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Show A4 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition IN OUR OPINION ... TO Drought shows desperate need for Narrows Our current drought provides a tangible example of why the Narrows Project must be built. We thought the drought was bad in 2003 and 2004. But 2007 is shaping into the worst drought year in decades, especially in northern Sanpete County. The Gunnison Valley is doing okay. The irrigation company there expects to deliver at least 80 percent of the normal water volume to its shareholders. That’s partly because streamflows are higher in the Gunnison Valley than on the north end of the Wasatch Plateau. But it’s also because Gunnison Valley can draw on water stored in Gunnison and Nine Mile reservoirs. North of Ephraim, though, say your prayers. North Sanpete is one of the only areas in Utah with no water storage. Agriculture there relies on current streamflows, which now are a fraction of normal and dwindling daily. One irrigation company, typical of a dozen in the north county, is currently delivering 25-30 percent of normal volume to its shareholders. Many alfalfa and hay farmers are responding by cutting back cultivation. They’re only irrigating their best fields. Their actions, like similar ones among farmers throughout the droughtstricken Intermountain West, are contributing to hay shortages. Those shortages have caused hay prices to shoot from a normal $60 per ton to $170. Because of prices, hay farmers may come out okay despite reduced production. Not so our cattle and sheep ranchers. Because they can’t afford to feed their livestock $170-per-ton hay, some are selling off their stock. A glut is developing and prices are dropping. Cattle that ordinarily sell for 70-90 cents per pound have recently sold for 40 cents. Numbers like those could turn even more of our Sanpete operators into hobby ranchers. The effects of the drought could reach significantly beyond agriculture. Low snowpack and precipitation over a long period could cause water levels in aquifers, springs and even wells to drop. Combine that with population growth, which is increasing consumption, and, yes, we could even face culinary water shortages. The Narrows Project—the dam, reservoir and tunnel system in Fairview Canyon that have been on the drawing boards for 75 years—would change things dramatically. First, the north county, like the Gunnison Valley, could draw on stored water. More important, the north county could get 5,400 acre feet of water that it doesn’t have now. That’s the amount that falls inside Sanpete County borders and that a half dozen government agencies and two intergovernmental compacts have confirmed belongs to our county. But, because we have no way to capture and deliver that water, it flows out of our county, and according to water engineers, ends up in the Colorado River and, finally, in the Gulf of California. With 5,400 extra acre feet, not to mention water in storage, north county farmers could grow more hay than they ever have before. We could sell that hay out-of-area, or export it as we’re already doing. The money from those sales would multiply through the local economy, helping us all. And don’t forget, a substantial share of the 5,400 acre feet is programmed to go for culinary use, not just agriculture. Recently, there’s been some movement on the Narrows. The Bureau of Reclamation has completed a new environmental impact statement, the third EIS on the Narrows. Carbon County, long a foe of the Narrows, is cooperating in a study to determine if there are any alternatives, other than building the Narrows, for Sanpete to capture its 5,400 acre feet of water. We don’t believe there are any better alternatives, and if the study shows as much, we hope Carbon County will accept its conclusions. In fact, the Sanpete Water Conservancy District, county commission and Sanpete County residents appear to be in the final hour of our 75-year struggle to bring our rightfully-owned water, our lifeblood, into our borders for our beneficial use. We must press on with the fight. The Narrows Project remains essential for our future. We must submit the comments, write the letters, lobby our congress people, potentially fight the final court battle—we must do whatever it takes to bring on the glorious day when we will break ground for the Narrows Project. Conversations with ... Well, the water is about gone so if the grass is going to stay green, it will be up to Mother Nature and some rain storms. Verl says it always rains at conference so if the Church would hold conferences more often, the water table might go up and get us out of the drought. I asked Verl if he thought everybody would be in favor and he said it don’t matter, as long as we get rain. Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials! Kids eat free Family Night: Monday, between 5 & 8 p.m. 61 S. Main, Ephraim 283-FOOD (3663) 2 Kids eight and under eat FREE with each “one” paid adult entree. Large dining room for wedding luncheons/ dinners. Several menu options to fit your budget. Call Don’s Reservation line at 8353663, ask for Gus or Don. Additional parking in back, with a back door, for your convenience Wednesday, July 18, 2007 THE EDITOR... FOR LETTERS-TO-THE-EDITOR POLICY GO TO WWW.SANPETEMESSENGER.COM, CLICK ON ‘OPINIONS’ THEN ‘LETTERS TO THE EDITOR’ Pageant anthem touched hearts Our immediate family has been scheduling our summer vacation around the Mormon Miracle Pageant held in Manti each year for the past 25 years. We reside in Utah County and this year we were fortunate to bring some additional family from California, Nevada and Arizona. We attended the pageant on Tuesday, June 19, and it was excellent as it always is, but we wanted to comment on the lady who sang the National Anthem. We all agreed that we have never heard the anthem sang with such feeling and emotion. As we stood there listening with our hands over our hearts, our eyes welled up with tears. Never have we been so touched by the anthem as we were that evening. It was amazing to us that a female could render those rich, low notes with so much quality. We have heard the anthem hundreds of times, but this lady and her rendition will long be remembered. We remembered her first name being LuDon (we commented on how different it was,) but failed to remember her last name, but we’ll never forget the lady with the great voice. Ron and Beverly Russet and family Utah County Thanks for preparing for growth, Manti As humans we are prone to voicing our disapproval of things that get our goat and I’m among that group. So I decided to think positive, and coming into Manti gave me a subject. I remember thinking how good it felt to see our flag flying above the very attractive arrangement at the north end of the cemetery, announcing, “Here is the city of Manti.” Farther on, the well-kept grounds of the Manti Utah Temple, and the Temple itself, reminded me of God’s love and goodness. The splashes of color from the hanging baskets added to a feeling of friendliness. The benches and shiny light poles seemed to say, “Sit down and stay awhile.” I also noticed that many shops are been dolled-up to look more attractive, a sign of caring. I live at the east end of Union Street, and when the breeze blows just right, I can hear the chimes from that beautiful clock: “Eight o’clock and all is well.” Several times I have driven past the swimming pool, where so many were having fun, and wondered if any one would dare stand out in front and say, “This shouldn’t be here.” Change and growth challenge our comfort zone, but it is also a healthy sign. And forethought, planning and fairness are necessary for healthy growth, that will, in the end, benefit all the citizens of Manti, including future families, many who may return home to live. Kudos to our city fathers. It isn’t easy to have friends disagree and still stay the course. Again, I say, thank you and Rock on! Augusta Hillier Manti Introducing as the Newest Member of the Gunnison Valley Hospital Medical Staff Dr. Willden graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine and recently completed the McKay Dee Hospital Family Practice Residency program. Dr. Willden is trained in the broad spectrum of family practice medicine, including obstetrics and pediatrics. Dr. Willden will start seeing patients on July 16th at the new Medical Office Building located at 65 E. 100 N. in Gunnison. Appointments can be made by calling (435) 528-2130. Sanpete County Phone Book off to the press this week ... Watch soon for your new phonebook! Judy Chamberlain, Miss Sanpete, can hardly wait for the soon to be released Sanpete County phone book. |