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Show November 15, 1989 - Page 9 QJJintah Basin Life (Basin Standard Hydro-electri- power costs c could see increases in 1990 Since wholesale power costs are uppermost on the minds of management of Moon Lake Electric, I feel it is important to keep our members informed of developing events with federal hydro that Moon Lake purstated Grant J. Earl, Moon Lakes general manager. power chases, At present Moon Lake Electric is developing an operating budget for 1990. Recent developments with the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) allocation program have created concerns for Moon Lake which will possibly have an impact upon the costs of energy that our consum- ers pay, stated Earl. To explain these recent developments, some background information is helpful. Moon Lake Electric an many other public power entities have operated under contracts with WAPA. These contracts were to expire September 30 of this year. For the past several years WAPA and its preference customers have worked closely in contracts. preparing new Earl commented that Moon Lake members may recall the legal maneuvering a couple of years ago of Utah Power and Light as they filed a lawsuit in an attempt to secure an allocation of WAPA hydro power. This attempt fell short as the judge hearing the lawsuit ruled that UP&L had no sound basis in asking to be considered for an allocation of power generated from facilities such as Flaming Gorge and Glen Canyon. procDuring the ess of the past year, WAPA did include as new customers in its wholesale power program several new groups. Hurricane, Kanab, Blanding, University of Utah, Utah State University, and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, which operates the water treatment plant on the Starvation Reservoir, are a few examples of new entities now able to receive the limited hydro power. The significance of these new was viewed as no , .customers threat to established preference' customers such as Moon Lake Electric. WAPA initially projected increased generation to accommodate all ofits customers. They had intended to change the water flow patterns at the dams, thus increasing power generation to accommodate these new customers. However, two weeks ago, and environmental group was successful in its efforts to convince federal judge, Thomas Green, that allowing WAPA to increase its water flows would endanger wildlife and create several downstream problems for the natural - 25-ye- ar long-ter- m 15-ye- ar CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ALREADY?-Y- es, thats right Roosevelt began putting up Christmas street lights last week in preparation of the holidays. The streets will be lit in many different colors for the first time this year during the Thanksgiving weekend. low-co- 1988 Vital statistics listed for local counties in Basin Vital statistics ware compliled for the state with estimated population, births, deaths, natural increases, marriages, divorces and annulments, by the Utah Department of Health. Population--Duchesn- e County has an estimated 13,100 population as of July 1, 1988, and Uintah County had 21,500. The Uintah Basin, including Daggrtt County totals 35,300. Births-DucheCounty had 289 births with a rate of 22.1 in 1988. The rates and ratios are per 1,000 live births. Uintah County had 428 births for a rate of 19.9 and the total for the Basin was 73 1 with a rate of 20.7. Deaths-The- re were 89 deaths in Duchesne County in 1988 for a 6.8 rate and 129 in Uintah County for a 6.0 rate. The Basin had 224 deaths and a 6.3 rate. sne Natural increase The natu- ral increase for Duchesne County was 200 and Uintah County was 299. The Basin as a whole had a The county also listed 18 low birth weights at a 62.3 rate (under 2,500 grams) and the Basin had 60 (82.1 rate). Abortions-Induc- ed abortions in Duchesne County for 1988 were listed as nine (31.1 rate) while the Basin had 55 (75.2 rate). natural increase of 507. Marriages and divorees-The- re were 114 marriages in Duchesne County with a 8.7 rate and 161 in Uintah County with a 7.5 rate. Overall in the Basin there were 298 marriages and an 8.4 rate. For Duchesne County there was also 39 divorces and annulments for a rate of 3.0. In Uintah County there were 88 divorces and annulments and a 4.1 rate. The Uintah Basin had 127 divorces for a 3.6 rate. Infant mortality-Oth- er on town meetings planned Follow-u- p sta- tistics computed in the county were infant mortality, births, low birth weights and induced abortions. Duchesne County did not have any infant mortalities listed for 1988 while the Basin had seven. birth Out-of-wedlo- were 28 births (96.6 rate) in Duchesne County and 120 (164.2 rate) in the Basin. School board report . AHS gymnasium next on board priorities Construction of an Altamont gymnasium is the next priority with the Duchesne County School Board. The board reiterated a building plan, in last weeks meeting, and has listed Altamont as the next project, said Superintendent Dennis Mower. A $4.2 million project was recently approved for Union. Bleachers were also replaced and floors were painted in the Duchesne and Altamont gymnasiums as well as a total reconstruction of Unions gym. Although minor finishes are being done, all three schools will be realty for basketball season, beginning around the Thanksgiving holidays. Theyre behind schedule, said Mower. But they look realty nice. In other action, the board met with Rodney Aycock and staff to discuss the audit report. They also approved a final reading of a policy concerning the release of student information. Agencies that contact the are allowed to get general information such as names, ad- dresses and student interests. "If parents dont want information released they can contact us by October 1, each year, Mower said. Mowers future trip to the National Administration Conference was approved and the board gave Moon Lake Electric permission to check schools for electric hotspots camera. with an infra-re- d board apMaster plan-T- he master proved a district plan that includes 19 beliefs for education and plans for training to improve the work of local teachers. The school board also discussed the possibility of bus contracting services but did not make any decisions. Last on the agenda, board members discussed the upcoming legislative packet schools five-ye- ar st ' Follow-u- p meetings ofthe town summit meetings held in Altamont Duchesne and Tabions have been scheduled. The original meetings held, identified various issues and solutions that can be implemented to help improve the county, said Barbara Mathis, Utah State University home economist who has assisted with the programs. I am realty excited and know we can make a change in our communities and help everyone, not just our youth. But it is going to take people to become involved and willing to make a difference, she added. Town Summit Meetings have been held in Roosevelt, Altamont, Duchesne and Tabiona. A followup in Roosevelt resulted in a plan of action and various activities, seminars, parenting classes and recognition programs are being planned as a result of the effort. The follow-umeetings scheduled will result in a plan of action and implementation of the suggestions made. A series of meetings will be held to turn the original town meetings into action, said State Representative Beverly Evans who directed the summit meetings. The meetings are scheduled as follows: Nov. 16 at Duchesne in the court room at the county building; Nov. 21 at Altamont at the Moon Lake Building and Tabiona High school Library on Nov. 29. This will enable county residents to get involved in the project, said Evans. Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate in this extensive project on behalf of the youth and our comp munities. Scouting for Food program is planned Thousands of Utahs hungry citizens will have food to eat, and thousands of Boy Scouts will have done their good deed when the Scouting for Food project is completed in As part of a nationwide effort, Cub and Bay Scouts throughout the state will distribute bags to homes. They will ask residents to food in the place to pick and will return bags they than up. Varsity and Explorer Scouts will assemble and box the food which will be transported by members of the Utah National Guard. Utah Power and Light will provide the bags. All food collected will be distributed to local food bank operators and to needy families throughout the state. The potential good that can be accomplished through this effort is truly staggering; said Gerald Day, Utah National Parks Council volunteer chairman for Scouting for Food. "Last year Scouts in Utah collected 700 tons of food in what has been characterized as the most successful food drive ever conducted in the state. Some of the food banks received enough items to last throughout the year. This year we expect to exceed that amount ' habitat and fishermen as well, stated Earl. Judge Green agreed with the environmental group an ordered WAPA to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement Until the E IS is com plete, WAPA cannot alter its water flows which, in effect stops any additional generation of power. So as to not create hardships on these new preference customers, negotiations resulted in all of the existing preference customers relinquishing a g small portion of their allocations, commented Earl. The annual loss to Moon lake, in long-standin- effect amounts to approximately 5 12 of its WAPA power, or $750,000 of increased wholesale power expenses to replace this lost federal power. In addition, WAPA has notified all its customers of a proposed increase in its rates effective Octo1990. The proposal would Moon Lakes cost of federal or an additional power by $870,000 annually. WAPAs stated purpose for the increased power cost is primarily associated with the federal repayment obli ber, raise 35, gation on the Central Utah Project. We are opposed to the proposed WAPA rate increase for the repayment of the cup facilities on the basis that repayment of this project is premature, stated Earl. Many aspects of the CUP are not complete and without funds to be completed. Other parts of the project such as the Upalco and Uintah Units are "unlikely to be built, according to the WAPA projections. The 1956 Colorado River Storage Project Act provides for power customers to pay all the costa of power generation facilities and the bulk of irrigation costs, but with all the controversy surrounding completion of CUP, its simply not justified for WAPA to adjust its rate structure. Earl did state that Moon Lake would need to factor the impacts on the wholesale power purchased from WAPA into the cooperatives 1990 budget, to determine whether or not a rate increase will be necessary to the Moon Lake customers. Its anticipated that the most the impact of WAPAs costs would have on Moon Lake members is 2 12 Commission report Maintenance of fire equipment discussed A better relationship between local cities regarding fire equipment is the goal of Duchesne County Fire Marshall Jimmy Iisonbee discussed themainte-nanc- e of fire equipment with county commissioners at the weekly meeting, last week, said commissioner Larry Ross. TjmWll ordinance-The- re will be a final public hearing Nov. 2 1 at 4:30 p.m. in the county building on the landfill ordinance. The final paperwork has been completed and residents will. have a chance to voice their opinion in Tuesdays meeting. In other action, the commissioners discussed the county budget (see related story, page 1) and met with Farm Bureau officials to discuss policies. The commissioners also approved a lease purchase for a road grader with a 7.9 percent interest rate. Ross said the lease purchase would save the county about $1,000. A representative from the commission will be present at a meet- ing in Salt Lake City with Governor Norman Bangerter, Nov. 15, said Ross. The meeting will include Duchesne, San Juan, Uintah and Summit counties to discuss the severance tax. Commissioners also met with Johnson Water to discuss relationships with the Water Conservancy District Meeting for Native American women All Native American women of the area who are interested in forming a womens group are invited to attend an organisational meeting on Thursday, November 16, 6 p.m. at George Smiths home on the Neola Highway. Topics addressed by the group will include any that critically affect Native American women, their families, and their communities. The group will also act as a support organization for the women involved. For more information, or for directions to the Smith home, call 353-414- 4. Commodities distribution Commodities distribution is scheduled for Thursday, November 16, at the following locations and times: Fruitland-Ma- ry Baums home, 10 am.; Tabiona-DeE- tta Caspers home, 11 a.m.; Duchesne-Ameri- can Legion Post home, 1 1 a.m.; Roosevelt-Di-na Shun home, 2 p.m. Enterprises, 1 p.m.; Neola-San- dy Altamont Christmas Fair The Altamont Christmas Fair, Saturday, December 2, will offer entertainment, food and fun for all who participate. The fair will be in the Altamont Elementary School gymnasium, with plenty of room for a variety of booths, which will be open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Call Becky Beal, 454-371- 2, or Carrie Fausett, 454-324for more information or to reserve your space. 3, Natl Childrens Book Week In celebration of National Childrens Book Week (Monday, November 13 through Sunday, November 19), the Roosevelt City Duchesne County Friends of the Library group is sponsoring a drawing, open to all children ages 0-years. The child must come in to the library and check out a book during this week to enter, but thats all there is to it his or her name will be entered in the drawing scheduled for Wednesday, November 22, during the regularly scheduled Story Hour. Prizes include a $10 gift certificate from Bitter Creek Books in Vernal; a $5 gift certificate from Gales Office Supply; and a $3 gift certificate from'B&K Drug. Winners will be notified by phone. Adult Basketball Anyone interested in participating in adult basketball through the Roosevelt Community School program, please contact Carol Parrish at 722-243- 9 after 4 p.m. teen council meeting, Youth at Risk follow-u- p 4-- H As a member 14 and older, you are invited to an organizational meeting Thursday, November 16, 6:30 p.m. in the Duchesne County Courthouse. Your input is needed to make the coming year in exciting and eventfiil. For more information, e call Hene at the USU Extension, An update meeting in the Youth at Risk program will follow the meeting on November 16. This follow-u- p will provide the opportunity for all who participated in the Duchesne town meeting to formulate a plan of action and organize committees to help. 4-- H 4-- H toll-fre- 4-- H |