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Show THE ZEPHYRJULY 1991 PAGE 20 the canyon country watch dog No Recycling Mandate at Canyonlands N.P.? While recycling has caught fire recently in a community as conservative as Moab, Superintendent Harvey Wickware is still reluctant to introduce a recycling program at Canyonlands National Park. At a staff meeting on June 19 Wickware Indicated that while recycling may be "the right thing to do", he "does not believe there is a strong mandate to do iLN In a Zephyr interview, Wickware explained his position: a,l brought the subject up and I asked the people in the districts, at the grass roots, to determine what they can do officially and personally to foster actions. There Is no mandate from the top to say you will do this. And there are some legalities to consider. We are taking technically government materials, (the aluminum cans) and taking them someplace and giving them away, things of value. These things need to be worked out We're working with the Washington office, with people involved in the recycling effort to find our what we can do legally without getting ourselves In trouble." But at Arches National Park, a recycling program has been in place for almost a year, and according to Superintendent Noel Poe, "Its working quite well." the only problem encountered so far had been that of park visitors who kept stuffing the aluminum cans with other garbage. "Over the winter, we wired the lids shut and cut amall holes that would accommodate a can and not much else. That solved the problem." Accountability has not been a problem at Arches. The maintenance staff keeps a checklist of the number of bags brought in. When Dale Parriott of the Moab Recycling Center picks up the aluminum, the number of bags are crosschecked. Poe is very satisfied with the program and is, in fact, considering setting up a Recycling Center near the Arches Visitor Center that would also provide bins for glass, plastic, and paper. "It could be In place," says Poe, "by the spring of 1992." Asked about the Arches program, Wickware indicated that, so far, he had not discussed the matter at length with the Arches staff, but added, "That's what I want to find out How much effort is going into it there? From a government standpoint, are we paying people to separate garbage and separate aluminum? I am in favor of a recycling program. I'm not in favor of forcing it down on top of someone if we don't have a directive from on ng non-recycla- top." While there is no apparent mandate from upper level Park Service management, it is apparent from the success at Arches that recycling programs can be initiated at parks with few complications. And It's also apparent that there Is a mandate from the people who use the parks. Comments should be addressed to: HARVEY WICKWARE, 125 W. 200 S., MOAB, UTAH 84532 -- Jim Stiles Power Pole Update You can fight city hall. At least, some residents along 4th East are trying. The Moab City Council gave permission to Utah Power and Light to run power lines from the south of town along 4th East, to provide a backup system of power to the substation. The lines would carry 69,000 volts, and the power poles would be 52 feet above ground, 18 feet higher than the existing poles. But local residents, enraged by what they thought was an ugly and maybe dangerous situation, deluged the council with phone calls and comments, enough that Terry Warner decided the council should hold a special meeting June 21st. More than 40 people came to the meeting, almost all of them against the idea. Some objected to the city allowing the lines when there is at least partial data lines pose a threat to health. Others wondered what the lines would showing do to the value of their homes. Lucky Morse of Utah Power and Light said the company proposed the 4th East route because it would mean fewer new power poles than their other two alternatives, one cutting across town along 4th North, and the other traveling along the cliffs to the east. He stated the company believes the health risk would be virtually nonexistent, since the lines would be within federal guidelines. And he also said the current will flow only during high-volta- emergencies or maintenance of the primary feed, and therefore rarely emit an electromagnetic field, the main fear of scientists studying the problem. But he also said the company was more than willing to rethink their plan, if the city had a better alternative. U P and L says they won't put the lines underground, that its too costly and difficult to maintain or repair. But they are willing to consider a parallel line to the existing main feed, which would mean less impact to populated areas. Another suggestion was to wait until a new substation can be planned, probably years In the future. In the meantime, Moab would have to put up with occasional power losses (according to Morse, on the average of once every 16 months.) The people on 4th East are fighting city hall, but they haven't won yet. First, the council has to decide to raise the Issue at a future meeting. Then, an alternative has to be agreed upon, and finally, the power company must agree the cost Is not too high. But even if the city does not withdraw Its permission, and even if U P and L decides to push forward with the 4th East plan (and listening to Lucky, that seems unlikely,) the company still has to get permission from Grand County as well. Ken Davey Oil Patch Update the Bureau of Land Management Moab District manager announced on Channel Six that the public would be allowed a 15 day public comment period on all future oil wells and seismic work proposed for the "paradox play" (the moniker used for the area near Moab receiving new attention from the oil and gas industry). On June 6, 1991, however, the Moab District approved 15 miles of seismic line near the Knoll within the play without a public comment period. The approved work will leave 15 miles of new two lane tracks. There will also a 3 foot be by 130 foot area crushed by machinery every 200 feet along the 15 miles. The BLM has since reiterated that there will be a public comment period for the rest of the seismograph proposals within the play. Really. More seismograph work Is currently proposed for near the Knoll, In Lisbon Valley, at the head of Harts Draw and the top of Montezuma Canyon. Seismograph work on Hatch Point has already been approved. The BLM has now delayed for one week its decision on the Coors proposal to upgrade the Gemini Bridges road and drill in Little Canyon. The delay was required for the agency to consider and respond to comments submitted by the National Park Service, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the public which challenged the BLM's proposed Environmental Assessment (EA) and decision. In May 1991, The BLM is now making a decision on a proposal by Meridian Oil to drill on Hatch Point. The public comment period on that proposal doaed June 20th. SUWA has been accused of appealing every oil and gas proposal around. Since 1989 the BLM Moab District has approved 71 applications for permits to drill. SUWA has administratively challenged four of these. Maybe Westwater Too? The BLM must now consider National Wild and Scenic River protection for stream segments within the San Juan and San Rafael Resource Areas as the result of a successful appeal by the American Rivers group. Streams In the southern two thirds of both San Juan and Emery counties are eligible. The public can submit nominations to the BLM Moab District Office until July 23, 1991. Intermittent as well as perennial streams are eligible. Nominations should explain why the proposed stream has at least one "outstandingly remarkable" (whatever that is) recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or similar value. Call Russ Von Koch, at the Moab District office, for more information. 259-611- 1, ge high-volta- Ungulation According to figures released by the Utah State BLM, for 1990 the estimated grazing capacity of BLM grazing lands is allocated by the agency as follows: Domestic Livestock. Wildlife .... 1,331,000 animal unit months 251,528 animal unit months ge ARCHES REALTY 690 So. Main 259-56- 93 out of state toll-fre- e line 90.158 Very nice executive custom built home on acres! This home has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath upstairs and bedroom size, partial basement with 7-V- 90.156 RETIREMENT HOME Lot 84 & 85. almost new, 1500 square foot, 2 bedroom home in Castle Valley on ten acres, with many extras. Anderson windows throughout house. Very well insulated home with stove with built in catalytic converter and backup electric baseboard heat. This ten acres is completely fenced with fenced garden space. Orchard, 670 sq. ft. unattached garage CVRR wood-burnin- g and 36 ft. x 14 ft. carport. Ten foot satellite TV dish. Very good well and pump. Good agricultural potential. Excellent views. Ask for Janie. UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY 2 bath, also has two native rock fire places with heat inserts. The property is mostly fenced, has carport, garage, green house and 2 wells. Beautifully - ONLY ONE landscaped, with 2 or 3 garden spaces Valley. This land is AVAILABLE!!! Lot 440 in Castle 5 acres with a commercial grade well, three phase power, paved road and commercial potential. Owner financing and will consider joint venture proposal. Priced at $45,000.00. Will discount for CASH. and lots of privacy. Priced $200,000.00. (1860 Cedar Hills) FAX (801)259-593- 0 at |
