Contribute news or contact us by sending an email to: RCTonline@gmail.com

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Major Fire In Garden City

Chris S. Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
Photo by Bobbie Coray

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 6, 2015. At 6:28 a.m., Bill and Barbara England called 911 to report smoke coming out of a large building just off of Kimball Lane in Garden City.  The building is owned by Brian Burr and had previously been used to manufacture exceptional wood and furniture items.  It was a very large structure, with a racquetball court on one end and a very large wood shop.  Recently it had been undergoing extensive remodeling to become a 20 bedroom, 20 bath, short term rental facility.  It was scheduled to open in about a month.

The Garden City Fire Department responded very quickly, bringing all of its available equipment and more than 20 firefighters.  The fire, however, had likely been burning inside for several hours and due to smoke and ongoing damage precluded fighting it except from outside the building.  At one point the flames were at least 40 feet high.
Photo by Laura Stocking Cluff
  

At the request of Chief Mike Wahlberg, additional fire suppression support vehicles and personnel came from Laketown, Randolph, Woodruff, and two units from Cache Valley, with a large ladder truck coming from North Logan and a main engine from Smithfield.  All totaled, more than 40 firefighters were engaged but in the end were able to only prevent the spread to other structures.  The building itself is a total loss with value likely exceeding $1 million.  Complete extinction of all burning material, including small residual hotspots, required almost 24 hours.  At the time of this writing the precise cause is still unknown.

Firefighters worked for nearly 8 hours until the blaze was contained and then monitored the site all night long.
Photo by Randi Hirschi
 

In the midst of such a sad event there were a few positive events.  First, the cooperation and assistance rendered by external fire departments demonstrates the good that can come from cooperative public safety effort, and second, when the large ladder track arrived from North Logan there was so much equipment that Garden City could not provide enough water to operate all the pumps on the various engines.  At the request of Riley Argyle, the Bear Lake Water Company opened

Photo by Bobbie Coray



 
the pipe system and valve completed two years ago to allow water to flow from Sweetwater to the city in just this kind of emergency.  This secondary source of water allowed all equipment to be adequately served and more than 150,000 gallons eventually came from the Sweetwater area.  This emergency provision worked exactly as designed.

Photo by Bobbie  Coray

 



Hot Tempers At School Board Redistricting Meeting


Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 6 2015. Tempers flared Wednesday, May 6, at a public hearing on school district reapportionment as some county residents realized the Utah State Law for school boards gave them no options but to follow the law as written.
The law requires districts with total population under 10,000 people to have 5 school board members from equally sized districts based on population as determined by the last federal census (2010).  This redistricting must be done at least every ten years.  Rich County has not been redistricted in over 16 years and thus is in violation of Utah law.  The Attorney General and the Lt. Governor both have instructed the county to move quickly to correct this violation or the state would do it.
The county formed a 15 member committee who were tasked to create 5 districts of approximately 453 people (the ideal equal size, based on county population).  There were 2264 people in Rich County in the 2010 census.  In small apportionments, courts have sometimes allowed as much as a 10% variation from the ideal size (as opposed to a 1% variation in a congressional district), but this variation size is not law.  Variations that exceed the 10% figure are generally challenged in court and are seldom approved.   Census blocks cannot be dissected. The districts should be contiguous if possible.  

Because the current population distribution in Rich County is so different than that currently being used, the changes this time will be dramatic.  Reapportionment will almost certainly add another school board member from the Garden City region and take away one from the Randolph area.  As the Utah Code describes the change process, during the transition the school board will add members for new, unrepresented districts but allow elected members of old consolidated districts to finish their terms, some of whom will be “At-Large” members. 
Rick Larsen, Principal of Rich High School, asked, “Are there really 824 people in the Garden City area?   Are they cooking the books?  If there are that many then we have to do it.”   (Editor’s note:  It is a federal crime to falsify the U.S. Census and the last date to challenge the 2010 census data was June, 2013)
By law, for this reapportionment census population numbers are the only way to divide, not student numbers and not geography. “Bottom line, we didn’t do our job of redistricting in 2000,” said Commissioner Bill Cox.  He said he had even gone to the legislature to see if the law could be changed, but they were not interested.
Pete Cornia, current school board president, said, “If you want to change the law you can’t do it after the census is done.”
Larsen again said, “I don’t believe the census numbers”, but produced no evidence for his assertion.
Cox said, “I don’t care if you like them or not, we have to follow the law.”
Burdette Weston said, “This would put our school board in turmoil by putting three members in the same district. We would lose two these individuals with the reapportionment described.  The legislators don’t listen to us unless they trust us, so new members won’t have the same relationship that the old members have.   We don’t have the same people who know the people.”
“What are we doing to the kids?” said Lori Frandson.  “Would we be doing it if someone from Garden City hadn’t brought this up?   We are going to have to make a change in four years anyway.”
Denny Rex suggested that the county leave it as it is for four years or fix it so that same board members could stay.   He continued, “It is not a population board it is a school board!”
Rick Larsen asked if the county could file a law suit.  “What can we do if people lied on the census?”  It was pointed out by Sheriff Stacey that it is a federal crime to falsify information on the census.
Eric Wamsley asked, “in four years will it be a race to see which community fills out the most census forms?”
Cox said, “ours is a difficult population to count because of so many secondary homes.   There were also 10% who refused to fill out the census because they don’t like the infringement of their privacy.”
Tammy Calder, a member of the redistricting committee, said, “we have worked every scenario possible and this is the best we could come up with.”
Andy Stokes said that if he ran for school board even though he is from Garden City he would represent everyone and feels everyone else would too.
“Why doesn’t the law allow for four districts and one at-large person?” asked Dale Lamborn, Rich County School superintendent. 
Cox replied, “That was our first choice as a committee, the problem is that the law does not allow it.”  Cox said he argued with the law with the attorney general’s office, the Lt. Governor, and the legislature but none wanted to address it.
Burdette Weston said, “we learned a lesson from the census.  In four years this will change again and we lose board continuity.”
Some people suggested changes that would keep existing board members in their seats.  That is not possible, given the law, but the Utah Code would allow elected board members to stay on the board until their term ends, regardless of reapportionment.  It would create a temporary increase in board size.
Superintendent  Dale Lamborn thinks that it must be a difference of 10%  of the whole total rather than a 10% difference  from the ideal  district population of 453.  Several people questioned the math.  Editor’s note:  Superintendent Lamborn is wrong.  The 10% variance from ideal is not law, but has been allowed by the courts in some instance, as a maximum.  However, the possible variance is based on the ideal district size, not the total size of Rich County.
Lamborn wants Meadowville and Round Valley to be in the Laketown area not the Garden City area.  Someone called out, “yes! Don’t give Garden City anything!  If this is decided why are we having this meeting”?  Cox said, “it is a hoop we have to jump through., having a public meeting.”
Another person said, “Well then, we can say that the census is really wrong.  There is no way the Garden City area has over 850 people in it.  The biggest problem is the inaccuracy of the census.   How can it be amended?”
At this point former Garden City Mayor Ken Hansen stood up.  “Five years ago Garden City was providing services to over 850 people, 550 in Garden City proper and over 300 in the out area.  The two LDS Wards have over 650 people right now, and there are other indicators that the census numbers are correct”.
“Garden City currently has 38% of school children. The census says 37% so it was spot on children in the census,” said Andy Stokes. 
Finally, tempers cooled and the crowd of about 30 people thanked Commissioner Cox and the members of the redistricting committee for their work.
The redistricting information can be found at  http://www.richcountyut.org/

Bear Lake Water Storage Changes

Bear Lake Operation Update
As of Friday, May 8th, 2015

After 3 or 4 days of rain, the use of Bear Lake storage water has changed significantly. The localized storms have produced 3/4 of an inch in some places (barely enough to wet the ground) and over 2 inches in others (too much for a crop to use).

The flows in all the tributaries have increased and even the flow in Rainbow Canal has increased from the 5-10 cfs range to about 100 cfs.

Pumping from Bear Lake, which started May 1st and ramped up to 725 cfs has stopped. With more rain forecast today and tomorrow, PacifiCorp is considering reopening the Causeway into Bear Lake and storing additional water. Hats off to the conservation efforts of the Bear River Irrigators and PacifiCorp! It is obvious from the twice weekly conference calls that everyone is managing water on a daily basis.


The lake peaked on May 3rd at 5,913.46 ft. (UP&L datum) and as of yesterday was at 5,913.41 only down .05 ft or 1/2 inch.

AIS Job Available


Work and Protect Bear Lake this Summer!
We felt it would be good to enlist your help in finding good candidates for these jobs among the families and friends of those that love Bear Lake. Who better to guard the gate! (and get paid)

Nathan Owens, the Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, is in the process of putting together staffing for boat check stations for boats traveling to Bear Lake that need to be inspected for quagga mussels. See the information below. Contact Nathan with any questions. 

Feel free to pass this on to anyone you know.
  
Thanks,
Claudia
 .....................................................................................................................
Are you looking for either a FULL-TIME or PART-TIME summer job that will keep you outside? Consider working for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Aquatic Invasive Species Program!
  
Position Title: Aquatic Invasive Species Technician I and II
  
Agency: Division of Wildlife Resources
  
Salary:$10.99/hr and up, depending on experience
Location: Logan, UT or Bear Lake,UT
Closing: Until Filled
  
Responsibilities:The successful individual will work within the UDWR's Aquatic Invasive Species Program, dealing primarily with Quagga/Zebra mussel interdiction and education at highway check stations. Duties include inspecting and interviewing boaters at check stations and using a high-pressure sprayer to decontaminate boats when needed.Technicians will have the opportunity to get involved in other sportfish and native fish work as well.
  
Qualifications: Applicants must be self- motivated and able to work independently. The individual must be able to interact with the public, educate them about invasive species, and maintain a professional attitude at all times.Uniforms are required. Occasional weekend and holiday work required.
  
Successful applicants can start as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity to get some work experience with the Utah DWR, make some extra money during the summer, and work outside with some great people! If you like interacting with people and would like to help protect our natural resources at the same time, this job is for you!
  
Contact: Send resume, cover letter, and transcripts to Nathan Owens at nathanowens@utah.gov
Claudia & David Cottle 
Executive Directors 
Bear Lake Watch, Inc.
4544 Hwy 89 
Fish Haven, Idaho 83287 
801-243-8980 - Claudia 
208-530-0058 - David 
Working to keep Bear Lake "Clean, Deep and Blue"

Trail Map Proposed

Bobbie Bicknell Coray
Reporter, Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 6, 2015.  Mitch Poulsen, Director of the Bear Lake Regional Commission,  reported to the County Commission that a Trail Plan was put together in March with a group to provide input.  The group talked about existing trails and determine actual trail routes not just erosion trails.  A rough draft of a map has been created.
Poulsen  wants a trail map published and put it in a digital format as well as printed.  The trail group also has designated trails that they would like to see built.  They would like to make the map interactive so that people who took the trails could add input  like “Trip Advisor”.
Commissioner Tom Weston thinks that areas should be designated as BLM, private lands or other ownership.  Mitch said some of the trails meander through all sorts of designations and have been trails so long that people use them, but if advertised might be a problem.  These trails can be seen from arial photos which means that they are used a great deal.  Weston said that some areas have rattlesnakes and that probably should be called out on the map.
Poulsen said that they must enforce people staying on the trail.  Ultimately trail markers should be installed.  There will be links to GPS .   Poulsen said the next step is identifying which trails go through private property and if the property owners are agreeable to this. 
Weston noted that  often access roads and trails are by the water supply and people leave garbage and it may keep the cattle away from the water source if there are too many people. “I think you cannot advertise trails on private land, said Tom Weston. 
There is a proposed trail on the east side which might push ATV to the east side. From South to North Eden Canyon and 95% is on public land.  Commissioner Bill Cox said that all trails should be on public land, because the county cannot promote trespass even if they have been used before.  Ancillary trails have been illegally created by four wheelers even on private property.
In the future Poulsen would like to see Idaho interface with Utah trails.  There is a need for trails so the commission will encourage the development of trails.  When trails are developed and maintained,  there is less vandalism and garbage left behind.   And hopefully , user groups will self police as there is an increasing problem with garbage and graffiti.

Wildland/Urban Interface Rules Discussed


Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 6, 2015. Ted Black, Chief Deputy , State Fire Wildland /Urban Interface of the Division  of Natural Resources, told County Commissioners that  there were changes to the Wildland/Interface Code to make it more responsive to rural counties.  This code is administered by the Division of Wildlife Resources. 
Black said that the majority of counties use the same ordinances, but one size does not fit all.  For example if a rancher wants to build a small shack for lambing season, the rancher has to meet the same building codes as a house in the city.   Now a building of less than 1000 square feet which is not being built near municipal services can be built without building permits.  It is not the intent to circumvent building requirements near cities and towns but to make it easier for people to do their work in rural areas. 
Another code change is that all weather access roads are required in the code for fire suppression, but in rural areas, some roads are closed in the winter but they still work for local fire suppression that mostly is needed in the summer. That requirement has been eliminated.  The roads only need to be approved by the commission to be considered fire suppression roads.
Black gave the definition of Wildland /Urban Interface as areas where a wild fire would significantly impact water shed, the economy of the jurisdiction and where the natural beauty of the area would be severely impacted or destroyed by a wild fire.  Areas in close proximity to national or state forest, or other forested areas may also be considered as part of the interface.  Areas where fire is a regular part of the eco system (areas that burn almost annually) and areas where a fire would have little impact on the community, and would not impact the economy or water shed should not be considered part of the wildland-urban interface. The department of Natural Resources has assigned a Fire Warden to each county as a resource in wild fire related issues.
It is encouraged that property owners create a defensible space,  that is defined as an area either natural or man-made where material capable of allowing a fire to spread unchecked has been treated cleared or modified to slow the rate and intensity of an advancing wildfire and to create an area for fire suppression operations to occur.
It is not a clear cut around a structure, a fire break around a structure , devastation of the forest or the removal of all vegetation.
 Much of Rich county should not be designated as a interface area.  Just the areas which meet the designation criteria.