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Show TIh) San Jusm Record HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH 25 cents Vol 68 No 2 February 26, 1986 aJlR5 3 million Utah acres in land A proposed interchange of lands between the U.S. Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management submitted by Congress last Wednesday could involve some three million acres in Utah. In addition, the Forest Service would be given minerals responsibilities on about 8.5 million acres in the state. Nationally, about 24.2 mil- lion acres would be involved, plus about 204 million acres of subsurface mineral estate administered by the FS for which Tommy Cook waiting his turn to dance during the culture awareness Alvin Reiner photo program in Bluff. Story on Page 10. County sets dates for three public hearings Dates have been set for three public hearings. Hearings on the possible sale of county health care facilities are scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 10 at San Juan High in Blanding, and for 7 p.m. on March 11 at Monticello High. Persons who wish may also attend a meeting of the Citizens Blue Ribbon Health Care Advisory Committee scheduled for 5 p.m. on March 10 at San Juan High. The input from the hearings will be used by county commissioners to help them reach a decision about the future of the hospital, nursing home and allied health care programs. The jail and safety building hearing is scheduled for March 3 at 3 p.m. in the commission chambers at the county courthouse. In other business Monday, the commissioners voted to contribute up to $1,500 if Emery, Grand and Carbon counties agree to provide funding for preparation of a response to Bureau of Land Management wilderness proposals. The Southeastern Utah County Association of Governments has made the response a priority item. San Juan will attend a Governors meeting in 4 to Price March provide input on the BLM wilderness com-nissione- rs sub-committ- ee Commissioners joined with Grand County in a request to the governor to veto HB71, which sets up state regulations for small mining operations that duplicate federal rules. The publisher of the San Juan Record was informed by the commission that all records relating to an alleged overpayment to county health care administrative personnel are open to the public. Bill Bayles, communications that technician, reported Channel 20 VHF (36 UHF) will be out of operation while reception line are repaired. Commissioners approved a proposal by the fire warden to request about $4,000 from the Rural Fire Protection program for the purchase of equipment on a 5050 match basis. However, a proposal to set up a part-tim- e position of county fire coordinator was tabled. Commissioners agreed to meet with elected officials to discuss implementing a capital purchase procedure; recommended Commissioner Jerry Holliday to serve on the Blue Mountain Health Consortium Board; authorized Commissioner Ken Bailey to negotiate a contract for maintaining the county phone system; and advised UNDC they could train heavy equipment operators at the new county gravel pit in cooperation with the county. at the formal hearings. Forest Service Chief R. Max Peterson said the proposal transmitted today is responsive to that public comment. We have worked very hard over the past several months to respond to public concerns, he said. As a result, we believe we have a sound proposal which reflects those concerns while still meeting the objectives of increased efficiency and cost savings. Among the key points of the proposal are: that agency would Management of 14.8 million acres of land would transfer sibilities from BLM to FS; 9.2 million acres would transfer from FS to be given minerals management responBLM. presently done by The U.S. Department of Agriculture (parent agency of the FS) and Interior (parent agency of BLM) transmitted the interchange proposal to Congress. Secretary of the Interior Don Hodel and Acting Secretary of Agriculture John R. Norton said the proposed Federal Lands Administration Act of 1986, when implemented, will enhance service to the public, provide more efficient administration of the natural resources, and save money for the government. These benefits can be they said, by consolidation of offices in 35 towns and eventual reduction of over 350 personnel positions which, along with other efficiencies, will produce annual savings of $13-$1- 5 reductions million. Personnel will be achieved through normal attrition, and layoffs are not anticipated. Public service will also be improved, they said. Currently, 10 Utah communities maintain both BLM and FS offices. After the interchange, only six Utah communities would have offices of both agencies because of office mergers in Monticello, Moab, Richfield and St. George. The proposal would result in a net personnel savings of 47 positions in Utah. Thirty formal public hearings were scheduled throughout the nation to allow the public to testify on the interchange proposal. About 2,350 comments were received, including comments from more than 500 persons who testified -- - BLM; Management of 204 million acres of federal mineral subsurface estate would transfer -- - U DOT trade from BLM to FS; - Each agency would adopt all recommendations for roadless and wilderness area on lands transferred from the other; interchange would have minimal impact on receipt sharing with States and local communities. - Every community where office consolidations occur will retain an office and, - Personnel reduction will be , achieved through normal layoffs are not anticipated. Copies of a national sum-- he -- atri-tion- mary and individual State summaries with details on the interchange and the legislative proposal are available from Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management offices. road work scheduled in county by Carl Eisemann Representatives of the Utah Department of Transportation met with officials from San Juan County and Monticello City to discuss programs and plans for the next few years. According to UDOT the following projects are scheduled for San Juan County in 1986. Improving US 191 north from Monticello to Church Rock with a 40 foot roadway and a truck lane for Peters Hill. Seal coat on US 191 from Church Rock 15 miles north. Aligning the curves on US 163 in Bluff. Reconstruction of the Clay Hills section of US 95. On the drawing board for are: consideration in 1987-8the curves at Westwater and Zekes Hole on US 95. Rebuilding US 191 north from Blanding. Widening US 191 from 8 Shirttail Corner to State 262. Widening of the Devils Canyon portion of US 191. All projects are subject to the approval of UDOT budget requests. County commissioners requested that UDOT give con- sideration for assisting in building a bridge at Oljato Wash. Monticello officials requested assistance in repair ing curbs on US 191 so the city can begin sidewalk repair for the 1988 centennial. UDOT asked that both submitt written proposals for the projects. The 1986 distribution of Utah State B and C road fund money allocates $1.4 million lo the county, $44,000 to Blanding and $26,000 to Monticello. Federal aid to secondary roads apportioned to all countks totals $3.4 million and the bridge replacement funds to all cities and counties totals $1.6 million. Allocations of these funds are made on the basis of proposals and priorities. UDOT indicated that a $350,000 study of the needs and financing of the state road system is scheduled for June of 1986. The study is designed to provide the legislature with data on the current condition of roads in Utah and to project future needs. Cities and counties will have representatives on the board directing the study. San Juan Countys request that the route from Monticello to Richfield via highways 191, 95 and 24 be designated US 666 is still on hold since a section of road east of Richfield does not meet federal specifications. The state is considering rebuilding this section. |