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Show at gun iu,i 1iiWiwri-ln"irriiglilMti- SERVING MOAB AND UTAH SINCE 1896 SOUTHEASTERN Moab, Grand County, Utah 84532 4v A Happy Thanksgiving to all! 'W, SHIM'S (A A Number 48 Volume 98 Thursday, November 28, 1991 tlfck 50? JM ' SUWA charges delegation of violating federal law "Utah politicians violated standards of conduct provided by federal regulations when they interfered with an appeal before the U.S. Department of the Interior's administrative court," charged a representative of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). SUWA and Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club just learned that Utah Senators Jake Gam and Orrin Hatch and Representatives J im Hansen and Bill Orton have made a written request that Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan interfere with administrative appeals filed by SUWA and the Club. A second similar letter was also sent by Garn, Hatch, Hansen and Orton to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), the administrative court considering SUWA and the Club's legal challenges to the BLM's decision to approve seismic work in an area proposed by environmentalists for wilderness designation. Moab SUWA staff lawyer Scott Grocnc said that the environmental groups had not yet received a copy of the politicians' letter to the IBLA, but that the letter violated federal regulations controlling administra Citizenship policy was questioned by parents Moab's Lin Ottinger, right, is shown with Dinamation International Society's officials Michael L. Perry, executive director, and James I. Kirkland, Ph.D, paleontologist, with model of one of Lin's discoveries, Euoplocephalus tutres, noting his "contributions to the study of Ankylosaurs." This particular individual was about 20 feet long, and eight to ten feet tall. The species dwelled in the area perhaps 75 million years ago, and remains were found north of Arches National Park. Highway funding possible with mineral development Editor's Note: This first in a two-pa- rt is series the on proposed highway from near Cisco in Grand County to Ouray in the Uintah Basin. The series, along with an accompanying story 2 of this issue, on Page was developed by the editorial staff of The Vernal Express for joint publication in the Express and The the 0 A-- Times-Independe- A highway proposed to link Ouray with the southern half of Utah will pass through some of the state's richest mineral reserves. There have been 4,028 oil and gas wells drilled in Uintah and Grand counties, according to the Petroleum Information Corporation. Of these wells, 2,506 have received a final classification as "producing" wells. San Juan County also has numerous 90-mi- le oil and gas wells which are serviced by Vernal based service companies. Oil service companies traveling between these fields now must arrive at their designation by citfier Douglass Pass in Colorado or Indian Canyon between Duchesne and Price. The Ouray to Cisco Junction road, or Seep Ridge Road, as it is called in Uintah County, is unimproved. There has been a joint effort by Uintah and Grand Counties to improve this road between the energy fields of northeastern and southeastern Uintah since the early 1960s. Robert Nielson a retired biologist for the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, said there was an agreement to support the road improvement by BLM, UDWR and the two counties in about 1963. The Utah Army National Guard made plans to help upgrade the road Rep. Adams outlined activities of upcoming legislative session met with the League of Women Voters of Grand County and other Grand County constituents Thursday evening regarding legislation that may affect Grand County during the upcoming session of the Utah State from development of state school sections to fund education. Also discussed was Adams' involvement in Indian issues. He also added that Utah is rated in the top five states in several financial indicators and that it appears the state is in good financial Legislature. shape. State Representative David Adams Utah State Representative Mike Dmitrich and State Senator Omar Bunnell were also invited but were unable to attend and expressed their regrets to their Grand County constituents. Rep. Adams is the Chair of the House Rules Committee and is involved with all House legislation that is scheduled during the session. Adams also briefly discussed the re- sults of the special session just completed which involved changing the boundaries of the legislative districts due to the results of the census. Upcoming issues in the 1992 session include education funding levels. Also related to school funding was information about tax assessments on oil companies. Adams reported that oil companies have filed suite with the Utah State Tax Commission and its appears their taxes will drop. settlements are being pursued county by county, with the first meeting being with the San Juan County School Board on Friday, Nov. 22. According to Grand County School Board member Cynthia Smith, who is also a member of the League, the Grand County School budget may be Out-of-cou- rt affected by as much as 30 to 40 per- cent Adams also discussed the State Land Issues Task Force, with the impetus being to maximize revenue Adams then answered questions from the audience. The League of Women Voters of Utah will be focusing legislative efforts on the following issues: education funding levels, health care, safe drinking water, recycling, conflict of interest and lobby disclosure, legislative session date change, housing, and the quality of election campaigns in the press. The League is holding a Holiday Social on Thursday, December 12, at the home of Feme and Mary Mullen, in lieu of the monthly meeting normally held the last Thursday of every month. The next meeting of the League of Women Voters will take place on Thursday, January 30, 1992, at MiVida Restaurant, when the group will be holding a consensus discussion on the National Health Care Study. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to encouraging active citizen involvement in government and government 'of the people, by the people, for the people.' The group is actively looking for new members, male or female. Anyone interested in joining is en- couraged to attend the Holiday Social on Dec. 12 or the next monthly meeting on January 30, 1992, or write P.O. Box 205, in Moab or contact any member of the board of directors. districts administra-torstcachc- rs and eight students (two from each class level) will comprise to address needs. They can also be established for other purposes: water, sewer, drainage, flood control, garbage, hospitals, recreation, fire protection or street lighting. Snow removal services may be provided in service districts. The Utah law provides that after 1991 these special service districts receive 25 percent of the mineral lease money distributed to the state. It is distributed to the individual district based on a formula or percentage of mineral lease money generated within the affected county. During the phase-i- n period (1988-1991- ), districts will receive increased funding each year until a 25 percent level of funding is reached. The Uintah Special Service District is now nearing the 25 percent funding level. transportation citizenship policy. Problems and perceptions were discussed with the result that a new committee will review the policy and present recommendations to the board prior to January 21,1992. Eight parents, eight between P.R. Springs and Westwatcr through Hay Canyon in the 1960s. Funding was a major problem for the counties and the improvements have not been made. A law that originated in 1920 has made the funding available to counties for roads. February 25, 1920 the United States Congress passed the Mineral Lands Leasing Act that allocates mineral lease payments paid to the federal government. The act which was amended in March of 1976, stipulates that 50 percent of the mineral lease money be returned to the state where it originated. The language in the federal law specifies that the money allocated to the state be used "giving priority to those subdivisions of the state socially or economically impacted by development of minerals leased under the Minerals Lands Leasing Act. Funds should be used for planning, construction and maintenance of public facilities and provision of public services. The Permanent Community Impact Board (UB) was established to address the planning and development needs in the state. The CIB is allotted 32.5 percent of the money received by the state from the federal government through the Mineral Lands Leasing Act Through the CIB, this money is made available to counties and cities impacted by mineral activities. However, under federal law, which of taxes, authorizes payment-in-lie- u counties could jeopardize funding if they also receive mineral lease grants from the CIB. Consequently, Uintah County could not effectively use CIB funding to improve roads affected by mineral development. In 1988 the State Legislature passed a law allocating funding to the Uintah Department of Transportation to be distributed by transportation commissions in special service districts established by counties. Most of the energy-impacte- d counties in Utah have created special service The Grand County Board of Education met in regular session on November 20, 1991. A large contingent of parents met with the Board about the current high school the committee. Five parent representatives were selected by the group at the meeting and the Board asked three more to serve: Tony Martineau, Kathy Krist, Christy Hobbs, Cindy Thompson, Phyllis Wilson, Maggie Taylor, Terry Warner, Joe Kingsley. School representatives are Mike Arenari, Glen Taylor, Mike Kelley, Brian Bentley, Donna Brownell, Holly Brown, Bob Anderson, Sandy Foy. Student representatives selected by the studentbody are: Chris Adki-so- n, Brooke Wilson, Jarvis Robison, Kristin Udy, Lisa Louthan, Brian Cresto, Mike Palmer and Guy Johnston. Jessie Robinson will serve as over-asecretary to the ll committee. The Capital Improvement Committee met in October to review and modify the survey forms going out to the public to ask for input on future capital outlay projects. Surveys have been received back and are being tabulated and prepared for the Christmas season begins next week public workshop on December 4, 1991. This workshop is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. in the district office. The district Core Team presented a draft copy of their "Strategic Planning Goals," a list of goals for edu- cation community's future. This draft will be refined by the general teaching staff and then action teams will be put in place to help realize these goals. Other items included the 90-9- 1 audit report in which CPA Greg Marsing reported that the district is, overall, in good shape financially: and recognition of retiring cook Elsie Leech and GCHS Students of the Month Kari Englebright and Jim Olsen. tive appeals. "It appears that Gam et al. have tried to inappropriately inwithout fluence the tribunal letting us, the appellants, know-w- e will ask the Board to strike the letter from the record accordingly, said Grocne. Grocnc noted that the IBLA has said that it will order that the letter be made available to SUWA and the Club to allow responses to the elected officials' allegations. "Political interference with federal land management is by politicians without knowledge of the facts. The letter even requested the Secretary lift the stay against work on Columbia's well-i- n fact no appeal was filed against that well." Garn's November 6 letter to Secretary Lujan sought to protect the interests of Chevron U.S. A. Inc., ex-par- wrong-espe-cial- Columbia Gas Corporation hung on the tree with help from city personnel all day, and third graders from Red Rock Elementary will perform the lighting ceremony and program. New street lights will also highlight the festive season in Moab this year. All interested performing groups are invited to come downtown on Fridays and Saturdays prior to Christmas and lend their talents to acquired by environmentalists. SUWA received a copy of that letter on November 25 from a Utah state official outside of Gam's office. Cindy Shogun, SUWAs staff representative in Washington, D.C., said of Gam that "he has promised he is going to be the Ayatollah as he ends his Senate term. It looks like it's the State of Utah who will be the hostage." Allegations have recently been made that Gain had also improperly intervened in Forest Service decision making to protect a helicopter ski operation. Slickrock planning committee completed its recommendations vices, vehicle use, the current landfill site, performing arts and commercial uses. For each issue an obrecjective statement was made and The Slickrock Planning Committee's recommendations were presented to Roger Zortman, the BLM Moab District Manager by Steve Klass, Deputy State Planning Coordinator and Committee Chairman. given for actions which could be taken by the BLM, Grand County and the City of Moab. Klass stated that "the committees intent was to suggest values and priorities which all three entities can share to provide a consistent, integrated approach to planning and management activities for the area. We were very appreciative of the to nnr draft recom- ommendations Klass summarized the factors which indicated the need for land use planarea known ning for the 40,000-acr- e as the Slickrock Planning area. These factors include a dramatic growth in mountain biking use at the BLM Slickrock Bike Trail and nuhlic-r'cnnn;- mendations." BLM District Manager, Roger Zortman stated that he looks forward to considering the committee's recommendations and thanked Klass and the committee for their time and effort in the preparation of the document. The recommendations for the Slickrock Planning Area were completed as the BLM Grand Resource Area begins a planning to amend its existing land use plan. Klass will present the committee's recommendations to the Grand Count Commission and the Moab City Council at a future date. Copies of the Slickrock Planning Committee recommendations are available at the BLM Grand Resource Area Office, 885 South Sandflats Road, Moab, Utah 84532 Kokopelli National Theater. Klass added, "After the success of the Blue Ribbon Committee in addressing problems in the Colorado River Corridor, in August 1990 the BLM invited members of the Moab community representing various interests to form a new planning committee. As a member of the Governor's planning coordination staff, BLM asked me to chair the committee." The group was charged with the preparation of a document conveying recommendations to the BLM, Grand County and the City of Moab for management of the planning area. Twelve issues were identified, inuses, visitor ser cluding long-ter- the magic Christmas atmosphere. and Meridian Oil Inc, by convincing the Secretary to allow the corporations to begin seismic work despite stays surrounding areas, degradation of natural rcsourcs due to unrestricted vehicle use and camping, interest in commercial development within the area, and the concept of the "Magic of a Moab Christmas" will begin officially with the lighting of the community tree at the corner of First South and Main Thursday, Dec. 5. Ornaments made by school students and others will be r ly m The Christmas parade will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and those who would like to participate should contact Jan at the Chamber of Commerce office, An effort has or been made to pair up interested community businesses with high school organizations for this years 259-781- 4 259-753- 1. parade. Lineup for the parade will be at city park, with the route terminating at Miller's Shopping Center. WEATHER Resource Area Manager, Brad Palmer and Moab District from Steve Klass, Manager, Roger Zortman accept recommendations of the Slickrock Deputy State Planning Director and Chairman Planning Committee. BLM ii itiifflltfniT hhh t.'i m ' iuftrtiirritwa mfi nt ArtiiiimiMiniift nut iiitiiii(iriiiniipAyi(ftiirTitt-rTTfiiririif- , nfum lnTnfi rtf |