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Show November 8, 1994 Utah Water Summit checks Utahs water Stephanie Mommsen Forum Staff Writer by Last summers dry spell cou- pled with dramatic growth in the Beehive state has prompted local leaders to plan what is being termed a Water Summit. The day long event with numerous sessions is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1994, at the downtown Salt Lake Hilton. State and local water officials, members of the Utah legislature and any interested public have been invited to attend. Governor Michael Leavitt will discuss water development at the summits noon luncheon. Ted Stewart, executive director of the Department of Natural Resources says it is important for leaders to discuss immediate and long range concerns about relevant water issues. Water discussion and planning, as water itself, he said. flow continuously, Periodic checking and gauging are necessary to recognize changing conditions. Other sponsors of the summit include the Division of Water Resources, the Division of Water Rights and the Utah Water Users Association. A major item for discussion is future water funding needs for the state. The competition for state dollars to fund water projects has recently increased because of Federal requirements for Utah to share costs. Many proposed water projects throughout the state remain unfunded due to that lack of money. The Utah Legislatures last session passed a bill to use part of the states sales tax (18 of a cent) to help alleviate the problem. One summit panel will address the necessity of increased water conservation in the state. Duane Georgeson, assistant general manager of the Metropolitan District of Southern California will explain how Los Angeles has used water conservation to cope with water shortages. Water is also the main player in two major controversies at both ends of the state. Panelists will examine the impact of water in growth in the Virgin River Basin in Washington County as well as water storage in Bear Lake which has put the lakes homeowners at odds with downstream irrigators. One of those property owners, former football star and actor Merlin Olsen, president of Bear Lake Watch, will be a participant. State lawmakers play a significant role in the future of water development and will assess the summits dialogue at the end of the event. Anyone interested in attending the Water Summit should contact the Department of Natural Resources at Registration is $15 for a continental breakfast, lunch and breaks. 538-725- 4. 1994 Demographics of the toUtah deer hunt, These deer Alan Blain Forum Staff Writer by As the sun came up over the ridge on the opening morning of the 1994 deer hunt something was noticeably different. It wasnt the fact that the deer were few and far between; it wasnt the fact that the hillside contained no snow. The real difference was there wasnt a blaze of hunter orange on every hillside. This years deer hunt was way down in terms of numbers of people who participated. Only about one-thir- d the number of hunters bought permits compared to normal years. Reasons for the lack of interest included regulation changes by the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the tremendous loss of the deer the forum W'l' f the severe winpopulation due ter of 1992-9Several hunters and sportsman complained about the handling of applications; and the fact that the DWR changed what was once a tradition in Utah, the family hunt, to a draw if your lucky system. In a article published by the Deseret News, DWR Director Bob Valentine said his agency is committed to improving the process next year. Another problem was the severe winter of 1992-9Many deer didnt make it through the winter and in some areas suffered a 70 percent death rate. Most of the deer taken on the opening weekend of this years hunt were yearlings. That is, deer one and a half years old. Missing were deer in the age class between 2 and 3 3. 3. would repyears old. resent those lost in 1992-9For myself the most enjoyable thing about this years hunt was the lack of other hunters. In previous years Ive felt like Ive been surrounded by a blaze of orange. You couldnt walk to a ridge without finding someone else there, or at least there empty beer cans and tw'inkie wrappers lying on the ground. But this year was different, only 64,000 people participated in the Utah deer hunt compared to normal years of about 160,000. To most hunters getting a deer is a bonus, the real fun of the hunt is just getting out in the mountains with your family and friends and coming back with tall tales to share with your buddies at work. 3. 5 Park Ivy Cafe hosts natural art exhibit this Sunday Monica Sanchez Forum Copy Editor by The frog docs not drink up the pond in which he lives, is one theme of an art exhibit of completed murals entitled World Forest, to be held Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Park Ivy Garden Cafe from 1 to 5 p.m. Victoria Lyons and Michael Morgan Moonbird were commissioned in Nov. of 1992 to create the ongoing projects which were painted in full view of the restaurants patrons over the past two years. The murals are to be presented at the exhibitfund-rais-e- r which aims to illustrate the peril that challenges all our world forests and animals. The forest cries out for restraint, the animals for compassion; each one of us has the power to act on their behalf, said Mark Machlis, owner of the Park Ivy Cafe. Machlis said animals hold a consciousness and we still abuse it. He said we need to respect animals and the environment in which they inhabit. All proceeds from the event will be divided between the Nature Conservancy, an organi . zation which purchases wetlands in Utah to be used as wilderness areas, the Ivy International, who plant trees in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Utah Wildlife Rehabilitation, who aid in the transition and relocation of wild animals. is The cost of the fund-rais$35 per person. The price with a full includes a rt color print of the African Screngeti, the unveiling, a buffet meal and an opportunity to speak with representatives from the three environmental agencies and the artists themselves. Reservations can be made at Park Ivy Garden Cafe on the day of the show or before the event to save $5 on the admission price. er T-shi- |