Friday July 16, 2021

The Bureau of Land Management initiated a wild horse gathering for the Onaqui Herd Management Area this week. The Onaqui herd roams in northern Utah and is often seen near the Pony Express Trail in Skull Valley. The BLM plans to remove about 300 horses due to concerns over limited forage. Our radio partners report on the ongoing struggle between maintaining an ‘iconic’ symbol of the West and sustainability. Plus, the federal government is planning emergency releases of water from reservoirs in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico to prop up the nation’s second largest reservoir – Lake Powell.

And, our Weekly News Reel where we speak with reporters about their latest stories. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent (8:00) talks traffic congestion, speed limits, and the return of local music festivals. Maggie McGuire of the Moab Sun News (17:00) discusses coordination between agencies to address homelessness and new data on UTV use in Grand County.

Show Notes:

Photo: Onaqui Wild Horse Gather on 2/19/12, Bureau of Land Management – Utah

KUNC: Colorado River Basin Reservoirs Begin Emergency Releases To Prop Up A Troubled Lake Powell
https://www.kunc.org/environment/2021-07-15/colorado-river-basin-reservoirs-begin-emergency-releases-to-prop-up-a-troubled-lake-powell

2021 Onaqui Mountain Wild Horses Gather
https://www.blm.gov/programs/whb/utah/2021-onaqui-wild-horse

Onaqui Mountain Herd Management Area
https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/herd-management-areas/utah/onaqui-mountain

UPR: Wild Horse Management – A Struggle Between Maintaining An Iconic Western Symbol And Sustainability
https://www.upr.org/post/wild-horse-management-struggle-between-maintaining-iconic-western-symbol-and-sustainability

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: UDOT approves funding for 3 Moab projects
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/udot-approves-funding-for-3-moab-projects/
The Times-Independent: Walnut Lane becomes waiting game for city council
(scroll down for prima facie speed limit)
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/walnut-lane-becomes-waiting-game-for-city-council/
The Times-Independent: Actor, advocate George Takei to make debut at Moab Music Festival
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/actor-advocate-george-takei-to-make-debut/
The Times-Independent: Moab Folk Festival returns for 19th year
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-folk-festival-returns-for-19th-year/

Moab Sun News: Agencies coordinate to fight homelessness – Council focuses on those with severe needs amidst housing crisis
https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_56d9f54a-e52b-11eb-8ac0-a7070f2964a7.html
Moab Sun News: A snapshot of local UTV use – Sand Flats staff track UTV numbers at entry booth
https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_42649cf4-e51d-11eb-9b0d-0b7973aee99b.html