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Show April 1 1 Hearing To Mull Future of Park ESCALANTE Escalante State Park Manager Carl Davis issued an invitation this week to citizens to attend a public meeting on .the future of the park set for Thursday April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Escalante High School lunchroom. The park was formerly known as Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. He said the meeting will review present services and facilities, suggest possible changes for public benefit, gather ideas for future development, and formulate a general management plan. State law now requires a written general management plan for each state- park before any new development is approved. A park status report summary issued by Davis notes that existing public comment on record cites the need for more shade, better boat docking, a contact station and entrance station, beach area improvements, a fish cleaning station, paving and other improvements in the road, bridge and campground. Other comments include d request for more trails, the elimination of ( entrance fees, evening campfire programs, reduced rates for all senior citizens, power hook-ups in the campground and boundary marking or fencing. The park staff perceives the following needs according to the report: shade in the campground and Improved landscaping, paving of park roads and parking area, improving the access bridge and road, construction of a maintenance facility,' additional manpower, boundary fencing and signing, a visitor center and entrance station, increased number of self-guided trails, land acquisition to obtain (See PARK Page 5) Park - access to all park areas, fish cleaning station, stabilization of Indian ruins, and interpretive signs and exhibits concerning petrified wood, ancient Indians, pioneers, and wild flora and fauna. Davis listed a number of Internal influences on management at the park. He said that the water level of Wld Hollow Reservoir should remain stable throughout the year as the New Escalante Irrigation Company has recently Installed a pressurized water system. The 145 surface acre reservoir allows many water related activities to be offered to park visitors. The park area was used for homesites for the ancient Anasazl Indians. Many reminders of their presence can be found throughout the park, Davis said, including Moqui Holes, petroglyphs, chipping sites and pithouses. The mineralized bone and wood deposits of the park are of high interest to the public and their protection is a major concern for the Division of Parks and Recreation. Geologist estimates of the amount and value of the petrified wood in the park state that there are 6.5 million tons of wood, which; if valued at $1 per pound, sets the total value at $13 billion. The Davis report states that responsibility for the entry road into the state park appears to be in debate. Responsibility may lie with the Utah Department of Transportation, he noted, as there is a state law regarding roads from state highways into state parks which places responsibility with that department. However, the report noted, lack of funding for that agency precludes improvements. Garfield County currently maintains the road but the county has no interest in makign improvements to a road for which it does not have ownership. Pioneers built a lime kiln at Bailey Wash where limestone was heated to make lime for foundations and fireplaces for the first cabins in the area. There are also other evidences of pioneer habitation in the form of hand-hewn tree stumps used for agricultural purposes. Davis stated that public input is welcome and he encourages residents from all over the county to take part in the important meeting which will determine future of the popular park. |