Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers!

 May the blessing of family, friends, and food fill your hearts and homes this Thanksgiving Week.

Deer by Cisco Sonar (AKA Bryce Nielson)

It all started when I bought a lot in Bridgerland to build a house on in the 1970’s.  A bunch of my Natural Resources college friends lamented that I was destroying deer winter habitat.  After moving in there were a few deer around but their numbers increased as my neighbors started feeding them in the winter.

 As the years passed, the number of deer slowly increased until it was impossible to grow a tulip without having it eaten.  I enjoy raising a garden, but it was soon apparent that I needed to fence it to keep the deer out.  After several attempts, I finally got a fence built with heavy posts and 6’ wire mesh net.  It worked well until later in the summer when I forgot to close the gate.  Next day the plants were chewed down to the ground.

More cabins with landscaping were built in Bridgerland and the population of deer increased accordingly. Everyone loved seeing them and felt bad when they were smacked on the highway.  When we had a bad winter, homeowners bought tons of deer pellets to feed them.  The area was overrun with deer trying to survive and many never left.

As a biologist, I am changing my mind about loss of winter range due to recreational development.  I observed places like Sweetwater Hill and places along the lake in Garden City experiencing significant increases in wildlife as the vegetation around homes increased.  Lots of mouthwatering plants available to eat and habitat cover under decks and trees.  The sagebrush and bitterbrush in the surrounding areas now didn’t look that tasty.  Recreational developments with lots of non-native plants and water make perfect habitat all wildlife.  Moose, birds, small mammals and countless other animals now benefit from it.   

This past year in has become apparent that the deer I see around my place are residents.  They were born and raised here with plenty of food and just had to get used to people, which they did readily.  I like to see, hunt, and eat deer but this population never leaves the protection of the development.  As the hunters slog the hills, deer are few and far between since they are all in the subdivisions.  This year they have ravished my raspberry patch, destroyed newly planted trees and bushes by scraping them with their horns and hopped up on the back deck to feed on potted flowers.  There was nothing they didn’t try to eat even though there was plenty of natural food around.  Flowers they didn’t like, such as marigolds, they just pulled out.  I think they were too lazy to leave the feast.heavy posts and 6’ wire mesh net.  It worked well until later in the summer when I forgot to close the gate.  Next day the plants were chewed down to the ground.

 I see no real solution for this problem other than intensive fencing.  It is so frustrating.  I enjoy seeing a nice buck and does in my backyard, but then I remember what they have done all year.  I guess it is time to buy “t” posts and wire and continue to adapt to their presence.

 

 

Upcoming Things

 

Nov. 30, 2021 Laketown P&Z 7:00 PM

Dec. 1, 2021 Laketown Town Council Meeting 7:00 PM

Dec. 1, 2021 Randolph P&Z 7:00 PM

Dec. 8, 2021 Randolph Town Board Meeting 7:30 PM

Dec. 2, 2021 Woodruff P&Z 7:00 PM

Dec. 7, 2021 Woodruff Board Meeting 7:00 PM

Dec. 11, 2021 Garden City Christmas Celebration 7:00 AM Pancake Breakfast

Discovery Destination Activity Today!

 Open the holiday season with Cookie Decorating from R Bakery in Randolph! Frosting, sprinkles - we've got all the goods for the best holiday memories for the whole family. Free ONLY for families who participate in the Discovery Family program. More info below on how to qualify - it's easy, fun, and free!

Join in Monday, Nov. 22 from 6-7 pm at R Bakery, 10 North Main Street in Randolph.

How do you qualify? Download the GooseChase app (code Adventures) for the Discovery Family Adventures with Wattson 2021-2022 hunt and set up your team.

And FILL OUT THIS FORM by Thursday, Nov. 18: https://mydiscoverydestination.com/rewards/

Then you’ll receive an email with all the info for the party, and your family info will be given to the organizers for free entry.

Also participate in the hunt on GooseChase! It is tons of fun, your family will love it and your relationships will be better for it.

Please spread the word, tell all your friends and we’ll see you there! Click over to the Discussion tab for more posts and info.

P.S. Be sure to join our Facebook group so you get all the local family fun! 

Garden City & Laketown Food Pantry

 We will be open Tues. from 9-11 and 1-3. Wed. will be 4-6. Hope to see you there for your needs.

Bear Lake Valley Market

 We encourage everyone who likes to shop our hand crafted items to attend the Paris, ID Craft Show this week end. Bear lake Valley market will be open again for 3 weekends in December.

Interesting Article for all Bear Lakers

 

 Dry Canyon Pumped Storage Hydropower Project

DRY CANYON PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER  

PROJECT

 

APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PERMIT

 

The Applicant, PacifiCorp, is a domestic corporation and is not claiming municipal

preference under section 7(a) of the FPA. PacifiCorp, a corporation located in Portland,

Oregon, is organized under the laws of the State of Oregon and, as such, is qualified under

§ 4(e) of the FPA to hold hydroelectric licenses issued under Part I of the FPA.

The proposed term of the requested permit is 48 months.

The proposed project would use the existing facilities and rights, as follows:

 

PacifiCorp Facilities Background

 

The Applicant owns and operates the over 100-year-old Bear Lake Facilities. These

existing facilities are used by the Applicant to divert water from the Bear River and to store

and release water from the Bear Lake Reservoir (Bear Lake and Mud Lake). The Bear Lake

Facilities include Stewart Dam, Rainbow Canal Headgates, Rainbow Canal, Ream-Crocket

Canal Intake, Ream-Crocket Canal, Bear Lake Causeway Inlet, Lifton Pumping Station,

Outlet Canal, Paris Dike and Outlet Canal Headgates. The Bear Lake Facilities were in

place and functioning in 1914 except for the Lifton Pumping Station, which became

operational in 1917. In addition to irrigation water storage and delivery, this system allows

the management of Bear River water for flood control and power generation.

 

Prior to the construction of these facilities, a right-of-way over the Bear Lake Reservoir

(Mud Lake and Bear Lake) for the storage and conveyance of water was granted by the

Secretary of the Interior in 1907. In 1927, the portion of the 1907 right-of-way north of

Paris Dike was reduced in size to only cover Outlet Canal. The current footprint of the Mud

Lake portion of the right-of-way is 15,487 acres.  

 

Within Mud Lake is the Mud Lake Regulation Reservoir, created by the facilities

mentioned above and habitat management dikes built by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(USFWS) as part of its management of the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Mud

Lake Regulation Reservoir occupies approximately 8,286 acres (in normal operation)

within the larger Mud Lake area. During periods of high runoff, the water control structures

in the habitat management dikes are opened to allow the full water storage capability of the

15,487 acres of Mud Lake to be used. Normal maximum full pool of the Mud Lake

Regulation Reservoir is 5,930.78 feet NAVD88 (maximum flood full pool is 5,931.78

At the upstream end of this system, water is diverted from the Bear River at Stewart Dam

and then conveyed through the Rainbow Canal Headgate and Rainbow Canal to the Mud

Lake Regulation Reservoir. Once in the Mud Lake Regulation Reservoir water can be

stored, diverted back to the Bear River through Outlet Canal, or moved into Bear Lake

through the Bear Lake Causeway Inlet.

 

The Applicant currently holds water rights from the states of Idaho and Utah to divert the

Bear River at Stewart Dam and store diverted Bear River water in the Bear Lake Reservoir.

The Applicant has a right to use the stored water for irrigation, power generation, and other

beneficial purposes recognized by law.

 

In addition to the existing Bear Lake Facilities, right-of-way, and water rights, there are

three existing 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines located within 20 miles of the proposed

Project that could be used to support transmission needs. The Applicant’s proposed 500-kV

line (Gateway West) is near these corridors also.

 

Existing Facilities to be Utilized

 

The water for the Project will be diverted at Stewart Dam and conveyed through Rainbow

Canal to Mud Lake Regulation Reservoir using existing facilities, water rights and storage

rights. The Applicant is proposing to use a portion of the Mud Lake Regulation Reservoir

along with associated facilities and rights for development of a lower reservoir for the

Project. The Applicant is the sole owner of these existing facilities and right

General Project Configuration.

 

The proposed Dry Canyon Pumped Storage Hydropower Project (Project) is a closed-loop

pumped storage hydroelectric generating facility. 

 

1.1.1 Dam and Levee

A roller-compacted concrete dam with a height of 530 feet and a crest length of 2,900 feet would

create the upper reservoir in Dry Canyon. Dam Crest would be at approximately 7,437 feet

NAVD88. 

 

A rock-armored earthen levee with an average height of 22 feet above the bottom of the Mud

Lake Regulation Reservoir and a length of 24,242 feet would be constructed to form the lower

reservoir. Two inlet/outlet structures would be included, one each in the north and west levees.

The top of the levee would be approximately 5,942 feet NAVD88. 

 

1.1.2 Spillways

The need for an upper reservoir auxiliary spillway will be analyzed during engineering studies

proposed under Section 2.1.3.

 

1.1.3 Penstocks

Starting at the upper reservoir’s inlet/outlet structure behind the dam, three 22-foot-diameter

penstocks, each being approximately 6,650 feet in length, would connect to the

generating/pumping units in the underground chamber. A combination of exposed penstocks,

concrete-lined tunnels and steel-lined tunnels are proposed. 

 

1.1.4 Underground Generating/Pumping Station

Proposed dimensions of the underground generating/pumping station chamber are 660 feet long

and 110 feet wide. An access tunnel and a utility tunnel are proposed to provide access to the

underground chamber. The access tunnel would provide primary operations access from Merkley

Road and the upper utility tunnel would connect to the switch yard.  

 

1.1.5 Tailraces

Below the generating/pumping units, three 22-foot diameter concrete-lined tailrace tunnels

would connect to the inlet/outlet structure in the lower reservoir. The proposed tailrace tunnels

would each be approximately 2,200 feet in length.

 

1.2 Proposed Reservoirs

 

1.2.1 Lower Reservoir 

A lower reservoir with a surface area of 1,390 acres is proposed to be sited in the southeast

corner of the 8,286-acre Mud Lake Regulation Reservoir. The lower reservoir would have a

storage volume of 30,680 acre-feet (23,730 active and 4,170 dead pool). Reservoir full-pool

surface elevation is proposed to be approximately 5,938.88 feet NAVD88. The reservoir would

e lower

reservoir during times when surplus energy from other resources is available and generate

electricity during periods of high demand. Based on customer energy demands and available

energy production on PacifiCorp’s system, the Project could pump and generate multiple times

in a 24-hour period.

The total estimated annual energy production is 5.4 terawatt-hours (TWh). The installed capacity

of the Project would be 1,800 MW. The gross hydraulic head as proposed is 1,490 feet and the

typical daily output (based on a daily fill-and-run cycle with 8 hours of generation) would be

14,400 megawatt-hours (MWh). The Project would have an anticipated 80 percent round-trip

efficiency rating so daily pumping energy required (based on a daily fill-and-run cycle) would be

18,000 MWh.

 

Six 300-megawatt (MW) generating/pumping units are proposed. It is anticipated the turbines could be impulse or reaction type.

Garden City Town Meeting Nov. 18, 2021

 

Garden City Town Meeting Nov. 18, 2021

#3 Report by Tami Leonhardt from Rich County Tourism. The Visitor information for the Overlook, the Wilford Woodruff, and the Garden City office visits were up. This brings into the County Transient Room taxes called the TRT to be used to fund improvements for the visitors and locals. Some monies may be used for extra police enforcement, signs, advertising, and infrastructure at the parks.

#4 Discussion was held about the Rezone of Blue Vista Hills (west of the Chevron). Their plan is to build townhomes with a club house. Harris group is the name of the major developers. They have had talks with UDOT about ingress and egress. The plan has gone to the P&Z which recommended wider roads, trails, sidewalks, garbage pickup spots, snow removal and plans for 100 year storms and drainage. The motion was made to accept a rezone and passed the board.

#5 Spinnaker Point has asked that the Condo’s be named Town homes as the resale is easier if the homes are separately owned. The P&Z had owners provide a legal document that the homes were inspected for fire walls. The motion passed.

#8 Short Term Rental for Scott Tolentino reviewed and passed.

Council member: Jordan Parry met with the Red Cross safety inspector. The Red Cross suggested that the pool be provided with a safety water back board and a defibrillator. It was agreed to purchase those.

Council member: Howard Pope talked about improving the Hodges Canyon Trail access. The council will continue to work on this project.

Council member: Pat Argyle said the Christmas tree will be put up on the South Side of the Health Clinic (or at Raspberry Square) this weekend and will be lit after Thanksgiving.

Council member: Ken Hansen said the survey for the new well is almost complete as well as the 40 year water protection plan. The well will be pressurized into the existing system.

Mayor: Mike Leonhardt is working with UDOT on the other truck slow down lane south of Shundahai entrance. There will also be a left turn lane into Shundahai. The lease of the lake bed has been signed in order to continue the drainage ditches.

Bills were then paid.

Employee Housing at Bear Lake

 

An article written in the Utah Business Magazine featured a story called “Where should Park City Employees live?” written by Jennifer Alsever. The topic should be read by all of us who live around and love Bear Lake. Some of the questions we should address are: how much should our workers here be paid to live at the lake? There are not affordable rentals in Garden City for enough employees. You can buy a townhouse for $269,000, but you have to qualify. Who will certify that a person making $16.00 an hour is a candidate to purchase a house? Is there someone who is altruistic who could buy a town home and then sell to a person making $16-$20 and hour? We could tax the developers, we could put a stipend on an empty house, or we could ask developers to help finance affordable houses. Who will help? This is our community can we step up?

You can download Jennifer’s complete article at https://www.utahbusiness.com/park-city-real-estate-prices-are-causing-problems/

(She has also written books and I am ready to read them.)

Quilting

 

We have been asked to supply as many quilts as possible for Afghan refugees.  They have nothing and are very appreciative of receiving these quilts.

Instead of only "quilting" on Tuesdays, we will also meet on Thursdays until Christmas. No, Not on Thanksgiving!

We call it quilting, but it is not actually quilting.  It is not even tying.  You take two stitches in one place.  It is so easy that everyone can do it.

It takes place above the library from 1:00 to 3:00.  There is an elevator for anyone who does not want to take the stairs.

It is also a lot of fun.  We hope to see you there.

Christmas Tree Permits

Christmas tree permits are now available to purchase online through recreation.gov until December 31. Details regarding designated cutting areas, dates and height restrictions may be found at recreation.gov. Last year, the Forest sold 8,732 permits and over 30% were from online sales.

The Every Kid Outdoors provides one free Christmas Tree permit to any fourth grader who presents a valid Every Kid Outdoor pass. Please keep in mind this offer can only be validated through the local Forest Service and recreation.gov site. Vendors are unable to provide free passes. The Every Kid in a Park initiative allows fourth graders to go to the Every Kid in the Park web site and obtain a pass for free entry for them and their families to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters for an entire year starting September 1, 2021.

For more information on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/ctnf.

Helping Seniors in Rich County

 

Obituary

 

Gary V. Hunsaker Our loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Gary Vance Hunsaker, 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah from complications of Covid 19 Pneumonia. He was born on February 8, 1941 in Brigham City, Utah, a son of Oscar LaVan and Lois Vance Hunsaker. He was raised and educated in Honeyville, Utah. Gary graduated from Box Elder High School in 1959 and graduated from BYU in Computer Science. He married Patricia Anne Gaffney in December of 1963. They welcomed three children, Julie, Kristen, and Travis. They were later divorced. Gary was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the Bishopric, scout master and received his Silver Beaver award. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, loved to collect sports memorabilia, loved to travel and genealogy. Surviving are his three children, Julie (Ernest) Chilvers of Warwick, RI; Kristen Young of Taylorsville, UT; Travis (Melinda) Hunsaker of Garden City, UT; 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, Van Hunsaker; two sisters: Gaylene Keetch and Pam Peterson; one half-sister DeeAnn Moyes; one stepsister, Darla McLaughlin; and two stepbrothers, Douglas Pugmire and Daryl Pugmire. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Dennis Hunsaker and one stepbrother, Donald Pugmire. Funeral services was held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 E 200 S., Brigham City, Utah. Interment was in the Honeyville Cemetery. Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com

Obituary

 

Charles Elliott Hulme, age 94, of Bloomington, Idaho, slipped peacefully through the veil on October 6, 2021, surrounded by his devoted wife of nearly 54 years and all six of his children.

Charles was born August 12, 1927, in Bloomington, Idaho, to John Philip and Eurilla LaVerna Faylor Hulme His father died when Charles was only fourteen years old, and he took over the family farm soon after he graduated from high school. Through the years, he became well-known as an outstanding cattle rancher and horseman. He was honored by the Governor of Idaho as a Century Rancher because he operated a ranch that had been in his family for over 100 years. In addition to ranching, he was active in many community organizations, oftentimes serving in leadership roles. Charles spent his entire life in Bloomington in the home where he was born. With great reverence for his heritage and the Hulme Ranch, he lived on the property originally owned by his pioneer grandfather, William Hulme, one of the early settlers of the Bear Lake Valley.
Charles was an excellent rancher, he has also been called "a man for all seasons." He enjoyed playing basketball and football in high school and continued playing "outlaw basketball" for many years after high school. He was also an avid hunter. He loved music and sang in the Bloomington Quartet for over forty years. He had an incredibly bright mind that stayed sharp right up until the end of his life. Reading and studying were a joy to him, and he always had a desire to learn more about the Gospel and church history. He was loved for his quick wit and his ability to find a perfect "one-liner" for every occasion.

In addition to his work and play, he was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings throughout the years, often with the youth. He loved to teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Among those callings were Stake Young Men's President, two bishoprics, a member of the high council, and a member of the Bear Lake Stake Presidency for eight and a half years (now known as the Paris Idaho Stake). He served a mission to Northern California before he was married and served a second mission with his wife, Connie, to Adam-ondi-Ahman, Missouri. The two of them also served in the Logan Temple for nearly ten years.
More than anything, Charles Hulme's greatest love was for his Savior and his family. He spent many years as a bachelor before finding his wife, Connie. After he offered her a ring on the top of Paris Peak, he said, "She made a good choice." They were married and sealed in the Logan Temple on November 17, 1967. Speaking of Connie, he said, "Most of what I have accomplished is because of her." He taught his children many lessons through the years; and, on occasion, they would hear him say, "I'm not raising cows; I'm raising kids."
Charles is survived by his beloved wife Connie Cook Hulme, his six children - Loyal (Jenifer) Hulme of Draper, Utah; Leah (Aaron) Nielsen of Nibley, Utah; Heidi Hulme of Saratoga Springs, Utah; Miriam (Quinn) Drury of Bluffdale, Utah; Christina (Evan) Lee of Lehi, Utah; Angela (Jason) Mecham of Firth, Idaho; his 22 grandchildren; and his sister, Lucille (Grant) Smart of Bountiful, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Orval, Horace, Melvin, and Philip.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 16, 2021, in the Paris Idaho Stake Center, 109 South Main Street, Paris, Idaho Interment was in the Bloomington Cemetery under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home.
The Hulme family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and love to all of their family and friends who have shown such an outpouring of love and support for them. They sincerely appreciate it. They know your love and friendship meant a lot to Charles.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nalderfuneralhome.com.

Published by Logan Herald Journal on Oct. 12, 2021.

Obituary

 

Sharol Gerrard Thornock, age 75, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 6, in St. George, Utah. Born Sept. 28, 1946, to Margorie Schofield and Raymond Gerrard, she and her twin sister, Sharon, were born into a loving family.

Sharol and Sid lived in Mountain View and Fort Bridger and in their later years spent their winters in St. George, Utah and Beaver Dam, Arizona. Sharol and Sid also loved their cabin at Bear Lake and loved going boating and fishing. 

A viewing was held at Crandall Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15. The funeral took place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the Lyman Stake Center in Urie, with a viewing to be held prior, from 9:30-10:45 AM. Interment took place at the Evanston City Cemetery at 1:30 PM