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Show Volume X Issue II THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 11 May 1, 2004 State and County Officials Participate in Ogden Canyon’s Annual Cleanup Fifty-two volunteers braved the cold and wet weather on April 17 to show their support for and help clean up Ogden Canyon. George Burbidge, Weber County director of Storm Water Management; and Don Ostler, Director of the Division of Water Quality for the state joined the volunteers. The county and state officials also presented Ogden Canyon Club members with a Utah Water Improvement Award from Utah Governor Olene Walker’s office. According to state statistics, two-thirds of the state’s water bodies meets standards for drinking, fishing, and swimming, but maintaining water quality in the state is becoming more and more difficult. The other one-third water bodies do not meet state standards—the Ogden River in Ogden Canyon is one of them. Governor Olene Walker has made the protection of watersheds one of her major projects; one of “Walker’s Major Work Projects.” State watershed goals include: 1. Increase watershed awareness 2. Work with schools to educate students on maintaining water quality Ogden Canyon Cleanup volunteers along with state officials. 3. Increase the number of groups that are striving to improve water quality in the state By definition, a watershed is the land within the area of a drainage divide, or area wherein direct surface runoff from precipitation gravitationally travels to the same body of water. Note how each watershed surrounds a stream or river. The collection of watersheds that flows into a larger river is known as a basin—such as the Weber Basin. The Ogden River is part of the Ogden River Watershed. Most commonly, water resource problems, such as water quality, water supply, and fish and wildlife habitat, do not follow national, state, tribal, and/or local jurisdictional boundaries. A single watershed may cover a land area involving two or more political management boundaries. Most of the pollution affecting water quality in the Ogden River Watershed comes from non-point pollution—pollution that can not be specifically traced to a single source. The United States has made tremendous advances in the past 25 years to clean up the country’s aquatic environment by controlling pollution from point sources of pollution such as pollutants from industry and sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately, not enough is being done to control pollution from diffuse, or nonpoint sources. Today, nonpoint source (NPS) pollution from agricultural sources and urban runoff remains the nation’s largest contributor of pollutants. It’s the main reason approximately 40 percent of surveyed rivers, lakes, and estuaries nationwide are still not clean enough to meet basic uses such as fishing or swimming. Weber County has adopted the slogan, “If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t dump it.” This new slogan was created to help citizens remember the critical part they have in helping to maintain water quality within the county, as well as the state and nation. Dumping of oils, antifreeze and other toxic chemicals; the improper use of pesticides and fertilizers; and improper agriculture practices such as confined animal operations on waterways all impact the quality of everyone’s water. Volunteers who participated in this spring’s community Ogden Canyon cleanup activity included: Keith and Belinda Rounkles of the Oaks, Steve and Jody Sniggs from the Gray Cliff Lodge, Nick Breeze, Sam Bellarosa, member of Jobs Daughters, Wally and Rosemary Waite, the Collins family, Boyd Bindrop, Alan Miller, and many more. KEN TURNER OGDEN VALLEY SPECIALIST Multi-Million Dollar Producer President’s Club Award Winner Sales Master 801.710.8800 turner@relia.net Eden Office at Valley Market Wolf Creek Resort Joins Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System EDEN, UT - Wolf Creek Resort has achieved certification in Environmental Planning from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), an international program administered by Audubon International designed to help landowners preserve and enhance the environmental quality of their property. The environmental plan was developed by Rob Thomas, Superintendent; and Monica Fuit. Thomas and Fuit are also being individually recognized for their effort to plan for environmental stewardship. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses provides an advisory service to help existing golf courses develop effective conservation and wildlife enhancement programs. This worldwide effort is coordinated by Audubon International and is sponsored, in part, by the United States Golf Association; more than 2,000 golf courses in 25 countries participate in the program. “The open space of a golf course is utilized not only by golfers, but also as habitat for a variety of wildlife species,” explained Peter Bronski, Staff Ecologist for Audubon International. “We welcome Wolf Creek Resort’s commitment to the environment and to managing its golf courses with wildlife and the environment in mind.” By joining and participating in the ACSS, Wolf Creek Resort will be involved in projects that enhance habitat for wildlife and preserve natural resources for the benefit of the community. These projects may include: placing nesting boxes for cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds and swallows, utilizing integrated pest management techniques, conserving water, and maintaining food and cover for wildlife. “The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System benefits both people and wildlife,” said Bronski. “It’s a great way for the managers of developed properties and environmental organizations to work together to become better stewards of land and natural resources.” After the environmental plan is approved, properties in the program may apply for certification in Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, and Outreach and Education by demonstrating that they have met minimum requirements for each category. Achieving certification in all six components culminates in designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. In addition to golf courses, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System has programs designed for businesses, cemeteries, schools, and individual homeowners. For more information contact Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them via the Internet at acss@audubonintl.org, or visit their website address at <www.audubonintl.org> LD SO Mountain Green $599,000 ing e Sal d Pen Huntsville $565,000 g din en le P Sa Wolf Creek $379,000 ing No Charge For Initial Exam Invisalign Children and Adults e Sal Give Mom a clean car for Mother's Day! Car "makeovers" at Eden Car Wash Call Kristan Kap for detailing information 745-2280 d Pen Wolf Creek $249,900 ing e Sal d Pen 2612 N. Valley Junction Dr. Eden T H E PACK AGER, I N C. Wolf Creek ing Since 1972 “W E H AV E B OX E S ” FOR MOVING STORAGE SHIPPING e Sal d Pen Boxes Bubble Wrap $204,900 Tape Foam Visit our retail store for your packaging needs! No Minimums 1330 Gibson Ave., Ogden, UT 84404 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5 p.m. Sat. 9-3 p.m. Nordic Valley $219,000 For more area information and property listings log on to: www.OgdenValleyProperties.com |