Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com

This week has been exceedingly busy. Let’s start with Kudo’s. First to Jace Taylor for completion of his Eagle Scout project. He finished installation of a new entrance to the Center road of the Cemetery. The black metal arch proclaims “Escalante Cemetery”. Thank you Jace.

Next goes to Peter Christensen. He ended his first year of school at SUU on the Dean’s List. Lakota John was in attendance at the Graduation and presented Nick with his Eagle Feather. Treasure that Nick. Obviously, all the seniors and the students at the schools with their various and sundry awards deserve congrats. Last Kudo; high fives to Jeff Dunn and Evan Reeves for taking charge of the City Clinic building; they were both honored at the Heritage Festival play Saturday Night, photos at the Gallery.

The winners of the Water Conservation Poster Contest, which has been on exhibit at Skyhoopie Thrift Store for the past while, were awarded $5.00 gift certificates donated by Skyhoopie and the Escalante Native Plant Society. Winners: 1st Grade – Shaylee Coleman; 2nd Grade – Lilly Steed; 3rd Grade – Josh Brinkerhoff; 4th Grade – Shantell Gurr; 5th Grade – Dylan Barney; High School – Afton Nez. In addition, Josh Brinkerhoff was awarded the Escalante Chamber of Commerce award. His work will be used for a Water Conservation campaign by the chamber. Escalante Outfitters donated a gift certificate for a Pizza.

Bubba Spud invites you to the 2nd Annual July 4th Celebration in Town Center Park, Saturday, July 4th. Chicken Dinner will be served from 6-8 PM. ½ Chicken $10.00 ¼ Chicken $8.00 Includes Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Bubba Spud Dutch Oven Potatoes, Roll, Dessert and Beverage. The proceeds will be used to pay for the construction of the new entrance signs designed by Tracy Hassett and the Potato Valley Lions Club. The City Council has approved the artwork and UDOT has issued permits for placement on public right-of-way at each end of town. We’re working on some fun activities and maybe fireworks for that evening. Save the date.

The Heritage Festival was delightful. Traffic at the Arts and Crafts show was not as heavy as last year, but several vendors did well. The musical event in the afternoon was well attended and the first 12+ rows were full for the play. Pictures of the play can be seen at Gallery Escalante.
I’ve been asked by several members of the community if I know what is going on with the Wide Hollow Dam project. Since I had so many ask, I decided to contact the Engineering firm, Fransen Engineering of American Fork, and see if I could get some information. Layne Jensen was prompt about contacting me in response to my e-mail. We had a good conversation and he gave me the following information on the status of the project.

The Army Corp of Engineers office in Sacramento is responsible for the EA and has it ready to release the draft version the first week of June. A copy of the 100 page document will be mailed to each property owner impacted and everyone that commented. A copy will be available for review at the Interagncy office and the Escalante Public Library. If you are interested you should review it promptly and submit any comments during the 21 day comment period. Mr. Jensen did mention that the Corps may extend that period to 30, but as of our conversation on Friday, it was 21 days. He’s to let me know if there is a website version for download/review. I’ll post it on Explore Escalante blog if there is.

As for the funding, the monies are contracted and thus committed for construction whether that happens this summer or next. Timing of actual construction depends on the outcome of the EA and necessary mitigation (if any). Comment period of 21-30 days will take it into July. Depending on the number of comments received and the content will determine how long before the Record of Decision and possible FONSI would be released – that’s August. A 30 day appeal period might be necessary – that takes us into September. Mr. Jensen is going to keep us updated through my article. As I explained to him, the impacts of construction affect the entire community and not just the shareholders of the Irrigation Company. And it is public monies funded through the State of Utah’s “Water For Utah” program and funded through the Federal Government. He was unaware there was a newspaper here and will be glad to provide us notices, etc. Progress.

Until next week -