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INSIDER

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Rep. Stewart Holds Q&A in Bicknell

Thursday, August 29, 2013 • Issue # 1011

Protecting Southern Utah’s Cultural Heritage

by Ann Torrence Contributing Writer

Ann Torrence

U.S. Representative Chris Stewart held a meeting with 2nd District constituents in Bicknell on Tuesday, August 20. BICKNELL - Utah’s Second U.S. Congressional District Representative Chris Stewart spent part of his summer vacation in Wayne County fielding questions during a Town Hall format meeting in Bicknell last week. Topics from the audience ran the gamut, from implementation of Obamacare, to illegal immigration and the federal budget sequestration. A small group of about thirty citizens, representing all political stripes—Democrats, Republicans, registered independents and even a representative of the Constitution Party of Wayne County—were in attendance. Rep. Stewart opened his remarks by noting that the Town Hall format was not a campaign event, but rather an opportunity for him to hear citizens’ concerns. “It doesn’t matter what I do in Washington if we are helping in our district,” he said, noting that he had brought staff members from both his Salt Lake City and Washington D.C. offices to Wayne County and that they were available to help with individual needs with federal agencies, such as the Veterans’ Administration.

Many of Stewart’s audience were primed for his message, like Celeste Sellers of Hanksville. She said, “I’m a long time supporter of Chris. I don’t disagree with anything Congressman Stewart is doing.” The atmosphere was respectful and subdued; those who may have disagreed with any of Stewart’s generally conservative positions did not elect to further engage him in public discussion at the Town Hall. During the hour-long meeting, Stewart responded to questions that echoed many of the Capitol Hill-related items in the national news. On Congress’s role in the federal budget and sequestration: “Sequestration was designed to be a law so bad it wouldn’t be implemented, to force the Congress and White House to find some area of compromise.” He said that the supercommittee came up with some good ideas, but blamed President Obama for the the failure to reach a deal. Stewart said that Congress let the sequestration go through to force some kinds of cuts and that President Obama tried to make the process painful for everyday Americans, citing the

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closure of the White House to tours as one example. Stewart asserted, “We can’t have any agency so sacred that we can’t cut it.” Then he turned to the audience, which included retired National Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees, and asked, “Are you telling me that the Forest Service can’t have a 4 or 5 % reduction?” He called for Congress to act on a budget, arguing that four years of continuing resolutions have kept the status quo in place when federal programs and priorities should be updated, stating, “These agencies can sustain a 4 or 5% cut. We’re hoping we can find a better way to cut next year,” On the Affordable Healthcare Act: Stewart was not optimistic about the implementation of the act, asserting that the exchanges weren’t ready, that the budget for financial assistance for people with pre-existing conditions had run short already, and that he believed that program was designed to fail in such a way as to force people onto a government health insurance program in the future. On illegal immigration: Stewart was asked that because some data shows a net negative flow of illegal immigrants, whether Congress could redirect some of the border control resources to other pressing federal needs. “I disagreed with the Senate’s answer to border security, over $20 billion. The House bill didn’t spend more money; it asked border security agents to do something new, to develop a plan to secure the border.” Stewart

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Digging at the base of a rock-writing panel, plus extensive chalking of this petroglyph panel. KANAB - Over the past two years there has been an alarming increase in vandalism and looting at local archaeological sites located on the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and other nearby Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered lands. Sadly, such criminal acts appear to be accelerating in recent months. Rock Art sites have been defaced with graffiti and archaeological deposits have been damaged and apparently looted. During the same period there has been theft or damage to government property installed to help protect some of the sites. Archaeological --and Paleontological-- resources are an important part of our national heritage and local history. This is especially true for American Indian descendants of the people who created, inhabited, and utilized most of these sites. Tens of thousands of visitors travel to our area each year, thereby stimulating local businesses while visiting rock art sites, ruins, and fossil localities in a unique,

Impacts of Lower Water Levels

PAGE, AZ – The public is asked to use extreme caution when using the public launch ramps at Lake Powell. The decrease in water levels has reduced the depth of water in these areas, creating shallow water on the ramps with steep dropoffs. The deepest launch ramp at Lake Powell continues to be Wahweap main ramp. Different Satellite comparisons of water levboat/trailer combinations els in Lake Powell between 1999 and require varying depths 2013 show a huge reduction in the of water, so remember to amount of water in the lake. Image assess the water depth for credit: NASA Earth Observatory. your boat before launching. “We had a similar issue nearly a decade ago,” said Superintendent Todd Brindle. “We will continue to provide access to the water for the boating public as long as we can, but ask that everyone be careful - launching is at your own risk.” The boat pump-out at Stateline ramp is currently out of service, also due to the lower water levels. The station will require additional lift pumps before it can reopen. Pump-outs at Wahweap main ramp remain open. The Bureau of Reclamation’s August 24-Month Study indicates that lake levels may continue to drop over the next two years, with the lowest predictions in March 2015 at approximately 3536 ft. The current lake level is about 3590 ft. and full pool is 3700 ft. —National Park Service

near-wilderness setting. The senseless vandalism of these resources may ultimately turn away many visitors with significant loss to the local economy. Scientific value of such resources is also degraded, especially through unauthorized excavation and looting of sites, making it more difficult, if not impossible, to further develop and explain local cultural and geologic history. The BLM and Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP) are developing a plan of action and requesting assistance from local residents and visitors to address the violation and degradation of heritage sites. The plan may include increased surveillance and monitoring of resource locations by law enforcement officers and volunteer site stewards. In the fall of 2013, resource managers will be holding training sessions for new archaeological and paleontological site stewards. If you are interested in attending the trainings, please

Celebrate the Night Sky at Heritage Starfest CAPITOL REEF N.P. - Viewing the Milky Way, its starry arm spanning the horizons, is a unique experience in a world increasingly dominated by the glow of city lights. It’s vastness, beauty, and brilliance has inspired mythology, poetry, insight, and knowledge for millennia. Here in Wayne County we are fortunate that the night still offers such beautiful views. In fact, our night sky still looks much like it did when pioneers settled the area more than 100 years ago. Come celebrate our dark sky heritage at the 4th annual Heritage Starfest on September 6th and 7th. Learn about astronomy and the constellations. View the night sky through powerful telescopes. Listen to campfire stories while eating s’mores! Please come to enjoy the company of your fellow star gazers. Bring a guest to this FREE community sponsored event. All are welcome! Friday, September 6, 2013 Capitol Reef National Park • 2:00-5:00 pm Daytime Astronomy; check at the visitor center for location. • 8:00-9:00 pm Special program by Astronomer & Photographer Dennis Young, location at the amphitheater. • 9:00-11:00 pm Stargazing with telescopes, location at overflow parking by campground. Saturday, September 7, 2013 Wayne County Community Center in Bicknell, UT • 7:30-8:30 pm Backyard Night Sky Observing with Astronomer Kate Magargal. • 8:30-9:00 pm Campfire Storytelling with Historian Steve Taylor. • 9:00-11:00 pm Stargazing with telescopes and s’mores around a campfire. • More information may be found at www.heritagestarfest. com —National Park Service Phone: 435-826-4400 Fax 1-888-370-8546 PO BOX 105 Escalante, Utah 84726 snapshot@live.com

All generalizations are dangerous, even this one. —Alexandre Dumas (1802 - 1870)

THE WAYNE & GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER is owned and operated by Snapshot Multimedia, LLC and is distributed weekly to all of Wayne and Garfield Counties, Utah. Its purpose is to inform residents about local issues and events. Articles submitted from independent writers are not necessarily the opinion of Snapshot Multimedia, LLC. We sincerely hope you enjoy the paper and encourage input on ideas and/or suggestions for the paper.

contact GSEP’s site steward coordinator Loretta Clayson at 435 644 1308 or www.gsenm. org. If you are a visitor to archaeological and paleontological sites, be alert for suspicious activity and report it to BLM officials in Kanab, Utah (Matt Zweifel, GSENM archeologist @ 435 644 1218). A fund has been established to provide rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing criminal acts against archaeological and paleontological resources. Archaeological and paleontological resources on public lands belong to all Americans. Protective legislation was enacted by our representatives to ensure that these resources are available in perpetuity for our enjoyment, appreciation, and research. Let’s all be eyes, ears, and stewards in protecting our cultural and paleontological heritage. —Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

ALL content for THE WAYNE &GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER must be submitted on FRIDAY before 5:00 pm to be included in the following Thursday edition of the paper.

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PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122


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