Utah is the fastest-growing and second-driest state in the country. We also have one of the nation’s highest per-capita rates of water use. According to a recent investigation by ProPublica, officials often push for costly new infrastructure over conservation. Today on the news, we speak with the author of that investigative report. Plus, a national and global effort to conserve 30% of public land and water by 2030 has a new, broad coalition of supporters in Utah. They say Utahans are directly experiencing the effects of climate change and it’s time “to do something.”

Plus, the Weekly News Reel where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo and Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discuss COVID-19 cases soaring, delays to the Walnut Lane housing development, a local man’s death during a wingsuit incident, and Moab’s first baby of 2022. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks COVID-19 protection, Arches National Park timed entry tickets, and a new pizza place opening this month.

Show Notes:

Photo: Glen Canyon Dam substation and bridge as seen from the south. Utah has one of the nation’s highest per-capita rates of water use.

ProPublica: Why the Second-Driest State Rejects Water Conservation

https://www.propublica.org/article/why-the-second-driest-state-rejects-water-conservation

Utah Geological Survey: Glad You Asked – Does Utah Really Use More Water Than Any Other State?

https://www.propublica.org/article/why-the-second-driest-state-rejects-water-conservation

Utah 30x30

https://utah30x30.org

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: COVID-19 cases soar as omicron hits Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/covid-19-cases-soar-as-omicron-hits-moab/

The Times-Independent: Walnut Lane housing project delayed again

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/walnut-lane-housing-project-delayed-again/

The Times-Independent: Local man dies in wingsuit incident

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/local-man-dies-in-wingsuit-incident/

The Times-Independent: Introducing Zoie Kamenske, Moab’s first baby of 2022

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/introducing-zoie-kamenske-moabs-first-baby-of-2022/

Moab Sun News: Southeast Utah sees record COVID spread

https://www.moabsunnews.com/covid-19/article_5dc90b58-755d-11ec-ba0c-073fd49369e1.html

Moab Sun News: Arches has sold over 7,000 timed entry tickets so far

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_dda339ce-755e-11ec-8f62-0ff371518e8a.html

Moab Sun News: Pizza restaurant, Canyon Pizza Co., to open location in Moab

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_b379d7ea-7566-11ec-83d3-2bf2b50d9a32.html