See Thousands of Geese Migrating Through Utah During Annual Delta Snow Goose Festival

If you want to see the incredible spectacle of thousands of geese head to the annual Delta Snow Goose Festival on Feb. 24-25.

DELTA - It’s a sight you have to see to believe: Thousands of geese lifting off Gunnison Bend Reservoir amid honks and the beating of wings. If you want to see the incredible spectacle yourself, head to the annual Delta Snow Goose Festival later this month.

The festival, hosted by the Delta Chamber of Commerce, will be held Feb. 24-25 at Gunnison Bend Reservoir, west of Delta. Part of the festival includes a free snow goose viewing event hosted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

As many as 20,000 geese—mostly snow geese —have been at the reser- voir during past festivals. Except for the black tips on their wings, snow geese are completely white. DWR biologists will be available to provide information about the birds and help you find them. The areas where you’ll see the geese vary according to the time of the day. If you arrive in Delta early in the morning, you can watch the geese feeding in fields that surround the reservoir. Then, between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., the geese take off and fly back to the reservoir.

“Seeing those thousands of geese in flight makes for incredible photos,” DWR Southern Region Outreach Manager

Adam Kavalunas said.

“Watching and hearing the geese take off can take your breath away. It’s a great family activity, and we encourage you to come out and see these amazing birds in flight.”

After landing on the reservoir, the geese usually spend the next few hours there. Then, sometime between 4-6 p.m., the birds take off again and fly back to the fields. DWR biologists will watch which fields the geese fly to. If you arrive after the geese have left the reservoir, the biologists will direct you to the fields where the geese are feeding.

Here are a few tips and reminders for anyone attending the goose viewing event:

Try to bring your own binoculars or a spotting scope to view the geese. If you get too close to the birds, you could scare them away.

• Please respect private property. Trespassing to view the geese is not legal.

• For your safety, if you pull off the road to view the geese, pull as far off the road as you can. Be prepared for cold, wet weather by dressing in layers that will help you stay warm and dry.

—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

BLM Proposes Rule to Limit Roped and Aerial Recreation to Protect Wildlife in Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons

MOAB - The Bureau of Land Management proposes a rule to protect vital wildlife habitat from increasing encroachment of recreational uses by limiting roped and aerial activities, such as ziplining, slacklining, climbing, rappelling, rope swinging, BASE jumping, parachuting and skydiving in Mineral and Hell Roaring canyons located approximately 30 to 43 miles west of Moab, Utah. The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 60 days after publication in the

Federal Register.

Wildlife species, including raptors and desert bighorn sheep, depend on areas with limited human presence to have the best chance of survival and to successfully reproduce.

“There are many great opportunities for this type of recreation in the Moab area,” said Acting Moab Field Manager David Pals. “This proposed rule would protect a small portion of the public lands managed by the field office and leave 1.8 million acres open and available for roped and

Bid For Stage At Town Park

BICKNELL TOWN

Bicknell Town invites bids for a stage at the town park. The town park is located at 100 N. 200 E., Bicknell, Utah, 84715. Bidding documents and specifications may be obtained from the Bicknell Town Hall at 64 W. 100 N., Bicknell, UT 84715, beginning February 9, 2023, at 10:00 am.

Sealed bids will be received at the Bicknell Town Hall, 64 W. 100 N., Bicknell, UT 84715 on or before February 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm. Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Town Council Work meeting aerial recreation, including the popular Mineral Bottom BASE Jumping Focus Area, Mineral Bottom Airstrip, Corner Tower, and the Fruit Bowl Highlining Area.”

Town Hall, 64 W. 100 N., Bicknell, UT 84715.

The remote Mineral and Hell Roaring canyons are accessible mostly by dirt roads. The proposed supplementary rule would apply to 10,044 acres— less than one percent of the BLM-managed public lands within the jurisdiction of the Moab Field Office.

The Federal Register notice also announces the designation of a portion of the Mineral and Hell Roaring canyons as the Moab Canyons Special Wildlife Area. This new special wildlife area provides important habitat for wildlife, including the Mexican spotted owl, golden eagles, other raptors, and Utah’s only endemic herd of desert bighorn sheep.

In June 2021, the BLM issued a decision on this project after completing an environmental assessment, which incorporated public input. The BLM thorough- ly reviewed, considered, and responded to the 13 comments submitted by the public. The proposed supplementary rule and accompanying environmental documents are available for inspection at the BLM Moab Field Office and on the project ePlanning website. Written comments will be accepted through email, mail, or by handdelivery until March 31. Please note that the most useful comments are specific and contain new technical or scientific information relevant to the proposed action. Comments that contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response but may be considered in the BLM decision-making process.

Please reference “Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons Supplementary Rule” when submitting comments.

• Email: kstevens@blm. gov

• Mailed or hand delivered: BLM Moab Field Office, Attn: Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons, 82 E. Dogwood Ave., Moab, UT 84532

Before including an address, phone number, email address or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review may be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

For additional information, please contact Katie Stevens at kstevens@ blm.gov or 435-259-2100.

—Bureau of Land Management