The Emery County Public Lands Council welcomed new member Kim McFarlane to the council at its monthly meeting Tuesday. McFarlane is from Green River and has been the director of the Emery Medical Center for 11 years. He is an avid sportsman and a native of Price.
Commissioner Paul Cowley reported on the EPA hearing hosted in Salt Lake City last week. He was pleased with the large turnout of concerned citizens from Carbon and Emery counties. He felt overwhelming support for the power company by those in attendance.
Randy Johnson then addressed the council on the issues facing the Public Lands Initiative. He stressed the importance of getting comments and feedback returned to congressmen within ten days. The discussion draft can be read online at www.utahpli.com. Johnson feels that the draft essentially fits what the county has worked on for three decades.
Following these comments, various agencies began reporting to the council. The Bureau of Land Management stated that oil and gas lease sales will occur Feb. 16 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake. This includes master leasing plans in Carbon, Wayne and Emery counties. He also stated that the Sinbad burro gather will be held sometime in March. They are also working on the Joe’s Valley Bouldering Management Plan as well as canyoneering in the San Rafael Swell area. The BLM is trying to expedite these plans. They are gearing up to do travel management on the west side of the county. This would affect anyone with issues on routes, camping or ponds. He urged grazing permittees to make sure their needed roads are known so they can be protected. The BLM will hold public meetings and this would be a good time to identify these areas on BLM maps.
Chris Wood from the Division of Wildlife Resources explained the transplanting of mule deer from the urban benches of Bountiful to the local area to help invigorate the dwindling herds in Joe’s Valley. They have also transplanted 75 turkeys to the Ferron Canyon area. Wood also reported of a special hunt held southwest of Ferron as elk were beginning to invade the fields in that area. Seventeen elk were harvested and others were pushed back into the foothills.
SITLA representative Brian Torgerson commended Emery County for its leadership on the Public Lands Initiative. He also reported that the Green River Industrial Park lease has been amended to extend the lease for another five years. They are also hoping to turn the state lands of Elmo Cemetery over to Elmo City.
Forest Service District Ranger Daren Olsen reported that gate closures on the Ferron to Muddy drainage will reopen April 15. Other canyon road gates will be closed during spring run-off to prevent loss of gravel, which will help with the maintenance of these roads. He was asked about grazing on Gentry Mountain and he expects that 100% grazing will be returned to the burn scar area. They will, however, be asking for pond and spring improvements and other herd management improvements. When asked about thistle infestation, Olsen said they are using various eradication methods but are looking for assistance with this problem.
Parks and Recreation reported that because of recent snow, Green River Golf Course and State Park have been closed again. The representative also reported that there have been capital improvements at Green River State Park and Goblin Valley in the form of new and improved restroom facilities. He also noted that there is a park ranger job opening at Goblin Valley. The opening for this position closes on Feb. 17.
Council member Sherrel Ward reported that the water outlook at this time looks good, 109% of normal. To the south, it is 152% of normal.