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Show I •N E W S- Spanish Fork City supports proposed water rights resolution Covering what matters most A6 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007 Heather Campbell STAFF WRITER problem for municipalities, especially in growing areas, who need to have a reserve of extra water on hand to accommodate for that future growth. According to Heap, the idea behind According to City Engineer Richard Heap, Spanish Fork City is lending their support in favor of a new resolution being put together by the Utah League of Cities and Towns, a non-partisan, inter-local, government cooperative, that represents municipalities at state and federal levels. According to current Utah State law, if water is not put to beneficial use (that beneficial use being determined by the state) for a period of five years or more, that water right ceases and is given back to the public. Before legislation was passed in 2002, Municipalities and agricultural users could prevent the forfeiture of water rights by rotating a portion of their rights in a five year period. However, since that 2002 legislation was . passed, municipalities are now required to use 100 percent of their water rights each year. This has caused a "It would allow cities to acquire what they need for growth and not lose it." — Richard Heap the new legislation aims to make an exception for municipalities. "It would, allow cities to acquire what they need for growth and not lose it," he said. While the issue of water rights can be a very difficult topic to understand, Heap says that as members of the community we need to be aware of what is happening in our area. For example, studies have shown that in South Utah Valley the amount of underground water available, and paper rights for that available water are about equal right now. If some of those rights were to be transferred and underground surface rights were given to other areas, it would overscribe the amount of water that is currently available. Citizen should be aware of these kinds of potential problems. "People should not support anything that might give more underground surface rights to other areas," he said. Heap said citizens can do their part by contacting their local and state representatives and senators to let them know they support resolutions such as the one proposed by the Utah League of Cities and Towns. We were unable to contact a representative from the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Those looking for more information on the proposed resolution, you can visit their website at www. ulct.org. Kelsey Hall / Spanish Fork News CHESHIRE CAT: Beware the grin of this Tweedledee, created by Lisa Millman-Brown of the Millman Legacy Gallery. Entitled "Tweedledee and Twedledead," this entry took third place in the people's choice category. Support Utah Troops There are over 700 Utah National Guard members who will be deployed overseas this Christmas. As a thank you for their sacrifice your support is needed to send a care package to each soldier for Christmas. There are donation boxes at Allen's and Ream's grocery stores in Springville. Some of the wives of these soldiers will also be at Maceys in Spanish Fork on Saturday Oct. 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to collect items for the care packages. For more information on how to donate please visit the website www.feedunclesam.com. . * " ' , • * ecor Wholesale opendo the public Winners of the annual Chamber of Commerce Scarecrow Contest were announced at the Harvest Moon Hurrah on Saturday, Oct. 13. Five-hundred dollars in Chamber of Commerce gift certificates were awarded to the winners. Sponsors of the event were Bank of American Fork, Mountain View Hospital, Macey's, Central Bank and Confetti Antiques & Books. Also thanks to the Spanish Fork News, and Spanish Fork Press for their sponsorship in advertising. Please join us next year for more scarecrows! The contest is open to anyone, all ages. Entries are due the beginning of October. More information is available on the city website, and at spanishforkchamber.com. Spanish Fork Chamber of Commerce PEOPLE'S CHOICE CATEGORY 1st Place: Kabuki, Where East Meets West, by Brent Pickering 2nd Place: Pirating the Amber Waves of Grain, by Kris Chapman 3rd Place: Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dead, by Lisa Millman-Brown of Millman Legacy Gallery CHILDREN'S CATEGORY 1st Place: Daddie's Little Army Buddies, by Jordan, Hunter and Trace Lowe 2nd Place: Save the Cheerleader... Save the World, by Devere Morris 3rd Place: "Cub" Scout, by Lincoln Morris ADULT CATEGORY 1st Place: Captain Hook and Friend, by Dorothy Pickering 2nd Place: Cake or Death, by Mary Ann Hill 3rd Place: Pancho Villa, by Candido Escobedo 930 south state street, provo (kitty corner from the Provo City Cemetery) hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. phone: 356-9082 BUSINESS CATEGORY 1st Place: We'll take "scare" of all of your'medical needs, by Canyon View Medical Group 2nd Place: Demon, by ISG 3rd Place: Bridezilla, by Veronica Michael's Bridal owners: Tami Richards and Diana Pritchett • Beautiful and unique decma^ioru for your home, seasonal decor, dehutifkl silk flowers, custom designs andihor0 Bring in this coupon L _ • _ _ _ _ _ _ ^ - ; - — SCARECROWS GALORE: Scarecrows lined Main Street for the 2007 Chamber of Commerce Scarecrow Contest. Pictured, left, is "Captain Hook and Friend," by Dorothy Pickering. Pictured, above, is "'Cub' Scout" by Lincoln Morris. |