KZMU News

Top federal water officials say they’re trying to find new ways to help the West adapt to droughts made worse by climate change, including spending millions on financial relief for farmers and ranchers. Plus, the effect of drought and climate change on ag workers’ mental health is increasingly concerning healthcare providers. And, a report on the canals, tunnels, and pipelines along the Colorado River that keep water flowing to cities outside the watershed.

Show Notes:

Photo: Farmer Mike Nolan is only cultivating a fraction of one acre this year, as opposed to past years when he's cultivated up to seven acres. Lucas Brady Woods/KSJD

KSJD: Health & Prevention Report – Drought Conditions Align With High Suicide Rates Among Local Farmers

https://www.ksjd.org/post/health-prevention-report-drought-conditions-align-high-suicide-rates-among-local-farmers#stream/0

Aspen Public Radio: A Massive Plumbing System Moves Water Across Colorado’s Mountains. But This Year, There’s Less To Go Around.

https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/2021-07-19/a-massive-plumbing-system-moves-water-across-colorados-mountains-but-this-year-theres-less-to-go-around

Thirty years ago, Moab’s elected leaders faced an economic crossroads. Transitioning to a tourism economy, they set the property tax rate at zero – providing some financial relief while also incentivizing growth. Now for the first time since 1992, city officials are re-considering that rate. They say sales tax is no longer covering important needs like deferred maintenance projects, the police department, and shoring up rainy-day reserves. Today on the news, we hear an excerpt from last night’s This Week in Moab, where city officials discussed increasing the property tax rate.

Show Notes:

Stream the entire interview with Mayor Emily Niehaus, City Manager Joel Linares, and Finance Director Ben Billingsley by clicking on ‘5PM: This Week in Moab’ on our program schedule here:

https://www.kzmu.org/kzmu-calendar/

This interview will also be available as a podcast on Friday, July 23rd here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kzmu-public-affairs/id1552114208

and here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/28xhvzqHBRGefcWkwOOt9Q

Moab City: Property Tax Info

https://moabcity.org/582/Property-Taxes

Moab City: Property Tax Open House Information Slideshow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEwVU9e1LGk

Truth in Taxation Public Hearing Info:

Wednesday, August 4th at 6PM

Moab City Council Chambers

The council will hear input from the community at this meeting

Three months ago, racist graffiti was found scrawled over petroglyph panels at Birthing Rock near Moab. This incident was called ‘egregious’ by staff at the Bureau of Land Management, and deeply upset community members. As their investigation into the vandalism continues, the federal agency is still waiting to hire a professional conservator to complete restoration work at the site. Plus, for people with compromised immune systems, low vaccination rates in our region are making life more dangerous.

Show Notes:

BLM Utah Law Enforcement Tipline

1-800-722-3998

BLM Canyon Country District Office

https://www.blm.gov/office/canyon-country-district-office

KZMU News: Tuesday April 27, 2021

https://www.kzmu.org/tuesday-april-27-2021/

Mountain West News Bureau: ‘There’s A Lot Of People Out There Like Me.’ Immunosuppressed May Not Get Same Protection From COVID

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/health/2021-07-19/theres-a-lot-of-people-out-there-like-me-immunosuppressed-may-not-get-same-protection-from-covid

The Bureau of Land Management initiated a wild horse gathering for the Onaqui Herd Management Area this week. The Onaqui herd roams in northern Utah and is often seen near the Pony Express Trail in Skull Valley. The BLM plans to remove about 300 horses due to concerns over limited forage. Our radio partners report on the ongoing struggle between maintaining an ‘iconic’ symbol of the West and sustainability. Plus, the federal government is planning emergency releases of water from reservoirs in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico to prop up the nation’s second largest reservoir – Lake Powell.

And, our Weekly News Reel where we speak with reporters about their latest stories. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent (8:00) talks traffic congestion, speed limits, and the return of local music festivals. Maggie McGuire of the Moab Sun News (17:00) discusses coordination between agencies to address homelessness and new data on UTV use in Grand County.

Show Notes:

Photo: Onaqui Wild Horse Gather on 2/19/12, Bureau of Land Management – Utah

KUNC: Colorado River Basin Reservoirs Begin Emergency Releases To Prop Up A Troubled Lake Powell

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2021-07-15/colorado-river-basin-reservoirs-begin-emergency-releases-to-prop-up-a-troubled-lake-powell

2021 Onaqui Mountain Wild Horses Gather

https://www.blm.gov/programs/whb/utah/2021-onaqui-wild-horse

Onaqui Mountain Herd Management Area

https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/herd-management-areas/utah/onaqui-mountain

UPR: Wild Horse Management – A Struggle Between Maintaining An Iconic Western Symbol And Sustainability

https://www.upr.org/post/wild-horse-management-struggle-between-maintaining-iconic-western-symbol-and-sustainability

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: UDOT approves funding for 3 Moab projects

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/udot-approves-funding-for-3-moab-projects/

The Times-Independent: Walnut Lane becomes waiting game for city council

(scroll down for prima facie speed limit)

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/walnut-lane-becomes-waiting-game-for-city-council/

The Times-Independent: Actor, advocate George Takei to make debut at Moab Music Festival

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/actor-advocate-george-takei-to-make-debut/

The Times-Independent: Moab Folk Festival returns for 19th year

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-folk-festival-returns-for-19th-year/

Moab Sun News: Agencies coordinate to fight homelessness – Council focuses on those with severe needs amidst housing crisis

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_56d9f54a-e52b-11eb-8ac0-a7070f2964a7.html

Moab Sun News: A snapshot of local UTV use – Sand Flats staff track UTV numbers at entry booth

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_42649cf4-e51d-11eb-9b0d-0b7973aee99b.html

Moab City staff are calling for a ‘radical’ approach to water management, one that will require new, formal coordination between all water providers in the Moab and Spanish Valley area. In a detailed presentation to the city council this week, staff outlined a plan to address current and ongoing threats to the water supply like development pressures, climate change, drought, and aging infrastructure. Plus, a lack of affordable housing is contributing to workforce shortages in gateway and resort communities. An official from Crested Butte, Colorado explains the town’s recent emergency declaration on housing.

Show Notes:

Water Resource Management Plan for the Moab/Spanish Valley Water Providers

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3837?fileID=4940

Water Conservation Plan Update 2021 (DRAFT)

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3839?fileID=4944

7/13/21 Pre-Council Workshop on Water Issues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxChDIwoHoE

Aspen Daily News: Crested Butte buys a hotel seasonal for workers amid housing emergency declaration

https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/crested-butte-buys-a-hotel-for-seasonal-workers-amid-housing-emergency-declaration/article_fe1e5f8a-ccb2-11eb-ab31-0328d60c44a0.html

Colorado Sun: How emergency declarations in Colorado’s high country housing crisis smooth the path to more homes for locals

https://coloradosun.com/2021/06/21/affordable-housing-mountains-crested-butte-emergency-declaration/

Have you seen a long-whiskered, webbed-footed carnivore swimming in the river lately? The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is calling on boaters, anglers, and other water-based folks to let the agency know about any sightings of the northern river otter. The information will help draft an updated management plan for the animals, who are notoriously secretive but a good indicator of the health of an aquatic ecosystem. Plus, it’s been over ten weeks since Moab City and Grand County passed more rigorous noise ordinances aimed at quieting the town. And, the historic drought in Western states will probably start showing up in peoples’ energy bills, because the Colorado River’s dams can’t produce as much electricity.

Show Notes:

Photo: River otter sitting on some logs. Photo taken 6-1-2005 by Ron Stewart, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

River Otter Sightings Email

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: Northern River Otter Management Plan 2010-2020

https://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/furbearer/otter_plan_2010-2020.pdf

Sand Flats Recreation Area Vehicle Statistics

https://grandcountyutah.net/1132/Statistics?fbclid=IwAR2LaEgdLm9IKzAvniMxIxKq7zQS4SRkYHq4M5nu0GJ-FKnQG6nO5U4mFCE

KUNC: Hydropower Worries Grow As Colorado River Reservoirs Keep Dropping

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2021-07-13/hydropower-worries-grow-as-colorado-river-reservoirs-keep-dropping

Much of the Mountain West is experiencing smoke impacts from widespread fire activity in places like Arizona, Idaho, and Oregon. As larger wildfire events happen more frequently, air quality degradation in the West is also expected more often. Today on the news, we speak to a University of Utah researcher who is studying the connection between wildfire events and air quality. Plus, our partners at KHOL report on a mountaineering duo that heads into the hills each summer to play music in some unexpected places.

Show Notes:

Photo: Webcams from Bald Mesa (upper left), Island in the Sky (upper right), Six Shooter Peaks (bottom left), and Abajo Peak (bottom right) on Monday, July 12th reveal smoke in the Moab area.

The University of Utah: Wildfire smoke trends worsening for Western U.S.

https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/wildfire-smoke-trends-worsening-for-western-u-s/

Moab Area Webcams

https://cnha.org/webcams/

National Park Service Live Weather & Air Quality Data: Canyonlands National Park

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/current-data.htm?site=cany&location=island-in-the-sky

AirNow: Fire and Smoke Map

https://fire.airnow.gov/?lat=38.57020000000006&lng=-109.54999999999995&zoom=12#

Purple Air (Air Quality Monitoring Network) Moab Area

https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/mAQI/a10/cC0#11/38.5445/-109.4941

KHOL: Hiking Boots and a Piano – Mountaineering Hits a High Note

https://891khol.org/hiking-boots-and-a-piano-mountaineering-hits-a-high-note/

Some college students are finding help during the pandemic through a traditional Native American practice. Our radio partners report on how the talking circle is helping students solve problems and provide healing in a virtual space. Plus, a Utah committee is asking communities to help draw new voting district maps and American’s fossil fuel use dropped to its lowest point in three decades last year.

Show Notes:

Photo: Eagle feathers and dried sage in a seashell are among the sacred items that Andrea Klimas, clinical director at Native American Connections, brings to talking circles. Incorporating such Indigenous practices into health care treatment isn’t new but has grown in significance during the pandemic, which has disproportionately affected Native communities. Photo by Gianluca D’Elia/Cronkite News

UPR: Redistricting Committee Asks Communities To Help With Drawing New District Maps

https://www.upr.org/post/redistricting-committee-asks-communities-help-drawing-new-district-maps

Utah Redistricting

https://redistricting.utah.gov/about/

Grand County Public Comment Portal on Redistricting

https://portal.utah-mapping.org

US Energy Information Administration: US fossil fuel consumption fell by 9% in 2020, the lowest level in nearly 30 years

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=48596

Arizona PBS/Cronkite News: Shipping sage and praying on Zoom – How an Indigenous healing practice survived the pandemic

https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/06/25/shipping-sage-and-praying-on-zoom-how-an-indigenous-healing-practice-survived-the-pandemic/

When visitors embark on Moab’s most popular trails, they’re not only carrying snacks, water and sunscreen, but also different levels of knowledge about stewardship and the desert ecosystem. Grand County is hoping to increase visitor understanding of trail systems and how to care for them through a trail ambassador program planned for launch this fall. Trail ambassadors will be stationed at Mill Creek and other popular destinations to answer questions and educate recreationists. Today on the news, we speak with Maddie Logowitz, who will oversee the program through Grand County Active Transportation and Trails.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel, where we check in with other reporters and about their latest stories of our area. The Times-Independent’s Doug McMurdo (8:00) discusses a snag for the affordable Walnut Lane Apartments development as well as some extra millions in Grand County’s coffers. The Moab Sun News’ Maggie McGuire (16:30) talks about a decline in wellbeing in Moab as well as the resignation of San Juan County’s often controversial Clerk/Auditor.

Show Notes:

Photo: Grand County's trail ambassador program will station people at popular Moab trails to answer questions and discuss land stewardship principles.

7/6/21 Trail Ambassador Program Update (starts at 53:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqkNoV51_FI

Grand County Active Transportation and Trails

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/971/Active-Transportation-and-Trails

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Walnut Lane builder can’t get bonded

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/walnut-lane-builder-cant-get-bonded/

The Times-Independent: Thanks to tourism, Grand County has an extra $8.4M

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/thanks-to-tourism-grand-county-has-an-extra-8-4m/

Moab Sun News: Survey indicates decline in Moab wellbeing – USU study of Moab residents showed 62 percent decline in personal wellbeing

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_ed05cf28-df9d-11eb-b2f7-638c0946ea27.html

Moab Sun News: San Juan County clerk resigns – Nielson’s tenure notable legal challenges

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_b24c6ddc-dfa8-11eb-8046-9f508c4f83fd.html

The Colorado River is tapped out. Another dry year has left the waterway that supplies 40 million people in the Southwest parched. A prolonged 21-year warming and drying trend is pushing the nation’s two largest reservoirs to record lows. For the first time this summer, the federal government will declare a shortage. Our radio partners traveled the 1,400 miles of the river to get a sense of how those who rely on it are coping. Plus, Utahns appear to have heeded firework warnings and decided to skip using personal fireworks over Fourth of July weekend.

Show Notes:

Photo: Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, has been hit hard by warming temperatures and downstream demands. Luke Runyon/KUNC

KUNC: After Decades Of Warming And Drying, The Colorado River Struggles To Water The West

https://www.kunc.org/2021-07-07/after-decades-of-warming-and-drying-the-colorado-river-struggles-to-water-the-west

UPR: Cox Grateful Utahns Listened To Firework Warnings

https://www.upr.org/post/cox-grateful-utahns-listened-firework-warnings