The news has been a whirlwind lately with coverage of worldwide events and it can be overwhelming.
It can be difficult as a journalist. Sometimes I need to take breaks from the news or just read summary articles instead of in-depth articles.
Although there are many things that we can do to make the world better, it is sometimes best to just be informed.
Park Remarks was created to quickly get you up to speed about some of the important issues that matter to you and then ask you to dig deeper.
This week, we are recapitulating the Utah Legislative Session which ended on March 4. I encourage everyone to read the bills and to contact their legislators with any questions or comments.
Thank you for reading the Park Remarks and for sending me your thoughts regarding overtourism solutions. I have read each one and will incorporate your thoughts into my future reporting.
What do you think of the legislative session that just ended? What made you happy? What would you like to have happened? What passed that you disagreed with? Send me an email and let me know.
Here’s a look at what’s new on Utah’s public lands, national parks, and other areas.
In the news
First:Updated mask rules for Zion and other Utah national parks.
- Except for public transportation, national parks no longer require masks.
Second:In the last days of Utah Statehouse, water proposals trickle through
- As the session ended last week, the Utah legislature considered several bills relating to water conservation and drought mitigation.
Third:Zion National Park will use South Campground to manage fuels.
- Zion National Park started prescribed fires in South Campground to prevent wildfires.
Fourth:Zion closes rock climbing spots to protect nesting Peregrine Falcons
- Zion closed rock climbing trails during Peregrine nesting season in order to protect them.
Fifth:Address of State of Zion National Park – Chief Concerned about Overtourism After 2021 Record
- Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh spoke to Zion’s 5 million visitors last summer, and discussed the park’s plans for controlling overtourism.
Sixth:The Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah plans to build a new base in Enoch
- The Southwest Wildlife Foundation expands its presence in southern Utah through a new home in Enoch.
Seventh:St. George Spectrum Podcast: Zion National Park receives record 5,000,000 visitors
- Elle Cabrera, my colleague, and I discussed the record-breaking tourism to national parks last year in our weekly podcast.
Eighth:Colorado, New Mexico and Utah are collaborating to create a “hydrogen hub”
- Four Rocky Mountain states have agreed to cooperate in developing hydrogen power as a clean-burning fuel source for cars, trucks, and trains.
Ninth:Deb Haaland: 16 tribal water settlements to receive $1.7 Billion
- To fund 16 tribal water rights settlements, $1.7 billion will be used by the Biden administration from the recently passed federal infrastructure bill.
Tenth:The Water Tap: Farewell and some final words about what to look out for in water
- Joan Meiners, my former colleague, has moved to the Arizona Republic. However, she left us some tips about what to look out for when it is water in southern Utah.
- Regular service has resumed on the Zion shuttles until the fall
Inbox:
- On Tuesday, Chuck Sams, National Park Service Director, testified before the House Natural Resource Committee about Tribal comanagement of public lands. You can view the hearing at the committee’s website.
- After months of renovations the Capitol Reef National Park visitor centre has reopened. It will be open daily from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
- The Gifford House in Capitol Reef will offer pies for $3.14 instead of $7.50 on “Pi Day”, March 14.
- The elevation of Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area could drop to below 3,525 feet by the end of February. This is after a very dry January, February and February, according to U.S.Bureau of Reclamation. It also calls for “crucial” drought planning.
- The Bureau of Land Management will roll out a new mobile lottery starting March 15 for The Wave, a popular hike within Coyote Buttes North and Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. More information is available at the BLM’s website.
- The BLM invites public comments until March 25 for the “Paunsaugunt Travel Management Area”, which is approximately 185,950 acres of BLM-managed land in Kane County, between Zion National Monument and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. More information can be found at the BLM’s website.
- Springdale, Zion’s gateway city, has put a halt to any new transient lodging requests for the next six-month. A task force, which was created recently, will be looking for new transient lodging solutions and recommending the best solution to Zion’s Planning Commission.
- According to a new National Parks Conservation Association pollNearly 9/10 Americans (88%) believe that climate change is negatively affecting U.S. National Parks.
- The dispute against the U.S. Supreme Court is currently being heard by theIndian Child Welfare Act of 1979, whichprioritizesplacement of Native children in the foster system with extended family or Native communities whenever possible.Opponents claim the law is racist while supporters claim the law supports tribal sovereignty.
- Springdale’s George A. Barker River Park will be expanded, according to a new town annexe plan approved by the Springdale Planning Commission last month.
- The following schedules show the local municipal meeting times. Utah Public Notice websiteAs lawmakers discuss public lands and tourism issues, make sure you know when your local meeting is!
- Southern Utah University and Escalante river watershed partnership held a Symposium last weekon the “Ways of Understanding and Protecting Land and Water Resources In The Grand Staircase–Escalante Region.”
Social media:
- Timed entry tickets are now available for Arches National Park visitors in June. Recreation.gov!
- Arches also paid tribute Dalton Wells Isolation Center which was a former Japanese internment prison.
- Bryce Canyon National Park featured three former superintendents who were female for International Women’s Day.
- Canyonlands National Park posted about the “Arabian schismus”, asking visitors to help reduce its spread.
- Did you know that tumbleweeds can also be an invasive species? Capitol Reef National Park highlighted “Russian Thistle” and asked visitors to clean their cars and gear to slow its spread.
- Zion officials ask people to be cautious about flooding in The Narrows as the snow melts. Keep an eye on the park website for any updates regarding closures.
- Zion also highlighted its female employees for International Women’s Day.
- Hovenweep National Monument is in search of a summer intern
Legislature:
After 45 days worth of debate and votes, these are the new laws on public lands, Indigenous issues, and the Environment.
Weather forecast:
According to the National Weather Service Arches and Canyonlands will be in the low-50s to mid-60s this weekend. Bryce Canyon should be in Bryce Canyon’s high-40s, while Capitol Reef should remain in the low-50s. But both parks were recently hit by snow so be sure to check the conditions before you leave. Zion should be between the high-60s.
K. Sophie Will is The National Parks Reporter for The Spectrum & Daily News via the Report for America initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Follow her on Twitter @ @ksophiewillor email her at [email protected]. To support her work, donate to Report for Americahere.