This morning we direct you to the Weber County Forum for an excellent tribute to those who have worked diligently to get the historic Lime Kiln restored in Ogden Canyon.
The article has links to KSL video along with articles and other bits of interesting, historical trivia.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
More on the Middle Fork "Road"
A couple of days ago we mentioned what appeared to be a new road dozed near Middle Fork. Today we have more details from the DWR:
To Whom It May Concern:
This is regarding the wildlife habitat improvement project at the Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area (WMA). There have been questions over the actions taken to improve wildlife habitat on the WMA. This will hopefully answer and address those questions and concerns.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is committed to improving resources for wildlife. This project is designed to accomplish this on Middle Fork WMA property. This project is an attempt to improve and restore winter habitat critical for mule deer and other wildlife species on this property.
The project will entail bulldozing a line to remove competitive perennial plants and prepare the soil to enhance seedling survival of the seeded species. The line will also contain future habitat enhancement projects that will take place in the fall of 2009. This line will be planted fall of 2008 with plant species that benefit and improve winter habitat for mule deer and other wildlife. The seeded plants will include shrubs such as Forage Kochia (Kochia prostrata) and Mountain Big Sage (Artemesia tridentata vaseyana), and herbaceous species such as dry land alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), Small Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and other wildlife friendly plants. One of the concerns is that the Kochia being used is the weed Kochia scoparia or Weed Kochia. This is not the case. While Kochia scoparia is a weedy annual, Forage Kochia (Kochia prostrata) is a perennial sub-shrub that is very palatable, somewhat ever green, and provides high quality forage for wildlife. Forage Kochia has been widely used in wildlife habitat enhancement projects with great success.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is grateful for the interest and concern of the people of Ogden Valley in these important resources for the wildlife that share this area.
For questions or concerns, please contact Ron Greer, Habitat Biologist at 801-710-7324 or email at Rongreer@utah.gov.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is regarding the wildlife habitat improvement project at the Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area (WMA). There have been questions over the actions taken to improve wildlife habitat on the WMA. This will hopefully answer and address those questions and concerns.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is committed to improving resources for wildlife. This project is designed to accomplish this on Middle Fork WMA property. This project is an attempt to improve and restore winter habitat critical for mule deer and other wildlife species on this property.
The project will entail bulldozing a line to remove competitive perennial plants and prepare the soil to enhance seedling survival of the seeded species. The line will also contain future habitat enhancement projects that will take place in the fall of 2009. This line will be planted fall of 2008 with plant species that benefit and improve winter habitat for mule deer and other wildlife. The seeded plants will include shrubs such as Forage Kochia (Kochia prostrata) and Mountain Big Sage (Artemesia tridentata vaseyana), and herbaceous species such as dry land alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), Small Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and other wildlife friendly plants. One of the concerns is that the Kochia being used is the weed Kochia scoparia or Weed Kochia. This is not the case. While Kochia scoparia is a weedy annual, Forage Kochia (Kochia prostrata) is a perennial sub-shrub that is very palatable, somewhat ever green, and provides high quality forage for wildlife. Forage Kochia has been widely used in wildlife habitat enhancement projects with great success.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is grateful for the interest and concern of the people of Ogden Valley in these important resources for the wildlife that share this area.
For questions or concerns, please contact Ron Greer, Habitat Biologist at 801-710-7324 or email at Rongreer@utah.gov.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
New "Road" between Middle Fork and Geertsen
Out of nowhere, a new road up the face of the mountain between Middle Fork and Geertsen has appeared. The lack of information has spurred rumors.
Not to fear, as we received an executive update yesterday from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resourses.
We will post an email explanation from Pam Kramer of the UDWR:
UDWR has just created a fire break on the Middle Fork WMA. We will be seeding the area with forage kochia, a perennial forb which tends to stay green longer into the summer season and retard fires that may move across the property. This is part of our effort to improve habitat condition on the property and to increase the browse (shrub) component so that we can winter more deer and support other wildlife species.
I put Shanna Francis of the Ogden Valley News in touch with our restoration biologist who is working on this project so there should be an article shortly in the paper.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Pam
Pam Kramer
Habitat Biologist
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
515 East 5300
SouthOgden, Utah 84405
Not to fear, as we received an executive update yesterday from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resourses.
We will post an email explanation from Pam Kramer of the UDWR:
UDWR has just created a fire break on the Middle Fork WMA. We will be seeding the area with forage kochia, a perennial forb which tends to stay green longer into the summer season and retard fires that may move across the property. This is part of our effort to improve habitat condition on the property and to increase the browse (shrub) component so that we can winter more deer and support other wildlife species.
I put Shanna Francis of the Ogden Valley News in touch with our restoration biologist who is working on this project so there should be an article shortly in the paper.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Pam
Pam Kramer
Habitat Biologist
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
515 East 5300
SouthOgden, Utah 84405
Friday, November 07, 2008
Utah high court strikes down law limiting citizen initiative powers
Article from Salt Lake Tribune November 7, 2008 by Cathy McKitrick
The Utah Supreme Court on Friday struck down a new law limiting citizen-initiative powers.
"This direct prohibition of the subject of an initiative brought otherwise within the conditions, manner and time restrictions imposed by law is beyond the power of the Legislature to enact," wrote Justice Michael Wilkins in voiding SB53.
The unanimous opinion noted that the Utah Constitution gives both the Legislature and the people equivalent power to enact or change legislation.
SB53, sponsored by Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, sailed through this year's general legislative session and was signed by the governor in March. It took effect in early May.
As worded, it barred voters from launching initiatives regarding land-use ordinances. It also prohibited them from putting the implementation of a land-use ordinance to a public vote.
The appellate case of Sevier Power Co. v. Hansen was the first to test the fledgling statute.
Sharlene Hansen and other Sevier County residents joined a grass-roots effort seeking a ballot measure to see if voters approved of plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Sigurd.
They gathered enough signatures to get a place on November ballot. But 6th District Judge Wallace Lee, citing SB53, removed it.
Last week, Utah's high court ordered the measure back on the ballot - and, on Friday, issued the decision tossing out SB53.
"When we started out in February 2008, we believed we were doing a countywide right to vote," said Elaine Bonavita, a Richfield resident who helped spearhead the initiative effort. "But because of SB53, we now can say we played a part in restoring the right to vote to all Utahns."
In an April letter to Sevier County Attorney Dale Eyre, Assistant Attorney General Thom Roberts advised that courts could overturn SB53 because it infringed on a basic constitutional right.
The Utah Supreme Court on Friday struck down a new law limiting citizen-initiative powers.
"This direct prohibition of the subject of an initiative brought otherwise within the conditions, manner and time restrictions imposed by law is beyond the power of the Legislature to enact," wrote Justice Michael Wilkins in voiding SB53.
The unanimous opinion noted that the Utah Constitution gives both the Legislature and the people equivalent power to enact or change legislation.
SB53, sponsored by Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, sailed through this year's general legislative session and was signed by the governor in March. It took effect in early May.
As worded, it barred voters from launching initiatives regarding land-use ordinances. It also prohibited them from putting the implementation of a land-use ordinance to a public vote.
The appellate case of Sevier Power Co. v. Hansen was the first to test the fledgling statute.
Sharlene Hansen and other Sevier County residents joined a grass-roots effort seeking a ballot measure to see if voters approved of plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Sigurd.
They gathered enough signatures to get a place on November ballot. But 6th District Judge Wallace Lee, citing SB53, removed it.
Last week, Utah's high court ordered the measure back on the ballot - and, on Friday, issued the decision tossing out SB53.
"When we started out in February 2008, we believed we were doing a countywide right to vote," said Elaine Bonavita, a Richfield resident who helped spearhead the initiative effort. "But because of SB53, we now can say we played a part in restoring the right to vote to all Utahns."
In an April letter to Sevier County Attorney Dale Eyre, Assistant Attorney General Thom Roberts advised that courts could overturn SB53 because it infringed on a basic constitutional right.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Election Day Is Here!
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4th
What’s Happening? Local polls in Weber County are open from 7am-8pm on Tuesday, November 4th. Vote for federal, state, and local leadership positions as well as ballot questions either here in Weber County or wherever this note may find you present and eligible to vote.
Why Should I Care? Election outcomes DO make a difference in your life. Whether the question is foreign policy at the federal level or land use policy at the local level, the issues have an impact on you. As a member of a democratic society it is both your right and your responsibility to participate in the electoral process. Whether you live and vote here in Ogden Valley or elsewhere in the country, please take the time to fill out your ballot. A democracy can only be truly successful through the participation of the people.
What Can I Do? Vote. Vote. Vote.
What’s Happening? Local polls in Weber County are open from 7am-8pm on Tuesday, November 4th. Vote for federal, state, and local leadership positions as well as ballot questions either here in Weber County or wherever this note may find you present and eligible to vote.
Why Should I Care? Election outcomes DO make a difference in your life. Whether the question is foreign policy at the federal level or land use policy at the local level, the issues have an impact on you. As a member of a democratic society it is both your right and your responsibility to participate in the electoral process. Whether you live and vote here in Ogden Valley or elsewhere in the country, please take the time to fill out your ballot. A democracy can only be truly successful through the participation of the people.
What Can I Do? Vote. Vote. Vote.