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Show SEPTEMBER 21,2006 Page 10 THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER tHe lAuGhiNg pOiM!! POWELL DISTRICT RANGER APPROVES BLUBBER CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT PANGUITCH, Utah — Powell District Ranger Donna Owens has approved a project to restore Blubber Creek to its natural channel, in order to improve riparian My friend Nancy and I decided to introduce her eld- and wetland habitat, and allow better passage of fish and other aquatic organisms. erly mother to the magic of the Internet. Our first Blubber Creek drains into the East Fork of the Sevier River, about three miles move was to access the popular Ask Jeeves website, and we told south of Tropic Reservoir. her it could answer any question she had. Nancy's mother was The Dixie National Forest built a small impoundment dam on Blubber Creek very skeptical until Nancy said, "It's true. Mom. Think of something to around 1950 to reduce erosion and sediment into the East Fork of the Sevier River. ask it." As I sat with fingers poised over the keyboard, Nancy's mother The main outlet drained into the natural stream channel, with a second outlet on the thought a minute, then responded, "How is Aunt Helen feeling?" south end of the dam to irrigate upland vegetation. The Forest Service converted the south outlet into the main outlet when the SALT LAKE THREE original main outlet washed out in 1960, diverting Blubber Creek into an artificial VS DENVER IMPORTANT WORDS ditch and creating a new confluence with the East Fork of the Sevier River. I "cWldn't decide whether to go to At my granddaughter's wedding, the "We identified erosion problems with the new channel as far back as 1969, but Salt Lake City or Denver for vacation, DJ polled the guests to see who had been recent deterioration of the channel's road crossing really emphasized the problem, so I called the airlines to get prices. "Air- married longest. It turned out to be my along with the opportunity to improve resource conditions," said Joni Brazier, Dixie fare to Denver is $300," said a cheery husband and I. The DJ asked us, "What National Forest hydrologist. salesperson. advice would you give to the newly-marDixie National Forest engineers have designed a rock step-pool structure "And what about Salt Lake City?" ried couple?" and channel from the north end of the dam into the original stream channel, which "We have a really great rate to Salt I said, "The three most important is still intact and supports remnant riparian vegetation. The original channel's road Lake. It's $99.00, but there is a stop- words in a marriage are, 'You're probcrossing is still in place and stable. over." ably right.'" Riparian plant plugs and cuttings will also be transplanted from the artificial to "Where?" Everyone then looked at my husband. the original channel. "In Denver." He said, "She's probably right." The Powell Ranger District will decommission the artificial channel and remove its failing road crossing. The district will maintain the impoundment dam RUNNING AWAY HISTORIC CHURCH and pond in order to preserve the riparian wetlands and associated aquatic habiFROM HOME While touring historic buildings in Alextat. District range managers will relocate and construct allotment pasture fences andria, V irginia, we visited an old church. A man scolded his son for being so to protect the stream channel's recovery. The guide told us that George Washing- unruly and the child rebelled against his Owens intends to begin implementation of the Blubber Creek Stream ton had attended services there and father. He got some of his clothes, his Restoration Project this fall. teddy bear and his piggy bank and pointed to his pew. For more information about the project, contact the Powell Ranger District at A reverent silence fell. The guide, en- proudly announced, "I'm running away (435) 676-9300, or visit the Dixie National Forest's web site at www.fs.fed.us/r4/ couraged by this, went on to tell us that from home!" dixie, and click on "Projects & Plans." The father calmly decided to look at church services back then had been very lengthy — frequently lasting three hours the matter logically. "What if you get hungry?" he asked. or more. 1 / 3 O F A M E R I C A ' S L A N D IS Y O U R S . "Then I'll come home and eat!," The mood of the moment was shatCONSIDER SPENDING 1 / 3 6 5 OF YOUR TIME tered when an anonymous voice whim- bravely declared the child. P R E S E R V I NG I T . "And what if you run out of money?" pered loudly, "So George Washington "I will come home and get some!" slept here too!" readily replied the Computer Diagnostics child. Both Engine The man & Transmission then made a Custom Built final att e m p t , Transmission "What if (Standard & Automatic) your clothes Over 200 Units in Stock get dirty?" in Southern Utah. " "Then I'll come home let 1 Day Service (Most Cases) and m o mm y w a s h WE DO IT FAST!! Brakes - Motor Mounts them," was Motor Homes - Tune Ups the reply. OIL CHANGES Quick Lube - Axles The man (Most cars & light trucks) shook his ,. -$25 Including Tax Call & ask about weekly specials head and (Most Diesel Light Trucks) Full Service Shop One out of every three acre* of America's land - 600 million acres - is public land, your land. Lands exclaimed, where you can hike, bike, climb, swim, explore, picnic or just plain relax. And Saturday. September 24, We carry Parts Plus Auto Parts! -$45 Including Tax "This kid is 2005 Is ihe 12ih annual National Public Lands Day. a day when you can help spruce up your beautiful not running lands. Last year on this day, nearly 80,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, planted native trees and away from removed trash. home; he's To (ind out how you can help, go to www.publlclandsday.orE ^m*., going off to or cnll 1 -800-VOLTEER (800-065-8337). M I B I t . ^ s i * ^ ,...-, rWIC-35*p£rLAND) college." H E L P I N G H A N D S F O RA M E R I C A ' S L A N D S 7 < V - MAGIC OF THE INTERNET ••."•• / |