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Show Volume II , Issue V Page 3 The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS February 2000 Guest Commentary If We Don’t Change our Lifestyle, Water Won’t Continue to Flow After a lifetime of little or no concern about many things that are taken for granted, that concept is about to change. I’m talking about water. Regardless of what some have written, without major changes taking place, in 35 to 40 years we will be attempting to use more water than is available. This will not affect me, but I have kids and grandkids that will surely be affected. When this situation occurs, it will spell the end to further construction of residences, commercial and industrial structures. Information provided by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget shows that there is a storage capacity of 160,000 acre-feet of water. Everyone must realize that this is all there is, and it is all owned by someone. We cannot build more dams to capture more water because it isn’t ours to take—besides which, evaporation losses are too great. We can’t pump out the aquifers without somebody in Farr West suing because their well has gone dry. If we seed the clouds, Colorado threatens a lawsuit. There are plans to make up the deficiency by two methods: convert the irrigation water currently used in agriculture to secondary water systems, and use 50,000 acre-feet of Bear River water. I feel, however, that in 30 or 40 years, Box Elder County will be in the throes of expansion and will be looking to keep all of its available water for its own consumption. We are bringing about the dilemma we face. We simply use too much water. We live in a desert where we receive approximately 12 to 15 inches of precipitation a year, and yet we landscape as if we lived on the coast where it rains every day. We do not make a serious effort at conservation. Do you and your kids turn off the water when brushing your teeth? In Utah we are the secondworst offenders of water usage. Nevada is first, with a daily consumption of 344 gallons per capita day (GPCD) and Utah second with 308 GPCD. The average within the United States is 184 GPCD. We must all try a little harder. Because of the forthcoming shortage, it is time to earnestly plan and make serious commitments to delay the water shortages for as long as possible. To do so we can expect some costs to be involved. For example, the changeover from openditch farm irrigation to pressurized secondary water system is not going to be cheap. Converting some of the same water to culinary usage with the required infrastructure will also not be cheap. However, the one thing that will make the most difference in all of this is for each and everyone to begin to think conservation. City and county planning commissions must learn to give incentives to the subdivision builder who will put in a “gray water” irrigation system for the open areas. This entails the collection and redistribution of water from sinks, showers, washing machines and bathtubs, and is being done in some areas and by some individual homeowners. Incentives must also be given to homeowners who purchase and install water saving devices similar to the energy incentives that were once available. Xeriscaping as an alternative to our conceived “acceptable, normal” landscaping for the areas around homes and businesses, and should also be rewarded with incentive packages. The term xeriscaping means using native plants, drip irrigation systems, and gravel and rock decorative areas to replace most traditional lawn areas. In communities such as Sun City, Arizona, this is an acceptable alternative that can be very tasteful, water-smart and extremely low maintenance. The “how to” regarding this type of landscaping will need to become an educational priority. Of course the political solution is one that could be easily considered— simply raise the cost of water to the point that usage would not be economically feasible. This will work, but only if you enjoy living in neighborhoods that are overgrown weed patches. Another item to be considered: Along with conservation of water is the need to keep our water bodies clean. It only makes sense that if we intend to use every last drop of water, the cleaner it starts out, the less expensive it will be to prepare it for use. Pollution, farm, pesticide, street and parking lot run-off and just plain trash must not be tolerated. It is not my intent to sound like a gloom-and-doom advocate. However, I feel that the general public should be made aware and has the right to know of upcoming circumstances that will change forever the way we have lived. Stan Hadden Riverdale Note: Mr. Hadden has worked for the past three years as the Weber County river keeper. The Spirit of Valentines Day By Rebecca Cox, Student Reporter watched my friends go completely boy-crazy. My 7th grade year was definitely an interesting one. Somehow it seemed that the “cool” thing to do was get a boyfriend about a week before Valentines Day, and break up with them the week after, mostly for the presents I guess. I knew that this was definitely not the right meaning of the holiday. Needless to say, I did not do the “cool” thing. Eighth grade brought little change, except for the fact that there wasn’t nearly as much emphasis placed on getting a boyfriend. Most of my friends figured out that it’s nice if you have one, but it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t. This year I am in the ninth grade, and I’m pretty sure I now understand the true meaning of this holiday . . . Love. Although I haven’t been in love yet, I still think that I can understand its meaning. Love isn’t about the candy, or the cards, or the presents. It is about something more important, something that never fails to bring people a little closer together around February 14th. People may tell you that Valentines Day has become too commercialized, but I believe that, at the risk of sounding cheesy, money can’t buy love. Although I have been alive to see 14 Valentines Days come and go, each year the meaning somehow changes just a little bit. When I was in preschool Valentines Day simply meant silly cards and candy. Somehow candy is the thing I remember best. My favorite was the little candy hearts with the sayings on them. I loved the yellow, banana flavored ones the best. During my early elementary school years, the cards I received were always worthy of a few giggles. I was always careful to give the least personal ones to the boys, but the boys weren’t quite as careful. At that age I wasn’t ready to be the Valentine of one of those gross, “cootie-infested” boys. Yuck! As I got a little older, I began buying presents for my parents. Usually mint truffles for my dad, and always a small potted miniature rose for my mom—a tradition I still carry on. This giving was my first step towards realizing the true meaning of Valentines Day. But in sixth grade, my whole perspective changed. The boys didn’t seem quite as gross anymore. I didn’t show much interest in them, but they definitely weren’t gross. That was the year I began to feel left out. Some of my closest friends had “boyfriends” who would bring gifts for Valentines Day, but not me. I didn’t mind P.O. BOX 507 entirely, but I did feel EDEN, UT just a tiny bit jealous. When I moved on 84310 to Junior High, I Licensed Contractor Delbert Morris 745-1709 Cell 791-7420 Grading Dirt Hauling Snow Removal Landscaping Rock Work Backhoe Service Tear out & Replace Driveways |