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Show February 15 03.qxd 12/7/2021 3:36 PM Page 1 The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS February 15, 2003 Your Community Newspaper — Early repayment of Questar pipeline extension expected By Shanna Francis Ogden Valley News Winter finally finds its way to Ogden Valley. Photo courtesy of Dreinie Hattingh of Eden. Ogden Valley Land Trust Granted Conservation Easements for Over 5250 Acres Compiled by Shanna Francis Ogden Valley News The Ogden Valley Land Trust, established in September of 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, was recently given conservation easements on two parcels of property located in Ogden Valley. The purpose of the land trust is to preserve open space, and the scenic, farming, wildlife, and conservation values of Ogden Valley and Weber County. Sourdough Wilderness Ranch, Inc. granted a conservation easement on approximately 5134 acres to the Ogden Valley Land Trust on May 8, 2002, which was then filed with the County Recorder’s office earlier this year. The parcel is located in the northeast part of Weber County, approximately ten miles east of Huntsville. Historically, the property was used for the grazing of cattle or sheep, and for hunting. Currently the property is used as a wilderness ranch with designated campsites in an area that covers about 1/5 of the property. The remaining 4/5 is undeveloped and, because of the conservation easement, will remain so. The property’s location, plant and animal habitat, open space, and watershed values are special features that the owners were interested in maintaining. The property provides summer and fall range for many species, and provides a migration route for mule deer and elk to the nearby Ogden Valley Middle Fork big game winter grazing area maintained and operated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources along the middle fork of the Ogden River. The size of the property also allows wildlife to nest, forage, rest during migration, and to reside in contiguous areas free from disturbances associated with intervening developed areas. The property is bordered, in part, by State Road 39, which has been designated a Scenic Byway. The Ogden Valley Land Trust received another conservation easement on January 30, on the historic Jensen Farm located on both the north and south sides of the Scenic Byway, State Road 39. The parcel, composed of a little over 123 acres, is situated along Huntsville’s entry corridor. Both the Ogden Valley Master Plan, and the U.S. Forest Service Environmental Assessment of the Ogden Valley identify the property as the gateway property into Ogden Valley, portraying the scenic, visual image of the area, felt to be key to expressing the historical farming/ranching character of the LAND TRUST cont. on page 3 For more information, contact: In November of 1996, after years of relying on wood burning stoves, electricity, and propane gas to stay warm and to power appliances, residents in Ogden Valley finally had the luxury of another option—natural gas. Brought into the Valley at an original cost to customers of $2,300,000, customers who signed up were charged a $27.50 pipeline extension fee, in addition to their monthly usage bill. The first month gas was available, 76 customers helped pay down the debt. A year later, 673 customers were on line, receiving natural gas. Because of accrued interest, and lower than originally projected growth rates, the balance of the debt in November of 1998 peaked at $2,502,424.96, before finally beginning to decline. As of November 2002, the balance of the debt stood at about $2,038,300, with approximately 1340 customers paying down the debt. At the current rate of growth in the Valley, it is projected that the remaining balance will be paid in full by May of 2008, three years ahead of the 2011 projected date. In September of 2002, Utah State Representative Joseph Murray contacted Questar administrators about reducing the pipeline extension fee for customers, or shortening the repayment schedule by taking advantage of lower interest rates. According to Barrie McKay, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Questar, because of the way repayment was originally structured, customers will not be able to benefit from lower interest rates. Because no legal entity, such as Weber County, would bond for the debt to bring a natural gas line into the Valley, Questar, working with the Public Service Commission, created a unique plan to finance the project so gas could be brought into the Valley. Since its creation and approval in 1996 by the Public Service Commission, the idea of an Extension Area Charge (EAC) has also been utilized in other parts of the state as a means of bringing gas to rural areas. Investors who provided the funding for the Ogden Valley project were guaranteed a return on their investments, calculated on a present value basis. The Public Service Commission authorized and guaranteed the QUESTAR cont. on page 2 Watershed Committee Hosts Open House Shanna Francis, Outreach Committee (801) 745-2688 shannafrancis@att.net EDEN cont. on page 10 Weber County Commissioners Change Meeting Schedule Weber County Commissioners recently changed the time of their weekly meetings to Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. In the past, commission meetings have been held at 4:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month to accommodate public hearings. From now on, Commissioners will reconvene a public hearing, where public participation is expected, on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. Meeting minutes and agendas can be found on the county’s website at www.co.weber.ut.us POSTAL PATRON EDEN-LIBERTY-84310 HUNTSVILLE-84317 OGDEN CANYON- 84401 HCR 843AO Residents Expected to Save Thousands Eden Community Investigates Future Options The community of Eden, located in the heart of Ogden Valley, ten miles east of Ogden, has initiated steps to request a feasibility study investigating the viability of incorporating this piece of paradise named after the biblical garden. A team of about 50 volunteers, organized into six committees, is currently collecting data to be used to educate residents regarding the incorporation process, and to begin the circulation and collection of signed petitions as required by state law before Weber County will fund the study. Organizers expect to deliver the necessary petitions to the county after April of 2003. On February 6, a public meeting was held at the local Junior High to present to the community, preliminary information gathered from the individual committees. Over 90 community members attended. Of prime interest was the initial draft of the proposed boundaries for the new city. The meeting was held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. During an open house prior to the formal presentation, committee members shared their findings with attendees, and were available to answer questions. During the formal session of the public meeting, Steering Committee Chair Steve Clarke provided information about the feasibility study and incorporation process, and the work being done by the individual committees. A question and answer session was also opened up to the audience. Individual committees are focusing on: Boundaries, delineating the proposed borders of the new city; Eden 20/20, defining a community vision; Services, outlining required city services, and who might provide these services; Government Structure, educating residents regarding the different forms of government allowed to administer cities under Utah State Code; Business Forum, linking business owners and residents during the process; Outreach, acts as a liaison between citizens and the steering committee, conducts petition drives, and coordinates with local schools, providing an opportunity for students to participate in a unique democratic process. The Steering Committee is composed of the Chairs from each committee, and will manage the volunteer effort. Eden Planning Committee Chairman Steve Clarke also hosted the first public meeting held January 16, which drew a crowd of over 80 residents. He is also helping to organize the volunteer effort. Clarke states, “This amazing group of volunteers has come together quickly and with a lot of energy. Without a doubt, we’ll arrive at the best possible answers for the community.” PRSRT STD POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 11 EDEN UT Compiled by Shanna Francis Ogden Valley News Ogden Valley Land Trust Board Members. Top Row, Left to Right: Joe Draper, Jim Hasenyager, Dave Holmstrom, Herman Blumel, and Dan Harris. Bottom Row, Left to Right: Charlie Hasenyager, Shanna Francis, and Matt Jensen. Not Shown: Martha Crocker Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . Page 2 Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Historical Article . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 About a year ago, the Storm Water Management Division of Weber County allocated funds to hire technical consultants to assist with water infrastructure master planning for Ogden Valley. The scope of work for the three hired firms (Jones & Associates; Gardner Engineering; and Hansen, Allen and Luce) included: a review of previous planning studies; documentation of existing drinking water, irrigation, and waste water facilities and distribution systems; documentation of storm water drainage basins and controls; and design of alternatives, and estimated costs for areas not serviced. The Ogden River Watershed Technical Steering Committee (ORWC) was formed to provide local expertise and experience to WATERSHED cont. on page 11 |