The Art of Fermenting; September 24, 2022

 

Hooray for Rain!!!

We are such a dried-out, water thirsty bunch that rain makes most of us deliriously happy! It's been so wonderful to have this great rain today and in the past little while. Send thanks; pray for more; do weekly rain dances if you know how :)

 

Washington County Water Conservancy District Newsletter • June 2022 Driest May since 1895 Conditions in Utah are getting hotter and drier. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Much of the state is now in extreme or exceptional drought (the worst categories). Southern Utah saw little to no precipitation in May 2022, with Cedar City and St. George having the driest May on record in 127 years.    “Now that portions of the state have moved into ‘exceptional drought,’ water conservation becomes even more critical,” said Brian Steed, executive director of the Department of Natural Resources. Help stretch our water supply by implementing simple changes indoors and out. Learn more at wcwcd.org. Most effective way to save water this summer With more than 50 percent of our community's water used on landscaping, the most effective and efficient way to save is to follow the seasonal watering guide. Cycle & soak lawns up to 4X a week  Drip low & slow for trees, plants and shrubs up to 3X a week Additional tips at wcwcd.org Water right, water at night Did you know that landscape watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.? Irrigating during cooler hours helps minimize evaporation from heat and wind.  If you haven't already, change your irrigation clock to water between dusk and dawn.   Clock check Our conservation staff provides free outdoor water checks to make sure you're properly watering your landscape. Call 435.673.3617 to schedule an appointment.   Upcoming workshops Learn more about this season's free workshops by clicking the links below. Workshops are held on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. and typically last one hour. July 9: Herbs July 16: Pest Control August 6: Fall into Veggie Gardening August 20: Lawn Alternatives The drying Colorado River needs your voice. Here's how to make it heard 'It has to happen': St. George officials continue work on proposed water conservation measures Latter-day Saint leaders reduce watering at temples, meetinghouses in American West during drought USU: Water conservation is critical this summer BYU: Irrigation study finds significant efficiency opportunities 'It's bad': Worries over water outlook looms after driest May on record

Some tips about snakes from the USU Extension Team

Summer months bring summer heat, and summer heat brings snakes. Utah is home to 31 species of snakes. Of these, only seven are venomous. Most snake-human interactions aren’t dangerous, but consequences could be serious if you encounter a venomous snake. 

We’ve got a few tips here to help keep you safe from slithering snakes: 

• If you see a snake, leave it alone. 
• As a general rule, venomous snakes have elliptical pupils like the ones pictured here. 
• Rattlesnakes might not always “rattle” when disturbed, so when you are in areas where they are known to live, pay close attention to where you walk, sit and place your hands.
• Keep your home unattractive to them by trimming vegetation and removing wood and rock piles to reduce hiding places. 

You can read more about how to stop snakes from slithering into your yard here. 

Be on the lookout for these creatures, but remember, they are often just as afraid of you as you are of them. 

Sssssstay safe!

A Message from the Pine Valley Flag Committee

Each time we put up or take down flags we get a lot of horns honking, people waving and saying thanks and some asking if they can help in some way. The flags have been a community effort from the beginning and we thank all of you who have contributed monetarily or who have helped in placing the flags. 

We now have 225 flags in the valley and don't have immediate plans to increase that number. However, they do wear out in the sun and wind and there are a number that will need to be replaced before next season. New flags will cost about $25. If you would like to purchase a future flag or flags, you can make a donation to: 

--Pine Valley Special Service District 

680 E Main Street 

Pine Valley, Utah 84781 

--We also now have a Venmo account @pine-valley-2 

--And finally, if you see any of the flag crews out putting up or taking down flags, you can give a donation to them and they will get it into the correct fund. 

The flag committee thanks for your support and hopes that you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Home Canning Workshop Saturday, July 9

 

Community Watch Workshop June 25 at 4:00

There will be a Community Watch Workshop on June 25 at 4:00 at the Fire Station. We will discuss and practice communications methods that we might use during any community emergency. Although it might not seem like at important topic at the moment, if we ever need it, we will be glad that we know what we're doing! 

 

Utah is at extreme risk for wildfires right now. The New York Times in a recent article said “Southwest Utah…has some of the highest fire risk in the country.” You can see that this fact is illustrated by the very dark marking on the map. 

In response to this risk, the State of Utah has issued a Proclamation of Advanced Closed Fire Season in Washington County. The closed fire season which would normally begin on June 1 is already in place. I am including that document below, but click this link for a copy that is more clear

In conjunction with that, there are strict guidelines for campfires which applies to any fires we have in fire pits in our yards. Please read the document carefully to understand how big the pit must be, how far from vegetation and the age of the person attending the fire. Running water and a shovel must be close at hand. There are also guidelines for putting out the fire. Click this link to read the full docment. 

We all love our beautiful forest home and these restrictions are to protect it. Let’s willingly observe them.

Seed Saving and Composting Seminar Saturday, June 11

 

 

JUNE 7 IS THE DAY!!! Pine Valley residents and property owners have participated in the long process of creating an overlay zone that we hope will guide future development in a way to preserve what we have agreed makes Pine Valley Pine Valley. Tuesday June 7 at 4:00 will be the vote that will determine if we succeed. 

There won’t be opportunity for public comment so it is our number that will communicate our determination. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, BE THERE AND BRING YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS! 

Commission Chambers; 197 E Tabernacle St, St. George

Planning Commission will Recommend the Overlay Zone be Approved!

We are delighted to report that the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Overlay Zone. Four of the seven commissioners were present and those four voted yes. They recommended that one section be stricken--the one about a 15mph speed limits on dirt roads. 

We had a really good representation of people from Pine Valley in attendance and others who weren’t able to attend were watching on Zoom. Thank you all for your participation in this process all along the way and thank you to those who spoke today. The Planning Commissioners were again very complimentary of the work that has been done and especially of the large participation of community members. They said this is the way that local government should happen. GOOD JOB PINE VALLEY! 

The next step is for the proposal to go before the County Commission for the final vote. We will be either on the May 17th agenda or June 7. We will need crowds for that meeting too, so please mark your calendars. As soon as we know the date for sure, we will let you know. If you haven’t already sent messages to the three County Commissioners, now is the time to email, write letters, visit or however you want to communicate your support of the Overlay Zone. 

To send a message to the commissioners, CLICK HERE

Under each of the commissioners pictures you will see a link that says “send a message.”

REMINDER! Public Hearing is tomorrow--Tuesday May 10 at 1:30p.

Please help us show community support by attending the public hearing for the proposed Pine Valley Overlay Zone. It will be held during the Planning Commission meeting, May 10th at 1:30. The address is 197 E Tabernacle. If you want to make a public comment, you can speak directly to the commissioners either in person or on Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89075253900?pwd=eDE4UkxYWForUXU4cDN2UWZtU3BpZz09 Meeting ID: 890 7525 3900 Passcode: 157796

Help Us Demonstrate Community Support for the Overlay Zone!

 

Pine Valley Property Owners, 

The Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for our proposed Overlay Zone on May 10th at 1:30pm.  The workshop held on April 12th, to receive feedback from the Planning Commissioners, was overall positive.  

We are now at the crucial stage where they need to confirm community support.  The public hearing is your opportunity to speak in person to the Planning Commissioners, either at the meeting or through Zoom.   If you don't wish to speak, we urge you to attend and be in the audience.  We had nearly 40 people at the April 12th workshop, and it made a big impact.   

PLEASE HELP US DEMONSTRATE COMMUNITY SUPPORT BY DOING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Attend and speak at the hearing.  (May 10, 1:30pm, 197 E. Tabernacle.  Zoom info below)
• Attend and be in the audience to show support 
• If you haven't already, send a comment to the Planning Commissioners at alisha.low@washco.utah.gov.

After listening to the community during this public hearing, the Planning Commissioners will vote on a recommendation to either approve or deny our proposal.  We then move on to the County Commissioners, who have the final say.  We will likely be on the June 7 or June 21 agenda.    

We are almost there - but we need your help to get us over the finish line. 

With Thanks, 

The Pine Valley Preservation Committee

Community Watch Meeting May 7, 2022, 4:00 pm at the Fire Station

 

Final Update on SR-18; Ledges Improvement Project

This should be the last update for the road project. The project manager said that they are wrapping up the improvements for this project. 

She and the crew want to thank everyone for following the process and the traffic suggestions to make the work safe and efficient.

Community Watch Meeting May 7

 

SR-18, The Ledges Improvement Update

Here is the week's update on the SR-18 from the project manager. It's nice to see the work getting closer to completion!

Everyone is Invited to the Easter Worship Service

We want everyone to know that, as always, everyone is invited to the worship service in the historic Pine Valley Chapel celebrating Easter.

We Need You!

We need you tomorrow at the Planning Commission.  It will make a big difference if the Commissioners can visibly see your support for preserving Pine Valley.    Join us Tuesday at 1:30 (197 E Tabernacle) and listen as they discuss our proposal.   A public meeting, where you can give comments, will be held at a subsequent meeting.   

Here is a link to the agenda that has details on how to join by Zoom.  

https://www.washco.utah.gov/forms/pdf/agendas/2022/A%202022-04-12%20PLAN.pdf

Thank you for your support!  

Latest update on the road work

Here is the latest update on the roadwork. You've probably noticed that the prep work for the paving is complete and paving should be started. There is likely to be more equipment along the way so drive carefully and note that the speed limit is reduced!
 

Make Sure Your Fires are Completely Out!

We are all used to seeing Smokey Bear remind us to put out our campfires completely, but remember that caution applies to outdoor home fires as well. Recently, our firefighters were called out to put out a dumpster fire that flared up because someone had put coals from their fire pit into the dumpster. More serious than that, a fire started some time ago from a fire pit that wasn't completely extinguished. The fire was very close to the cabin and the owners had already gone home. If it hadn't been for an attentive neighbor, the cabin might have been damaged or lost. 

Please make sure your fire and your coals are completely out and cold, whether at a campsite or at your firepit. Your Pine Valley firefighters will appreciate it!

Your Participation is Needed!

Pine Valley Property Owners, 

The day is finally here and we need your help! 

After more than a year of doing surveys, holding community meetings and polishing our proposal, the County has scheduled its first public meeting about our proposed Pine Valley Overlay Zone. Now is the time for the Planning Commissioners to hear from you. It's critical we get as many comments to the Commissioners before Friday, April 8th. You can send an email to alisha.low@washco.utah.gov or send them by regular mail to Planning Commissioners, 197 E. Tabernacle Street, St. George, UT 84770. 

Your attendance at any and/or all of the meetings below would also be a huge help in showing community support. 

• April 12th 1:30pm (confirmed): Discussion item for the Planning Commissioners. This is their time to ask questions and discuss any issues together. It is not a public hearing, so no comments from the public will be allowed. That's why it's so important for you to send your written support prior to this meeting. Click here to see the agenda, which includes a Zoom option. There is another item on this agenda concerning Pine Valley. It's a public hearing for a request to rezone nearly 8 acres from Agricultural to Residential, requesting five 1/3 acre lots and one 5.5 acre lot. If you are interested, you can Click here to see the map and application documents. 

• May 10th 1:30pm (tentative): If all goes well at the April meeting, we will advance to the Planning Commissioners May 10th meeting, where a public hearing will be scheduled. This will be your opportunity to speak directly to the Commissioners (limited to two minutes per person). The Commissioners will then vote on whether or not to recommend the proposal to the County Commission. The County Commission has the final approval. We hope to be on their May 17th or June 7th agenda. 

But what is really needed right now are your comments showing support. This brief Q&A sheet about the Overlay Zone will give you a refresher and perhaps provide some ideas. The easiest way is to send an email alisha.low@washco.utah.gov . 

With gratitude, The Pine Valley Preservation Committee 

If you would like to review the full Pine Valley Overlay Zone proposal again, you can click here. It has changed slightly from the draft emailed in January, based on input from County Staff.

SR-18 Project Update

The project manager for the SR-18 reports that the crews are working efficiently and that they will start asphalt paving next week! She wanted to keep us updated which we all appreciate.

Have you Noticed How Many Ravens are in Pine Valley Now?

(This article was contributed by Laura Burgeson)

A couple of weeks ago, I was looking out my kitchen window during a light snowstorm.  Across the street, a woman was unloading a pick-up truck bed and carrying trash bags of items into the house.  I assumed that the bags contained clothing and food for a stay in the mountains.  I was proven right about the food when a raven flew down, tore open one of the bags with his beak, and made off with a whole loaf of bread while the woman was inside the house!

I had to chuckle at the antics of the Raven, but then began to wonder why the population of Common Ravens has grown so greatly in Pine Valley since we have lived here.  I noticed that a treachery of Ravens has taken up residence in my neighborhood!  (Names for a group of Ravens also include an unkindness of Ravens, a rave of Ravens, and a conspiracy of Ravens.)  They caw noisily, roost in trees and make themselves known in multitudes whenever there is food or dead things to eat.  Our orchard of fruit trees has sustained damage from the Ravens when the fruit is ripening and they come in flocks to feast.

I researched the topic and found out that the Raven population has increased recently more than 700 percent in the Mojave Desert, and that this surge is spreading throughout our area as well.  This matters to our ecology because Ravens are willing to feast on everything from trash to other animals.  They especially love to eat the eggs and young of other animals, and so threatened species such as the Desert Tortoise are at great risk of being wiped out.

Ravens are very intelligent, and are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They tend to outsmart many efforts that have been made to repel them, and it is illegal to kill them, and so once a population grows they are very difficult to bring back down to sustainable levels.  The good news is that researchers have found that if the primary sources of food are restricted,  Raven populations tend to modulate themselves naturally.

 

In areas where humans live, the Ravens find ready sources of food that have been left out for cats, dogs, deer, and other smaller birds.  They also feast on trash from uncovered bins, and converge whenever there is roadkill.  Being aware of these facts and acting on them may help avert a population crisis and the death of some of the more sensitive desert ecosystem species. It may also help preserve our more vulnerable birds that we love here in Pine Valley.

The Audubon Society notes:

“even with the work and the greater efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, conservationists fear the problem will only worsen if individuals don't take greater responsibility for their consumption and waste.  “This is a people problem,” Rutledge says, “regardless of how cunning and opportunistic these birds are."

Update on SR-18 Project

 

The project director for the SR-18 projects reports that the work is going well and that they appreciate the patience of the citizens. They would like to encourage all Active Transportation users (walkers, joggers bicyclists, etc.) to exit SR-18 and access the bike trail through the construction zone. With the warmer weather, there has been an uptick in such users, and there isn't any space along the shoulders for them to safely travel. 

Next Detonation on Thursday at about 11:00

 

Lisa Beck, the project manager for the SR-18 Ledges Road Improvement Project reports that the first detonation (today) was a success and that the next one is planned for Thursday at about 11:00 am. (Read the attached bulletin for more complete information.

She shared the follow video that shows the detonation. It illustrates why we're glad that the traffic is stopped while it's happening :) 

Ledges Improvement Detonation Video

First Detonation for the SR-18 Ledges Improvement Project Monday, March 7

OK, so the schedule has been set for the first detonation for the SR-18 Ledges Improvement Project and it's TOMORROW! As you can see, it will be between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. If you're going to be on the road during those times, just plan accordingly--you'll be stopped for 20 minutes going either way.

Update on SR-18; Ledges Improvement Update

Attached is the most recent information about the SR-18; The Ledges. The project manager who shared the information wanted to point out that they will be using some explosive charges to break through solid rock on the east side of SR-18 this week. During the time of detonation, traffic will be stopped for about 20 minutes in each direction. The day before these discharges, she said she would send out an update with more information about when this will occur. They have worked with machinery to try to break through the rock, but it is necessary to use other means. They are anticipating no impacts to residents or properties.

Update on roadwork SR-18

 

Financial Preparedness Seminar, Saturday, March 12 4-6 pm; Sponsored by the Preparedness Committee

 

Road work on the SR-18 from The Ledges to the North Snow Canyon Park Entrance

 

Thinking about a garden this spring?

 

 

Pine Valley Property Owners, 

After working with a certified community planner for several months, we have completed the draft of a proposed Pine Valley Overlay Zone. As you might remember from our community meetings, an overlay zone superimposes additional requirements upon existing zoning regulations and primarily affects future construction and land development. Existing homes and building lots would be grandfathered.  

This process was started in April, when surveys to determine what characteristics were most important, were emailed to the 391 property owners for whom we had email addresses.  The survey was also posted on NextDoor and the Pine Valley Blog.  Nearly 200 surveys came back and we used that feedback to develop the following mission goal:

"To guide future development in a way that maintains the rural, historical and mountain village characteristics of Pine Valley and to preserve the open meadows, agricultural lands and scenic vistas."

In June, we scheduled four community meetings on various days and times. This time, with postal addresses provided by the County, we were able to mail invitations to all 694 Pine Valley property owners. The invitation was again posted on NextDoor and the Pine Valley Blog.  We had 160 in attendance with another 40 providing feedback electronically.  At these meetings, we asked for feedback on whether an overlay zone was the best way to achieve our goals; the answer was an overwhelming yes. In each meeting, we then brainstormed to decide how to codify our goals. Afterwards, a committee of community members overseeing the process raised funds to hire a certified community planner who has now developed a draft for the proposal based on your input. 

Our next steps are:   

• Provide Pine Valley property owners with the draft of the Overlay Zone. We are doing that in this communication by sending to our most current email list. The link will also be placed on NextDoor and the Pine Valley Blog.  You can click here to see the complete document. 
• Work with County staff, to review and incorporate any feedback
• Work with County staff to schedule a Public hearing before the Planning Commission, who will in turn provide a recommendation to the County Commission
• Meet with the County Commission for final decision

We greatly appreciate all that you have contributed through the process and will keep you posted as we proceed.  

The Pine Valley Preservation Committee