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Show Page A5 ft " ''?' - V j Ter- - anr c2 j. j v- ? a - Che . -- Thursday, nt June 9, 2005 -e VU SStajcD tyJtrvsineVVL't Eimeg-lttftgpgttbc- V Wh-- n W ? Ci2 Lihs p!!s is removed, whet wcu!d yea Qo to zzi there? j j i -- ' v',- O v $;f j f iLJ Lois Cooper. Nothing! Just the river. IWIjr Stellar. A big open space green belt park with bike trails. y L, Mike Chandler. A Walmart. 1 ludean Merritt A public community recreational park with a boat dock. I think Charlie Steen would like that. just kidding! I'd like open space with picnic grounds. Bennett includes Utah projects in years first senate spending bill The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment met today to determine the Department of Interiors budget for fiscal year 2006 and included Senator Bob Bennetts requests of nearly $20 million for Utah Interior projects. This years spending bill reflects the diversity of Utahs (R-Uta- h) Interior needs, said Bennett, a member of the subcommittee. From Odgen to St. George, funds for these projects will help address our energy needs, protect our public lands, and enhance and provide access to popular recreation areas. As the focus on oil and gas development in Utah, and its potential to address the nations energy needs continues, Bennetts request provides for an increase of $3 million over the presidents budget for oil and gas management. Within that increase, $250,000 will be used for a Utah Oil and Gas Leasing Internet Pilot Program to allow for online participation in the lease auction program, and the remaining amount to initiate planning for an oil shale leasing program, and to focus on the oil and gas permitting backlog. The agency is directed to begin the new oil shale leasing program and expedite research and development activities on BLM land. The Utah Museum of Natural History received a $5 million earmark, adding to the approximately $8 million it has received as a result of Bennetts requests. The funding is used for the design and construction of facilities to enhance the preservation of the museums artifacts. The Congress approved legislation authored by Bennett in 2002, which authorized construction of the new museum at the University of Utah and directs the secretary of Interior to make available $15 million in grants for the project. Additional Bennett-re-queste- projects which d re- ceived approval today includes $1.2 million to purchase mul- tiple properties within the Colorado River Special Recre- ation Management Area in Grand County. The area includes the easternmost stretch of the Colorado River in Utah and is a very popular recre- ation area. Westwater Canyons desert landscape and rapids attract approximately 10,000 annual rafters, both private and outfitters, and the black, uplifted rocks in the area represent the oldest exposed geologic formations in eastern Utah. i The acquisition would protect the riverfront from development and would resolve major access issues, preserve scenic values and protect critical habitat for endangered fish along the Colorado River. It also compliments land exchange legislation introduced by Bennett last month. The project is supported by the local community, conservation groups, as well as the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Projects elsewhere in the state include: $750,000 for the Crossroads of the West Historic District in Ogden. Funds will be used to implement the recently completed management plan, which includes restoration work on the historic Laundry Building, the Creation of a revolving loan fund for properties within the district, and the installation of interpretive displays explaining the districts cultural heritage. The plan represents the close collaboration of the city, the state, National Park Service, citizens, businesses and other interested stakeholders. $2.5 million for land ac- the along Bonneville Shoreline Trail quisitions (BST) and the High Uintas in the Wasatch-Cach- e National Forest. BST is a popular recreation trail in Utah that is being built along the eastern shoreline of the ancient Lake Bonneville in the Wasatch Range foothills. Bennett, a champion of the project, has procured an additional $13 million for BST. The BST acquisition will include the Bear Canyon property located on the edge of Draper City, and the High Uinta acquisition will continue the 10-ye- ar project acquiring 12,000 acres of private land on the North Slope. $2.25 million for the Forest Legacy Project, including $1.5 million for Cedar Project and $750,000 for Range Creek Rainbow Glass Ranch. The It's true! The Map Store is closing AU books, wall maps and posters are 12 price (or less)! Raven Maps $10 All HJSGS Topo Maps SI each 29 East Center - Behind Wells Fargo Bank Cedar project continues conservation and preservation efforts between public and private entities. The two land parcels included in this years bill - p Valley and Spanish Hollow - are working ranches that have been in family ownership for years. Funds would be used to purchase conservation easements, without acquiring new federal land, and help reduce significant development pressures. The Range CreekRain-boGlass Ranch has been in family ownership since the early 1900s. The land faces increased development pressures, and the landowner is seeking an easement on the land. He has donated 800 acres of the 4,912-acr- e ranch to the Utah Forest Legacy Program, and this years funds will be used to protect the remaining acreage. The state of Utah has identified this property as a priority due to its cultural and historical resources, watershed protection and recreational value. The protection is also important to both the town of Sunnyside and East Carbons water qualCo-o- 100-15- 0 w ity. $1.5 million for the Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County to help with the building of campgrounds and trails, and access areas for OHV and equestrian activi- gered fish and continued wa- ter development. The subcommittee also approved the following overall budget numbers: Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax- es (PILT) received an allocation of $235 million, which is $8 million over last years budget and $35 million over this years administration request. Utahs share will be approximately $20 million. Established in 1976, PILT compensates counties for the impact federal land ownership has on the counties tax base. Federal ownership in Utah is nearly 70 percent. $492.2 million for administrations request for completing environmental reviews of grazing allotments, processing permits, and short and long term monitoring in conjunction with grazing permit holders. The Senate Appropriations Committee were scheduled to meet again this week to finalize the Fiscal Year 2006 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill before it goes to the full Senate for a vote. After the Senate passage, Senate and House conferees will meet to reconcile differences between the two versions of the spending bill. haz- ardous fuels reduction on public lands, an increase of $28.3 million over last years amount. $30 million for stateside Action DodvsPaini Moab Man! Auto Glass One call does it all! Land Water Conservation We are Insurance Approved & we handle ALL the paperwork. Fund, which helps provide grants for state and local parks and recreation areas. The administration and the House did not include funding for this program. An additional $3.8 million was provided above the 259-- 1 Fast, free mobile window service up to 100 miles1 For all your home health needs Community Nursing Services Experts in Home Care Since 1929 www.cnsvna.org ties. $300,000 for the Geo- graphic Information System and Cadastral mapping project - an innovative, high-tec- h project used for land use planning activities. GIS has received $3.8 million due to Bennetts funding efforts. $691,000 to restore full funding for the Upper Colorado Endangered Fish Recovery Program, essential to the recovery of several endan Offering BLS-CPclasses for health care professionals. R Call Yvonne at 259-046- 6 for details. |