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Show Ss ee rt . 2 score 2 April 2001 Name Your Newspaper page 4 : She never did swim in it, perhaps because she was a girl, or perhaps chairman of the Rehabilitation and . she was just smarter than her brothers were! Development Committee. This included — coordinating with ‘When she was a child, grown-ups Neighborhood Housing Service came up with stories to keep the staff members, Michelle Hutchins young children away from the danand Mark Lundgren in organizing a ger of drowning in the river. Myths conference, which Fred named of alligators and strong whirlpools "The Jordan River Re-animation Conference". The goal of the con' ference was to gather together key government officials to address the issue of pushing forward with the Jordan River Parkway project, JR Part II (continued from page 1) specifically along river between 2100 South. the North Harrisons own a family farm of about 70 acres on the east bank at 100th South. flooding, natural redistribution and propagation of plants is severely It was homesteaded by Ty's great uncle, and because of this Ty has many childhood memories of the river. Ty spoke of the three most ecologically destructive elements in the Jordan Rivers' history: channel- hindered. the dynamics ecosystem." Ty is devoted of the river | | to environmental education and has been involved in an extensive 4 project and flood advo- along plain habitat restoration the Jordan between 9800 River South City. The project came about through the cooperative efforts of the Audubon Society, TreeUtah, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife cate for the Jordan River and the Poplar Grove Community. He serves on numerous boards and commissions, always chiming in when there is an opportunity to discuss the river. Mention "Jordan River" and Fred's eyes light up. He'll do just about anything for a ‘chance to share his dreams about Service. | Born in 1928, she has a central’ part of her life, although that would suck you under were she admits that she took it for "The river _believed by many of the small chilgranted in her youth. was just there", she said. "We used dren. These tactics must work, to ice-skate on small frozen ponds because just off the banks. They did away with those ponds because of the health hazard of the stagnant water and also as mosquito abatement. It wasn't until much later that she realized how special it was. She has passed on to her children the appreciation that she gained for the drownings have always been kept to a minimum. Among her most vivid memories ization of the river as a method for flood control, water flow manipulation and diversion, and grazing. During the late 50s and early 60s extensive channelization took place in response to a series of floods that occurred in the Salt Lake Valley. of the ‘This numbers of river are the quail (before Jordan River family used roses. "We residential. abundance. of the construction of the Parkway) and how her the river to water their had some of the most river. Now her son, Brad, lives ina home near the river also, and rou- beautiful roses in the neighborhood!" said Mabey. That Jordan tinely River water must have had some kind of magic. | As a professor of environmental biology at Westminster College and an ornithologist, Ty Harrison is another person who, naturally, has an interest in the Jordan River cor-ridor. But, his appreciation stems not only from his biology background, but from a personal rela- feeds the ducks that nest Trains (Continued from page 1) Olympics have come and gone. | Reactivating the line would be costly for Union Pacific. Representatives from UDOT say at least four street crossings will need to be upgraded with state-of-the art crossing signals, which would cost Union Pacific about $800,000 dollars. tionship with the river. The and safety for school children were voiced at the West Salt Lake Community Council meeting on June 22 and the Poplar Grove Community Council Meeting on June 27. On Thursday, July 19, concerned residents from the West Salt Lake and Poplar Grove Community Councils met at Parkview Elementary to air their concerns about the proposed action by Union Those streets which are not recommended Pacific. for upgraded crossing signals would be Transportation Engineer, and a represen- closed to through traffic. Another cost could be the railroad bridge at the Jordan tative from Congressmen Chris Cannon's office also attended. Harpst described Tim Harpst, Salt Lake Salt Lake City's opposition to the reacti- sound for the proposed increase in train traffic. vation of the rail line on 900 South. officials are concerned that this proposal would be detrimental to both the Glendale Salt Lake City officials share the concerns of the West Salt Lake and Poplar Grove neighborhoods, Harpst said. Harpst also said that Salt Lake City officials and rep- and Poplar Grove neighborhoods, which resentatives are already boxed-in on all sides by freeways, railroads, and state highways. once a month to discuss issues of com- train whistles, effects on property value, Union Pacific meet mon concern to the railroad and the city. The reactivation of the 900 South line is on the agenda at those meetings. op. Concerns about traffic delays, noise from from had a long-term negative impact on the river. "Cutting off the meanders creates very steep banks which are prone to rapid erosion. This bank erosion has severely diminished willows and cottonwoods that provide essential habitat for wildlife and birds such as the yellow-breasted chat and the flycatcher, explained Harrison. Adding to the destruction of riparian vegetation is the popular flood- plain use for grazing. Livestock, such. as sheep, cattle, and horses have destroyed much of the native vegetation, which provides essential habitat for migratory birds and sandbar sumac, golden willow, fragrant currant, black and box elder to attract neo-tropical migratory birds to the site. Similar projects, though smaller in scale, have occurred on the lower portion of the river where it flows through Salt Lake City's West Side neighborhoods. The Bend-In-TheRiver Urban Treehouse just south of Jordan Park and the Alzheimers' Wildlife Grove at 300 South are examples of projects going on currently in our area. | The rejuvenation of the Jordan River parallels the rejuvenation of our community. Our community is isolated by freeways and railroads and regarded by some as separate from the rest of Salt Lake City. Eventually, the river trail will link us to other neighborhoods and may attract people who have never visited our neighborhood. Plans to con- nect the Bonneville Shoreline Trail with the Jordan River Parkway Trail are currently in the works. The Jordan River has the potential to play an important role in reestab- lishing our city as it once was, undivided, accessible and friendly. other wildlife. For further updates on this issue, you can contact Edie Trimmer at 532-1948. (email edieann@ix.netcom.com), Jay Ingleby at 581-6626 or Rep. Fred Fife at 521-7383. ¢ e Sign up for a free home water check through USU Extension Services: If we all begin to make wise choices about how and when we use our water, not only will we be saving water and money now, we will be saving our resources Water {Continued from page 1) City River, which may not be structurally Residents, community leaders, and city willow, _ hawthorn, lived on or near the Jordan River most of her life. The river has been there. Lois has accumulated many childhood memories having to do with the river. She recalled that her brothers caught water-snakes and swam in it all the time, even though it was polluted by residential raw waste, sewage and _ industrial including waste from slaughter houses and meat-packing plants. | The project involved planting native trees and vegetation such as, Fremont cottonwood, peach leaf Lois Mabey has been a long-time resident of the Poplar Grove Community. of and 10600 South in South Jordan Fred Fife is a tremendous the river. "Periodic overflow the channel is a critical process in the establishment and survival of some wetland species. Riparian wetland vegetation is adapted to water fluctuations and dependent on stretch of Temple Ty explained that when a river is altered and manipulated to prevent low these guidelines, we can extend our supply of water farther into the future. ¢ Don't water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ¢ Don't water on rainy or windy days e Avoid watering gutters, sidewalks, -- and driveways ¢ Use a broom to clean sidewalks and driveways . | e Water lawns less frequently and mow lawns higher : e Repair misaligned and broken. sprinkler heads for the future generations. Saving water isn't about giving up the water we are using. We can make our goal of saving 20 percent, if we simply begin saving the water we are wasting, starting today. If you would like more information on water conservation, or are interested in scheduling a home water check, con- tact one of the following agencies or departments: e Stephanie Duer, Salt Lake City Water Conservation Coordinator 4836860 stephanie.d@ci.slc.ut.us ¢ 'Slow the Flow’ Campaign (for water checks) 877-SAVE H20 e Salt Lake City Public Utilities. Department www.sich2o.com. @ |