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Show Page 2 Ben Lomond Beacon Thursday, July 7, 977 1 TTlS MATE Dear Governor Matheson: It is my opinion that there is no more important action you couid take, which will have a great potential for long lasting benefits to Utahs citizens, than calling togethr the people suggested in this letter to discuss the conservation of our natural resources, then taking whatever action the group may recommend. Before making some suggestions a little background information will be helpful. Since 1922 it has been my privilege to work extensively on Utah throughout comand engineering munication problems on the national forests. I have seen the terrible damage which has been done to our state by fire, overgrazing and particularly the lack of understanding how fragile the ecology of the state it, and what happens when the ecological chain is interrupted. It is very easy to upset this balance, on the other hand, even minor breaks take years or decades to correct. In some areas it is impossible to rehabilitate the land. The first serious break began with harvesting all of the beaver as they were great land builders. Since the mid 1950s I have been a board member of the Weber County Watershed Protective Corporation, a group who along with a similar group from Box Elder County have spent $200,000.00 of private money in purchasing depleted and abused watershed lands lying non-prof- it within national forest boundaries. Our efforts have been confined to Weber and Box Elder counties. These groups wither sold or donated such lands or contributed money to the Forest Service to help in purchasing ad- ditional lands. The Forest Service wa then obligated to restore such lands to full productivity. Results have been spectacular! Ground cover has been reestablished, been solved but good progress has been and is still being made. This is true in the rest of the state but the progress has been very slow. Similar situations as found in a badly abused and is not now of capable producing palatable feed to its full capacity, nor of introducing water into underground aquifers as readily as it Weber exist would if the ground were in County Utah. throughout Actually good condition. The May the situation in other parts of 17th issue of the Ogden the state is considerably Standard Examiner reported more aggravated then are the that you will ask the Weber County problems. For legislature to appropriate example, Tooele County prior funds for the study of the lake to about 1890 had a great problems. This is a must, many springs, a heavy, particularly as the consuperior feed for stock. By clusions reached in the 1930 this was hydrological report recently valley decimated. It was called published by the Great Salt Mountain Meadow was a Lake Board are obviously in beautiful lush valley. At the error. The most glaring error present time this eight mile is the one recommending is nearly pumping the lake as the first long valley destroyed. Water is gone, priority in controlling the feed gone, people gone, all lake level. So much for evidence of severe damage. background information. Dr. The west desert in the late Cottams booklet idientifies a 1800s was a vertiable great many areas that have paradise for winter grazing of been seriously abused. I sheep. Their feed was called suggest the natural resources group obtain this book and by sheepmen winter fat. Today this shrub no longer study it. exists except in a few Now for some suggestions. 1. The protected areas. The ground legislature must has been taken over by come up with a sound policy sagebrush which is indicative on paying or not paying of abused range, particularly compensation to private when sagebrush is the persons or corporations, etc. for the removal of, the predominant shrub. For many years I have maintenance or of, been interested in these alterations to structures in or problems and how they relate around the navigable waters to stabilizing the Great Salt of the state which do damage Lake I have written Gordon to or interfere with such Harmston, Doug Stewart and waters. The policy must be so Owen Burnham numerous worded that it covers all letters on this subject. The navibable waters in the state, same material has been sent which of course would include to key figures in the the Great Salt Lake. Without legislature including yourself such a definitive statement and Governor Rampton. The years of litigation and hunmaterial has been sent to dreds of thousands of dollars newspapers, TV people and of taxpayers money could be our own delegation in the U.S. wasted in determining, for Congress. So far the only example, who is responsible answers received have been for assuming the cost of from two elected officials, the opening the S. P. causeway Deseret News, the Ogden and in maintaining such Standard Examiner and the openings. The lease with the North Ogden Beacon, I am strongly opposed to pumping water from the lake in an attempt to control its level. From the taxpayers railroad company specifically states that the company will pay for all costs involved in damages done to surface owners and users in viewpoint this proosal is the construction and absurd to the point of being operation of the causeway. soil erosion stopped, runoff stupid. This winter Mother There can be no question that slowed down and clean water Nature the improper construction of dramatically introduced into the un- - illustrated that the proper the causeway has done a control is to limit the input great deal of derground aquifers. damage. 2. into the lake. Pumping the Authorize the Great Salt Lake An article in the Ogden Standard Examiner reported lake at a cost from thirty to Board or whomever you you plan to hire a consulting fifty millions of dollars is appoint to continue the study firm to further study the completely unnecessary and of the lakes problems which problems connected with the would do nothing towards should include the full Great Salt Lake. Such a getting clean water into drainage basin of the lake if group must of necessity underground aquifers or the study is to be comacquire the great bulk of their preventing the loss of topsoil, prehensive, factual and information from the same Opening the Southern complete. This is an area of sources available to you and Pacific causeway, which has about 25,000 square miles. without cost to the taxpayers. been agreed to by the About two years ago I Factual information is railroad company, however, suggested to Governor available from the U.S. at taxpayers expense, will be Rampton that county Forest Service, the Soil helpful as it will reestablish boundaries should be Conservation Service, the the ecological balance of the rearranged to conform to BLM, the U.S. Geological lake and will permit the use drainage basin areas. He Survey, Corps of U.S. of additional six or seven thought this idea was good as our State hundred square miles of area the present county bounEngineers, Universities and your own daries are arbitrary, illogical spread out all incoming to state agencies. The in- waters and were determined at a the lake. formation available is the EvaDoration of incoming time when communication result of years of scientific water would not be confined was almost nonexistant and s to of the lake area examination exwas travel and severely perimentation in the field as it has been since 1959. If restricted and time confrom studies of old journals the causeway had been suming. For example, the and other records. Such constructed Weber River drains three with two studies go back to about 1930 adequate openings the lake counties, making it almost would not have reached the and are still continuing. impossible to agree on what In 1960 Dr. Cottam, a 4200 foot level and all of the is the best way to handle ' scientist associated with the damage attributed to the high water and soil erosion and University of Utah, compiled level of 4202 feet would not introduce water into the a report entitled, Our have occurred. Diverting underground aquifers. About Renewable Wild Lands - A Idaho and Wyoming water 90 percent of the people in this This booklet is from the Bear River, as has basin live in Weber County. Challenge. now out of print but may be been suggested for years, The others live in Summit obtained in various libraries, would reduce the flow of this and Morgan Counties. The A copy of this booklet was river about 50 percent as last two counties have a very sent to Governor Rampton. measured at Corinne and limited tax base and may be You may find it in your office, would reduce the overall prone to exploit watershed lands hoping to increase their Perhaps Dr. Cottams book inPut to the lake about 23 should be reprinted and used percent. This in itself would tax base. Weber County has a as a textbook in Junior and be a major factor in the lake pretty good tax base, is Senior high schools and at the level control, diversified and will continue 1 believe the state to grow. However, the people is now college level. Dr. Cottam asks this very pertinent cooperating, with owners of of Weber County are at the Is Utah Sahara private grazing lands in question, mercy of the other two Bound? Unless we correct improving such counties so far as the conlands, the abuses which he outlines Presently there are 1,058,000 servation of water and the a qualified answer to his acres of rangeland in the retention of topsoil are concerned. question could well be Utah is national forests in Utah 3. Determine the extent of Sahara Bound. The most which are classified as in condition. It is not nown lands that have been abused important points considered are: the conservation of what part of this area lies or that are now in the process of rehabilitation. These lands water, the introduction of above 6,000 feet and could be must be composed of private, surplus water into the un- - classified as watershed state or federal lands. derground aquifers at the lands. It is the land above feet where 75 percent to hisher elevations, Recommendations should be the 6 rehabilitation of abused 80 percent of the water used on how to forthcoming lands, not only watershed but n Utah is deposited in the facilitate the three points mentioned above. grazing lands. A primary form of snow, 4. Examine the consideration should be Most of Rich County lies possibility of constructiong small beaver preventing further loss of above 6,000 feet and is, therefore, prime watershed topsoil. type ponds at the higher lands. A great deal of the land elevations which will do two The problem is Weber and in this county federal state things: they will stop soil Box Elder counties have not or privately owned ha; bmi erosion and give surplus two-third- the propositions SCOn DALEBOUT, BURKE Shupe and Chad Ferrin of Pack 291 show the trophies they earned as first place winners as they take aim at a "couger." contained in this letter, to determine if they are sound, and if they are not, to recommend alternative methods that would obtain the desired results. League results The results from the program outlined above could provide jobs for a great many people, in clearing the NORTH OGDEN - North Ogden little league teams land, preparing it for replayed seeding and planting it. throughout the past two weeks to racked up victories and Results in a few years would losses. The results of their competitions are: be spectacular and the June 20 Cardinals - 9 ovearall benefits as the Boys Tee Ball 2 Plain City - 7 - forfeit Rangers project is continued would be -- The state, U.S. Forest Service, BLM and other federal agencies hav eht personnel, the experience and the expertise to do the job. There is no need to have an outside group make a and recommend study procedures. This problem is not a political one and must be handled on a cooperative basis by people who have been at this work for a long time and know what they are doing. It is believed that federal funds are available to finance this kind of conservation work. Twice recently the Ogden Chamber of Commerce suggested diverting some of the water from the Bear River into underground aquifers at the lower levels would be helpful in controlling the lake level. This idea was tried at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. A second foot or so of water was win Dodgers Bobcats Sluggers enormous. G.S.L. - 20 North Ogden - 2 - 34 June Eagles 22 Cougarsl9 - 4 Red Sox - 13 All Stars 12 Super Sluggers Battin Babes - 29 Super Chicks - 8 Cowboys ' 23 . 3 women. - 20 Tee Ball - 9 3 - 19 - 22 - 14 Ladybugs Silver Swans Tee Ball 2 Chargers - 2 10 - 0 Sluggers - 31 Bobcats As - 4 Eagles Boys 4th 5 - 17 - 0 Cougars As North Ogden Cardinals 2 - 5 - 28 Blackhawks Dodgers Giants - - 38 6th 1 Knights - 2 - 19 Bobcats Red Sox -4 - 9 Pleasant View As Oaklawn - 19 - 2 - 6 Wilson Dodgers June 7 - 4 1 - - - 14 13 Boys Tee Ball Sluggers Red Sox Dodgers Cougars - 11 Royals - 8 - 2 win loss, forfeit - 1 31 Giants lose Girls 8th 7th - 15 - 5 Dodgers - 11 - 13 Darling Dolls Base Dusters Super Stars Green Giants Roadrunners Peanuts - 13 9 - 11 - 16 Plain City Forfeit Super June Sluggers Win 23 Boys 5th or dismantle tion or removal. Yes. The most efficient refrigerated job. Select the most efficient by comparing U.S. Department of Commerce Energy Guide Labels found on most models. The labels rate the units by their Energy Efficiency Ratio EER. The higher the EER, the greater the energy efficiency. A unit with an EER 8, for example, uses half as much energy as one with an EER 4. If a model doesnt list an EER rating, ask the dealer to figure it for you. The pros and cons of evaporative air the d A These coolers have one very substantial advantage, and one disadvantage. The advantage is that they require only a fraction (about an eighth) of the electricity needed to air condioperate refrigeration-typtioners. The disadvantage is that the moisture they produce may make the inside air too humid for comfort on muggy days. Swamp coolers are most effective in the parts of the UP&L service area which experience dry, hot summers. Harrisville Address your questions or suggestions to Reddy Kilowatt, P.O. Box 899, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Due to space limitations, all questions and suggestions cannot be printed in this column, but each will be answered. Wildcats Warren 7th 2. Never install an antenna anywhere in the vicinity of a power line without first contacting Utah Power. 3. If you must work near power lines, always tie off the antenna so it will fall away from a power line should the antenna slip during installa- e - Dougars win, forfeit Plain City Baracudas radio base station antenna? A number of people are killed when the CB base station antennas they are installing or dismantling touch live power lines. Remember these rules: 1. Dont work under or near swamp coolers? Panthers 3rd safety precautions should QWhat take before installing a CB QWhat about 29 - 23 - important swamp coolers 6 12 - 6 CB safety is room air conditioners operate on about half the power required by less efficient models to do the same cooling 0 Boys Tee Ball Im Reddy Kilowatt, your friend at Utah Power. This column is devoted to questions and suggestions we receive from our customers. You are warmly invited to Hi, A 22 Red Sox J the same job? - 19 - 9 Valley - 29 Red Sox - 10 13 Harrisville Lets get a bit more light on the subject! QDo Harrisville Eagles Panthers Brett David Mitch Cragun and Troy Wolverton. different makes of refrig- air conditioners use different amounts of electricity to do - 11 - 19 Dodgers Cougars Oaklawn As Plain City - 17 Sluggers Valley - Eric Hall, Brad Hall and Shawn Air conditioners vary in efficiency Giants Cougars - June - power lines. Roadrunners Pleasant View (Pro Entries: Juniors - ages 14 to 18, Seniors - ages 19 to 55, Veterans - over 55. Closest to the hole, longest drive and fewest putts. Money must be in by the 10th of July. Entries will be the same for 6th Little Sluggers suggestions. Region Golf will be held at Patio Springs on July 12. Tee-of- f time will start at 8 a.m. to 1 "p.m. Fee will be $7 (this includes green fees) Call golf pro or Blair Teeples for tee times. (Blair - 7 - 33 - 15 Hawks Golf set at Patio Springs - 10 - 28 be W. Woods 11 Barracudas 6th Wildcats Valley - 415 291 - A Reds - sanitarians and engineers. The sanitarians thought there could be health problems from insecticides or The engineers were not too concerned with chemical ntaminates but were concerned that the aquifers could become plugged by soil particles. Either one or both of these possibilities should not be permitted. This approach does nothing to prevent the loss of topsoil which is extremely important. During the past two or three years I have written numerous letters to federal agencies asking them for pertinent information. They have been most helpful in sending me the information desired. Governor Matheson, I hope you will read this letter with an open mind and take action to carry out these Francis - 21 8th 3 evident 5th when the water is recovered - 3 from wells or springs? I have Knights Pleasant View discussed this possibility with Sincerely, 11 - 9 Super Sluggers Super Chicks - 21 - 6 - 17 These questions are: Is the June 21 diversion of gray water which carries a heavy silt load and 4th various contaminates harm- 3 ful to the underground Knights -2 Dodger and would the s. - 5th Pleasant View Super Sluggers Hawks Ferrin. Pack regarding electricity,, your electric service or energy conservation are welcome. - 6 Tee Ball and David Hales. 5th Place Tied, Pack participate. Questions and suggestions Pleasant View All Stars - 4 6th Softball Royals unanswered questions Thunderbirds regarding this approach. pest-cide- 15 - 3 Girlss 4th 15-- 3 - 6 There was no evidence that' the underground reservoirs Cougars refused the water. There are, Red Sox however, a number of - contamination Hawks Red Sox Valley Cougars diverted and for a considerable length of time! Harrisville aquifers 27 - 7 5th Softball Shrimps - 3 North Ogden Thunderbirds Pleasant View - 2 Girls 4th Softball Cougars - A;s Pleasant View Stake Cut Scouts held their Mountain Man Retreat tournament last week. The boys had a lot of fun participating in competition of skills simulating those that mountain men of long ago needed to survive. Two teams were chosen from each pack for the stake tourney. Winning teams from the stake will vie with teams from other nearby stakes in August. Winners there will go to the Lake Bonneville Council competition. teams are: Winning Mountain Man Retreat 1st Place winners Pack 291 Scott Dalebout, Burke Shupe and Chad Ferrin. 2nd Place, Pack 415 - Deloy Harris, Steve Peery and Troy Barker. 3rd Place, Pack 296 - Troy Shaw, Kevin Fagg and Robb Ehmann. 4th Place, Pack 296 - Kevin Tams, Darren Jones Boys 3rd Panthers -- Pr i: " water a better opportunity to enter the underground aquifers. Such ponds along with the root systems of perennial plants would be the ideal way to provide entrance to the aquifers. 5. I suggest that you call a conference with federal and state personnel, private cattle and sheep organizations, the two Universities, Dr. Cottam, who may still be living, and other interested individuals, to discuss Tournament enjoyed by Cub Scout teams Blackhawks Valley Girls 5th Little Rascals - 11 Super Chicks - 5 Tee Ball 2 Pleasant View Base Dusters - - 35 6 U & LIGHT COMPANY |