OCR Text |
Show Vernal Express Wednesday, December 26, 2007 A3 Rancher woes Continued from Al processes and checklists of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). "It doesn't matter how we feel personally about the usage of the land, we have to follow NEPA," Stringer said. "Before we ever lease land to gas companies the public can see what we are going to do in an environmental impact statement. They have the opportunity oppor-tunity to voice concerns during the public input time." Robinson doesn't believe NEPA has protected area ranchers, ranch-ers, and through his attorney sent a letter to BLM. "There is no indication that the BLM has the staff or resources re-sources to ensure compliance with these regulations and that Mr. Robinson's grazing use will be protected. These issues have to be analyzed as part of the NEPA process," the letter states. Robinson said his intention is not to rid the Basin of the energy industry, he only wants to have the BLM take a closer look at the effects the industry is having on his business. "I know we can't force the gas and oil companies out but we can coexist in a better managed area," Robinson said, citing his experience in raising his sheep at a summer home in Colorado. Uintah Budget Continued from Al in the 2007 county budget and now, roughly $2.3 million is budgeted for 2008. At least $1 million of the potential tax increase would be obligated to the jail. No one doubts the need for a new jail. "Today, the jail holds more than 100 inmates on any given day, but it was built for 50 inmates 20 years ago," said Sheriff Jeff Merrell. Others at the Monday evening tax discussions discus-sions agreed that a new jail is past due. Another department in financial fi-nancial need is the class B roads, which has been holding steady with $2.5 million in funding over the last three years. But increased gas and diesel costs, added operational and maintenance main-tenance expenditures and the need for upgrading county roads with usage there is a projected shortfall in funding. "The maintenance on our roads is overdue," said Uintah County Commissioner Dave Haslem. About $500,000 of the proposed tax increase could be directed to the roads department. depart-ment. "There is a current shortfall short-fall of over two million dollars be,weenDenverand (faat Aakeb offers hassle-free baggage transfer to most major airlines serving Denver International Airport! Flight Schedule VERNAL TO DENVER Frequency Departs Arrives Flight Monday-Friday 6:02a 7:15a 5122 Saturday-Sunday 7:20a 8:33a 5122 Sunday-Friday 3:50p 5:03p 5124 DENVER TO VERNAL Frequency Sunday-Friday Saturday Sunday-Friday Schedule fflygreatiakes.com Vernal Regional Airport 825 South 500 East Vernal, UT "It is possible for us both to co-habitate co-habitate in the area." Stringer said giving mineral min-eral companies higher priority doesn't mean ranchers don't count. 'Where we're headed is finding find-ing a way to work that out," Stringer said. "We've got to acknowledge ac-knowledge both. The man has a grazing permit that we want to see used. We graze for a reason. It is a valid use. But we also have to realize that we've issued these leases... the BLM does have an obligation to allow the lessee to recover the gas." BLM policy for land-use planning plan-ning directs staff to "consider the present and potential uses of the public lands; consider the relative scarcity of the values involved and the availability of alternative means and sites for realizing those values; weigh long-term benefits to public against short term benefits." The manual also states that "the ultimate responsibility regarding re-garding land use plan decisions... rests with the BLM." But Stringer added, "All our decisions are appealable." Looking over a mass of sheep carcasses, Robinson sees a symbol sym-bol of recent changes. "You know, this just speaks volumes about the rape and pillaging of farmers and ranchers ranch-ers the BLM is allowing to take place," he said. "Where are the in roads, which will not be made up in state or federal funds." Lloyd Swain, county resident and former commissioner, suggested sug-gested at the Monday meeting that the county "look into rolling the road department into the Uintah Transportation Special Services District." County officials agree that this could be a likely result. However, mineral lease monies have important regulations on their use. There are differences in the regulatory standards for the UTSSD versus the county road department. It may be possible to subsume the road department under the UTSSD, but the additional addi-tional projected costs, given the difference in standards could be prohibitive. Other entities in need of funding for the fiscal year 2008 are the library, justice court, the attorney's office and the office of building and grounds. The library has seen a shortfall in funding of roughly $200,000 over last year's operating fund. The remaining departments are in need of an additional $75,000 in funding. Monday evening's meeting on the Uintah County budget approved department general funding of $424,200 for the commission, com-mission, $228,100 for the public mm O m- M'-r " MHk. MM U U U K35r H Departs Arrives Flight 2:21 p 3:40p 5123 4:30p 5:49p 5125 6:55p 8:14p 5125 is effective January 2008 and subject to change Book lowest fares environmentalists when you need them?" Stringer pointed out that environmentalists are hardly the best friends of ranchers. "There are those who feel grazing is rape and pillage," he countered. The presumably large vehicle that plowed through Robinson's flock destroyed $4,000 in mutton and wool, the rancher said. By law, when livestock are killed in an open range area the driver who hit them is financially responsible. re-sponsible. But if the driver isn't found, Robinson's insurance will have to replace the sheep, increasing his premiums. Robinson said hit-and-run incidents, and grazing-land loss from uncoordinated road-building road-building by drilling companies, has rendered his BLM-issued permits worthless. "If the BLM wants to put me out of business they should at least buy back our (permits)," he said. "I have nearly $250,000 invested out here, but I can't sell any of them. Nobody wants to run sheep in an area with these kind of problems." Robinson is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can lead to the person responsible for the death of his sheep. He said person's with information should contact the Utah Highway Patrol office in Vernal at 789-3111. defender, $189,700 for personnel, $208,800 for GIS, $567,600 for the clerkauditor, $341,800 for the treasurer, $521,200 for the recorder, $1.6 million for the attorney, $618,600 for the assessor, asses-sor, $67,500 for surveyor, among others are just slightly higher than the prior year's funding. Municipal services funding also saw $170,000 to public lands which is roughly $50,000 over the previous year. There is a $125,000 increase in budgeted finding for the buildingzoning and planning department at $723,300. The street light and signs department along with the grants department also received small increases in funding. ...are worth the time in the.. Express 54 North VemaLAvenus ': i , i . i Vernal, Utah -435-789-3511 www.vernal.com 1 W M W on 4 ) H r V X.. Area emergency response teams and hospital staff received real time training when called upon to experience a mock contamination disaster. Pictured is a mobile decontamination tent complete with heaters and hot water showers. Decontamination tent tested at Ashley Regional By Kevin Asiiby Express Publisher The call comes in - nine victims of a sodium hydroxide explosion at one of the oil rig sites where the victims need to be isolated and decontaminated quickly. The question is whether emergency facilities in Vernal can handle this type of emergency disaster. The emergency disaster drill on Thursday at Ashley Regional Medical Center to test personnel using seldom used decontamination decontamina-tion equipment donated by the federal government gave state and local officials the answer. Since 9-11, federal funds have paid for a variety of disaster control con-trol equipment placed in rural locations. Tied to the equipment is a mandated training schedule, thus the need for the mock disaster disas-ter training on Thursday. After the mock disaster call was placed at the hospital, employees em-ployees had to retrieve, uncrate, and set up a blue decontamination decontamina-tion tent 10 feet wide and 20 feet long. It was placed outside the emergency room doors where hot water was hooked up with the washing and spraying nozzles In the tent. finOTHCR GRtflT 5fl$0n IS WII1G UP! To our members, friends, and associates go our very warm wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season. We appreciate your choosing us and look forward to seeing you again, soon. A Woman's 1147 W. Highway 40 107 vernal 789-5482 fVrrrT; t!s Prime Ribs Buffet served Chicken December 31 Clam Chowder beginning at Salads 4:30 pm 11 77 East S ' . Because of the 24 degree temperature that morning, the victims were very much appreciative apprecia-tive of the warm air that was also hooked up and flowing through the decontamination area. Soon, the victims were triaged and placed in an order of who needed the most urgent care. Two emergency technicians were suited up in decontamination suits and began transporting the victims to the tent. They disrobed - down to swimming suits in this case - and went through the decontamination process. Decontamination takes about 20 minutes per individual and the tent is able to handle 15 to 20 people an hour. There are two entries for victims who can walk and stand for the shower. The center of the tent has a roller table where victims on stretchers stretch-ers can be showered and cleaned without standing. The mock training was under the direction of Lanette Sorensen, Utah Medical Surge Capacity planner. "This is a hospital that will be touted throughout the state for not only doing this drill, but . .doing itj ji freezing,, weather" said oorensen. vve uo mis iunu of training to help hospitals to f " V i " -I 1 In this season of merriment and mirth, We pray for joy and peace on earth And add a special prayer for you That all your hopes and dreams come Mi; Ms E E." -2 t ii i in mm Judy Stevenson Remax Premier 823-7938 't.-J---' Tttrrtrtsj TIME for our mi i ip i pup pi i ill I Li J I Main Street Vernal, UT 435 open Monday - Saturday 6:00 - II TT -, - " 4 H in , t plan for all kinds of disasters and hazards." Even though the hospital received the tent almost two years ago, this is the first time training has extended to a mock disaster to see how well employees employ-ees reacted under pressure. And they received good marks after it was all over. Although most rural hospitals have received the decontamination decontamina-tion tent, Ashley Regional was also approved to receive from t he federal government a Chempack that stores antidotes for most major air borne contaminations used in chemical warfare. The container is sealed and equipped with monitors that let officials at the Center for Disease Control in Salt Lake know the whereabouts of the Chempack at all times and if it has been opened. " If we were to have a chemical airborne disaster here, this pack would allow us to start treating people until additional help arrived," ar-rived," explained Debbie Spaf-f Spaf-f ord, hospital public affairs. "It' s neat to know that we have the technology in the Basin to help. Not only do we have the equip ment, but we are also trained in how to use it, and we practice. H mm . it A " -J true! TTOTO TSCTDLiS. Annu 1 1 1 L 1! p p 3 I Desserts Shrimp Shrimp Cocktail - 789 - 1 170 4 ' li am -10:00 pm |