Wednesday October 19, 2022

The Grand County Commission has approved funding to study salinity levels in the Matheson Wetlands Preserve. There’s brine — salty water from the Paradox Formation — under a layer of fresh water in that area. Researchers want to know whether using more water in the valley changes that water-brine boundary. Plus, Grand County is denying claims that staff and elected officials illegally attempted to regulate ATVs off the streets. Nonprofit BlueRibbon Coalition and 12 local businesses allege they’re owed $1 million in damages after the county and city revised noise and business regulations. Grand County’s attorney says their lawsuit contains outdated information. And a new report shows that Wyoming is home to the largest intact sagebrush habitat in the West.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: A saltier wetlands won’t only have an impact on wildlife and vegetation in the area. But it could also contribute to the salinization of the Colorado River. (KZMU)

// USGS Salinity Study Brief
https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/725?fileID=42435

// Utah Geological Survey Groundwater and Wetlands Program Proposed Matheson Wetlands Preserve Monitoring
https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/744?fileID=42474

// BlueRibbon Coalition Lawsuit
https://www.sharetrails.org/blueribbon-coalition-files-lawsuit-against-grand-county-and-moab-city/

// Grand County Response to BlueRibbon Coalition Lawsuit:
https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/County-Answer-eFILED-10.17.22.pdf

// KHOL: Grand Teton National Park restoring native sagebrush to create wildlife habitat
https://891khol.org/grand-teton-national-park-restoring-native-sagebrush-to-create-wildlife-habitat-support-migrations/