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Show Page A7 0 tE fre tEtmgg-,31ttftgPcnftg- Thursday, August 12, 2004 nt Castle Valley Comments Letters from the People by Ron Drake Good people in the community lb the People: There are still good people in the community that we live in! Saturday, the 31st day of July, while driving out past Catle Valley, our truck fuel pump broke. In the heat of the day, many cars passed by without stopping, most cars had out of state plates. Manuel Torres was the first car to stop, and we were pleased to see a familiar face. Then Ken and Ruth Johnson of Castle Valley came to our rescue and took me back to their home to get out of the heat, while David waited for our son to come and get us. What wonderful people we have in our residents who give seflessly for others in need. Our many thanks to those who helped us on a hot summer day. -- Jill Tatton Moab More good people in the community tours departure Dear Editor: While on a recent painful dure. ... flare-u- p trip to your area, I had a of a recent root canal proce- As I was on an ElderHostel tour and as it was a weekend, my options for relief were severely limited. So it was to my great surprise to find a walk-i- n clinic a short distance from my lodging. To my even greater surprise, it was open! I was given excellent treatment for my condition by Dr. Don Marquardt. He even offered to make himself available prior to our before 8 a.m. Monday morning if I felt I needed to see him again. I dont receive that level of service and commitment from my doctor at home! The point of this is that I hope the good folks in Moab dont take Dr. Marquardt and the Immediate Care Clinic for granted and appreciate the wonderful service he provides to the community. Sincerely, Richard Friberg Sebastian, FL Times-Independe- nt guest editorial What's wrong with our forests? has an extra special need for healthy, by A. Joel Frandsen State Forester Director Our offices receive a lot of calls and letters from Utah citizens and visitors asking, Whats wrong with the forests? This isnt just a case of isolated trees dying; this is a case of sick, unhealthy, dying forests throughout the state. 7here are literally thousands of acres of gray, dead trees, and thousands of acres of red, dying trees throughout the state, and its getting worse. Forest health is a very complicated issue; there are many contributing factors in the deteriorating health of Utahs forests. Utah has been in a drought, but drought is only part of the problem. Drought acts as an additional stress to already unhealthy forest conditions. One of the main stress factors and a subsequent cause for these dead and dying trees is that we have too many trees, as many repeat aerial photographic studies show. The trees are too close together, which restricts their growth and creates competition between trees for the limited water supply and sunlight; this places significant stress on the trees and makes them more susceptible to attack by insect and disease. Many of the affected forest areas have been excluded from the natural fire cycle. Over the past century of fire suppression, the trees have experienced little natural disturbance and have continued to grow and reproduce, die, fall over, and create fuel loading on the forest floor. Many stands contain 0 tons of fuel per acre. When a wildfire starts in these areas, there may be specific situations and conditions under which agencies can let it bum, allowing the fire to thin the forest and recycle nutrients. However, with the development interface areas and the forest in wildland-urba- n condition, it is often too dangerous, (as well as costly) to let fires burn. With our drought conditions, the dead and down fuel adds to the intensity of the fire. Wildfires are burning insect-infeste- six-ye- d, ar 40-5- ever-increasi- hotter and faster than anything we have experienced in the past few hundred years. The monster fires we are now experiencing in the West pose a great threat to fife, property, and our natural resources. Then, when thunderstorms occur, erosion results in the loss of valuable soil - the lifeblood of our existence. Forest management is really a balancing act of three critical needs: (I) Ensuring we have adequate vegetation to protect the soils from rainstorms that damage downstream values (remember Farmington and Santaquin); (2) .Ensuring we dont have fuel loading from too much vegetation (biomass); and (3) Ensuring we have healthy, productive vegetation for multiple values. Many of Utahs vegetation types are unproductive and take away the potential to yield sustainable water to the dependent uses below.' As the second driest state in the nation with a growing population, Utah productive forested watersheds. If we had to give forest health in Utah a measurable grade, what would it be? In certain places, we are failing. Only with concentrated effort and a couple hundred years can we restore it. The untrained eye may not see it, but there is already evidence of insect infestation and disease plaguing seemingly healthy forests. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, within a few years the plight of these forests will be unmistakable. Fires, insects and diseases do not respect property boundaries. All ownerships - federal, state and private - are affected. If we want to enhance Utahs recreational opportunities for visitors, dying and dead forests will surely not be an attraction. Moreover, dying and dead trees provide very little benefit for our needs. Dead trees produce no oxygen. Burning trees affect our air quality. Dying and dead trees also place an increased risk on our pocketbooks for suppression costs and for watershed ddmage, onsite and downstream. We are letting emotion and the concept of pristine forests take preference over the reality that there are too many trees, too much fuel loading, and too many accompanying problems. Trees are not immortal; all die, sooner or later. But trees are a renewable resource; the trees themselves may not live forever, but healthy forests can... if properly managed. Trees are renewable, sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable. There is no capitalistic ploy to turn over the forests to corporate greed. In fact, with the help and assistance of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, there are now opportunities to start mitigating our problems through stewardship practices, utilizing a renewable resource for our benefit, and by putting people back to work. But unless the public commits to supporting healthy and sustainable forests, the future of our forests and especially the water supply will be dim. The blame doesnt belong to the professional foresters; they have basically been left out of the equation for too long, and the result is obvious. If we are to get our forests back to better health, we need to implement the silvicultural practices that can restore our forests to healthy productive watersheds for all the people. Foresters recognize this need, but as more forests turn from green to red, and from red to gray (or to black from fire), we will really hear a public outcry. When our livelihood is affected by the water supply in terms of quality and quantity, it will be too late to make a difference. Changes in policies and action are needed to and particularly Utahs get Americas forests healthy again. Its the price we must pay, as the present situation has eliminated other alternatives. The Moab Rockers, Peoples First and RISE, Inc. want to thank the following businesses for their donations and participation in assisting the people in our area with disabilities to attend a Quality of Life conference held in Layton, Utah this September: 8 Big Horn Lodge Canyonlands Best Western Hogan Trading Post J. J. Wang Organization-Supe- r Home on the Range Zaxs Wood Fire Pizza Poplar Place Pizza Hut Tanning Gravel Pit Lanes Wild Roses Daves Corner Market Jimbos Desert Bistros Restaurant True Value Hardware Walker Drug Treasure Haven Butch Cassidys King World Waterpark Parriotts Royces Electronics Bliss Skin & Body Works City Market Moab Grocery Big O Tires Dr. Todd Hackney Moab Deli Walker's 66 Subway The The American Legion Nifty Fashions Pasta Jays The Ravens Image Office Equipment Office Supply Canyonlands Trading Post Western Images Carolyn Lesmeister Slickrock Cinema Moab Cyclery Movie Gallery Black Dogs River Runner Shuttle Burger King Moab Diner Hogi Yogi Terriyaki Stix Ginger Clarks House of Candles Kaliedascope Alberta Images Pete & Company Raindance Gift Shop Sunshine Company Music of Moab Knave of Hearts Turner Lumber The Parts Store Clarks Auto Parts Dennys Restaurant Laras Hair Safari Red Dirt T Shirt Family Drug Rim Cyclery ALCO Arches Trading Pizza Hut We are happy to mention that Pat Wacherer of Moab won the 1st Place drawing, 2nd place went to Karen Green, 3rd place to Shauna Lavery and 4th place to Kathy Krist. Several other prizes were given out thanks to the generosity of our local businesss. Thanks to all who purchased raffle tickets as a Times-lndepende- nt donation. Sherilyn Sowell, Velda Ward, Jed Taylor, Troy Scovill, Brandy Oleson, Sarah Fetters Many of the valley residents were wondering what the heck Tom Henry was erecting on his lots across from the town hall and across from the old ranch house on Castle Valley Drive. Some speculated possibly a catapult while others thought it looked like a guillotine. Actually, they are all wrong. Tom built two bat houses that he hopes will soon be home to 800 bats in each house. Inspired by a presentation and slide show by Donna Hensley last spring at the church, Tom decided to build the houses to help provide shelter for the declining state-of-the-a- m.f tanwgwmry gysywr sf v- - S rt bat population. In the process, he will benefit by having fewer lawn and garden pests and with the threat of the West Nile Virus, a single little brown myotis can, catch hundreds of mosquitoes in an hour. Americas bats are an in- ) t u, i 1 - ' I.1 i s vtv. i valuable natural resource, according to Bat Conservation International (BCI), of which Hensley was a staff member. BCI says that due to decades of unwarranted human fear and persecution, bats are in alarming decline. People can help by putting up a bat house and enjoy learning about bats and sharing knowledge with friends and neighbors. As primary predators of night-flyininsects, bats play a vital role in maintaining Tom Henry stands under one of the two bat houses he erected the balance of nature. As consumrecently to provide shelter for the declining bat population ers of vast numbers of pests, they rank among humanitys most valuable allies. been no applications for the money Annually Tom purchased a book, The bat house since 1991, an anonymous donor has made builders handbook, which is by available a scholarship to graduating seniors Merlin Tuttle and Donna Hensley and availwho enter a college or trade tech to help them able from Hensley, to build his bat houses. The with their first year of higher education The book offers explicit plans for several types of scholarship is for $2,000 again this year and houses including the nursery homes built by the applicant must show proof of acceptance to Tom. Tom says he erected his houses a little an institution of higher learning. late in the season, May would have been ideal An application can be given to any council to attract them when they migrate in. These member or Town Recorder Jennifer Mongol. It bats might stay at this latitude all year long can also be mailed to the town at IIC 64 Box with proper houses. There are 10 to 15 species 2705 or phone the mayor at or Jenni of bats in the valley and some are endangered fer at and they need more roosting spots, Tom says. He built his houses with two different sizes of It is sort of ironic that on the 60th anni ersary chambers to attract several species including of Smokey the Bear, someone decided to splatd the larger Mexican bat that is comter his likeness at the main gate with paint mon to this area. balls. Just after the installation of the image of His bat houses have drawn a lot of attenSmokey near the mailboxes at the entrance to tion and Tom and Carolyn have met others who the valley last May, someone fitted him with a are interested in them. One couple in the valbra to cover his bearness. That was all right ley has equipment that can record the pitch and brought a chuckle to many as they passed they put out and identify each specific specie by but the seemingly harmless paint balls left by their sound. People can buy the book from some damage to the sign. Donna Hensley or Tom will lend his book out Im not a fan of signs but this image of or visit their web site at www.batcon.org for Smokey with the attached message of the very plans, online catalog or just more information. high fire danger serves as a constant reminder to prevent wildfires in the valley. Those who The Castle Valley Town Council traditiondeface the sign apparently never witnessed the ally awards the annual scholarship grant durdevastating fires that we have endured here ing their August meeting to high school graduby those who were careless. Only you can preates who live in the valley. The council is poised vent forest fires is as appropriate today as it to award the funds next week but there have was 60 years ago especially in Castle Valley. g 259-982- 8 259-672- free-taile- Dear Stella Dear Stella is a Q&A column compiled by a group of recovering addicts, alcoholics and survivors of domestic violence. The purpose of this column is to offer information and assistance to Moab area residents who suffer from the same addictions and situations, but prefer to remain anonymous. Please direct questions, column topics, and all other inquiries and correspondence to Dear Stella, 59 S. Main Street, Suite 132, Moab, UT 84532. Do NOT include name or return address. Dear Stella, I had an addiction to methamphetamines that I never wanted to admit that I had. I used for seen years off and on, but I was only hard into meth for approximately nine months. My life was going down hill fast and and I was afraid to get help or who to turn to for help. When DCFS came to the house I was at work and my husband was home with the kids at the time. I got a phone call that DCFS was at my house, so by the time I arrived I got ques-- . tioned and I told the truth that I used meth that morning. They had to remove the children from my house, and I was disgusted that my kids had to leave because of my mistake I had done. But in a way it was to help us to be better parents for when they did come home. It was the longest two months, but I look back on it and think it could have been worse. I attend meetings to help me in my recovery. It has been the best source for me. I feel a lot better about myself. I dont have to worry about when Im going to get my next bag, when could use that money for special things for my children. Im thankful that I got help when I did, because I was going down fast. I am thankful that Im still here today to tell my experience and maybe help others stay of drugs. Its wonderful to be able to meet new friends and explore the world with a clear head. Maybe some day my kids will look back on the things I did and not make the same mistake. Thanks. (Written by a mother and wife fighting addiction and growing in recovery.) Dear Stella, I had an addiction to marijuana and methamphetamines. To me I didnt think I had ad addiction. I used marijuana for eight years every day usage, and meth I was only hard into for nine months, but I used off and one for five years. When DCFS came I knew I had a problem and was ready for help. When they removed my kids from home, I was ashamed and guilty for what I had put them through. My goal at that time when they removed my kids was I need to do everything I can to get them back. Two months into recovery they returned home and it took some weight off my shoulders. Then I had to do time in jail for my mistake and it hurt to have to say goodbye againto my children! When I got out of jail two months later it was awesome to be able to see my wife and kids again. I look back on all of this and think it could have been a lot worse. For being a year clean in a few days is the best feeling for me. NAAA meetings have helped me a lot and I wouldnt change it for the world. I dont have to worry about the next bag Im going to get. I think about how fun life can be going out on adventures with my wife and kids. They are my life. Drugs arent my life, they just speed you down like they almost did me. Im glad there can be help out there to stay off drugs. I hope it can happen to someone else like it did me. Thanks (Husband and father fighting diction and growing in recovery.) ad- |