The
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Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah
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LOA • FREmONT • LYmAN • BICkNELL • TEASDALE • TORREY • GROvER • FRUITA • CAINEvILLE • HANkSvILLE PANGUITCH • PANGUITCH LAkE • HATCH • ANTImONY • BRYCE • TROPIC • HENRIEvILLE • CANNONvILLE • ESCALANTE • BOULDER
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Wayne County Commission October 19
Issue # 1382
Proposal for Escalante National Park is Reintroduced
by Amiee mAxwell WAYNE COUNTY The Wayne County Commission Meeting on October 19, 2020 kicked off with a discussion about scheduling a Truth in Taxation hearing in December. The county intends to increase the tax rate by 3% in 2021, and a public meeting is required for the process. Ryan Torgerson noted that the tax increase is necessary to “keep up with the cost of providing services to citizens.” “I think it is something I support as commissioner. It keeps the rate flat,” noted Commissioner Wood. Next on the agenda was a brief discussion about the Inland Port Amicus Brief. The county wants to sign on in support. “Good to have standing and be heard, give our point of view. I think it’s a great idea,” said County Attorney Mike Olsen. A motion was passed to support the Inland Port brief. A few miscellaneous items were then discussed including signing a Notice of Intent to continue the Fish Lake Garbage Contract for
Wayne Commission Cont'd on page 8
JessicA Frogley
The Grand Staircase Enhancement Act, introduced by Utah Congressman Chris Stewart, would establish an Escalante Canyons National Park and Preserve within the Escalante Canyons National Monument. The bill also transfers control of "Hole-in-the-Rock" road from the Department of the Interior to the state of Utah. SALT LAKE CITY - U.S. Based on a summary of Monument, designated in Congressman Chris Stewart, the original 2017 bill (H.R. 1996 under the Clinton Adwho represents Utah’s 2nd 4558), the resolution would es- ministration, was a total of Congressional District, has tablish an Escalante Canyons 1,003,863 acres before the reintroduced a resolution to National Park and Preserve Trump Administration's Presicreate a sixth national park in within the Escalante Canyons dential Proclamation in 2017 Utah. National Monument (approxi- modified the boundaries by His first effort, in 2017, mately 243,241 acres), as nearly half its original size died in in the House Commit- well as the Grand Staircase and divided the land into three tee on Natural Resources. National Monument (approxi- distinct units. The Grand Staircase mately 211, 983 acres) and the According to the summaEscalante Enhancement Act Kaiparowits National Monu- ry, "The public lands excluded (H.R. 8446), reintroduced on ment (approximately 551,117 from the lands and interests September 30, would create acres). the Escalante Canyons NaThe original Grand H.R. 8446 tional Park and Preserve. Staircase-Escalante National Cont'd on page 10
Op-Ed
A Vital Challenge to the Community (and You): We need Everyone Working Together to Reduce Illness and Death in Our Community from COVID-19 by michAel BAumAnn, md, hcA/mountAinstAr heAlthcAre; mArk BriesAcher, md, intermountAin heAlthcAre; Arlen JArrett, md, stewArd heAlth cAre; And thomAs miller, md, university oF utAh heAlth
courtesy Becki Bronson
Healthcare workers Bonnie McPhie (L) and Janet Malachowski (R). UTAH - As leaders and physicians in Utah’s healthcare community, we’ve been watching cautiously as cases of new COVID-19 have continued to rise throughout the state, and in particular, several counties. We have urged all Utahns to heed the serious warnings from medical experts regarding this virus, and to take proactive steps to protect their health and the
health of others through steps to reduce the transmission of coronavirus in our communities. Yet, many are not heeding these warnings. We, along with all of the state’s medical community, continue to advocate for people to wear face masks at all times when in public, socially distance from others by Vital Challenge Cont'd on page 3
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. OCTOBER 29 - WED. NOVEMBER 4
Cooler temperatures, but mostly sunny, with no chances of precipitation. Highs in the mid to high 60s; lows in the 20s. Winds variable from 5 to 8 mph. Some clouds Sunday - Tuesday.
Conservation Critical to Meet Utah’s Water Needs Now and into the Future
SALT LAKE CITY Conservation is critical to meet the water needs of Utah’s growing population and is a factor that can significantly postpone water development projects. “We’ve seen how implementing water conservation strategies can delay largescale infrastructure projects,” said Todd Adams, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources. “When the Legislature passed the Bear River Development Act in 1991, the projected need for the water was in 2015. Thanks primarily to conservation efforts, new technology and some smaller water development projects, current projections indicate the water won’t be needed until 2045 to 2050.” The Conservation Impact Study released by the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council and led by Bowen Collins & Associates is a reminder of how conservation has delayed water development projects in the past and how essential it is in meeting Utah’s future water needs. Great Salt Lake is one of Utah’s most unique water resources that affects the economy, fragile ecosystems and public health. “Raising awareness of the impact we can have on our water supply by making simple changes is one of the Water Conservation Cont'd on page 3
Torrey Town Council October 15
by Amiee mAxwell TORREY - The October future, a sanitizing system to Torrey Town Council meeting clean the pavilion and playbegan with a motion to pay for ground equipment, a projecthe post office. A bank loan tor screen for the pavilion to was acquired and the payment encourage more distancing at will be made on an annual ba- meetings, and outdoor heaters sis beginning July 21, 2021. for winter events. The council A link to donate to the post approved the use of funds for office is now on the Torrey network upgrades and will go Town website. The town has from there. Next, several communireceived $8,800 in donations ty members’ water bills were to date. The construction bid was awarded to Hanky Panky discussed having to do with leaks and inaccurate meter Construction. Next, treasurer Colleen readings. The council then Dudleston gave a report on the discussed their need to define town’s finances. Dudleston re- a policy on how to handle fuported that parcel boxes were ture water bill issues. Next on the agenda was a purchased for the new post office and that she is currently business license request from working on an email system Tyler Torgerson for Double for sending water bills. She is T Storage. Currently, there also evaluating the possibil- is a moratorium on issuing ity of an additional charge for new business licenses until taking credit card payments the new zoning ordinance is for water bills since credit completed and passed. Pace card fees are becoming a sig- will clarify with the town attorney whether Torgerson’s nificant cost for the town. Dudleston also reported license can be approved givthat Torrey Town has received en his application had been its first installment of CARES in the works before the moraAct coronavirus relief fund- torium was put in place. The ing, approximately $7000. council issued his business The town council discussed license with the stipulation how to best use this money that the attorney approves the including computer network request. The license is also updates to enhance the ability Torrey Council to hold remote meetings in the Cont'd on page 2
Wayne County Travelers Should Plan for Delays
insider
The Utah Department of Transportation began the SR-24/SR-12 Asphalt Rehabilitation project in early October, which could, potentially, cause delays in traffic of 15 to 20 minutes between Torrey and Bicknell. Work will continue as weather permits, but may need to resume in the spring. WAYNE COUNTY - A twenty-two mile re-paving project on Highways 24 and 12 will take place over the coming months, intermittently causing delays in travel through early next summer. The Utah Department of Transportation began the SR24/SR-12 Asphalt Rehabilitation project in early October. The project will add a new layer of pavement to the road on SR-24 from Bicknell to Torrey and on SR12 from Torrey to the Indian Bench OHV Trail. It also improves safety features by upgrading signs and barriers. The scope of the project is from mile marker 100 through mile marker 122. Current work on SR-24
Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, 'Never take candy from strangers.' And then they dressed me up and said, 'Go beg for it.' —Rita Rudner
is focused on laying pavement between Torrey and Bicknell. Due to the limited work space, the work requires a lane closure, and traffic must alternate through the construction zone, with delays of 15-20 minutes possible. According to Kevin Kitchen, UDOT Communications Manager, “New pavement could extend eastward to the Teasdale turnoff this week. If temperatures remain high enough, paving could be placed on SR-12 this season from Torrey to approximately Grover. Otherwise, paving down SR-12 will most likely resume in the spring.” The project is valued at $9.6 million. R. Chapman
Construction of Roosevelt has teamed up with local contractor Brown Brothers to deliver this project. Contractors will generally be working Monday - Friday. But weekend work is anticipated to continue as long as temperatures remain high enough to pave. UDOT says that two other pavement preservation projects are planned for construction on SR-24 next year. One will extend from Loa to the Sevier County line. The other will extend from Torrey through Capitol Reef National Park and also cover a 14 mile stretch south and west of the Hanksville airport. —Insider
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