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Show PAGE 4 THE ZEPHYRSEPTEMBER 1990 an interview with the grand county commission On August 21, 1990, The Zephyr conducted an Interview with Grand County Commissioners Feme Mullen and David Knutson. Commissioner Merv Lawton was out of town at the time of the Interview. The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. Contaminated Soil and the Dump understand were accepting contaminated soil at the dump now, and also more asbestos. Whafs the story on that? Dave: I don't know about the asbestos. Theres soil coming from underground tanks. storage Zephyr: Are we getting soil from Montlcello? Dave: Yeah. I believe we are. Zephyr: If It was a hazard before, why Isn't this stuff a hazard now, spread out on the around? Wont It wash back Into the creek eventually? Dave: The health department office says not San Juan County doesnt have a landfill. They Just dump Into a canyon. Zephyr: Do we have a policy on any of this? It appears we'll accept lust about Zephyr: I anything Dave: We really dont, but I think we need to sit down and do that I'm not too happy accepting stuff from San Juan County. We have accepted asbestos, but we get paid for that We dont get paid for this contaminated material. Feme: I agree with Dave. We need to take care of our own, but I dont think we should take others'. Jeep Safari and Class D Roads what does that Zephyr: Changing the classification of these roads to Class D really mean for the county? Dave : Before FLPMA (Federal Land Policy Management Act) was passed In 77, any roads that existed before that time, we can simply classify as a Class D county roads, and say we have responsibility over them. If theyre roads put Into use after that time, well So our responsibility Is to probably have to go through the BLM to get the determine which roads existed before 77. Then that puts them under the Jurisdiction of the county. Zephyr: What are your malor objections to the wav the BLM Is running the Jeep Safari? Dave: In my opinion, the biggest bone of contention Is that the BLM Is not cooperating very well. In my opinion, they tested the waters to see how upset people are going to be If they start putting some pressure to close down trails. The Jeep Safari reacted rather pointedly and I support them In that I don't see the BLMs problem they certainly have enough people down there. They shouldn't have to wait until the past permit expires before they can Issue a new one. The BLMs the one that said they wanted them to apply for a permit They said there wouldn't be a problem, but they drug their feet and I It see as an affront to the citizens of the county. Zephyr: Do you really think the BLM has a hidden agenda to shut the whole Jeep Safari down? Dave: Some people think so. Zephyr: But do vou? right-of-w- ay. 5-y- ear Put your trust in Number One: COMMERICAL PROPERTY: Start small and add on to this prime Main Street property. Three lots with newly painted house. Great buy for a small business with room to grow. (341) COUNTRY LIVING: Small town living - Castle Valley has superb views of the La Sal Mountain Range and sand stone formations. This house has 5 acres with irrigation and well rights. The house itself is all log and has some inside finished walls. You have to see this property to appreciate it. RANCH: Working ranch on 99 acres. Includes 2 bedroom house, bunkhouse, 2 ponds with trout, irrigation for alfalfa, and many extras. 18 miles up river from Moab. (429) CONT ACT : SCJZAN MARTIN 259-502- 1 259-791- 4 Equal Homing Opportunity 9 EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED. or Dave: They havent proven to me that they dont I do believe that the BLMs long-ter- m goal la to get more control. Look how the wood collecting process has gone. First you could go anywhere, then you needed a permit, then you had to pay for the permit then they told you where you could cut wood. History has shown that the BLM gobbles up peoples' rights and freedoms. So Im leery. Feme: I agree In part But I dont think the BLM wants to shut down the Safari. One of the things I understand that the BLM wants to do Is raise the fees, and I'm not really against that Zephyr: Would that help control the numbers? Dave: The Jeep Safari Is taking action on that Feme: Let the Jeepers take care of themselves. I dont think people will object to having a few dollars added on. As far as wood and what David said, theres more people now, and when there are more people, you need more restrictions. They need some control. Dave: The problem I have with the dues Is what do we get out of It? What will BLM do with this money? The Jeep Safari does their own maintenance and cleanup so the wheres the money going? Zephyr: As I understand It the BLM has no problem with the wav the maintain the trails. Its the Indirect Impacts like the river corridor that this money could be used for. Dave: Thats a whole other story. Nuisance Ordinance Zephyr: Whafs the status on this now? Feme, vou were pretty adamant last time about getting this In place. Feme: The way I see It, weve always known we have an ordinance already In place. This was more detailed, but maybe we don't need the detail. Zephyr: But as I recall, didnt this old law regulre civil action to get anything done? Feme: Yes, and thafs what we're looking at adding on to that where the commissioners have the say, not the courts. Dave: In my opinion, after looking It over, I didnt think the new ordinance would do anything at all except make more people In violation because It was more specific. As far as actually being able to make people clean up, I really didnt see It happening. Weve had a tremendous amount of clean up already, and a lot still needs to be done. Ifs happening slowly and gradually. We have laws for many things. In some things, you Just can't fix. You try to do the best you can with people who will obey the laws, but you always have people who refuse, no matter what the punishment Is, to obey that law. If the point Is to clean up the county, I think were doing a good Job. But I don't think we have to make It more difficult for the citizens who are out there. The River Corridor Zephyr: How are vou going to respond to the RV Park owners regarding plans to establish designated campgrounds along the river? And what about the proposed No Camping ordinance? Dave: I'd like to put that on the agenda for when Merv gets back. My thoughts on that are different than 10 years ago. I think the commission needs to step In and exercise Its authority and get this under control. I think we could close down camping along the river during peak seasons. The point the campground owners make that I agree with entirely Is, government should not compete with private enterprise, whether Ifs a campground or something else. Zephyr: But If vou banned camping along the river, do vou reallv think they'd all go to the commercial campgrounds? Dont vou think many of them would lust push further out Into the areas that are so far Dave: I don't I think they camp along the river because Ifs convenient and free. Zephyr: Right But If they could find another free place to camo. wouldn't they prefer that to being chawed? Dave: I don't think many would. I dont think theyd push out very far. I may be wrong but theres only one way to find out Zephyr: Do vou support banning camping. ....where? Dave: The problem areas. The River Corridor, the Sand Flats area. Zephyr: And youd ban camping, but not provide any additional designated campsites? Dave: I hate to get Into competition. Lef s let the campground owners go In there and build them. Why does the government get Into It? The government shouldnt be doing things we can do ourselves. Feme: The first thing to do Is control It before next year. Even If private enterprise goes In there, If II be a year or more before they get set up. And I don't see whafs wrong with some signs. During the peak season, put up signs that say ABSOLUTELY NO CAMPING. I think we can control It like that Now Big Bend, I'd like to see It continue as a campground. Ztphyrc So vou still support some kind of government operated campground? Feme: Well, government or not There are applications for other campgrounds -- one at Dewey Bridge, another near Mayberry's Orchard. You get a few of those In there and I dont think youll have a problem along the river. Ifs a crime whafs happening there now during peak season a mess. Ifs Gas Prices and an OH Boom Zephyr: David, vou seemed pretty happy to see the price of gas oo uo. Do you reallv think we can expect another oil boom Dave: I guarantee you. If oil hits $4Qbbl you'll see lots of hard hats and rednecks around here. Zephyr: How will this shift our economy? Dave: I think It could only be a plus. It won't change the town. It would affect the area north of the Interstate In the gas and on fields. That would cause those state assessed properties to raise In value which would cause a lot of tax money to start flowing Into the county. I don't know Him happen or not You never know. Feme: It would be nice, but I think we need to get a little more so we don't have to rely - Ifs only 6 of our on comes from the Middle East self-suffici- ent |
