The Emery County Commissioners met in their last meeting of 2012 to approve a budget for 2013 and other items of business. They approved an air space permit for Santa Claus to fly over Emery County in his yearly flight on Dec. 24.
A change order was approved for the Buckhorn Information Center. This change order involves the gathering area which has a fire pit and seating for lectures or other activities.
The commissioners agreed it will be a good project for Emery County and for Huntington City. McCandless said there is also talk of extending the Scenic Byway from SR-31 to Huntington State Park.
The commission agreed to send a letter to Pres. Barack Obama to voice the county's opposition to the proposal for the Greater Canyonlands wilderness area. This is a citizens proposal that would increase the acreage at Canyonlands and would include 196,000 acres within Emery County. Emery County believes in a balanced approach to public lands and they have been working for years in a grassroots effort to develop a county plan.
The commission approved the wildland fire budget for the $36,500 requested.
The budgets for the Castle Valley Special Service District were also discussed by Jacob Sharp, district manager.
Commissioner Horrocks thanked Tuttle for her hard work on the budget to keep the county inline financially. Tuttle explained the judgment levy the county is issuing. PacifiCorp is being reimbursed $319,310 for tax appeals for 2006-07. Between all the entities it was $1 million that needs to be reimbursed to the utility. To recapture some of these funds the county is imposing a judgment levy and the county tax payers will be responsible for 20 percent of the payback. This money to pay PacifiCorp back is not in the budget, because the money was collected six years ago. The judgment levy will help recoup some of the costs.
Commissioner Horrocks said 80 percent of the cost will be recouped back from the utility. Tuttle said this increase for Emery County tax payers is for one year only. Tuttle reported the school district will have to pay back $500,000 and will probably issue a judgment levy in 2013.
All of the budgets and the amended budgets were approved along with the approval to pay Pacifi-Corp back. Emery County Progress
Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Friday, November 23, 2012
Project for Re-development of Rilda Springs in Emery County
North Emery Water Special Service District has spent some time this fall redeveloping the Rilda Springs in Huntington Canyon. These springs are the primary source of water for the North Emery culinary water system which serves northern Emery County. The project is being completed with grant and loan money from the CIB.
The Rilda Project by North Emery Water Users has been a long time coming. Rilda was originally developed in about 1971 as North Emery was being formed as a private company. The spring has had several maintenance projects over the years to keep the spring functional, but none of the previous projects were funded enough to capture all of the water that is available at the spring.
The location of the Rilda Springs is located on property that was originally a coal mine from the 1940s to the 1960s. As a result of this early mining activity, redevelopment of the site is challenging. There are topsoil piles from the mines that have to be avoided and they always have to be on the lookout for other challenges that the mining has created.
The current project will allow the District to replace all of the aging perforated pipe in the system and to build new underground bentonite dams to ensure the water is directed to the water collection pipes. In addition, the transmission pipes in the spring area are being re-aligned to match the new collection acres. Finally, new collection boxes and modern man holes are being added to provide better access to the spring collection acres for regular maintenance.
The Rilda Spring redevelopment project is the first of a two phase project that was funded by the CIB. The second phase will be a new pipeline project in between Lawrence and Cleveland to increase flows in the system and to provide redundancy to users of the system. The second phase should be completed in the first half of 2013. The total CIB package that was funded included a $200,000 loan and a grant of approximately $1 million. Emery County Progress
The Rilda Project by North Emery Water Users has been a long time coming. Rilda was originally developed in about 1971 as North Emery was being formed as a private company. The spring has had several maintenance projects over the years to keep the spring functional, but none of the previous projects were funded enough to capture all of the water that is available at the spring.
The location of the Rilda Springs is located on property that was originally a coal mine from the 1940s to the 1960s. As a result of this early mining activity, redevelopment of the site is challenging. There are topsoil piles from the mines that have to be avoided and they always have to be on the lookout for other challenges that the mining has created.
The current project will allow the District to replace all of the aging perforated pipe in the system and to build new underground bentonite dams to ensure the water is directed to the water collection pipes. In addition, the transmission pipes in the spring area are being re-aligned to match the new collection acres. Finally, new collection boxes and modern man holes are being added to provide better access to the spring collection acres for regular maintenance.
The Rilda Spring redevelopment project is the first of a two phase project that was funded by the CIB. The second phase will be a new pipeline project in between Lawrence and Cleveland to increase flows in the system and to provide redundancy to users of the system. The second phase should be completed in the first half of 2013. The total CIB package that was funded included a $200,000 loan and a grant of approximately $1 million. Emery County Progress
Monday, November 5, 2012
State Will Close, Cap 6 Marion Gas Wells
The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining is pulling the bonds on six of seven Marion Energy natural gas wells around Clear Creek and will close and cap them.
The seventh well in question may be kept in company hands if Marion Energy can demonstrate compliance, according to DOGM associate director John Rogers.
The wells to be capped have not been operating for some time, Rogers explained. Operators must produce and regularly test the mechanical integrity of their equipment or lose the privilege of operating.
Rogers said the abandonment and capping will be put out for bid.
Marion Energy also has wells in the Kenilworth area that are not affected by the closure decision.
In 2011, the company was called before the Carbon County Planning and Zoning Commission because of a leak in "production water" that caused some water from gas wells to flow into a tributary of of Scofield Reservoir.
Gas production regionally has been slow because of a glut of supply on the world markets. Sun Advocate
The seventh well in question may be kept in company hands if Marion Energy can demonstrate compliance, according to DOGM associate director John Rogers.
The wells to be capped have not been operating for some time, Rogers explained. Operators must produce and regularly test the mechanical integrity of their equipment or lose the privilege of operating.
Rogers said the abandonment and capping will be put out for bid.
Marion Energy also has wells in the Kenilworth area that are not affected by the closure decision.
In 2011, the company was called before the Carbon County Planning and Zoning Commission because of a leak in "production water" that caused some water from gas wells to flow into a tributary of of Scofield Reservoir.
Gas production regionally has been slow because of a glut of supply on the world markets. Sun Advocate
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Power plant's lack of 'elbow room' means likely shutdown in 2015
One of Utah's most prominent industrial landmarks may be on the verge of a permanent shutdown, done in by its own scenic setting.
Rocky Mountain Power has warned employees and public officials to expect the likely closure of the company's Carbon Power Plant in the next two to three years.
The plant is one of Rocky Mountain Power's most visible facilities. It's in a narrow, twisty canyon known as Castle Gate, north of Helper at the junction of U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 191. Thousands of drivers pass by the plant every day as they travel between Price and Provo.
The Carbon Power Plant was built in the canyon in the 1950s because there is a healthy supply of coal nearby. But now, hemmed in by cliffs and highways, it doesn't have enough elbow room to expand. That means the company may be unable to install equipment to bring the plant in line with federal clean air regulations.
A cleanup deadline is looming in the year 2015 for reductions in emissions of mercury, nitrogen-oxides, sulfur-dioxide and particles of ash.
Rocky Mountain Power is still looking for alternative technologies that might allow the plant to meet federal regulations. But the prospects don't look good.
The probable closure is "not a pleasant prospect for the state of Utah," said Carbon County Commissioner John Jones. "I mean it's not only going to affect us, but you're going to see the economy across the state affected."
Although the plant shutdown in 2015 now seems more likely than ever, company officials emphasize they have not made a final decision. That's expected to be made next April. Deseret News
Rocky Mountain Power has warned employees and public officials to expect the likely closure of the company's Carbon Power Plant in the next two to three years.
The plant is one of Rocky Mountain Power's most visible facilities. It's in a narrow, twisty canyon known as Castle Gate, north of Helper at the junction of U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 191. Thousands of drivers pass by the plant every day as they travel between Price and Provo.
The Carbon Power Plant was built in the canyon in the 1950s because there is a healthy supply of coal nearby. But now, hemmed in by cliffs and highways, it doesn't have enough elbow room to expand. That means the company may be unable to install equipment to bring the plant in line with federal clean air regulations.
A cleanup deadline is looming in the year 2015 for reductions in emissions of mercury, nitrogen-oxides, sulfur-dioxide and particles of ash.
Rocky Mountain Power is still looking for alternative technologies that might allow the plant to meet federal regulations. But the prospects don't look good.
The probable closure is "not a pleasant prospect for the state of Utah," said Carbon County Commissioner John Jones. "I mean it's not only going to affect us, but you're going to see the economy across the state affected."
Although the plant shutdown in 2015 now seems more likely than ever, company officials emphasize they have not made a final decision. That's expected to be made next April. Deseret News
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
County planners approve 'energy overlay zone'
In a move intended to give local government more clout in setting the course of energy development on public lands, the county planning commission on Tuesday voted to recommend an amendment to the master plan to call most of the territory in its borders an "energy zone."
The new zone would overlay existing land use zones as a way of emphasizing that the area is open for energy extraction as well as other activities.
Concept now goes to the county commission for final approval. That approval seems likely, in that all three county commissioners were present at the planning meeting and voiced no misgivings.
The energy zone would apply only to land owned by the public and administered by the federal or state governments. Large private tracts such as ranches and hunting reserves would not be included.
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act says that agencies such as the BLM and Forest Service must take local plans into account when making land use decisions.
Besides fossil fuels, the county has identified zones for wind and solar energy. Sun Advocate
The new zone would overlay existing land use zones as a way of emphasizing that the area is open for energy extraction as well as other activities.
Concept now goes to the county commission for final approval. That approval seems likely, in that all three county commissioners were present at the planning meeting and voiced no misgivings.
The energy zone would apply only to land owned by the public and administered by the federal or state governments. Large private tracts such as ranches and hunting reserves would not be included.
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act says that agencies such as the BLM and Forest Service must take local plans into account when making land use decisions.
Besides fossil fuels, the county has identified zones for wind and solar energy. Sun Advocate
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Improvements made to fishing at Joe's Valley and Huntington North Reservoirs
At the June Public Lands Council meeting, the new aquatics manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources Justin Hart talked about area fisheries.
Hart reported that for a few years the DWR has been working to improve the fishing at Joe's Valley Reservoir and Huntington North Reservoir. Joe's Valley has become a trophy splake fishery and is popular among the locals but doesn't see much use by those from other areas. The Utah chub still infest Joe's Valley and the trout are almost nonexistent in Joe's Valley. The splake have been sustaining them and have been eating the chub. The DWR worked for several years mechanically removing the chub, but they aren't going to do that anymore and are letting the larger fish take care of the chub problem. It's the goal of the DWR to allow people to keep quality fish. In 2008 the DWR reported to the lands council some of the challenges these fisheries face and the different things that were going to be implemented to enhance the value of these waters. Emery County Progress
Hart reported that for a few years the DWR has been working to improve the fishing at Joe's Valley Reservoir and Huntington North Reservoir. Joe's Valley has become a trophy splake fishery and is popular among the locals but doesn't see much use by those from other areas. The Utah chub still infest Joe's Valley and the trout are almost nonexistent in Joe's Valley. The splake have been sustaining them and have been eating the chub. The DWR worked for several years mechanically removing the chub, but they aren't going to do that anymore and are letting the larger fish take care of the chub problem. It's the goal of the DWR to allow people to keep quality fish. In 2008 the DWR reported to the lands council some of the challenges these fisheries face and the different things that were going to be implemented to enhance the value of these waters. Emery County Progress
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Helper to Get a Liquor Store
Helper will have a liquor store again. The question now is where it will be.
On Tuesday, the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission approved the request of the city's mayor and council to replace the package store that has been closed since February.
However, in the Help Wanted section of today's classified ads, there is an item placed by the DABC that indicates the store does not necessarily have to reopen in its previous Main Street location.
The DABC is accepting applications for a contract agent to run a package liquor agency in Helper. It states that this could be either a Type 3 outlet, like the previous one, or a Type 2, like Miners Trading Post in East Carbon/Sunnyside. Sun Advocate
On Tuesday, the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission approved the request of the city's mayor and council to replace the package store that has been closed since February.
However, in the Help Wanted section of today's classified ads, there is an item placed by the DABC that indicates the store does not necessarily have to reopen in its previous Main Street location.
The DABC is accepting applications for a contract agent to run a package liquor agency in Helper. It states that this could be either a Type 3 outlet, like the previous one, or a Type 2, like Miners Trading Post in East Carbon/Sunnyside. Sun Advocate
Friday, April 13, 2012
The quest to protect Desolation Canyon
This week, representatives from Eastern states, and Arizona and Colorado added their support for preserving the canyon’s remoteness.
"Though the [Bureau of Land Management] recognizes that Desolation Canyon is a wilderness resource, the area is managed under a significantly flawed plan finalized in the last administration," the representatives wrote Tuesday to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, "and those values are not being upheld." Salt Lake Tribune
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