KZMU News

Moab, how would you rate your overall wellbeing? And is this personal wellbeing affected by your connection to nature, your income, or local living standards? Utah State University wants to know – their Utah Wellbeing Project is gathering this data so local leaders can do better planning. And, the Biden administration says its order to pause new oil and gas leasing on public lands does not apply to tribal nations. Plus, things are very dry in the Colorado River Basin already this year. And the situation could get much worse for the water that 40 million people across seven western states rely on. Our partners at KUNC explain the current drought conditions with five memorable numbers.

Show Notes:

Utah Wellbeing Project

https://extension.usu.edu/business-and-community/utah-wellbeing-project/index

Take the 2021 Moab Survey

https://moabcity.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=326

Moab 2020 Wellbeing Survey Findings

https://extension.usu.edu/business-and-community/utah-wellbeing-project/reports/moab-wellbeing-survey-findings-may-2020

Mountain West News Bureau: Tribal Nations Exempt From Biden’s Suspension Of New Federal Oil And Gas Leases

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/tribal-nations-exempt-bidens-suspension-new-federal-oil-and-gas-leases

KUNC: The Colorado River Basin’s Worsening Dryness in Five Numbers

https://www.kunc.org/2021-01-29/the-colorado-river-basins-worsening-dryness-in-five-numbers?fbclid=IwAR0O9F_AeeS4lZbIzITgdmEQ5qNrFgnyPp63U8lOYwD-x0Fs9qpOMDzorLE

Today on the news, we jump right into our Weekly News Reel, where we hear from local newspaper reporters about their latest stories in our region. Concerns over water supply are leading Moab City to create water restriction ordinances. Editor Doug McMurdo at The Times-Independent tells us more about their coverage of this issue, as well as the latest on the local fish refuge, and a new transient room tax reform bill. And (10:00), Grand County recently passed an ordinance clarifying that camping on private property outside of an established campground is illegal. Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire discusses its implications for marginalized locals, as well as a controversial highway that could impact desert tortoise habitat in southern Utah. Plus (19:00), our partners at KVNF speak with Eric Siegel from High Country News, who’s latest article profiles rural queerness in the West.

Show Notes:

Photo: Luna Anna Archey/High Country News

KVNF: Local Motion – The Latest From High Country News

https://www.kvnf.org/post/local-motion-latest-high-country-news#stream/0

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times Independent

Water restrictions coming to Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/water-restrictions-coming-to-moab/

Final phase of wetlands project well underway

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/final-phase-of-wetlands-project-well-underway/

Albrecht sponsors TRT reform bill

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/albrecht-sponsors-trt-reform-bill/

Moab Sun News

What we mean when we say ‘camping’

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_1e05e968-619b-11eb-b471-3727d49ae0ec.html

Controversial highway offers protections for climbing area

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_b56876ea-619b-11eb-bf71-5f5c57d2aaf7.html

High Country News

Meet the gun-toting ‘Tenacious Unicorns’ in rural Colorado

https://www.hcn.org/issues/53.2/south-communities-meet-the-gun-toting-tenacious-unicorns-in-rural-colorado?fbclid=IwAR3bJnVWO3zFJc24dEyLoeztG4j9e2B0dTl6eK8WV2YwK3jmO-mU5O2rPiw

Citing an urgent need to proactively manage local water resources, the Moab City Council gave staff the greenlight to prepare a water shortage contingency plan. This conservation effort comes as the region faces a bleak water year, and it still remains unclear how much groundwater the Moab valley has for future use. Plus, a new study finds that in most cases, prioritizing older adults when distributing COVID-19 vaccines would save substantially more lives. And, our partners at KSUT report on how the Biden Administration’s pause on new oil and gas leases on public lands affects one drilling proposal in the San Juan National Forest.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Colorado River near Moab

Moab City: Culinary Water Resources Policy and Conservation Measures

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3247?fileID=4302

Presentation: Moving to a Water-Restricted Future

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3145?fileID=4245

KVNF: Study – Prioritize Vaccines for Older Adults

https://www.kvnf.org/post/study-prioritize-vaccines-older-adults#stream/0

The new Scenic Resource Protection District around Highways 191 and 313 aims to preserve ‘the natural beauty and ecological quality of the gateway to Moab’ while still providing opportunities for development. The district was approved earlier this month by the Grand County Commission, and outlines standards around viewshed protection, dark night skies, rainwater catchment systems, and drought resistant landscaping design. Plus, Moab City’s ‘Buy Local Bucks’ program ended Tuesday night, after the $100,000 allocation was spent. Preliminary figures show residents spent over 60 percent of the vouchers at local grocery stores. And, a report on virtual options for participating in Utah's ongoing legislative session.

Show Notes:

Photo: The intersection of Highways 313 and 191.

Scenic Resource Protection District (starts on page 211)

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01052021-1282

Moab City Buy Local Bucks

https://moabcity.org/566/Moab-Buy-Local-Bucks

UPR: How To Participate Virtually In This Year’s Legislative Session

https://www.upr.org/post/how-participate-virtually-years-legislative-session

Over half the jobs in the Moab area relate to the tourism economy – the verifiable economic engine of this rural area. The need to attract different types of business to Moab has been discussed for years. But what are the actual barriers to diversification, and what can be done about it? Plus, the Moab Area Travel Council and the Utah Office of Tourism are funding a strategic plan focused on ‘stewarding’ a thriving destination. Better understanding the experience of visitors and locals will help guide their strategies.

Show Notes:

Photo: Traffic backs up headed into Moab in fall 2020. Transportation officials attributed the seasonal jams to the ‘perfect storm’ of road construction mixed with great weather for visiting. Courtesy Whit Richardson.

Grand County Economic Diversification Action Plan

https://grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/10961/Grand-County-Economic-Diversification-Action-Plan

Grand County Economic Diversification Advisory Council Bylaws

https://grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/10955/3260_Res-Amend-Economic-Diversification-Advisory-Council-Bylaws

Destination Stewardship Plan

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Destination-Stewardship-Plan.pdf

Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan says Rally on the Rocks missed deadlines to appeal the decision on their 2021 event and the temporary moratorium on ATV-related issues. Parties close to the matter expect Rally on the Rocks’ objections will become a lawsuit. Plus, a second Grand County man has died due to COVID-19, according to the Southeast Utah Health Department. And later, better air monitoring in some Colorado cities show emissions from the oil industry are significantly contributing to bad air quality. Our partners at KGNU report how one researcher shining a light on just how bad it’s getting, is now a target of the industry.

Show Notes:

Grand County Denial of Request for Appeal (1/21/21)

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/LTR.Sloan_.Koch_.Denial-of-Administrative-Appeal-01.21.21.pdf

KZMU News (1/20/21): Rally on the Rocks is demanding Grand County immediately approve their May ATV event…

https://www.kzmu.org/kzmu-news-wednesday-january-20-2021/

Southeast Utah Vaccine Scheduler

https://www.seuhealth.com/vaccine-scheduling?utm_campaign=7ad00b7e-4566-4767-8c65-6e0ed86236fa&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=f047d9d8-0c34-44ef-84fa-246cfa5a769e

Utah Coronavirus Case Counts

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/

It’s clear that Margaret Hopkin’s influence reached all corners of the Moab community as a beloved teacher and administrator at Grand County School District. After Hopkin passed away in December, a community-wide effort sprang up to recognize her impact. Today on the news, in honor of the newly named ‘Margaret L. Hopkin’ Middle School, we hear some archival audio. KZMU’s Christy Williams Dunton spoke with Hopkin in 2007 as she transitioned into her new role as superintendent of schools.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel! where local newspaper reporters and editors discuss their latest stories. First (11:00), Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo discusses increased tension over ATV event Rally on the Rocks, Governor Spencer Cox’s plan for rural Utah, and a gathering for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And (18:00), Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire explains how local nonprofits are trying to get an accurate count of homelessness in Grand County, as well as ongoing plans for impact mitigation at Mill Creek.

Show Notes:

Photo: Margaret Hopkin/Credit Facebook page ‘Naming the middle school in honor of Margaret Hopkin’

Board: New middle school will be Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School

https://www.grandschools.org/apps/news/article/1371091

Margaret Hopkin, 1951-2020

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/margaret-hopkin-1951-2020/?fbclid=IwAR3SKWJ2d_P5WjnTYXfh1TVPo1iJhW6b7ZaHVC_tC2lPUmTVwzC6kT0YBps

TWIM: Water, A Memorial, and Christmas Tale

https://www.kzmu.org/water-a-memorial-and-christmas-tale-on-this-week-in-moab/

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: OHV debate heats up as lawmakers meet

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/ohv-debate-heats-up-as-lawmakers-meet/

The Times-Independent: Cox outlines plan for first 500 days

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/cox-outlines-plan-for-first-500-days/

The Times-Independent: Celebrating Dr. King’s legacy

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/celebrating-dr-kings-legacy/

Moab Sun News: Homeless on a winter night

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_9f7a2fba-5c35-11eb-a61a-d39584a1b212.html

Moab Sun News: Residents speak out on Mill Creek’s future

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_11b2a78e-5c35-11eb-874a-67a133d8a67a.html

The new Grand County Middle School will bear the name of Margaret L. Hopkin, for the beloved longtime educator and Moab community member who passed away in December. The school district board voted unanimously to name the new middle school in her honor, after a cross-section of the community wrote, called, and spoke up in support of the idea. Plus, the health department has administered over 1200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. And, our radio partners report on dry conditions in the Colorado River Basin as well as President Joe Biden's review of Donald Trump’s public lands legacy.

Show Notes:

Photo: The 'Margaret L. Hopkin' Middle School under construction

Board: New middle school will be Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School

https://www.grandschools.org/apps/news/article/1371091?fbclid=IwAR3AaWgU3U4YE-mgkhz9sAstlBAOVR1ORjQ580qWXG_iuMbz12cTLiJJSqo

In Memoriam: Margaret Lee Hopkin, Feb. 10, 1951 – Dec. 20, 2020

https://www.moabsunnews.com/announcements/article_51484a2c-4617-11eb-8f56-2fd72c55f075.html

Facebook Page: Naming the middle school in honor of Margaret Hopkin

https://www.facebook.com/Naming-the-middle-school-in-honor-of-Margaret-Hopkin-105928974804042

COVID-19 Data: Southeast Utah Health Department

https://www.seuhealth.com/covid-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Info: Southeast Utah Health Department

https://www.seuhealth.com/covid-vaccine

KUNC: Upper Colorado River Drought Plan Triggered for First Time

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2021-01-20/upper-colorado-river-drought-plan-triggered-for-first-time?fbclid=IwAR3mj-eYpqQKKgedUT-IK9KTBM_norjruBXGyf75ex5zOM7eGjvQoUjfgSk

KUER: Biden Says He’ll Review Most of Trump’s Actions on Public Lands, Including Monument Reductions

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2021-01-20/biden-says-hell-review-most-of-trumps-actions-on-public-lands-including-monument-reductions

With the help of the BlueRibbon Coalition, Rally on the Rocks is demanding Grand County immediately approve their May ATV event and bring an end to the temporary moratorium on ATV related rental businesses and special events. The groups allege the moratorium and other local stipulations – like speed limits for OHVs – violate state and federal law. The BlueRibbon Coalition typically advocates for off-road and motorized access, and a representative says their Moab-related objections could be part of a broader fight. Plus, oil and gas operators in Colorado’s Piceance Basin file a ‘spill report’ with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission about twice a week. Our radio partners at KDNK report that nine times out of 10, the spilled substance is a form of hazardous waste byproduct called produced water.

Show Notes:

Rally on the Rocks 1/18/21 Appeal and Demand Letter

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ROTR-Appeal-and-Demand.pdf

Grand County 12/15/20 Denial Letter to Rally on the Rocks

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/12-15-20-ROTR-Denial-Letter.pdf

Grand County/Moab City 10-20-20 Moratorium on ATV Rental Businesses, Special Events and Speed Limits for Off-Highway Vehicles

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10202020-1251

BlueRibbon Coalition: Help Us Fight Against Unlawful OHV Bans in Moab

https://www.sharetrails.org/rotr/

KDNK: Oil & Gas Wastewater Spills in the Piceance Basin Top 700K Gallons in 2019

https://www.kdnk.org/post/oil-gas-wastewater-spills-piceance-basin-top-700k-gallons-2019

Conservationists got a glimpse of how public lands will be managed under President-elect Joe Biden when he appointed Deb Haaland as his secretary of the interior. The Biden administration is expected to reverse course from President Trump on a number of fronts. Our radio partners have more on what to expect in southern Utah. Plus, across the West, oil and gas companies pay for a lot more than just jobs and equipment – they pay taxes that fund countless public services. So, what does it mean for a local government if oil and gas revenues become more uncertain? Our partners at KOTO report.

Show Notes:

Photo: Rock art in the Bears Ears area of southern Utah would receive greater protection with national monument status. Ron Dungan/KJZZ.

KJZZ: Biden Administration Expected To Reverse Course On Public Lands Policy

https://kjzz.org/content/1651174/biden-administration-expected-reverse-course-public-lands-policy

KOTO: Oil and Gas Uncertainty Impacts Local Government Services

https://www.koto.org/featured-news-stories/2020/12/21/fossil-fuel-uncertainty-impacts-local-government-services