KZMU News

The sounds of summertime in Moab are familiar yet different this season. Some kids sell homemade lemonade – while wearing face masks and using hand sanitizer. Two best friends have a casual baseball practice, and say summer has been alright because they’re still allowed to hang out. And produce and artisan vendors sell their wares at the Market on Center – while carefully minding social distance.

Plus (13:00), our roundup with The Times-Independent. Staff writer Carter Pape discusses bleak unemployment numbers in Grand County, the plan for schools reopening, and separate structure fires that displaced local residents. And, a rare melanistic deer who died in Moab is preserved by a taxidermist.

Show Notes:

Market on Center Info

https://www.moabarts.org/market-on-center?fbclid=IwAR0b0um4YdyqVZZZHSg-pIkH_eZ1t0GJssSv1wdB0yNjw1XhB8wF6PBUVwg

The Times-Independent Mentions

Jobless future is bleak as shoulder season looms

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/jobless-future-is-bleak-as-shoulder-season-looms/

Volunteer gig reduces man’s benefit checks

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/volunteer-gig-reduces-mans-benefit-checks/

In-person schooling will begin Sept. 8; parents may opt for online learning

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/17/in-person-schooling-will-begin-sept-8-parents-may-opt-for-online-learning/

Separate fires destroy two local homes, displacing residents

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/separate-fires-destroy-two-local-homes-displacing-residents/

Finding a home for Coal: Taxidermist preserves rare black deer that died in December

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/finding-a-home-for-coal-taxidermist-preserves-rare-black-deer-that-died-in-december/

The sounds of summertime in Moab are familiar yet different this season. Some kids sell homemade lemonade – while wearing face masks and using hand sanitizer. Two best friends have a casual baseball practice, and say summer has been alright because they’re still allowed to hang out. And produce and artisan vendors sell their wares at the Market on Center – while carefully minding social distance.

Plus (13:00), our roundup with The Times-Independent. Staff writer Carter Pape discusses bleak unemployment numbers in Grand County, the plan for schools reopening, and separate structure fires that displaced local residents. And, a rare melanistic deer who died in Moab is preserved by a taxidermist.

Show Notes:

Market on Center Info

https://www.moabarts.org/market-on-center?fbclid=IwAR0b0um4YdyqVZZZHSg-pIkH_eZ1t0GJssSv1wdB0yNjw1XhB8wF6PBUVwg

The Times-Independent Mentions

Jobless future is bleak as shoulder season looms

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/jobless-future-is-bleak-as-shoulder-season-looms/

Volunteer gig reduces man’s benefit checks

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/volunteer-gig-reduces-mans-benefit-checks/

In-person schooling will begin Sept. 8; parents may opt for online learning

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/17/in-person-schooling-will-begin-sept-8-parents-may-opt-for-online-learning/

Separate fires destroy two local homes, displacing residents

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/separate-fires-destroy-two-local-homes-displacing-residents/

Finding a home for Coal: Taxidermist preserves rare black deer that died in December

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/24/finding-a-home-for-coal-taxidermist-preserves-rare-black-deer-that-died-in-december/

The ability to have secure housing is directly related to the wellbeing and health of individuals and communities, according to local experts. So when the economic fallout from the pandemic became real in Moab, a committee sprang into action to create a fund that would help people experiencing economic hardship make their rent payments. The final disbursement from the Moab COVID-19 Housing Relief Fund was made last week, but its committee members anticipate re-starting efforts if there is a future need. Today on the news, we learn more from Jenna Whetzel of the Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah. Plus, Congress approves the Great American Outdoors Act, which supporters call a ‘big win’ for conservation.

Show Notes:

Moab COVID-19 Housing Relief Fund Final Numbers/Donors

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Moab-Housing-Relief-Fund-Press-Release.docx

Renee Raso at Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments

435-613-0067

Great American Outdoors Act

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3422/text

The Salt Lake Tribune via AP: Congress passes Great American Outdoors Act to boost conservation, parks

https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2020/07/23/congress-passes-sprawling/

The ability to have secure housing is directly related to the wellbeing and health of individuals and communities, according to local experts. So when the economic fallout from the pandemic became real in Moab, a committee sprang into action to create a fund that would help people experiencing economic hardship make their rent payments. The final disbursement from the Moab COVID-19 Housing Relief Fund was made last week, but its committee members anticipate re-starting efforts if there is a future need. Today on the news, we learn more from Jenna Whetzel of the Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah. Plus, Congress approves the Great American Outdoors Act, which supporters call a ‘big win’ for conservation.

Show Notes:

Moab COVID-19 Housing Relief Fund Final Numbers/Donors

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Moab-Housing-Relief-Fund-Press-Release.docx

Renee Raso at Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments

435-613-0067

Great American Outdoors Act

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3422/text

The Salt Lake Tribune via AP: Congress passes Great American Outdoors Act to boost conservation, parks

https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2020/07/23/congress-passes-sprawling/

A county-approved committee is exploring a new use for lands near the airport – a solar farm. The group, led by airport board members, is tasked with investigating solar farming as a means to meet sustainability and zero emissions goals, as well as create a diversified local revenue source. And later, the president’s nomination for head of the Bureau of Land Management is facing renewed pushback and a lawsuit. Plus, a partnership with the National Park Service is helping wounded warriors heal and restore connections by giving them a mission…underwater. Tune in.

Show Notes:

7/21 Approving solar farm working group committee

(page 11)

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07212020-1222

MWNB: Western Democrats Take Aim At Acting BLM Chief Pendley

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/western-democrats-take-aim-acting-blm-chief-pendley

H20 Radio: Diving with Purpose – How Veterans Are Healing Their Wounds by Helping the National Park Service

http://h2oradio.org/WAVES.html

A county-approved committee is exploring a new use for lands near the airport – a solar farm. The group, led by airport board members, is tasked with investigating solar farming as a means to meet sustainability and zero emissions goals, as well as create a diversified local revenue source. And later, the president’s nomination for head of the Bureau of Land Management is facing renewed pushback and a lawsuit. Plus, a partnership with the National Park Service is helping wounded warriors heal and restore connections by giving them a mission…underwater. Tune in.

Show Notes:

7/21 Approving solar farm working group committee

(page 11)

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07212020-1222

MWNB: Western Democrats Take Aim At Acting BLM Chief Pendley

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/western-democrats-take-aim-acting-blm-chief-pendley

H20 Radio: Diving with Purpose – How Veterans Are Healing Their Wounds by Helping the National Park Service

http://h2oradio.org/WAVES.html

Moab Community Gardens, active in the valley for three growing seasons, provides space and kinship for locals who want to grow their own food. As they experience more interest from the community, the group says there is a need for public, in-town garden space. But their recent garden proposal for a city-owned patch of land has been caught in the crosshairs of ongoing difficulties at city hall. Council members experienced public backlash on a bike skills park, and they say they are nervous and unwilling to move forward on any proposal for their properties without a more formal, equitable process in place. And later in the news, a phenomenon called the ‘anthropause’ is allowing scientists to study how humans affect animals.

Show Notes:

Moab Community Gardens 7/14 Anonymous Park Presentation

(starts at 1:53:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dsnNiKWJrg

Moab Community Gardens Info

https://www.facebook.com/mocomgardens

MWNB: Wildlife Biologists See Opportunity In Pandemic-Induced ‘Anthropause’

https://www.kunm.org/post/wildlife-biologists-see-opportunity-pandemic-induced-anthropause

Moab Community Gardens, active in the valley for three growing seasons, provides space and kinship for locals who want to grow their own food. As they experience more interest from the community, the group says there is a need for public, in-town garden space. But their recent garden proposal for a city-owned patch of land has been caught in the crosshairs of ongoing difficulties at city hall. Council members experienced public backlash on a bike skills park, and they say they are nervous and unwilling to move forward on any proposal for their properties without a more formal, equitable process in place. And later in the news, a phenomenon called the ‘anthropause’ is allowing scientists to study how humans affect animals.

Show Notes:

Moab Community Gardens 7/14 Anonymous Park Presentation

(starts at 1:53:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dsnNiKWJrg

Moab Community Gardens Info

https://www.facebook.com/mocomgardens

MWNB: Wildlife Biologists See Opportunity In Pandemic-Induced ‘Anthropause’

https://www.kunm.org/post/wildlife-biologists-see-opportunity-pandemic-induced-anthropause

As the Bureau of Land Management reviews public comments related to their September oil and gas lease sale, agency reps say changes to their Environmental Assessment are still possible. The upcoming sale may affect over 80,000 acres in southeastern Utah, and has garnered attention for its size, conflicts with recreation interests, and likelihood to draw ‘rock bottom’ prices. Both Grand County and Moab City have petitioned the BLM to cancel it entirely. And later in the news – in the age-old battle over public land, there’s a new push for smaller land transfers. Plus, the Department of Interior is proposing a rule change that could open the door for more private companies to operate within national parks.

Show Notes:

Photo: Labyrinth Canyon. Credit Ray Bloxham/SUWA

2020 Utah September Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2000028/510

UPR: In The Age-Old Battle Over Public Land, there’s a New Push For Smaller Land Transfers

https://www.upr.org/post/age-old-battle-over-public-land-new-push-smaller-land-transfers

NPS Rule: Commercial Visitor Services; Concession Contracts

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/07/20/2020-15650/commercial-visitor-services-concession-contracts

As the Bureau of Land Management reviews public comments related to their September oil and gas lease sale, agency reps say changes to their Environmental Assessment are still possible. The upcoming sale may affect over 80,000 acres in southeastern Utah, and has garnered attention for its size, conflicts with recreation interests, and likelihood to draw ‘rock bottom’ prices. Both Grand County and Moab City have petitioned the BLM to cancel it entirely. And later in the news – in the age-old battle over public land, there’s a new push for smaller land transfers. Plus, the Department of Interior is proposing a rule change that could open the door for more private companies to operate within national parks.

Show Notes:

Photo: Labyrinth Canyon. Credit Ray Bloxham/SUWA

2020 Utah September Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2000028/510

UPR: In The Age-Old Battle Over Public Land, there’s a New Push For Smaller Land Transfers

https://www.upr.org/post/age-old-battle-over-public-land-new-push-smaller-land-transfers

NPS Rule: Commercial Visitor Services; Concession Contracts

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/07/20/2020-15650/commercial-visitor-services-concession-contracts