Basin Now

The Uinta Basin Railway was one of the main presentations at the Vernal Chamber luncheon last week. Mike McKee, Executive Director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, shared that the Surface Transportation Board’s Final EIS was released on August 6th and making a final decision is up next after a final consideration period.

The DinahSOAR Balloon Festival has an amazing new opportunity this year for youth. The Balloon Federation of America joined with the festival to provide the balloon camp for youth ages 13 to 17. A parent is also invited to participate alongside their child if wanted.

The Division of Wildlife Resources has shared some of the results of a study of deer and elk in the Book Cliffs. “DWR biologists, in partnership with researchers from Brigham Young University, captured and collared 30 pregnant does and 30 pregnant elk in March,” shares the DWR.

Dinosaur National Monument announced Friday that the Yampa Bench Road has fully reopened. According to their press release, Yampa Bench Road experienced significant damage from a recent thunderstorm. Early on August 3rd, a thunderstorm passed over the Yampa Bench Road area.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and Ashley Regional Medical Center is encouraging residents to check on immunization records and be sure your family is up to date. “Of all the things we have learned throughout this historic time, the one fact that perhaps can have the farthest-reaching impact for each of us individually and collectively is that our health means everything,” shares Dr. Timothy Tappana.

The rain and flooding from early this month resulted in several roads and campgrounds closing in Ashley National Forest but are they still closed? Rock Creek Road and Blind Stream Road were closed due to debris flows from rain over the East Fork Fire burn scar.

Congressman Blake Moore has made visits to the Uintah Basin a priority, including in-person town hall events in Uintah and Daggett Counties in early July. Now it is Duchesne County’s turn. Congressman Moore will host an in-person town hall event in Duchesne County today to discuss several topics including immigration, federal spending, national security, housing affordability, updates from Washington, and more.

The Uintah School Board met this week and each school’s individual Friday plans will be posted to their respective websites by the end of the day today, August 13th.

Enjoying the outdoors should be available to everyone and an organization that is active locally is doing just that. Disabled Outdoorsmen Utah, or DO Utah for short, offers events that are inclusive for people with disabilities. Mike Felice and Sidney Smith visited the KLCY studio this week to share what makes this organization special and how people can help support it.