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Show 6 - HOLIDAY TIMES - DECEMBER 1994 More ROUND MOUNTAIN from Page 1 — The Atlas maneuver to cap-in- place using igneous rock from Round Mountain is far from a “done deal”. Thanks to the diligent persistence of Bill Hedden, Grand County has secured the pro bona services of the Chicagobased law firm of Jenner and Block J&B is a large outfit with considerable experience in the legal matters we are confronting. Their attorneys came to Moab and spent December 9th conducting their own survey of the Atlas site, gathering facts and discussing legal strategy with County Council and County Planning Commission members. proposal and inaugurate the process for entering into a commitment for this study. The information generated will have a significant bearing on issues related to the future use of these lands. 3. The Town Council is working on a Watershed Protection Ordinance. Once this is in place it should provide Community Lot some measure of power to regulate the at Year's End type of activity which has the potential PAVILION: We are underway, for inflicting harm upon our fragile aquifer. Blasting and massive excavation in the Round Mountain area certainly has the capacity to do that. Once again, it’s time to stand up, step up, speak up, and take action to preserve Round Mountain and secure the safety and tranquility we are entitled to as stewards of our valley home. —Donovan Robens The week of December 12th these attorneys head to the Maryland headquarters of the NRC to pry open a new debate on the issue. Atlas contends that the NRC’s decision to cap-inplace, based on their 1988 E18 plus recent upgrades, is binding; if anyone wanted to propose an alternative to capping-in-place, it should have been handled then and there. Our legal representatives will insist the1ssue be reopened. I wish them well. As a backup or adjunct strategy, it behooves Castle Valley, our Town Council, and Planning Commission to do what we can to protect our own interests. Perhaps we can create a “holding zone” with leverage to monitor and regulate what can and cannot be done with property in our akfifié gathering ideas for our pavilion, which will be constructed this spring using our $5,000 Grand County recreation grant. By early January Warren Egbert has promised some cardboard scale models, illustrating some of our ideas and making decisions easier. Then plans can be drawn and the job put out for bids. We are shooting for a multipurpose shelter from sun and rain— simple, low-impact, beautiful, and firmly within our budget. We are also keeping in mind some terraced amphi- theater seating that volunteer labor ée Refrrig Bits—rE could gradually achieve. TREE GRANT: Our final report was in on November 18th, right on time. Have you noticed the trees? Take a look. In the spring Ken Drogin will The romantic poet Gerald de Nerval strolled around Rome leading a lobster on a leash. To puzzled observers he explained, “Because he never argues, and he knows the secrets of the deep. label each treewith an identification tag. An Adopt-a-Tree program is being considered: interested individuals or families might choose a special tree to name, maintain, plant flowers (or veggies) beneath. Are you interested? Watch for details in March, spring fever month. A GREAT SURPRISE for our backyard. When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself. ——Louis Nizer Utah State Lands Trust owns the land that includes Round Mountain. To be certain, they have the authority and in your eyes, and laughter on your lips. Maria and George Rybka, who also gave us the pump for our well. THANKS, MARIA! THANKS, GEORGE! We’ll save them for our ——Esco Brown new pavilion Eli Christmas. power to sell the land. But we have potential authority and power to determine what the buyer can and cannot do with it. There are three areas where we might exert some influence: 1. State Lands Trust has indicated their intention to create a Master Plan Go with peace in your heart, love lot—nine boxes of beautiful old Christmas ornaments and trim from A LITTLE SURPRISE: Couldn’t This will be my last Refrigerator Bits. I hope one of you who has an open mind, an open heart, and a bunch of good recipes will take over (call Cris at 2245 if interested). Bon Appetit! for their holdings in our valley prior to selling the same. This has not been —-Kaaron Jorgen resist, had to buy a tiny tree for our lot, since we now have all those lovely decorations. Yes, I know it’s very small, but so’s our town. Hopefully we'll grow together. Please add your own trimmings to the Rybka's if you want. Maybe each year someone will accomplished. This might be a potential pressure point. ////////////I ///////l ///////_ ///l/////l 2. Our Planning Commission is forwarding to the Town Council a SEEKING STORIES OR detailed proposal by Rob Katzenson for hiring graduate level university students to conduct a comprehensive survey of the unsubdivided state lands. Hopefully the Council will accept this want to donate a living Christmas tree to be planted on the lot. [III/III III/III/II/Illlll/I Vl/I/l/l/l/I/l/I/l/l/I/l/l/I/l/I /////////// HISTORY about our Community Lot or the little cemetery. Best holiday wishes to all, and a rich new year. ——Cris Coffey, Lot Chair |