KZMU News

Rally on the Rocks, a UTV and Side-By-Side event criticized for noise and traffic by some residents every spring, has received county approval on next year’s event with certain conditions. The Grand County Council made a list of requirements – including that participants sign a pledge committing to reducing noise levels across town and that they not ride in residential areas before 7am or after 9pm. And later in the newscast, our radio partners report on the Colorado River’s low reservoirs as well as a new IPCC memo about climate change and land.

[Photo Credit: Discovermoab.com]

Rally on the Rocks, a UTV and Side-By-Side event criticized for noise and traffic by some residents every spring, has received county approval on next year’s event with certain conditions. The Grand County Council made a list of requirements – including that participants sign a pledge committing to reducing noise levels across town and that they not ride in residential areas before 7am or after 9pm. And later in the newscast, our radio partners report on the Colorado River’s low reservoirs as well as a new IPCC memo about climate change and land.

[Photo Credit: Discovermoab.com]

The U.S. Geological Survey recently released a long-anticipated report showing thirty to forty percent less groundwater in Moab than previously estimated. Scientists spent years collecting data from wells, springs, and streams to better understand groundwater resources throughout the Spanish Valley watershed. Not only was the USGS able to update Moab’s water budget, but they also have a better understanding of how water flows throughout the watershed. Today on the news, KZMU News speaks with co-author and USGS hydrologist Melissa Masbruch to learn more.

The U.S. Geological Survey recently released a long-anticipated report showing thirty to forty percent less groundwater in Moab than previously estimated. Scientists spent years collecting data from wells, springs, and streams to better understand groundwater resources throughout the Spanish Valley watershed. Not only was the USGS able to update Moab’s water budget, but they also have a better understanding of how water flows throughout the watershed. Today on the news, KZMU News speaks with co-author and USGS hydrologist Melissa Masbruch to learn more.

Earlier this summer, the Bureau of Land Management released its final draft resource management plan for the Uncompahgre Field Office, encompassing nearly 900,000 acres of public lands across six Colorado counties. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources has since submitted a formal letter of protest, claiming that the draft plan does not adequately balance wildlife protection with energy extraction. According to Ken Rait, Project Director for Pew Charitable Trusts, this plan is one of six released in the past five months that demonstrate a disturbing trend in public lands administration. Our partners at KDNK in Carbondale, Colorado talked to Rait and have the story.

Earlier this summer, the Bureau of Land Management released its final draft resource management plan for the Uncompahgre Field Office, encompassing nearly 900,000 acres of public lands across six Colorado counties. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources has since submitted a formal letter of protest, claiming that the draft plan does not adequately balance wildlife protection with energy extraction. According to Ken Rait, Project Director for Pew Charitable Trusts, this plan is one of six released in the past five months that demonstrate a disturbing trend in public lands administration. Our partners at KDNK in Carbondale, Colorado talked to Rait and have the story.

*Saturday Extra* Utah is home to some of the most diverse native bee populations in the nation with 1,128 recorded in the state. These species pollinate flowers and plants essential to our native ecosystems. But some experts say that native bees are vulnerable, especially in light of a potential plan that would store private honey bees on Utah’s National Forests, including the Manti-La Sals. They say the honey bees will outcompete and displace native bees in their habitat, changing the ecosystem. Today on the extended newscast, we speak with Mary O’Brien, the Utah Forest Program Director for conservation group Grand Canyon Trust. She and Grand County beekeeper Jerry Shue are presenting this complicated bee issue during a public talk next week.

[Photo: Western bumblebee, Bombus occidentalis. Courtesy of Grand Canyon Trust]

*Saturday Extra* Utah is home to some of the most diverse native bee populations in the nation with 1,128 recorded in the state. These species pollinate flowers and plants essential to our native ecosystems. But some experts say that native bees are vulnerable, especially in light of a potential plan that would store private honey bees on Utah’s National Forests, including the Manti-La Sals. They say the honey bees will outcompete and displace native bees in their habitat, changing the ecosystem. Today on the extended newscast, we speak with Mary O’Brien, the Utah Forest Program Director for conservation group Grand Canyon Trust. She and Grand County beekeeper Jerry Shue are presenting this complicated bee issue during a public talk next week.

[Photo: Western bumblebee, Bombus occidentalis. Courtesy of Grand Canyon Trust]

KZMU welcomes Carter Pape, staff writer for The Times-Independent, for a rundown of their latest coverage. This week - three incumbents and three challengers will face off in the Moab City Council election, Grand County's change of government study committee finalizes their recommendation, and Moab City passes a dark sky ordinance. Plus, the Utah DWR hosts a public event all about local bats. Tune in.

KZMU welcomes Carter Pape, staff writer for The Times-Independent, for a rundown of their latest coverage. This week - three incumbents and three challengers will face off in the Moab City Council election, Grand County's change of government study committee finalizes their recommendation, and Moab City passes a dark sky ordinance. Plus, the Utah DWR hosts a public event all about local bats. Tune in.