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Articles by Eric W. Trenbeath
MOAB_The Mother of All Basal Layers
A Season of Trepidation and Destruction in Utah’s La Sal Mountains By Eric Trenbeath ba×sal (rhymes with basil): forming or belonging to a bottom layer or base. It happens every hundred years or so. A combination of weather factors over the course of a winter create a prolonged period of dangerous avalanche conditions that challenge human perspective and reconfigure the landscape. The winter of 2018/19 was just such a winter in the La Sal Mountains of southeastern Utah.
Category: Winter 2020
Charging With the Dorais Brothers If you have been skiing the Wasatch much over the last few years you’ve probably seen them: a couple of tall, lean lads of Asian descent on fairly light gear chattering away as they politely go past you up the skin track…..really, really fast.
Bishop introduces bill to scale back Antiquities Act
A bill that would greatly reduce presidential powers to designate national monuments under the Antiquities Act is garnering criticism from progressives and environmental groups – and applause from conservatives and energy industry representatives. The National Monument Creation and Protection Act, or H.R. 3990, advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 11, along party lines by a vote of 23-17.
Governor hears from local leaders
In a show of unity, the Grand County and Moab City councils pressed Gov. Gary Herbert on the issue of local versus state control in managing the impacts of growth and tourism. The governor attended a joint special meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Moab City Council chambers, where he provided an update on his 25k jobs initiative for rural Utah, and listened to the needs and concerns of local community leaders.
Moab watershed study completed
Findings from a completed U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) watershed study for Moab and Spanish Valley were presented on Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Grand Center to an assembled crowd of about 75 people. The three-year study, which began in 2014, was spearheaded by the Utah Division of Water Rights (DWRI), to determine the rate of recharge for the Glen Canyon Group and Valley-Fill aquifers in order to arrive at a water budget for Moab and Spanish Valley.
Moab business owners travel to Texas to aid hurricane victims
The receding flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in East Texas are a long way from Moab, but that didn’t stop Sunset Grill owners John and Laurie Clayton from traveling more than 1,000 miles to offer hot cooked meals for those in need. “So many people from Texas come into our restaurant and they are always so friendly,” John Clayton said. “I just knew we needed to help.” In addition to the restaurant, the Claytons own a mobile kitchen trailer that they use to feed wildland firefighters.
County seeks input on land use, housing
Grand County is seeking public input on future land-use regulations that would incentivize affordable housing development through increased density, flexibility in design and site plan requirements, and potential fee waivers. The county will host a series of open house meetings where the public can view draft future land-use maps and regulations for areas that are proposed for eligible projects. Meetings will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Aug.
Category: Summer 2017
Zinke “Listens” After the Interior Secretary’s tour of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments, Proponents say their voice has been anything but heard.
EPA says it will revisit Utah’s haze plan
The State of Utah may get another opportunity to develop a plan for combating regional haze and improving visibility over area national parks after former President Barack Obama’s administration rejected its original efforts in August 2016.
Building boats in the desert
At Eddyline Welding, owner Mike DeHoff says that he isn’t so much inspired by the craft, as he is about making a better craft. And with his crew Colin Topper and Paige Stuart, he has made a full-time occupation out of fabricating anything river related that can be cut, bent and welded out of aluminum. But don’t ask him to weld much else. “I think it’s important to keep focused,” DeHoff said.
“She never knew a stranger”
The longtime manager of Walker Drug was killed in a motorcycle accident about 2 miles south of Moab on U.S. Highway 191 on her way to work in the early morning of Friday, July 14. Vivian Klocko’s friends said that she never knew a stranger, and her familiar, welcoming face was as solid as night and day at the drugstore, where she worked as manager for more than 25 years. “She didn’t waste a moment of her life,” friend and co-worker Jennifer Rutherland said.
County engineer backs off application for Book Cliffs corridor
Grand County’s contracted engineer backed away this week from pursuing the development of a federal application and supporting analysis for a transportation corridor through the Book Cliffs northeast of Moab. At a special meeting of the Grand County Council on Tuesday, June 27, Dave Dillman of Horrocks Engineers expressed his company’s desire to respond to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in developing an application for the proposed roadway.
USU-Moab names new executive director
A changing of the guard is coming to Utah State University-Moab. Effective July 1, Dr. Lianna Etchberger will take over as executive director of USU-Moab after serving as a faculty member for the Department of Biology at USU-Uintah Basin. Her appointment comes as a two-for-one deal for Moab: Her husband Rich Etchberger is the USU vice provost. “Having the Etchbergers as a USU resource in Moab will be a tremendous asset to the local community,” USU interim provost Laurens Smith said.
Council says time-out on new residential B&Bs
In a special meeting on Tuesday, May 30 the Grand County Council voted 6-1 to impose a six-month moratorium on the issuance of new bed and breakfast (B&B) permits outside of the overnight accommodations overlay zone. The action came in response to citizen complaints of excessive noise and traffic generated by a proliferation of new bed and breakfasts that many say are operating more like nightly rentals. Council member Jaylyn Hawks, a B&B owner herself, voted against the measure.
Large field of candidates files for city elections
Interest is high in filling upcoming vacancies in the Moab city government. As of press time, nine candidates have registered their intent to run for office in the 2017 election, enough to ensure a primary election in August. Moab City Recorder Rachel Stenta said that it has been awhile since Moab has seen this many candidates. “It’s good for the community that there is so much interest,” Stenta said.
Water study offers clearer view of local aquifers
Preliminary findings from a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) groundwater study of Moab and Spanish Valley have given scientists a better understanding of how water enters and leaves area aquifer systems, but the study remains inconclusive as to how much water is available for use.
San Juan County receives state funds to develop water system
Future water development in Spanish Valley received a boost earlier this month, when two state boards awarded funds to develop an independent culinary water system in an unincorporated area of San Juan County 5 miles south of Moab.
Kindhearted mover and shaker Susanne Mayberry dies
A mover, a shaker and a forward thinker, Susanne Wright Mayberry was also known for her kind heart and steady hand. Mayberry, 73, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 30, after a six-year battle with breast cancer. She left the world, according to her good friend Valerie Jones, “with the same anticipation she came into it with.” Jones said that Mayberry loved music, and was an avid reader and a fantastic card player who loved to swim.
Local food producers have a tough row to hoe
There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, garden ripe tomatoes, and a group of local food producers would like to see more of them in restaurants and on dinner tables in Moab. On Tuesday, Aug. 23, a group of 30 local farmers, restaurant owners, grocery store managers and local citizens met for a round table discussion at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (MARC) on how to increase consumption of locally grown food. “We’re here to support local farmers,” Wes Shannon told the Moab Sun News.
Power company to appeal regional haze ruling
Rocky Mountain Power is challenging a federal mandate that would require it to reduce regional haze around Arches and Canyonlands national parks by installing up-to-date emission control systems on two coal-fired power plants upwind of Moab. The company plans to appeal a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling that orders it to put in additional technologies to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from its Hunter and Huntington power plants in Emery County.
Category: Summer 2016
Luke Mehall is the American Climber Luke Mehall, 37, is a climber and author that speaks from a place at once of this generation of climbers and that of a fleeting era— an era that might be dubbed as the original dirtbag generation. In his longing for a life of simplicity he is a part of and apart from what […] Archives, Features, Summer 2016 | By Ben Brashear | 08/11/16 | No Comments How to Convince the Wife You Need a New Mountain Bike Illustration by Scott DuBar Bargaining.
Interior Secretary Jewell meets with Grand County Council
Update: Posted Thursday, July 14th, 9:30 a.m. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell heard comments from the Grand County Council on Rep. Rob Bishop’s Utah Public Lands Initiative (PLI), and the Bureau of Land Management’s Master Leasing Plan (MLP) at a special meeting held on Wednesday, July 13. More than 50 local citizens attended, many wearing t-shirts, or carrying signs either in support of, or opposed to, the creation of a Bears Ears National Monument.
City to construct new sewer plant
A major sewer system upgrade is in the works for users in the City of Moab and Grand County including the construction of a new waste water treatment plant and a systematic replacement of aging collection lines. To help pay for the improvements, a sewer rate increase of 20 percent was approved unanimously by the Moab City Council at their regular meeting on June 28. Moab City Manager Rebecca Davidson told the council that a household currently paying $16 a month would see an increase of about $3.
Category: Biking
Gravitational Pull The Proliferation of Lift Accessed Mountain Biking In The Wasatch Photos by Jay Dash 4,457,575. This figure represents the number of people who visited Utah during the 2015/2016 ski season to explore the varied terrain of our world-class resorts. Last season broke all previous attendance records and the state realized a 10% […] Archives, Biking, Features, Summer 2016 | By Sean Zimmerman-Wall | 07/14/16 | No Comments Mountain Bikes in the Wilderness?
Yoga songstress brings “earthfolk” to Moab
Self described “yoga songstress” Ashlee K Thomas brings her eclectic brand of singing and songwriting she calls “earthfolk” to Moab with a series of shows starting at the Blu Pig on Saturday, July 9, and continuing at Eddie McStiffs on Monday July 11, and Tuesday, July 12.
Officials announce revision to Forest Plan
It’s a daunting task, but one that’s long overdue. This summer the Manti-La Sal National Forest (MLSNF) will begin revising its Forest Plan, a comprehensive document that will guide forest resource management for the next 15 to 20 years. Officials from the MLSNF gave the Grand County Council an overview of the revision process at their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 5.
Noise, traffic and safety discussed at public meetings
The rumble of machines, traffic congestion and speeding on city streets were the primary topics of concern voiced by residents at two city-sponsored public meetings last week. “It seems like noise, safety and quality of life are important to people here,” Moab City Council member Rani Derasary said at the city council chambers on Wednesday, June 29.
Independent report finds no wrongdoing in city hiring of IT firm
An independent accountant’s report found no evidence of procedural wrongdoing by the City of Moab when it contracted a computer technology and consulting firm with ties to Moab City Manager Rebecca Davidson. Larson and Company certified public accountant Russell Olsen presented the report’s findings to the Moab City Council at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 28.
Report says county at risk for “intergenerational poverty”
Early intervention is the key to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and dependence on public assistance, according to a state commission’s new report on welfare reform. A panel that included Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, Utah Department of Workforce Services Executive Director Jon Pierpont and Moab Mayor Dave Sakrison presented the report last week to a packed room of Grand County community members and leaders at Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center.
County OKs rezone for Arroyo Crossing
The issue of affordable housing is at the center of several amendments to Grand County’s land use code, and so is a rezone request for a controversial 220-unit subdivision that the Grand County Council approved on Tuesday, May 17. The council granted the developer of the proposed Arroyo Crossing subdivision an upzone from large-lot residential, to multi-family residential on 38.95 acres he owns at 2022 Spanish Valley Drive.
Amid concerns about PLI, county sends letter to Bishop
A majority of Grand County Council members are concerned that Rep. Rob Bishop is moving forward with his Utah Public Lands Initiative (PLI) without responding to issues they raised with the draft legislation. At its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 17, the council voted 4-3 to send a letter to Bishop and PLI co-sponsor Rep. Jason Chaffetz, both R-Utah; the U.S. Department of the Interior; and the White House; reiterating that they do not support the initiative in its current form.
Everyone's amigo -
Everyone’s amigo, Miguel Valdes, passed away following a heart attack on Monday, May 2. A much-loved figure in Moab, he charmed everyone he encountered with his infectious enthusiasm and positive energy. “He was like Mr. Positive, super happy all the time,” said longtime friend and sometime co-worker Jason Taylor. “He called everyone amigo and he meant it.” Taylor said that Valdes always had new ideas and was constantly encouraging others to follow their dreams.
“Throttle Down” campaign picks up speed
It looks likes an upcoming election, but the signs springing up in yards all over town are part of a different campaign. “Throttle Down in Town” is an effort launched toward educating visitors about how their actions behind the wheel affect local residents. Though originally aimed at noise reduction, the campaign has been expanded to include information about what constitutes a street-legal, off-highway vehicle.
UMTRA job cuts loom
Anxiety and frustration are mounting for the 112 employees at the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project, where they will learn on Tuesday, April 26, who among them face immediate and indefinite layoffs.
Coalition seeks funds for Book Cliffs road study
Calling it a “priority project,” six eastern Utah counties are seeking funds for an Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal to extend Seep Ridge Road through the remote Book Cliffs area northeast of Moab. Otherwise known as the Book Cliffs Highway, the proposed roadway would connect Grand and Uintah counties. The proposal has long been controversial in Grand County, and contributed to the overturn of two county governments.
Committee seeks to guide economic development in Moab
When it comes to quality of life, local residents are almost evenly split between prioritizing environmental and business concerns, while social considerations come in a distant third, according to a new survey of local residents.
Local voters prepare for presidential caucuses
Grand County Republicans and Democrats will have their chance next week to say which candidates should be their parties’ respective presidential nominees, when both parties hold their first-ever caucuses on Tuesday, March 22. A caucus is a neighborhood organizing meeting where members of a political party gather to elect precinct officers and delegates to a state convention, and to vote for which candidate in their party should receive the presidential nomination.
Community mourns loss of GCHS student
Kayden Cresswell loved horses, riding dirt bikes and playing football for the Grand County High School Red Devils. But all that ended in a split-second tragedy on Thursday, Feb. 25, when the vehicle he was driving crossed over the center line and collided head-on with another vehicle.
Don't declare new monument -
Utah’s congressional delegation is urging President Barack Obama not to use his powers under the Antiquities Act to designate a national monument on federal lands in San Juan County. The calls from the state’s four Republican congressmen and two U.S. senators come on the heels of the president’s designation last week of three new national monuments in southern California’s Mojave Desert.
County denies Carmichael rezone; Arroyo proposal gets public hearing
After denying one zone change request, and now considering another, the Grand County Council is tackling future residential development at a time when land is at a premium, and a lack of affordable housing is nearing a crisis point. At its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, the council voted 4-3 to deny Judy and Gary Carmichael’s request to change the zoning on 20 acres of land they have owned and farmed for more than 40 years at 3553 Spanish Valley Drive.
Tribes quit lands initiative process
Frustrated by the pace of the Public Lands Initiative process, the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition has ceased negotiations with Utah’s congressional delegation, and will instead encourage the Obama administration to designate a national monument in southeastern Utah. In a letter to GOP Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz, the coalition cites missed deadlines, a lack of substantive comments to its proposal and “raw, heavy-handed, political overreaching,” as reasons for its withdrawal.
Council hears strong arguments on Carmichael rezone
After a spirited discussion with compelling arguments on both sides, the Grand County Council had to postpone its vote this week on whether to approve a requested zone change due to a technicality. The council was set to vote on Tuesday, Jan. 5, on a zone change request from Judy and Gary Carmichael, who want to develop 20 acres of land they have owned and farmed for 40 years.
Local economy robust, report says
Visitor numbers, home prices and revenue from tourism are on the rise, while the disparity between median incomes and housing costs continues to widen, according to a new report compiled by the Moab City Manager’s Office. The economic report for the third quarter of 2015 provides details on the economic health of the city and county with statistics on job growth, real estate, new construction, new businesses, area visitation and traffic trends.
Half marathon and BLM spar over new permit
The Moab Half Marathon has kicked off the spring season in Moab for nearly 40 years, bringing the first wave of visitors to town after many a long, quiet winter. But the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is now requiring the half marathon to obtain a new permit that owner and organizer Ranna Bieschke says is unwarranted, and will harm event attendance. “They want to charge me $5 a head for an event that takes place on a paved road,” Bieschke told the Moab Sun News.
Museum launches campaign to raise funds for new facility
It’s a story that goes back several hundred million years. A story where earth movement and climatic change brought forth an age of dinosaurs, shaped a landscape that supported ancient civilizations and frontier pioneers, and eventually brought modern day sightseers to the dramatic region surrounding Moab. And now, the Museum of Moab wants to share that story with the world through the construction of a modern facility located north of town on the west side of U.S Highway 191.
Study says climate change a threat to desert soil crust
“Don’t bust the crust” has long been the mantra for educating visitors about the effects of trampling, riding or driving over the sensitive black soil that covers much of the desert landscape. But a new study, co-authored by Moab-based U.S. Geological Survey researcher Scott Ferrenberg, has shown that the effects of climate change have similar detrimental effects on the fragile surface known as biological soil crust (biocrust), as that of a mountain bike tire or an off-road vehicle.
Category: Winter 15/16
Is It Getting Hot in Here? HOW CLIMATE CHANGE COULD IMPACT THE GREATEST SNOW ON EARTH AND WHAT’S BEING DONE TO SAVE IT. In September 2007, Governor Jon Huntsman’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change (BRAC) expressed “very high confidence” that most global warming in the past half-century has been caused by human-generated increases in greenhouse gas concentrations.
Groups urge EPA to reject state's haze plan -
With just two weeks left before a ruling, conservationists and outdoor industry leaders are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject the State of Utah’s proposal for regional haze reduction in area national parks. The federal agency has until Thursday, Nov. 19, to decide on the state’s proposal, which doesn’t require Rocky Mountain Power’s Hunter and Huntington coal-fired power plants to install the most up-to-date pollution control systems.
Art project planned for pedestrian bridge
The Colorado River bike and pedestrian bridge will soon be home to a permanent art installation entitled “Forces at Play,” after receiving unanimous support from the Grand County Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The set of four, 9-foot tall sculptures made of native sandstone suspended in cold-formed, welded steel, are the creation of Castle Valley artist Michael Ford Dunton.
College students get bird's-eye view aboard EcoFlight -
From the air, the Southwest can be seen as a magnificent landscape of mountains, plateaus and deserts cut apart by the canyons of the Colorado River. The view also reveals the impacts of resource development and massive water storage projects that the region’s inhabitants have come to rely on – both for economic security, as well as basic necessity. But in an era that scientists are beginning to call a “mega-drought,” the future sustainability of these projects could be uncertain.
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