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Show Volume XIX Issue XXI The Ogden Valley news Page 3 December 1, 2011 Guest Commentary EPA Should Issue Strong Rules on Fracking By Tom Means, Center for Rural Affairs A dangerous process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has made natural gas extraction economical in areas where it was formerly unreachable. The process involves pressurized fluid used to fracture layers of rock, releasing natural gas to the surface. Many of the chemicals used in the fluid are potential dangers to human health, and some are carcinogens. About thirty percent of the chemicals used for fracking routinely remain underground after drilling, but for some operations this number can reach eighty percent or higher, potentially effecting area water quality. Currently, no comprehensive set of national standards exists for disposal of wastewater discharged from fracking. Despite the clean energy potential of natural gas, such rules are needed to address contamination and ensure that mining companies account for the social and environmental externalities resulting from natural gas extraction. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to develop national standards for the disposal of wastewater from natural gas drilling. We wholeheartedly agree. New rules would likely require wastewater to be treated at a federally regulated facility before reaching state-regulated municipal sewage systems for final processing. The EPA plans to further assess the issue amongst stakeholders before setting final regulations in 2014. Given the severity of the issue, a unified, federal set of standards for fracking has merit if executed properly. New standards should call for an efficient method of wastewater disposal, with safety being the primary emphasis. Make a Difference by Volunteering at The Wolf Creek Foundation & AEF C.O.P.E. Retreat Program The Wolf Creek Foundation is looking for volunteers to help serve at meals during their next retreat taking place December 2 through December 4, 2011. Your only commitment will be for helping during one meal during that weekend. All of the meals are buffet style so a volunteer’s main responsibility will be serving occasional beverages, clearing tables, and resetting for the next meal. We are looking for 6 to 8 volunteers per meal. The real benefit of volunteering at this event will be interacting with the retreat participants. When you talk to these families, you truly become aware of the sacrifice that the whole family makes for the freedoms that we often take for granted. These families are willing to endure not just one separation but have one or both parents being deployed up to six or eight times. They are missing significant portions of their children’s lives, and life with their spouses. The AEF C.O.P.E. retreat program strives to support and enrich the lives of such giving and brave people. We invite you to take the opportunity to thank these airmen and their families by volunteering. To volunteer, please call Sue Munson at 801-781-4131. This Winter, Please Help Us Help You! By Mayor Jim Truett, Huntsville Town It’s that time of year again when the snow falls and we try to stay warm. It’s also the time when road crews are working to keep all the roadways clear of snow and ice so we can Are you ready if a disaster happens? Well, you can be better prepared all be safe when we have to travel. Following by knowing what to do if, or when, there is a disaster. The Valley CERT are some of the ways you can help road crews (Community Emergency Response Team) will be sponsoring a training maintain our roads during winter weather. class. The class will begin Tuesday, January 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ogden Valley Library in Huntsville and will continue every Tuesday until March 1. Pull back your garbage containers from the roadways so the snow being pushed off the 6. The cost for this informative class is $30, which covers the participant’s roadway doesn’t disturb or knock it down. manual and other supplies—a hard hat, gloves, CERT vest, and safety goggles. If you have 2. Please keep abandoned vehicles clear of the already taken the course, you can sit in for a refresher at no charge. roadway, and, if at all possible, please park We need at least 15 people to sign up for this training. The members from the Weber fire in driveways. This allows us to not box department teach this class, and needs this number of people to justify the training costs. We your vehicle in, and allows crews to keep should have at least that many people in the Valley who are interested in becoming better prepared. from pushing snow into the roadway. For more information and to sign up, please contact Wayne Hillstead at 745-1561, or 3. If you have a mailbox that is not secured whillstead@msn.com or Darla Weston at 745-2365. and is pushed out close to the road, please When a Disaster Happens, Will You Be Prepared? pull it back just off the roadway. This will help keep it from accidentally being bumped. 4. Please do not throw snow back into the road; this can create an ice patch on the roadway where vehicles could slide. It can also damage snowplow blades. When the snowplow comes through, we all know what happens to our drive ways. This is what we have to deal with living where we do. Please be courteous and patient. 5. Some years we have an abundance of snow and our snow banks can block the view of drivers. Please take extra time to negotiate travel through intersections for both your safety, and the safety of others. 6. And, finally, please just slow down and be aware of your surroundings. We want everyone to be safe this winter. Please help us, help you! Be Prepared for the Next Public NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL Warning or Unexpected Emergency OF HUNTSVILLE TOWN, DECEMBER 1st, 2011 On any given day, news headlines highlight “This survey speaks volumes to perceptions disasters or other emergencies across the U.S., causing Americans to evaluate their own levels of safety. Whether looking back 10 years at the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks or remembering the high levels of floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and other natural disasters 2011 has wrought, we are constantly reminded of the imperative to be fully prepared for the unexpected. According to the Federal Signal 2011 Public Safety Survey, half of Americans feel they are less safe today than they were prior to the 9/11 tragedy. In addition, almost 4 out of 10 consider their city or town to be slightly, to completely, unprepared in the event of an emergency—including unexpected emergency risks such as natural disasters, terrorism, and health pandemics. about the current state of public safety awareness and emergency preparedness, and reminds us solutions must come from year-round, community-wide engagement and action,” noted Joe Wilson, president of Federal Signal’s Industrial Systems Division, Safety & Security Group. “In addition, we need to remind Americans what individuals and families can and should do on their own.” While recognition should be given for the advancement achieved in safety preparedness, continuous efforts need to be made with visible progress to make Americans feels safer and set to respond during a state of emergency. Even though public safety officials are responsible for enhancing awareness and preparedness, it EMERGENCY cont. on page 12 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FIRST PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Town Council of Huntsville, Utah, Weber County, Wasatch Front Regional Council, will hold a public hearing to consider potential projects for which funding may be applied under the CDBG Small Cities Program Year 2012. Suggestions for potential projects will be solicited, both verbally and in writing, from all interested parties. The expected amount of CDBG funds for this program year will be discussed along with the range of projects eligible under this program and a review of previously funded projects. The hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. on December 1, 2011 and will be held at the Huntsville Town Hall, 7309 E. 200 S., Huntsville. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Gail Ahlstrom, Huntsville Town Clerk/Recorder at 801-745-3420. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations during this hearing should notify Gail Ahlstrom @ 801-745-3420, at least three days prior to be attended. Dated this 17th Day of November, 2011. Gail Ahlstrom, Clerk/Recorder Posted: Town Hall Post Office www.Huntsvilletown.com -PUBLIC NOTICELiberty Cemetery District Final Budget Approval Meeting will be held December 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Snowcrest Jr. High School. For more information, call Jennefer Hilburn (801) 745-3677. |