170,000 Cutthroats Stocked In Bear Lake

Wildlife Resources is stocking some native cutthroat trout this week.  

Over the course of the next few weeks, they will be stocking nearly 170,000 native cutthroats. Most are in the 6 to 8-inch long range.

Cisco's Sonar

Large Western Lakes

By Bryce Nielson, The Cisco Kid

I have always been fascinated with large, natural, bodies of water.  In North America, the Great Lakes were formed by glacial action along with thousands of other lakes in the Northeast U. S. and Canada.  These lakes are huge due to the impact of millions of years of erosion from the ice ages.

In the western U.S., the largest freshwater lake is Flathead Lake and of course, the salty Great Salt Lake.  Recently, I visited two natural lakes in Nevada that are both slightly larger than Bear Lake.  Lake Tahoe is the largest and deepest.  A scenic lake surrounded by granite peaks and pines.  It was created by faulting.  As the Sierra Mountains were being pushed up, fault lines pulled them apart, creating a depression that through time filled up with water.  The water came from over sixty small mountain streams that cascaded out of the surrounding mountains into the valley.  As I drove around it there were 100’s of permanent docks and no sign of lake fluctuation.  This is because Tahoe is over 1000 feet deep and never freezes.  It doesn’t fluctuate because as the water rises it overflows into the Truckee River. 

This river then flows downward into the Lahontan basin where Pyramid Lake is located.  This terminal lake is dependent on the Truckee River flow for its elevation.  Years ago, most of the river was diverted into the Carson Basin for irrigation.  As a result, Pyramid Lake desiccated to a point where it was becoming too salty to support fish.  No one cared because it was on an Indian reservation in the desert.  Pyramid does not freeze because of depth and salinity.  The Pyramid Lake Tribe went to court and got flows reestablished and now the lake is coming up and fish are thriving.

When comparing these two lakes to Bear Lake, they are similar but not alike, only in size.  Bear Lake was created by faulting, creating a large depression that filled with water, like Tahoe.  Over the past, it has sometimes has shared water with the Bear River, which passes it but does not flow in and out of it.   Like Pyramid, humans thirst for irrigation water has impacted its natural elevation.  Unlike Tahoe and Pyramid, it will continue to fluctuate, bridled by the Bear River Compact.

The value of the large natural, freshwater, lakes cannot be overestimated.  They are ours to use for recreation and other things, but they must be cherished for what they visually provide to the human consciousness.   

Celebration Of Life For Gene Merrick Jr.

George Eugene Merrick Jr., affectionately known as “Moose” peacefully passed away on March 4, 2018, in Salt Lake City, UT after battling Dementia.  

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor from 12:00pm-2:00pm on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at The Gathering Place in Gardner Village, 1100 West 7800 South West Jordan, UT 84088.

Join The Community Fun

Candidates for County Commission Seat A

Ballots for the primary elections will come out no later than June 5 for citizens of Rich County to fill out and return by mail.  They will be sent to registered Republicans only and since there are no Democratic candidates this will actually determine who will fill the two seats in the County Commission.  If you wish to register or change registration call Becky Peart at 435 793 2415 or go to https://vote.utah.gov/vote/menu/index .

BILL COX, Woodruff

My name is Bill Cox.  I’m running for Commission Seat A.  I have been a lifelong resident of Rich County. I run and operate a small cattle ranch and have provided mail delivery throughout the county for 37 years. I love Rich County and am very committed to maintaining the culture and heritage for the good citizens that reside here and make Rich County their home.

Prior to serving as a County Commissioner, I served on the Woodruff Town Planning and Zoning, Woodruff Town Council and as Assistant Fire Chief for the Woodruff Fire District.  My prior years of service helped prepare me with local government experience as I took office as a County Commissioner.

Rich County is very diverse in lifestyles that range from agriculture to recreation, and from year round residents to seasonal residents. This creates many challenges to balance the growing needs of the citizens throughout the county.  I would like the people of Rich County to know that I understand the issues we face and the opportunities before us.  I travel throughout the county daily and have the chance to talk to many of the residents about concerns and questions they have.  This gives me a great perspective of the challenges we face as individuals and families in our community. I get to see our county services in action, touching individual lives on a daily basis; your tax dollars at work. I am a property owner and a taxpayer as well. Tax dollars are important to me. I am a strong advocate for our rural county lifestyle both on a state and federal level.  I will continue to develop relationships with our state legislators and state agencies to meet the expanding need for services in our county.  I am experienced. I am committed.  I am engaged.

I have appreciated the opportunity to serve the people of Rich County and ask for your support in the upcoming election. 

JONATHAN LEE, Randolph

I’m running for county commissioner out of genuine love of our area and to bring the focus back to the residents of Rich County.

With over 9 years background in growing businesses and technology, I am able to recognize the tremendous assets the county has from the beautiful Bear Lake to our amazing farmlands. 

I will be comfortable and excited to work with the other commissioners and state and federal officers overseeing important legislative and executive decisions recognizing that these decisions impact the life of every citizen. I promise to always be focused on bettering the position of Rich County and the quality of life for its residents. 

I know there are people who have lived in Rich County for generations. Amazing families that have pioneered and settled and to this day live in the valley working the land. I also recognize that are there are new pioneers forming businesses and working hard for the future of our county. 

I believe after elected I can hit the ground running and I hope I can earn your vote. I sincerely hope that I can inspire our residents to be excited about the growth in our county while maintaining our heritage and what makes us special. 

Thank you.

Candidates For Commission Seat B

SIM WESTON, Laketown

My name is Sim Weston, and I am campaigning for your vote to serve as a Rich County Commissioner. As a lifelong resident of this county, I have a desire to give something back. Our county has a long history of protecting and promoting agriculture and recreation as our core industries. We can and should be proud of our past. As I look to the future, I want to make sure that county resources are used in a way that will benefit the most people. I believe that local governments should ensure: public safety, sustainable infrastructure, economic growth, and efficient services. 

Some people run for public office because they have a specific agenda they want to advance. I submit to you that I am running for this office because I genuinely want to serve you--the citizens of this great community. I believe in government for the people and by the people. If elected I promise to listen to your ideas and I commit to serve the office of County Commissioner to 

the best of my ability.

PAT ARGYLE, Garden City

The reason I am running for County Commissioner is because I truly want to help all the people of our county.  We have such diversity in our County, ranging from ranching, farming, small businesses, and recreation.   The towns contained within our County all have different needs and have the right to voice their opinions and to have someone listen to them.  Some of the towns do not want to change, they like the way of life that has been there for generations.  When I go through Randolph and Woodruff my thoughts go back to moving to this County forty-three years ago.  There were more businesses then than there are now.  

It is difficult to support a family let alone hope that your children will be able to stay in the County and find a job as they get married. Garden City and Laketown are growing because of the recreation offered by our beautiful lake and mountains.  While predictions have been made that Utah will double in size in the next ten years some of those people will come our way.  It is our responsibility as stewards of this County to prepare for it and make the transition as smooth as possible.  We have to be proactive in protecting the land as well as designing our roads, waterways, and infrastructure. Change is coming will we be ready?

Spring Lake

Tammy Calder, Calderwood Photography, Garden City, Utah

Bear Laker Mel Mackay 1936 - 2018

Heaven gained the rock of our family on April 18, 2018 @ the stroke of midnight. Mel was born to Lynn Eugene Mackay and Dorothy Edith Webb Mackay on December 11, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He was the oldest of three children.  Mel married his high school sweetheart Marcia Guiver on January 31, 1956.  They were married for 62 fun years! They were sealed for time and all eternity on their 55th wedding anniversary. Marcia’s mother said that Mel was the best birthday gift she ever received! 

Mel served in Naval Reserves for 10 years & Coast Guard Aux for 5 years.  Mel’s greatest contribution to the youth was serving as a Scout Master for 15 years.  Through his unwavering service in Scouting, he influenced many young men to obtain their Eagle Scout Award and to make camp fire coffee. There were many times that Mel would stay up until 11:59 pm to help a young man earn his Eagle Scout before he turned 18 at the stroke of midnight. Mel also served for 10 years as a Scoutmaster leader for Scoutmasters at Wood Badge.  In 1999, Mel was awarded his Silver Beaver Award. 

Mel worked over 50 years in the concrete pipe manufacturing at W.R. White Co., Amcor, & Geneva Concrete Pipe. Mel began in the concrete pipe industry as a pipe layer. As many contractors would say “Mel started at the bottom and worked his way out of the trenches to the top of the industry”.  He was a member of AGC served on the National Board and headed all of the AGC golf tournaments. Mel was a member of Mt. States Association, Concrete Pipe Association and many other associations connected with the pipe business. His business associates became his dear friends as was demonstrated at the outpouring of love for Mel while he was in the hospital.

Mel and Marcia have been members of the Cottonwood Country Club for 50 years.  Mel was a member of the Harrison Duck Club for many years.  He served as president of Bear Lake Water Board, member of the Mount Olympus Sewer Board, the board of St. George Mesas Home Owners and was HOA board of Hillside owners at Bear Lake. Mel loved his homes at Bear Lake and St. George.

Mel loved to bowl and play golf with his best friend and companion- his wife Marcia. Mel bowled a 300 game and received a beautiful ring for his accomplishment!  Mel loved the outdoors.  He built a family cabin at Bear Lake so that his family could enjoy the great outdoors together. Mel loved to hunt, golf, boat and fishing. He passed down the love of the outdoors to his posterity. 

Mel was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He loved all of his callings in the Church. Mel was a shining example to work hard and to play hard.  Mel loved all of his grandchildren.  Each one will say they are his favorite grandchild because he treated all of them as if they were his favorite. 

Dad is the kindest, most gentle person, and would give his clothes off of his back if you needed it.  Dad loved to tease his wife, kids and grandchildren.  He sounded loud and gruff but he always had a smile on his face while he teased our friends. Mel was the epitome of honor and integrity.  Thank you dad for your wonderful example and love to all of us.

Mel is survived by his wife of 62 years- Marcia, his daughters Missy Mackay-Whiteurs (Jack), Mindy Mackay-Swenson (Arni), Mark David Mackay. His also survived by his sister Lynette Mackay Thurgood and his sister-in-law Carolyn Guiver Nelson (Dave).  Mel is also survived by his greatest accomplishments, his 11 adoring grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his faithful dog Batman.  Mel is preceded in death by his parents, his loving parent in-laws Ray & Virginia Guiver, son Mick (Melvin Gene Jr) and his brother Keith Larry Mackay.

The family would like to thank the Doctors and nurses at IMC for the care they gave him at the end of his earthly life.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Olympus Stake Center, 2675 East 4430 South, Salt Lake City.

Rich County Trail Guide

Follow this link to view the NEW Rich County Trail Guide.  It has great information on trails and State Park sites.  

Rich County Notice on Noxious Weeds

GENERAL NOTICE TO CONTROL NOXIOUS WEEDS

Notice is hereby given this Thirteenth day of April 2018 pursuant to the Utah Noxious Weed Act, Section 7, to every person who owns or controls land in Rich County, Utah, that noxious weeds standing, being, or growing on such land shall be controlled and the spread of same prevented by effective cutting, tillage, cropping, pasturing, or treating with chemicals or other effective methods, or combination thereof, approved by the County Weed supervisor, as often as may be required to prevent the weed from blooming and maturing seeds, or spreading by root, root stalks or other means.

Upon failure to comply with this notice, the owner or person in possession of property upon which noxious weeds are present shall be deemed negligent and enforced control measures may be imposed at the discretion of county authorities. Expenses of control measures employed by the county shall be paid directly by the owner or person in possession of the property or shall constitute a lien on the property and become collectible by taxes.

The following are declared noxious weeds for the State of Utah and the county of Rich:

Common Crupina African Rue Small Bugloss

Mediterranean Sage Spring  Millet Syrian Beancaper North African Grass Plumeless Thistle Malta Thistle Camelthom

Garlic Mustard Purple Starthistle Goatsrue African Mustard Giant Reed Japanese Knotweed Vipers Bugloss Elongated Mustard

Common St. Johnswort Oxeye Daisy

Cutleaf Vipergrass Leafy Spurge Medusahead Rye Rush Skeletonweed Spotted Knapweed Purple Loosestrife Squarrose Knapweed

Dyers Woad Yellow Starthistle Yellow Toadflax Diffuse Knapweed Black Henbane Dalmation Toadflax Russian Knapweed Houndstounge

Perennial Pepperweed Phagmities

Tamarisk Hoary Cress Canada Thistle

Poison Hemlock Musk Thistle Quackgrass Jointed Goatgrass Bermudagrass

Perennial Sorghum Johnson Grass Scotch Thistle Field Bindweed Puncturevine Cogongrass

Myrtle Spurge Dame's Rocket Scotch Broom Russian Olive

Questions concerning this matter can be referred to Greg Peart, Weed Supervisor, at (435)-793- 5575.

Pickleville Philosophy

Road Trips

By Jim Stone, The Pickleville Philosopher

I took a big road trip today.  My hunting buddy just wanted to sleep in, but me and my dogs filled up the gas tank, got some road snacks and off we went on a road trip to a very secret duck hunting place. We traveled over to mountain ranges, through a marsh and by some big rivers and lakes to a place where in my life I’ve had some best of times.

We had an awesome time duck hunting.

When I am driving a long way to a special place I always think about special people, dogs, wildlife and great memories.  One man came to my mind who I think very highly of, Mister Robert Bouer.  He was one of the first All American College football players.  I don’t think he went pro.  He did a cool thing, he invented one of the first off shore drilling bits to drill for oil at the bottom of the ocean.  His patent for his oil drill brought him $50 million over sixty years ago.  I met Robert guiding water fowl hunting.

He loved to hunt birds.  He was a huge man.  I’m 5.9”, he was probably 7.3 foot tall! I had an old Toyota land cruiser I had bought and got it running.  I was so dang proud of it.  In the mud marshes, it would get you just almost anywhere. Give it a little gas and off you go.

We harvested our ducks and geese early. It was one of those fabulous days on the marsh when everything just comes together, the birds get fooled and they come to your decoy spread. We were on our way back. I got a little bit heavy on the gas pedal and there was one of those high humps in the road with to signs, one on both sides of a railroad track. Well, I was going a bit fast so we got airborne going over the train tracks.

Mister Bouer was not so happy with me and gave me that look.   Since he was triple my size, he had me a bit humbled and awaiting his little discussion that was heading my way. I had fun getting airborne in my awesome Jeep but am bracing myself to get um… kinda chewed out.

Mister Bouer said “Jimmy, I have 27 grandkids and 7 great grandkids and I want to live to see all of them grow up, so slow this crate of bleep bleep bleep down. Well, I slowed down.

The next day we followed huge flocks of ducks to a field over fifty miles away.  It was a tornado of birds. When there are so many birds, they tornado.   The head flyers come in and make a circle, then big numbers of birds get in line and funnel into where they are going.  It’s a sight to see but it’s hard to explain a bird tornado.

We had our limit before the big flights really had come so I asked Mister Bauer if he wanted to just stay in the field and watch a duck tornado. 

“I will stay here all night as long as I don’t have to ride back in that old jalopy of a Jeep that you drive,” he said. “I might hire a chauffeur to escort me while we follow you.  That Jeep of yours scares me.”

We had our possession all the birds we could harvest till we ate some or donated them to try to stay legal so Mister Bouer wanted to go hunt deer.  It was ten below and I had no heat in my awesome Jeep so I picked him up and headed out to hunt deer at a place over 8000 thousand feet high in the mountains and it was cold.  He yelled out, “Jimmy, pull this frozen barge, piece of bleep bleep bleep over. I can’t feel my fingers and toes.”

I would never let him see I had a chuckle inside and a small, but big smile on the outside. I’m smiling now.

He was a giant of a man but a bit soft.  I had no heat at all and it was chilly but I knew my Jeep so it was unfair but I was dressed for it. I was warm right down to driving with gloves on and a stalking hat inside my awesome Jeep.

He got out and started jogging around my awesome Jeep. He was jogging and punching in the air like one of those Rocky movies. Then he pulled out a solid 24-carat gold flask with diamonds and precious gems in it, full of one of the world’s finest scotches in it.  He had a couple pulls on it than ran around my spectacular awesome high dollar Jeep again, then had another pull of his flask.

“Let’s go for it,” he yelled. We did go for it. I went cross county in my sweet Jeep and we found a huge buck mule deer, it scored 243. Mister Bouer never said a word after that big buck was loaded on top of my awesome Jeep. 

His last complaint was wondering why I had brought my three dogs with me.  “I want my big trophy buck inside this hunk a junk, not on the roof,” he said.

I just for once said, “My dogs and this hunk a junk is all I have. Your big buck is fine on top.” Well, I loved Mister Bouer.   The next year I finally got a brand new Chevy truck. It only had 3 miles on it. The person I was most wanting to pick up and go hunting with had passed away.  I never got to be with him again.

On my road trip today I jumped the same railroad tracks and shut the heat off and rolled the windows down.  It was 49 degrees, not 10 below but I thought about Mister Bouer.  It was a great day for me thinking about important things in my life that are life to me.

Bear Lake Classic

Four races in three days.

Enjoy four races in three days in the beautiful Bear Lake Valley. In addition to the traditional road race around Bear Lake, we have a hill climb, a circuit race and an individual time trial to test your early season fitness.

Registration

• Friday, May 12 – Hill Climb
• Saturday, May 13 – Road Race
• Saturday, May 13 – Individual Time Trial
• Sunday, May 14 – Circuit Race
• Register for all four races for one low price

http://extramileracing.com/index.php/2017/01/01/bear-lake-classic-may-12-14/

400,000 Acre Feet Water Right On Bear Lake

Big News Splash!  April 5, 2018 By now you've probably heard about the states of Utah and Idaho filing a water right for 400,000 acre feet on Bear Lake. This is the water that the power company could just "dump" out of Bear Lake as "flood-control" releases over a winter. They do that in anticipation for the spring run-off with the big motivating factor of the liability for downstream flooding. They have been successfully sued in the past. We, the interested parties on the Bear Lake/Bear River system, have been investigating this flood control release issue for over 10 years, trying to find a way to alleviate liability issues of flooding so that higher elevations could be maintained in Bear Lake over the winter - at least until there could be more surety of the spring runoff supply. (You never know when you're going into the first year of a drought cycle until it is upon you!) The States' filing is an interesting approach that we hadn't considered. At first glance, it may look like a water grab, but looking more closely, the fact is that this water is only available in the high water years and you'll realize it's an opportunity to optimize the system. It may be a good thing that the states are working together rather than as adversaries, as both have vested interest in protecting Bear Lake's water quality, it's Fisheries and it's recreational and aesthetic values. And we certainly would want to look at any effort to keep more water in Bear Lake. It's important for people to grasp is that what we are talking about is simply "maintaining Bear Lake's natural levels", it is water that should be in Bear Lake over the winter. These higher elevations are important as our endemic fish's natural winter spawning habitat is in these upper levels of Bear Lake. It's also very important to our special population of Bonneville cutthroat trout that need to connect the local streams for spawning. We need to keep these fish from being "listed". This is the same scenario the Power Company was looking at just slightly different M.O. - State government has fiduciary responsibilities for maintaining the natural resources held in public trust (Their job security depends on our votes!) vs. PacifiCorp's business model with consideration for shareholders profits PLUS the additional responsibility for providing low cost energy and maintaining a stable grid system. Bear Lake was operated under a 1900's mentality until the Bear Lake Settlement Agreement created some improvements and more surety to the system for the last 25 years. It has provided a "Safe Box" for us to operate in. We've all known that at some point we would need to further align the system to 21st century standards and values. We've postulated over the years what the catalyst would be to move us to that new level. Well, the incredible high-water supply of 2017 combined with the power company's desire for Spinning Reserve - was that catalyst. Now the lid is off the Safe Box and it's time to consider all new ideas and to rethink this system in a big way.    With any change comes both opportunities for upsides and downsides. We will stay "cautiously optimistically". Bear Lake Watch will be very involved throughout this whole process, fighting for a better future for Bear Lake. Our thoughts for now. Stay tuned, Claudia & David

4544 HWY 89 Fish Haven, Idaho David -208-530-0058 Claudia -801-243-8980

Soon In Bloom

Lauriann Wakefield, Little Starling Photography, Garden City

What The Republican Convention Was Like

Randall Knight

I attended my first Republican Party Convention on the 21^st at the Maverick Center in Salt Lake City.  My initiation started off by not being on their list of state delegates.  That required a phone call to Troy Peterson by one of the help desk attendants to verify I was a legal delegate.  Thought it was interesting but glad that I had to show a valid picture government ID to get a voting credential and a wireless clicker to vote for primary candidates.  Especially since there are a lot of states wanting to allow people to vote by showing only utility bills or registering their vehicle with the DMV.

After getting checked in 30 minutes after arrival, I finally found a seat in the Rich County section of the arena.  I didn’t see anybody I knew so I have no idea how many county representatives were there. The section was parallel to the stage so I moved to a better location in the Morgan County area on the first row on a cushioned folding chair. 

There was a vigorous debate on the by-laws and amendment proposal and rules.  This went on for hours with people from the Keep My Vote group opposing every item.  Finally, after 5 hours, somebody proposed these debates be moved to another time and get to the reason why people were there – to vote for the candidates.  The Chairman said there were 4000 delegates present and would use the clickers to cast their votes.  Several people asked questions on how their votes would be validated. They did a sample vote to demonstrate the process.  There were several clickers not being counted and that delayed the process for at least an hour and the problems continued through the whole process. Because of the delays and arguing several people left before the actual counting began.

Each candidate was given 5 minutes to convince the delegates to vote for them.  There was 12 candidates running for the Senate race.  In my opinion 8 candidates should never made it that far.  Their total combined votes were less than 150 with most getting less than 10 votes.  It was obvious to me that Mitt Romney was running solely by his name.  He didn’t specify what he would do if elected.  He basically said the delegates knew who he was and what he stands for.  Mike Kennedy on the other hand went into detail on several main issues facing the nation.  The voting was very close with Kennedy getting 51% and Romney 49%.  I think Romney’s main problem was he didn’t go into detail on what he would do if elected.  His whole platform is solely on Olympic success and name recognition.

Rob Bishop’s race was close.  I would have voted for Chad Fairbanks if there wasn’t so much turmoil going on in congress and if he had lived in Utah more than 4 years.  I feel he would spend the first year settling in and learning his way around. 

Mia Love was unopposed but showed up and gave her 5 minute speech.  It was by far the BEST speech given and for me made the whole experience worthwhile.