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Show Che Page A3 z s. Thursday, May 20, 2004 - . Scenic Byway status could be potential tourism booster by Lisa Taylor contributing writer Think big" is becoming the watchword for the current travel council advisory board, and a new plan to seek national scenic byway status for area roads is no exception. Highways 313 to Dead Horse Point, 279 to Potash and 128, the Colorado River Road, are already designated as Utah Scenic Byways. But looking at the potential marketing and funding benefits of going national, the board is hoping the county council will the agree to go scefor a highest designation nic byway, for two of those roads. The idea would be to link Highways 128 and 279 as a single riverside scenic byway, with a stretch of Hwy 191 connecting them. If approved, this could have the quirky of winning Moab most scenic tailings pile to go with the honor of second most scenic dump in America. Going national, however, is no simple thing, according to travel council director Marian Delay. The process takes up to two years and requires a special corridor management plan, which includes a series of public meetings and can cost $20,000 to $40,000. side-effe- ct Advisory board chair Robbie Levin, whp initiated the move, pointed out that two corridor plans already exist -one for the Bureau of Land Management and one for Grand County - and its worth finding out if they could be combined to meet the national byway criteria. Ive heard no argument about why 128 shouldnt be national, said Levin, adding that the county master plan supported the promotion of the river road under its cur- rent status. From a quick survey of websites and travel publica- tions, national and an scenic byways do get much more free exposure than state routes, with national and state parks and natural features, as well as businesses, listed as roadside attractions. Another draw for the board was the federal Transportation Enhancements Fund, but it may not have the potential the board hoped for. The fund was also available to that tourists and truckers it mont, Florida and other non-nation- projects al - states, and some would argue Parkway and the planned bikepedestrian bridge over the Colorado - and more importantly, it was frozen in that Sand Flats is already a toll road. 2003. In an interview after the board meeting. Delay said she was told a program representative had no idea when the fund would be Going for nic Byway ob- of Transportation found that average annual daily traffic on more noticeable effect. In 2002, the Utah Deptartment All major credit cards accepted. Wire Service Available. SPANISH VALLEY VINEYARDS & WINERY For Locally Grown and Produced Wines! Open for Tastings & Sales Mon.-Sa- t. (435) 12-- 7 259-813- pm 4 SW Corner of Stocks Drive and Zimmerman Lane just Guilty plea entered . passing motorist saw the attack and notified police. Later that morning, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper acting on a tip from a local resident, spotted Pratts truck, which A of Grand County about 25 miles east ofthe murder scene. As the trooper approached, Austin ran from the truck. Troopers pursued him for about a mile on foot before apprehending him. Pratt, a retired Navy Com- mander, suffered multiple . . Austin pleaded guilty so quickly, sparing Pratts family stab wounds to the chest. He died at the scene. Pratts body was returned to his hometown of Conneaut, Ohio where he was buried on May 15. the ordeal of a trial. It was a tough deal in all respects, Squire said. But Pratts daughter, Stacey Pratt Phillips, said she and other family members are Andrew met who had with Fitzgerald, Austin several times in anticipation that he would be appointed to represent him. In return for Austins guilty plea, Morgan agreed not to seek the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Austin could face a sentence of five years to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He will be sentenced on June 29. Speaking quietly to the court, Austin said he has blocked much of the killing from his memory and does not know why he stabbed Pratt, whom he did not know. I have two pictures in my that - d was not using drugs at the time of the killing he said. He expressed remorse for killing Pratt. I just wish I could take this crime against humanity back, he said. I wish I could trade places with that gentleman. Unfortunately, I cannot. Outside the courtroom, Grand County Chief Deputy Sheriff Doug Squire said law enforcement had built a strong case, but he was relieved that had South Dakota license plates, in the Westwater area mind year-roun- no history of mental illness. But he admitted he lost his job in March because of an addiction to methamphetamine. He 1 public defender Kathy Knight or 259-708- 0 ve- trucks a day Morgan said she had 260-217- 2 Highway 128 was 690 hicles. On Highway 191 south of Crescent Junction, access to Moab, the other traffic was 2,975 average daily vehicles. Allowing for UDOTs estimate of up to 1,000 large reached a plea agreement with FLORAL & GIFTS Flowers For All Occasions Balloon Bouquets status, While Highway 1 28 already has Utah Scethe Travel Council Advisory Board wants the byway status. The 1 county to seek process, which can cost up to $40,000, would funnel more traffic onto the River Road, and could mean more money for road improvements if and when the national Transportation Enhancement Fund is Photo by Lisa Taylor stacle to seeking national byway status is the series of public meetings required. Castle Valley residents have already rejected improvements to the La Sal Mountain Loop Road because of the potential for increased traffic in the valley and on Highway 128. Adding visibility to the river road could have a far Continued from page lo- cals wouldnt necessarily be charged - at which board member Nate Knight joked that if locals were charged, Castle Valley residents would have to use the Loop Road -but the idea is unlikely to gain momentum. Toll roads do exist on public and private scenic roads, in California, Ver- helped pay for the Mill Creek Perhaps the biggest that would pay a toll, and disappointed that Austin wont face the death penalty. I think thats exactly what he should have gotten, Phillips said in a phone interview Wednesday morning. We all believe in the death penalty, especially when someone you love is murdered like this. To stab someone 10 times takes a long time. The family is angry that Austin has offered no explanation for the murder, she said. Were all upset that he hasnt made any sort of statement about why this hap- pened, Phillips said. I want to know why. Phillips described her father as a caring person that I see clearly, Aus- tin told the court. I see myself stabbing him, and I see blood all over my hands. He added that he also recalls sitting under a tree later in the morning as UHP troopers arrested him. Under questioning from Anderson, Austin said he has always helped others. She said she will attend Austins June sentencing hearing and will make a statement to the judge. Other family members will attend or will submit written statements to the court, she said. I will try to ensure that he never gets out of prison, Phillips said. most of these are not allowed on Hwy 128 - thats still nearly 1,300 more vehicles than on the river road. Even without those numbers in front of them, as the board discussed the project, member Nate Knight said the byway is not going to fly in Castle Valley. Another obstacle is funding, and the board floated several ideas, from using money saved from the Canyonlands Region budget or from the advertising agency, to making Highway 128 a toll road until the project is complete. Board member Hertha Wakefield quickly pointed out But asked about the toll option in an interview, UDOTs Dale Stapley chuckled. I dont know of any state highways that are toll roads; that would have to go through UDOT headquarters in Salt Lake. Theyve talked about toll roads as a way to get money all over the state, but theyve never done one. Whether or not the county agrees to try for national status, the travel council wants to maximize the River Roads pull by having UDOT add a Utah Scenic Byway sign on Interstate 70 at the western exit for Highway 128. While Delay said shes been pushing for signage for some time, Stapley, who is Permits Officer for UDOTs Price District, says its been a matter of compliance and budget. With the Interstate system, were kind of limited as to what we can sign. it has to be consistent nationwide. Stapley says he did get the green light to put a route marker just before the regu . lar exit sign, but the problem Ive got right now is budget; I cant order any signs at all right now. As of July first. Ive got it on the list, and we will be putting them up. Stapley says the eastern exit, for Cisco, wont be marked, since it directs traffic onto a county road. While the UDOT plan does Levin and go halfway. businesses whose Wakefield, accessed are by Highway 128, wanted a sign that reads Scenic Byway to Moab, and thats not likely to happen any time soon. If I put that it goes to Moab, says Stapley, then it may increase truck traffic on 128. Large trucks wrould have to travel a mile before they get to the sign saying no trucks, and they may not be able to turn around. Aside from the truck issue, he says the question is moot, since Something like that would have to be on a billboard, and no new billboards are allowed on interstates or scenic byways. I Find our Show Times on th Wb Hollywood shows before All Starts Friday, . Shrek II Sat. & Nightly 7:00 & 9:00 Sun. Matinees 1 :00 & Second annual Moab Troy Steelbender Triathlon is this weekend traditional triathlons As feel more and more generic, some triathletes are starting to look for more adventure and more fun in their events. On May 22, a lucky group of 200 will gather in Moab to embark on one of the most scenic off road triathlons in the world: the second annual Moab Steelbender Triathlon. & fPGiai LSat. & Nightly 7:30 Only Sun. Matinees 1 :00 Van & K Helsing Nightly 7:00 & 9:20 Sun. Matinees 1:00 N & 3:30, Gift Certificates Available 580 Kane Creek Blvd. Turn at McDonalds! Library. Ufe'te open eiraru day. Last years inaugural Need Printing? '.Sat. nal athlete finishing in the Old City Park around noon. All profits from the Moab Steelbender Triathlon will be donated to the Grand County Thats right folks! Sunshine Gardens Nursery is locally owned. We are your place to shop for the highest quality plants. We help make Moab the beautiful "oasis in the desert" that it is. Customers tell us, "You are the best thing to ever happen to Moab." Moab Steelbender Triathlon was an incredible success. Racers immediately fell in love with Flat Pass Trail (a.k.a. the Steelbender), and the beautiful red rock scenery of the Moab area. Athletes from all over the country are already signed up to come to beautiful Moab for what is quickly becoming a premier event in off road triathlons. Go to www.moabtri.com for course details, registration costs, to sign up for the racers newsletter, and more. 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