location. 29 pull through RV sites with full hook-ups. New laundry and shower house. Office and manager's living quarters. 2.4 acres. 495 West Main, Escalante. $260,000. ADOBE BRICK BUILT IN 1920. One and a half stories with three bedrooms and one bathroom. Fireplace, metal roof, electric heat. 1,5 acres. 300 South 60 East, Escalante. $105,000. THREE BEDROOM mobile home. Good condition. .14/acre lot. 155 North 200 East, Escalante. $45,000. WOODED, PRIVATE, HIGHWAY ACCESS. Ten acres on Highway 12 in Boulder. Trees and views. Upland vegetation and small stream. City water and electricity. Adjacent to National Forest. $150,000. |