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Show INSIDE oThe Performing arts students receive state, national recognition, See page 5 n Volume 65 issue 61 wsusignpost.com Friday, February 7, 2003 1 1 vy Drought causing domino effect Impact felt for years to come By Jennifer Compton Lee asst. news editor The Signpost Utah is headed into the fifth consecutive year of a drought. Even recent precipitation won't alter the course of what could be the worst year yet. Kim Dyches, environmental scientist for the department of environmental quality, division of drinking water, said it would take a few years of decent precipitation to recover from the damage done by the years of drought. "It's not looking good right now," Dyches said. "It's to the point where I can see mandatory restrictions of water use." Weber State University's snowboarding and ski classes have been affected by the lack of snow. Myron Davis, WSU health promotion and human performance professor, said while they've had dry years before, they've never had to cancel the ski programs. "It won't affect Powder Mountain because they arc at a high enough elevation, but it has already affected Nordic Valley," Davis said. "They both make their own snow." Many other outdoor activities are also affected by the drought. Jeremy Shaw, Rast Canyon and Lost Creek park ranger, said he has seen a drop in visitation during July through September of 8-12 percent in the last three years. "In May and June, the runoffs from the lakes are still pretty high, but then they let the water out for irrigation in July," Shaw said. "Plus, with the drought, we get early fire closure and no one wants to go camping without a fire." Fire is of particular concern given the dry conditions. Matt Schwcnk.Ogden fire marshal, said rain is necessary for fire-detering vegetation. ' .'lit, "i t - ' -iV-v Hvi , I ""' "' ' - - - s t i -- ' h Lack of snow and empty parking lots are one sign of a decrease in visitors at Snowbasin. "I believe the conditions are getting increasingly Mull, WSU associate professor of zoology, said if worse," Schwenk said. "This year may be a wake fires occur, it has a detrimental effect on plant life, up call to a few people on how bad it really is." Plant life is integral to the ecosystem. John See Drought page 3 Financial aid, scientific research Capitol debate By Wendy Leonard special assignments The Signpost Students aren't the only ones impacted by decisions made by the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, the turkeys and mosquitoes are going to feel the sting of budgets cuts as well. "The extension services and experimental stations run by Utah State University benefit the entire state," said Cecelia Foxley, Higher Education Commissioner. Charles Gay, director of USU extension services, sat before the subcommittee to prove USU's eligibility for additional state funding. He said theirs is a market-driven program. "In order for us to be successful, we have to deal with the issues that face citizens of our surrounding communities," Gay said. The USU-based programs are researching and finding solutions for environmental problems such as the mosquito-carried West Nile virus expected to hit Utah in early summer, the exotic Newcastle disease that plagues poultry, and other societal issues such as Anthrax, new strains of influenza and chronic waste systems. ? r 7 Ml; ifflliRffp "We encounter unknowns that challenge us every year," said Paul Rassmussen, director of the experimental station program. "Bio-terrorists will come to small farms and let our own farmers carry it to the central organizations. We provide the research for farmers to address these problems." The two programs are facing accreditation problems and are in need of more manpower, a microbiologist and an additional outreach station. "Our services are critical and vital to Utah's department of agriculture," Rassmussen said. "We have the capacity to deliver programs but no wherewithal to do it," Gay said. Among items on the agenda was the financial aid situation in Utah. Presenting was Chalmers Gail Norris, associate commissioner for student financial aid. The Utah Higher Education Assistance Committee recently relocated to the Gateway complex in Salt Lake City. The costly move has been beneficial, providing a convenient location to students dropping to pay loans. The UHEAA administers and maintains records for eight different financial assistance programs. These programs offer an opportunity for more than 26,000 students to obtain an See Capitol page 3 r i s At' HI t r 4 . - i 'liH A- - I v 7f p Playing around Since their beginning in 1994, the Quartetto Gelato has focused their music on defying conventional ideas of chamber music. Their sound includes Gypsy music, traditional folk, tangos, operas and more. They perform tonight at 7:30 in the Val A. Browning Center. |