KZMU News

For some locals, warmer weather means one thing – skate season. Skate Moab recently held their first event of the season and has big plans to bring the ‘joy of skating’ to the local community the rest of the year. Today on the news, an audio portrait of the person leading Skate Moab events this year, Jazmine Duncan. And later, a new documentary tells the story of the Mojave Desert tortoise as Washington County officials plan to put a road through protected habitat. And, tribes rebuilding bison herds are getting help from an unlikely source.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Jazmine Duncan wears a lot of hats in the Moab and Castle Valley communities including property manager, mayor, firefighter and – roller skater. Along with a passionate crew, she is leading Skate Moab events this year.

// Skate Moab

https://www.skatemoab.com

// KUER: ‘The Good The Bad & The Slow’ tells the story of tortoises in Washington County

https://www.kuer.org/arts-culture-entertainment/2022-03-21/the-good-the-bad-the-slow-tells-the-story-of-tortoises-in-washington-county

Nearly one third of some 100,000 archaeological sites in Utah have been damaged over the last few decades. This year, the Utah State Historic Preservation Office is trying to share conservation tips to as many people as possible. Today on the news, we speak with an archeologist on the ‘Pledge to Protect the Past’ initiative aiming to educate visitors on best practices around these sensitive areas. Plus, an electrified roadway in Utah could provide a major steppingstone for electric vehicles. And, the winds may be changing for hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

// Show Notes

// Photo: The Birthing Rock petroglyph panel near Moab was vandalized in April 2021. The Utah State Historic Preservation Office has a new initiative aiming to reduce intentional – and unintentional – vandalism on public lands.

// Utah Gov: Pledge To Protect The Past

https://governor.utah.gov/issues/pledge-to-protect-the-past/

// UPR: Are electrified roads the next step toward an energy-friendly future?

https://www.upr.org/utah-news/2022-03-16/are-electrified-roads-the-next-step-toward-an-energy-friendly-future

// ASPIRE: Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification

https://aspire.usu.edu/about/contact

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is having ripple effects across the globe, including the rural West. Natasha Erlandson and her husband Todd live in Southwest Colorado, but the two met years ago in Ukraine. And until just a few days ago, Natasha’s parents still lived there. But they had to escape their hometown and make their way across eastern Europe by car - as refugees. Now, her parents are preparing for the last leg of their journey - a flight to America, and eventually living in Cortez. Today on the news, we hear about this family’s experience.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Natasha Erlandson, pictured here at 12 years old, grew up in Kharkiv, Ukraine, which has been a target of heavy Russian attacks since the invasion of Ukraine began a few weeks ago. Erlandson is now a resident of Cortez, Colorado and is preparing for her parents' imminent arrival.

// KSJD: For one Montezuma County family with roots in Ukraine, the Russian invasion is hitting close to home

https://www.ksjd.org/2022-03-16/for-one-montezuma-county-family-with-roots-in-ukraine-the-russian-invasion-is-hitting-close-to-home

A new report from the Grand Canyon Trust calls the White Mesa Mill outside of Blanding “America’s cheapest radioactive waste dump.” The environmental group and representatives of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe want the mill to be regulated like one. Plus, seven young Utahns filed a lawsuit this week against the state because of its policies related to fossil fuel development. And, researchers in our region have developed a remote-control robot that can alert safety inspectors of potential rockslides.

// And later, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses SITLA pursuing a large land swap with the BLM, portable toilets installed in the Willow Springs area, and rising gas prices. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News discusses proposed apartments that may displace another trailer court in downtown Moab, the cancellation of the latest Book Cliffs Highway project, and the Backyard Theater reopening for the season.

// Show Notes

// Photo: The White Mesa Uranium Mill. The Grand Canyon Trust and members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe want the mill to be regulated like a waste dump. Credit Tim Peterson flown by EcoFlight

// Grand Canyon Trust: Waste Dump Next Door

https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/blog/bears-ears-and-radioactive-waste-dump-next-door

// Energy Fuels

https://www.energyfuels.com

// KUER: Youth sue Utah over fossil fuel development-friendly laws

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2022-03-17/youth-sue-utah-over-fossil-fuel-development-friendly-laws

// Weekly News Reel Mentions:

// The Times-Independent: SITLA pursues Bears Ears land swap BLM

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/sitla-pursues-bears-ears-land-swap-with-blm/

// The Times-Independent: ‘igotpoop’ is back for another season on public lands

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/igotpoop-is-back-for-another-season-on-public-lands/

// The Times-Independent: ‘My wife was taking pictures of the pumps’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/my-wife-was-taking-pictures-of-the-pumps-2/

// Moab Sun News: Proposed apartments would increase available homes, but may displace current tenants

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_ff207d70-a6da-11ec-a315-d38fa0a455b2.html

// Moab Sun News: Book Cliffs Highway project canceled

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_f7157756-a6db-11ec-9b10-63630d5cd4c3.html

// Moab Sun News: Backyard Theater opens for the season

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_01c70d76-a6d8-11ec-8194-6f7d533d21c1.html

This week, Lake Powell dipped below its target elevation. With only 35 more feet before the Glen Canyon Dam stops generating hydropower, some locals are placing bets on the date these turbines will cease to work. Today on the news, we hear from two ‘heralds of the aridification of the desert Southwest’ on this predicted situation and what might come next.

// Show Notes

// Photo: The Glen Canyon Dam. Lake Powell dipped below its target elevation this week. The Bureau of Reclamation is expected to release planning actions in April. Credit Bureau of Reclamation

// Bureau of Reclamation: Upper Colorado Basin Draft Drought Response Operations Plan

https://www.usbr.gov/dcp/droa.html

// Bureau of Reclamation 3/04/22: Lake Powell to Temporarily Decline Below 3,525 Feet

https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/#/news-release/4117

// Bureau of Reclamation: Glen Canyon Dam

https://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/gcd.html

// Western Area Power Administration 3/10/22 : Summarizing 2021 Hydrology Conditions

https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsFeatures/2022/Pages/summarizing-2021-hydrology-conditions.aspx

// Re-Wilding The Colorado Contest

https://rewildingcoloradoriver.org

// Sam Van Wetter Contact

This month local and national organizations are helping to reduce fire risk around Moab. It’s called ‘Operation Slickrock’ and covers areas from the Slackline Park to Pack Creek. Today on the news, we visit a site to learn more about this important work and the people doing it. Plus, a resort industry giant will increase its minimum wage across its prosperities in the West. And, a report on Equal Pay Day, representing how far into 2022 women would have to work to make what men did on average in 2021.

// Photo: Kenneth Peebles is member of Team Rubicon. The Veteran organization is working on fire mitigation along Mill Creek and Pack Creek in Moab. KZMU/Justin Higginbottom

More high-density housing is likely coming to Moab. The city’s planning commission has conditionally approved plans for an 80-unit apartment complex off 200 South. But the construction would displace current residents. Today on the news, a report on Moab’s continued growing pains. Plus, a Utah wolverine is now wearing a GPS collar for the first time in state history. Utah wildlife experts are ‘ecstatic’ about this opportunity to collect data on a famously elusive animal.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A wolverine was released into the Uinta Mountains wearing a GPS collar for the first time in state history on Friday. Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

// Lost Springs Apartments Site Plan Application

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/4717?fileID=5686

// Lost Springs Apartments Project Narrative

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/4717?fileID=5690

// Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: Wolverine captured, collared and released in Utah

https://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/WAP/2021-10-sgcn-list.pdf

// Oct 2021 Utah’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need

https://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/WAP/2021-10-sgcn-list.pdf

Center for Biological Diversity: Saving The American Wolverine

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/American_wolverine/index.html

The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition will stop their environmental planning process for a controversial highway through the Book Cliffs – for now. Some see this turn of events as a victory and a window to set up permanent protections for the Book Cliffs region. Plus, Utah is taking new action to reduce the death of wildlife due to roads and highways. And, our partners have an audio postcard on nonagenarians Rex and JoAnn Coffman who recently sold their ranch to a Colorado land trust for permanent protection.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Rex and JoAnn Coffman sit with their three children outside their homestead in the summer of 1959. The Coffmans recently sold their 141-acre ranch to the Aspen Valley Land Trust. Courtesy Of The Coffman Family and the Aspen Valley Land Trust

// KUER: Rural counties won’t pursue controversial Book Cliffs Highway…for now

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2022-03-11/rural-counties-wont-pursue-controversial-book-cliffs-highway-for-now

// Aspen Public Radio: As family ranches decline, Carbondale couple share their story of working the land

https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/community/2022-02-14/as-family-ranches-decline-a-carbondale-couple-shares-their-story-of-working-the-land

4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue is the latest organization helping Native families find missing loved ones. They operate mostly in the Navajo Nation where resources for rescue are spare. Today on the news, we speak with founder Bernadine Beyale about what she and her two dogs find in the deserts of this region. Plus, young people from tribes linked to the Grand Canyon can spend a week rafting down the Colorado River this summer. And, critics of a new reservoir taking shape in the Colorado River Basin say it will add strain to an already taxed watershed.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent talks legal challenges from ATV-businesses, Utah’s abnormal dryness, and public transit plans expanding in Moab. Maggie McGuire of the Moab Sun News discusses the Walnut Lane affordable housing development and shake ups at the county after several staff and officials take on new roles.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Bernadine Beyale founded 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue to help recover missing people in the region. The demand is high for help, especially on the Navajo Nation. Courtesy Bernadine Beyale

// 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue

https://www.facebook.com/4CornersK9SearchandRescue

// If you’d like to volunteer with 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue, email:

// Grand Canyon Trust: Grand Canyon River Trip for Native Youth

https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/grand-canyon-river-trip-native-youth-and-elders

// KUNC: What does it take to build a massive new reservoir? A lot of time, trucks, and rock

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-03-10/what-does-it-take-to-build-a-massive-new-reservoir-a-lot-of-time-trucks-and-rock

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times Independent: Local OHV companies challenges city, county

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/local-ohv-companies-challenge-city-county-2/

// The Times-Independent: Legislature passes amended OHV bill

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/legislature-passes-amended-ohv-bill/

// The Times-Independent: Utah abnormally dry since Jan. 1

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/utah-abnormally-dry-since-jan-1/

// The Times-Independent: Public transit options in Moab expand with American Rescue Plan

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/public-transit-options-in-moab-expand-with-american-rescue-plan/

// Moab Sun News: City seeks private partner to develop Walnut Lane affordable housing project

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_75631cfc-a160-11ec-8de7-83fce58b3d72.html

// Moab Sun News: Shake-up at the county – County office staff and officials take on new roles, Woytek leaves commission

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_65c3c2f6-a165-11ec-acef-23e80842b6b4.html

The city council will explore yet another option for creating workforce housing at Walnut Lane – a public-private partnership. Over the last few years, this development has run into some snags, and at least one council member is skeptical of being able to bring it to fruition. But today on the news, we speak to council member Luke Wojciechowski, who appealed to his colleagues this week to maintain the development for essential members of the Moab community.

// Show Notes

// 3/8/22 Walnut Lane: Review and Update on Alternatives

Presentation Begins At 54:00 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEpvl8F-l1o&t=4839s

// Request For Proposal: Walnut Lane Planned Affordable Development Public Private Partnership

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/4694?fileID=5655