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Show IBLM proposes rednictioin in public grazing permits by Brace Jennings Sanpete County livestock people, who confront the usual problems of weather, predators and inflation, must now a confront an additional problem major reduction in the number of sheep and cattle they're allowed on the winter and spring public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Those proposed reductions will be r period on applied over a around 500,000 acres of land, mainly in Sanpete, Sevier and Piute counties, that are contained in the Mountain Valley Planning Area. At hearings in Manti and Gunnison this week. Rod Lister, area manager, explained the rationale for the reductions, which will amount overall, he said, to about 26 percent in cattle and sheep use. The Mountain Valley Planning Area, he said has 111 permittees who run their livestock on 89 allotments. Mr. According to our studies, Lister said, about 10 percent of the five-yea- area is in good condition, 48 percent in poor to fair but declining condition and 10 percent in fair but stable condition. The remainder of the area can benefit from better management practices. The BLM is proposing to reduce grazing and engage in extensive range improvement projects in order to increase the grazing capacity of the area, Mr. Lister said. The grazing reductions will be based on the condition of each allotment, he explained. There will be decreases on 32 allotments, increases on six and no change for 51. The proposed range improvement projects, according to Mr. Lister, include the contraction of 142 miles of fence, the development of 18 reservoirs and 16 springs for stock watering purposes and the seeding of grass and browse of around 35,000 acres. The estimated cost of the improvement projects is $2,000,000. Some of this money will come from grazing fees and some from other federal funding. BLM also plans to reduce big game use on the area by around five to six percent, Mr. Lister said. How Mill the proposed reductions in the numbers of sheep and cattle permitted on the Mountain Valley Planning Area affect Sanpete operators? livestock people "They will hurt, agree. Frischknecht, who winters Kay around 3,000 ewes on five BLM allotments as well as leased and private lands, said the proposed cuts will range from 52 percent to 11 percent on his allotments. One allotment, he added, is even listed for an eight percent increase. "The proposed reductions will cost me about $30,000 in permit values that I have purchased over the years, he said. "However, he added, 'Tve built a cushion under our operation and we hope to get by without too much hurt. Donald and Lowell Hammond, who run around 100 cattle and 1 ,000 sheep on Sanpitch Mountains allotments, said the reductions will affect their operation adversely, at least over the short haul. "They keep nibbling away at permit numbers," commented Donald Hammond, referring to federal agencies, "until livestock people end up without numbers for an efficient enough operaton." John Bartholomew, a cattleman, commented: "We get reductions but we never seem to get permit increases. The livestock people also questioned the fairness of the reductions around 26 percent for sheep and cattle, only five to six percent for big game. And they also questioned the adequacy of the studies on forage conditons. "A good storm can change the condition on the range," Mr. Bartholomew commented. Nh UGOB Kl Home of the Mormon Miracle Pageant Vj July 9, 10, 11, Jfamiors cavort at animal prom Manti High School juniors promenaded to the theme- - "Keep on Loving You, Friday night in the Manti Armory. The procession was led by the prom royalty: Julie Luke, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Luke, queen; Lenny Harman, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Denny Harman, king; Lorraine Howell, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Howell, and Phil W. Marsh, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Phil W. Marsh, first attendants; Angela Steck, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Steck, and Ken Beazer, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Beazer, second attendants. The promenaders were introduced by Robert Bessey, class advisor. Florence Sainze, the other class advisor, assisted with the preparations. Guests of the juniors at a reception preceding the dance were class members and their partners, parents and faculty. The decorations were in blue and white and their special feature was a panel carrying the current and past pictures of the juniors. County Planning JUNIOR PROM ROYALTY at Manti High School, with their escorts. Ken Beazer, Angela Steck, Lenny Hannan, Julie Luke, Phil Marsh, and Lorraine Howell. Prospects dim for good water year water content is 8.4 inches, which is just 32 percent of average. About the same condition is true for both Twelve Mile and Fairview Canyons. The Mammoth Ranger Station course in Fairview Canyon has 44 inches of snow, with 12.9 inches of water. Thats 63 percent of average. The Huntington-Horsesho- e course has 30 inches of snow, 17.1 inches of snow, or 73 containing percent. In Twelve Mile Canyon, the Mt. Baldy Ranger Station measurements have 39 inches of snow, containing 16.4 inches of water, or 73 percent, and the Beaver Dams course, much lower in the canyon, only 14 inches of snow. Its water content is only 3.2 inches, or 30 percent of average. Although March storms deposited more than the usual amount of water on Sanpete Valley watersheds, the prospects for a good water year still continue dim, according to snow survey data released Tuesday by the Soil Conservation Service. As a matter of fact, SCS survey data compiler LaMar Jorgensen reports, the water content in Manti Mountain snow packs is only a little greater than for the 1977 drought year. d Ward Sunday at 6 p.m. The final Manti Utah Stake Choir Measurements taken at two Manti "A full attendance is desired," stated practice for the April 12 rendition of the Canyon courses for the first time during Easter Cantata will be held in the Manti director Harry A. Dean. the present water year show water content far below the long-tim- e average. There are 46 Inches of snow containing 11.4 inches of water at Thistle Flat. This is only 71 percent of average. Higher in Manti Canyon, at Middle Fork, the April 4 Pruning clinic (195 E. 2nd So., Manti), taught by Thomas snow depth is 71 inches and its water Reeve. content is 14.8 inches, which is 63 perFinal Stake Choir practice, Manti 5 Ward, 6 p.m. April cent of average. old Sterling church house, Thumb 7 Green Seminar, April is a in The situation Ephraim Canyon 7:30 p.m., taught by Steve Kondor. little more favorable. There are 37 inches Era Singers, LDS Institute, 7:30 p.m. 7 New April inches of of snow, containing 17.2 Health Clinic, Manti Adult Center, sponsored by Manti April 9 water, at the Meadows, and 43 inches of Lions Club. snow, containing 12.2 inches of water, April 10 Sanpete County Republican Convention, County Courtat the Headquarters course. This is 77 house, 8 p.m. percent of average at the Headquarters Manti Utah Stake R.S. Visiting Teacher Convention, 9 a. m April 11 course and 76 percent at the Meadows. Manti 3rd-4t- h Ward. At the Seely Creek Ranger Station, there are only 30 inches of snow. Its Stake Choir practice called First-Secon- Coming events ... 1st-2n- d Commission sets hearing by Pat Mellor The master plan or comprehensive plan for Sanpete County will be the subject of a public hearing on April 24, 1981 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanpete County courthouse. All residents of Sanpete County are invited to attend. "The master plan is a philosophical guide, a history, and a collection of data which will help to implement ordinances," Allen Fawcett of the Six County Natural Resources Planning office, observed at the Tuesday evening meeting of the County Planning Commission. 8, 1981 copy Public meeting will discuss pressurized irrigation A pressurized irrigation system for Manti will be the topic of discussion at a public meeting to be held Thursday, April 2 at 8 p.m. Sponsoring the meeting, which will be in the Manti High School Audiorium, is the Manti Chamber of Commerce. Chamber president Doug Barton said that the meeting would discuss the pros and cons of such a system. The Manti City Citizens Advisory Committee in charge of investigating the project will make a presentation to present plans, costs, benefits, etc. Following the formal presentation, further discussion and questions will be welcome from the audience. "All Manti City residents are urged to attend this meeting and get involved in community affairs, Barton said. power plant site gets state approval Coal-fire- d The Utah Municipal Association a cooperative which has Manti City as one is moving ahead of its members rapidly with preparations for the concoal-fire- d struction of a power plant, according to Mayor Ben Kjar. According to press reports, Mayor Kjar, who is a member of the board, explained, a site in southern Utah County has received state approval. A second major problem, the purchase of enough water for the operation still awaits solution, Mayor Kjar said. Negotiations are now underway for the purchase of water needed to service the plant, he explained. Coal, he said, should be no problem, with Carbon and Emery county mines the most likely source. The Utah Municipal Association, which was organized more than a year unit ago, plans to build a to start with and add another unit laterone, he said. Excess power produced by the facility would be sold. The members of the cooperative believe they will be able to offer their residents cheaper electric rates and also have a dependable, long-tim- e source, if they can own their own power plant, he said. The association would probably have to do some bonding to secure construction funds. Mayor Kjar explained. In addition to Manti, Utah Municipal Association are Provo, members Payson, Salem, Nephi, Levan, Spanish fork, Springville and the Strawberry Water Users Association. "We are all feeling the high costs of electricity and the need for assuring ourselves of a dependable source, Mayor Kjar said, "and hope this route will help us meet our future needs. Speeding car overturns by Pat Mellor seven-memb- Planning Commission members Tuesday evening reviewed the drafts of the master plan, which runs just over 100 pages, and basically approved the data presented therein. Included in the plan are maps and data relating to slopes, soil content, and other features of Sanpete County as well as recommendations on proposed goals and policies prepared earlier this year by the 85 members of the commission's subcommittees. All committee members were Sanpete residents. Projections for future growth are also included In the document. Copies of the master plan will be available at public libraries and city halls for the perusal of residents prior to the April 24 meeting. 14-1- 254 per MANTI, UTAH 84642, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1981 Volume 95 Number 40 by Brace Jennings The proposed reductions, Mr. Lister pointed out, are still tentative and could change over the course of the five years they are scheduled to take effect. "The cuts won't be applied indiscriminately, but allotment by allotment, with a grazing and range improvement plan developed for each in he cooperation with the users, promised. traveling at a high rate of speed left Highway 89 at about 2:45 a.m. Saturday, traveled for a distance along the side of the road, intersected a farm road and rolled over, totalling the A 1976 Pontiac vehicle. Only minor injuries were received by the five passengers, all workers on an oil rig near Manti, who temporarily reside in Sterling. According to investigating UHP Trooper Bert Willdcn, the car became airborne" then rolled, landing upright on its wheels. Initial reports to the sheriffs office dispatcher estimated the number of occupants in the vehicle at about eight. ambulance responded to the call, along with Ephraim police chief Demont Thompson, reserve officer Ned Jensen, and Manti City officer Jim Hillin. Manti-Ephrai- Trooper Willdcn and the officers accompanied the occupants to the hospital in Gunnison, where it was determined that the driver of the James Carl Pickett vehicle, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was uninjured. Three other passengers. John Riley 28, Melvin Barnes. 20. and Scott Wright 20, also were uninjured. Only Dennis Hill, 39, required hospital care. He suffered a fractured scapula, cuts, and fractured ribs in the incident. Following blood tests, the victims were returned to their places of residence in Sterling. Pickett was issued a citation by Willdcn for driving under the influence of alcohol. On Sunday, the driver of the vehicle involved in Saturday's accident was reportedly apprehended by another UHP trooper for speeding. |