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Show Open Burning. . . (Cont. from Al) In response to the criticism of many present that citv officials have been dragging their feel on the dump problem, Mayor McDougald said. "We're dragging our feet, we've dragged them for 8 years, for 20 years; and we may drag them for another 50. But I won't be part of an administration which gets rid of one problem just to create another maybe worse one." He also said, "We are moving along in the right direction, even though we have been in an 8-year stall. I think we have a right as city administration to administrate the city." Canyonlands National Park Superintendent Pete Parry testified that there is, and has been for several years, $56,000 available from the National Park Service for its share in a community sanitary waste facility which meets regulations. regulat-ions. He explained that area parks do not use the city dump, but have a small cut and fill operation in Arches National Park for garbage and trash disposal. In addition to the available funds, Parry said a $33,000 bulldozer is immediately available, avail-able, at no charge to the community, but that if some action is not taken before the end of the year, the offer of money and equipment will be withdrawn. At the conclusion of his presentation Parry recommended that "temporary, "tempor-ary, short-term permission of-less of-less than one year be given" for open burning at the dump. In the only piece of written testimony received prior to the hearing, Lloyd Pearson recommended recom-mended that the variance not be allowed, stating "As long as variances are being allowed the powers that be will not move on the problem" He also described times when once could "both taste and smell burning garbage" in tlu valley. Ban Open Burning "snme p.-ent aiso advocated advocat-ed a ban on open burning immediately. The problems of blowing trash and increase in rodents which would be created were discussed. In addition, some present called for closing the dump. Don Kagol said, "Close them down tomorrow and they'll have to become responsible." Lee Wangsgard, Bureau of Land Management Area Manager, Man-ager, said "The BLM is opposed as an agency, and I as an individual, to open burning. However, the suggestion of closing the dump tomorrow would result in garbage being dumped all over the land." he said in addition, "We recommend recom-mend a variance which is done in such a way that the problem is solved at the end of that time." . . Testifying on behalf of the National Forest Service, Dahl Zohner stated that his agency is dependant on the dump here for disposal of garbage. He said, "That there is a problem there is no doubt, but the solution is not easy to come by." He suggested the state conduct a study for all situations within Utah and provide alternatives to communities. com-munities. County Commissioner Harvey Har-vey Merrell stated, "From what we can tell, it will cost $30 to $40 per person per year to run a cut and fill." He estimated a shredder would cost some $450,000 in capital outlay. Speaking as a professional profes-sional geologist he questioned cut and fill because of the possibility of contaminating the valley water, stating he felt such an operation in mancos shale area, such as lie north of Moab, would be better. County Commissioner A. Dan Holyoak stated that professional studies alone on the problem could have cost up to $100,000 had they been conducted. He pointed out these costs would have to be borne by the local populace. Holyoak spoke in support of the request for a variance, saying that "even though 8 years is a long time, there has been a lot of study and travel to see how we can arrange our dump so that we have the best system possible without creating creat-ing other problems." High Priority Loren Johnson, who lives in the older section of town most often impacted by dump smoke, said the problem is one of placing priorities. He said he felt the dump should be a high priority compared with the money spent at the airport, golf course and other local developments, which, he said, "99 per cent of the people don't use." He also said, "The dump is a disgrace to the community the way it's continued." contin-ued." adding that although he did not like an extension of open burning he felt a short variance "no longer than 60 days" should be granted. Connie Caouette recommended recommen-ded that time be given, but only under supervision in order to insure that something is done. He said, "The Council says they've tried to do all they could. They've been sitting on it for 4 years." Randy Sackerson commented comment-ed "Burning is not just at times disgusting, it's always disgusting," and "eight years is more than enough time to do something about this problem." prob-lem." Steve Oshefski described describ-ed conditions along First North during times of inversion a "foul, ugly mess with smoke and health hazard." Dave Johnson, sanitarian with the SE Utah Health District, said he has attended several meetings on the dump problem, commenting that he didn't see why an extension should be granted when one was previously granted and no action taken. "The city should come forth with some concrete, concr-ete, definite plans," he said. "If so, perhaps a variance is possible." Clair Tangren said he felt a point being overlooked at the hearing was the cost, which he termed "a lot of money, either way we go." He spoke in favor of trying to reclaim and recycle what is possible and to invest in a shredder "big enough to eat trees and everything but junk cars." He also supported a variance for another year. In discussion the quality of dump smoke, Lois Lathrop said she felt if tires could be removed from other rubbish, the smoke would not be so heavy and caustic. Her point was agreed to by several present. Dr. Winn informed the group that the earliest date action can be taken on the variances asked would be April 16, the next meeting date of the Air Conservation Committee. He also said the committee usually grants variances var-iances for a period of one year only. |