Attention Southern Utah and Northern Arizona recreationists!

BRC's public lands staff (namely, Brian Hawthorne) was doing some extremely important "trail surveys" over the Holidays and was unable to get this alert out to our members in Utah and Arizona. Apologies for the late notice!

The Dixie National Forest is developing a Motorized Travel Plan that will limit ALL vehicle use to designated roads, trails and areas. The Forest Service (FS) has released their "Proposed Action" and are seeking comments from anyone that may be interested in or affected by the proposed travel plan. Your comments will help them assess the proposed action, develop alternatives and prepare a draft environmental impact statement.

The Dixie NF is home to some of Utah's premier OHV trails, including the Paiute Trail, the Freemont ATV Trail and portions of the Great Western Trail.

The Dixie NF is holding a series of public meetings:
* Today in Panguitch, Utah (at the City Library and Offices, 25 South 200 East, Panguitch, UT, 12:00 to 8:00 pm)

* Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 18, 2007 (at the Salt Lake City Library, Level 4 Meeting Room, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 12:00 to 8:00 pm).

* Another meeting is set for January 24, 2007 in Torrey, Utah (at the Wonderland Inn, Utah State Highways 12 and 24, Torrey, UT 12:00 to 8:00 pm).

There is a 48-day comment period that began December 15, 2006. BRC will be sending another Action Alert with a brief analysis of the Dixie's proposal prior to the January 31 comment deadline.

ACCESS ADVISORY:
The Dixie is testing a new web-based "interactive maps and route data" system. If it works 'as advertised,' it should be very useful for making route specific comments. See: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie/projects/MTP/index.shtml .

The Dixie is a BIG forest. OHV users may need to view the large paper maps in order to comment effectively. These forest-wide maps are located for public viewing at the following Ranger District offices:

Pine Valley Ranger District, 196 E. Tabernacle, Suite 40, St. George, UT 84770;
Phone: (435) 652-3100.

Cedar City Ranger District, 1789 Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, UT 84720;
Phone: (435) 865-3200; TTY for the hearing impaired: (435) 865-3719.

Powell Ranger District, 225 East Center Street, Panguitch, UT 84759-0080;
Phone (435) 676-9300.

Escalante Ranger District, 755 West Main, Escalante, UT 84726-0246;
Phone: (435) 826-5400.

Fremont River Ranger District, 138 South Main, Loa, UT, 84747;
Phone: (435) 836-2800.

For the convenience of interested people living in Kane County, maps will also be located at the North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 South Main Street, Fredonia, AZ, 86022; Phone: (928)-643-7395.

Comments or questions should be directed to Noelle Meier, Dixie National Forest Motorized Travel Plan Team Leader, 1789 N. Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, Utah 84720; Phone: (435) 865-3225 FAX: (435) 865-3791.

You may also hand-deliver your comments to the above address during normal business hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Oral comments may be provided during normal business hours via telephone 435-865-3700, in person at one of the district offices listed below, or at an official agency function (i.e. public meeting) that is designed to elicit public comments. Electronic comments may be submitted to comments_dixie_motorized_travel_plan@fs.fed.usin a format such as an e-mail message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc).

As always, please call BRC if you have any questions.



UTAH STATE PARKS LAUNCH AND WATER CONDITIONS - JANUARY 9

Bear Lake State Park Marina: OPEN - 35 degrees
Deer Creek State Park: OPEN - 35 degrees
East Canyon State Park: Closed - 30 degrees
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park: OPEN - 40 degrees
Great Salt Lake State Park Marina: OPEN - 46 degrees
Gunlock State Park: OPEN - 48 degrees
Huntington State Park: Closed -- 30 degrees
Hyrum Lake State Park: OPEN -- 48 degrees
Jordanelle State Park: OPEN -- 33 degrees
Millsite State Park: Closed - 30 degrees
Otter Creek State Park: Closed - 30 degrees
Palisade State Park: Closed - 35 degrees
Piute State Park: Closed -- 30 degrees
Quail Creek State Park: OPEN - 45 degrees
Red Fleet State Park: OPEN - 35 degrees
Rockport State Park: Closed - 32 degrees
Sand Hollow State Park: OPEN - 50 degrees
Scofield State Park: Closed - 32 degrees
Starvation State Park: Closed - 32 degrees
Steinaker State Park: OPEN - 35 degrees
Utah Lake State Park: OPEN - 32 degrees
Willard Bay State Park: Closed - 32 degrees
Yuba State Park: OPEN - 32 degrees

Strawberry: OPEN - 32 degrees
Flaming Gorge: OPEN - 32 degrees

UTAH STATE PARKS SNOWMOBILE GROOMING REPORT - JANUARY 9

Hardware Ranch:
As of January 6, there is three inches of snow at the trailhead- no grooming until more snow accumulates.

Monte Cristo:
As of January 8 there is 33" of snow at Dry Bread Pond and 43" at Monte Cristo.
Grooming was completed the following dates and locations:
Sunday, January 7 - Arb's Basin, Wasatch Ridge, Ant Flat to Sheep Creek
Saturday, January 6 - SR-39, very heavy winds, lots of drifts
Friday, January 5 - Arb's Basin, SR-39
Thursday, January 4 - Arb's Basin, Woodruff, Wasatch, Ant Flat to Sheep Creek
Wednesday, January 3 - Highway 39
Monday, January 1- Red Spur

Bear Lake / Logan Canyon:

Grooming was completed the following dates and locations:
Thursday, January 4 - Sinks Trail
Thursday, January 4 - Swan Flat
Wednesday, January 3 - Franklin Basin
Wednesday, January 3 - Garden City
Wednesday, January 3 - Tony Grove
Tuesday, January 2 - Amazon
Tuesday, January 2 - Beaver Creek

Wasatch Mountain:
Limited grooming through Cascade Springs up Snake Creek and American Fork trails.

Mirror Lake / Mill Hollow:
Grooming is in full operation, with conditions slowly getting better. Riders should use caution when riding off trails- rocks and other hazards can cause injuries and machine damage.

Bear River Service to Whitney:
Grooming schedule is as follows:
Monday and Tuesday - North slope road
Thursday - Saturday - Whitney area and Highway150 to Mirror Lake. Please observe posted speed signs and stay in the west lane while traveling in both directions.

Uintah Basin:
Grooming was completed at the following locations:
Red Cloud Loop from the Highway191 turnoff to the Leidy turnaround
Dry Fork Trailhead to Trout Creek
East McKee to Cart Creek to Red Canyon Lodge
Spirit Lake Trail

Scofield / Joe's Valley / Skyline Drive:
As of Friday, January 5 the current snow conditions and grooming reports are as follows:
Skyline Trail
North Skyline has 18" of snow at the trailhead at Fairview top.
Fish Creek Ridge has 15" of snow on top of the junction, however snow levels are not sufficient to groom this trail in its entirety.
Tucker/Starvation/Pondtown has 6-8" of snow at the trailheads and 18"of snow on top and have not been groomed yet.
Be advised that Pondtown has some marked dangerous hazards about three miles up from the trailhead.
Miller's Flat has 16" of snow. The trail has not been groomed, due to insufficient snow.

Mt Nebo:
Grooming from the Payson side up to the Salt Creek Overlook. The next grooming is tentatively planned for January 10.

Ephraim / Manti / 12 mile:
No Grooming

Fish Lake:
Tuesday, January 2 - Fishlake Mountain from Bowery Havens to Spirit Springs to Gooseberry Trailhead. Still bare spots on the Bowery Havens side up Seven Mile Creek, so use caution.
Thursday, December 28 - Monroe Mountain from Koosharem to Monrovian Park in Monroe. A section of trail was also groomed from Koosharem Guard Station to Cove Mountain and Magelby's Pass
Tuesday, December 26 - Beaver Mountain from City Creek Trailhead to Kent's Lake Trailhead to Big Meadow Flats. Snow conditions are good with snow depth running approximately two feet deep on top

Cedar Mountain / East Fork:
January 6 - Midway, Sage Valley and Navajo Lake runs. Snow conditions are still shallow in many areas.

Strawberry:
Grooming was cancelled due to high winds and white out conditions.

UPCOMING UTAH STATE PARKS EVENTS

January to August 31 Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum- Vernal
Range Creek archaeological exhibit: The exhibit showcases artifacts from the Range Creek archaeological site located in the Book Cliffs of Carbon and Emery counties. For more information, please call (435) 789-3799.

January 20 Antelope Island State Park - Syracuse
Junior Ranger Program: Join the park naturalist on an investigation of birds of prey, including the northern harrier. A search into characteristics making these birds formidable hunters begins at 11 a.m. Participants should meet at the visitor center. Programs are designed for children ages six to 12, however all ages are invited to participate. For more information, please call (801) 721-9569.

January 20 Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum - Fairfield
Photo Workshop: Workshop and discussion of the 19th century photographic styles and techniques, including Daugerian, wet-plate, tin-type, ambrotype and glass negative reproduction. Participants will have access to the park's 19th century replica "box-in-box" Daugerian camera. Reproductions of photos taken with this type of camera at Camp Floyd in 1859 will be on display. Registration and $25 fee required. For more information, please call (801) 768-8932.

January 20 Rock Cliff Nature Center /Jordanelle State Park - Francis
Track Me If You Can! Join the park naturalist from 10 a.m. to noon and learn basic tracking skills necessary to understanding local wildlife. Bring snowshoes or borrow a pair from the park. Pre-registration is required. Day-use fee is $7 per vehicle with up to eight people or free to Utah State Park pass holders. For more information, please call (435) 782-3030 or (435) 649-9540.

January 20 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Avalanche Safety Class: Join park staff for a free three-hour clinic from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn how to recognize and avoid potential slide areas, as well as basic safety equipment and how to use it. To register or for more information, please call (435) 654-1791.

January 20 Antelope Island State Park - Syracuse
Star Party: Join the park naturalist beginning at 5:30 p.m. for a visual tour of nebulas, galaxies, star clusters and more. There will be a brief outdoor star viewing after the show (weather permitting). Remember to dress warm and bring binoculars. For more information, please call (801) 721-9569.

January 20 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Snow Canyon Geology: Join park staff beginning at 10 a.m. to learn the basics of Snow Canyon geology during a two-mile roundtrip hike. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information, please call (435) 628-2255.

January 20 Hyrum State Park - Hyrum
Polar Bear Plunge: Pay $25, bring a costume, and jump into Hyrum Reservoir. All proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. To register or for more information, visit http://www.sout.org .



DNR Chief to Address Southern Nevada Water Authority Proposal

What: Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Mike Styler to address the current status of the controversial plan to deliver water from the Snake Valley area of western Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada

Who: Members of the Utah Section of the American Water Resources Association, Annual Luncheon

When: 12 noon
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
(Registration is mandatory, except for working media)

Where: Department of Natural Resources
Auditorium
1594 West North Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah

Why: The Southern Nevada Water Authority is proposing to pump groundwater from the Snake Valley to Las Vegas to support that area's burgeoning growth. Snake Valley straddles the Utah-Nevada state line, about 260 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. The plan calls for the delivery of up to 25,000 acre-feet of water annually through a series of pipes and wells by the year 2015.

Further information is available at: http://www.awra.org/state/utah/luncheon_reg.htm

Contra Dances begin for 2007

Come join us for a contra dance on Friday, January 12th. Whether your interests lie in folk music, western music, history, or just plain dancing, contra dance offers something for you; it's America's folk/community dance. All the dances are "walked through" before the dance begins, so no dance experience (or talent!) is needed. Come out and bring some friends! It's a good time for all...

Please pass this on to your mailing lists as we are trying to spread the word and get the Ogden area community more involved!

Ogden Contra Dance

Ogden Unitarian Church, 705 East 23rd St. (Madison and 23rd), Ogden

Music By The Blue Sage Trio

Calling By Mike Cottle

Friday, January 12th and continuing on the second Friday of each month.

Beginner Workshop 7:30 PM
Dancing 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Cost $5.00 adult, $3 youth
For More Information Contact:
Brock at B_CHENEY@peoplepc.com or call Brenda at 801-363-7442

MAGAZINE NAMES HELPER TOWN OF THE YEAR

Salt Lake City True West Magazine has named Helper, Utah the #1 True Western Town in its January/February 2007 issue. The Carbon County destination was chosen, primarily because it has preserved its history through older buildings and districts, museums and other institutions, and events.



When it comes to preserving and celebrating its heritage, the town of Helper helps itself, says Bob Boze Bell, executive editor of True West. Its Western Mining & Railroad Museum is a treasure and a new facility is under construction this year. The local Historic Preservation Commission was reorganized last year in an effort to redouble efforts to save and maintain older buildings. The community is incredibly involved in these projects and in getting the word out about Helper. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Helper richly deserves the honor of 2007 True Western Town.

Kathy Hanna-Smith, director of the Castle Country Travel Region sees this award as regionally beneficial. Helper is a great gateway to Utah's Castle Country, says Hanna-Smith. She adds that the town s diverse arts community sets it apart. It has attracted artists that are known in prestigious galleries across the country.

The Utah Office of Tourism is thrilled to see Central Utah s rich history honored. Culture and heritage tourism is a crucial component to our industry, says managing director Leigh Von der Esch. True West s recognition of Helper shows everyone we not only passionately preserve our Old West history we are also eager to share it.

Entering its 54th year in circulation, True West magazine covers true stories of Old West adventure, history, culture and preservation.

This honor comes as the Utah Office of Tourism and the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition will host the 4th Annual Utah Tourism Conference at the College of Eastern Utah in Price, May 16-18, 2007. For more information, contact the Utah Office of Tourism at Council Hall, 300 N. State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84114, (801) 538-1900 or (800) 200-1160.



Utah Board of Tourism Development Meeting

Friday, January 12, 2007 10:00 a.m. Cliff Lodge, Snowbird Resort Ballroom 3

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Approval of the Minutes

3. Report of the Marketing Committee - Shelleice Stokes

4. Report of the Cooperative Marketing Committee - Hans Fuego

5. Report of the Legislative Committee - Steve Burr

6. Director's Report - Leigh von der Each

7. Public Comment



TWO MORE SPONSORS JUMP ON BOARD WITH THE UTAH WINTER GAMES

Park City, UT (January 9, 2007) -- The Utah Winter Games are having one of the most successful years in their 21-year history, and two new completely appropriate sponsors have jumped on board the big winter bandwagon.

Executive Director Heidi Hughes says The Shea Foundation has offered to sponsor permanent ski racing bibs for the youth racing series. The Foundation honors America's First Family of the Winter Olympics. Jim Shea, Junior, was the popular gold medalist in skeleton at the Salt Lake Games. His father, Jim, Senior, competed in Nordic combined for the U.S. Team in the 1964 Games in Innsbruck. Grandfather Jack Shea won two gold medals in speed skating for the U.S. at the 1932 Games in Lake Placid. Jim Shea, Junior, lives in Park City and says the Foundation's purpose is to carry on the Olympic legacy by providing education, publicity, and equipment for today's youth to participate in speed skating, ski jumping, and skeleton. The donation of the ski bibs to the Utah Winter Games youth racing program is a perfect fit.

When you think of winter, it's also likely you think of hot chocolate, so it's fitting that Nutrico Foods of Salt Lake City has signed on as the hot chocolate sponsor for the Utah Winter Games. It's not just any old hot chocolate, though. Nutrico makes HC Energy Hot Cocoa. That's taking premium hot cocoa mix and adding fine dietary supplements to make a drink which is both hot and healthy, and who can beat that combination? Nutrico says the rich chocolate taste is enough to make you come back for more, but the addition of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids makes it a drink you can't beat. So if you're participating in the Utah Winter Games, look for the hot cocoa.

The Utah Winter Games are the oldest and biggest amateur winter sports event in the country. They continue the legacy of 2002 in Utah by making it possible for large numbers of people of all skill levels to have a wonderful time with winter sports.

In the 2005-2006 20th anniversary season, more than three thousand people took part in 20 competitions in 15 sports and 32 instructional clinics.

The Utah Winter Games: All Ages, All Abilities, Always Fun.

For more information on the Utah Winter Games, please contact Christa Graff at 435-640-7921 or christa@graffpr.com or visit the Utah Winter Games web site at http://www.utahwintergames.org .

Meet "The Flying Kangaroos" Australian Women's Aerial Team in Earl's Lodge at Snowbasin Resort

Monday, January 8, 2007: Snowbasin Resort is pleased to announce that Snowbasin is the North American Home Resort to the Australian Women's Aerial Ski Team, also known as "The Flying Kangaroos". The team comes to Snowbasin from the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, located in Melbourne.

Join the team for a Poster signing on Saturday, January 13th for a Poster Signing in Earl's Lodge from 2:00-5:00. Hot cocoa and cookies will also be provided.

These women will be working on their technical skiing skills, simply skiing different types of terrain at Snowbasin.

When the team is at Snowbasin they will be easy to recognize wearing their Australian ski team uniform. These athletes will be skiing the mountain primarily during the months of January and February of 2007.Our guests are invited to watch these women perfect their skiing skills, as well as say hello.

Located in Huntsville, Snowbasin is an easy 33-mile drive north from Salt Lake City via Interstate 15, and a relaxing one-hour drive from most of the southern Utah ski resorts. It was the site of the 2002 Olympic Downhill and Super G Races, and is part of the collection of hotels and resorts owned by Earl Holding and was recently voted a Top Ten Ski Resort in North Americaby Skiing Magazine and a Top Ten Resort in North America by Sunset Magazine.

Nature/Bird Walk Schedule

The Wild Bird Center leads free nature/bird walks. The cost of the walk, as we like to say is "enthusiasm." We provide the rest. We leave the store at 10 a.m., (unless otherwise noted) and carpool to the destination. The walks are designed for birders at all levels, especially families. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars.

1/27 Farmington Bay

2/03 Bald Eagleb s at Farmington Bay

2/10 Beus Pond

2/24 Kaysville Ponds, USU Botanical Gardens

3/3 Tundra Swan Migration at Farmington Bay

3/10 Riverdale Weber river Parkway

3/24 Kayscreek

3/31 East Kaysville Foothills



IT'S HERE! THE COMPETITION SEASON OF THE UTAH WINTER GAMES

Park City, UT (January 4, 2007) -- After dozens of learning clinics, the time is at hand for Utah's weekend Winter Warriors to put those newly acquired winter sports skills to the test. Every weekend from now through the end of March, there will be amateur winter sports competitions taking place at numerous venues around the Wasatch Mountains.

Executive Director Heidi Hughes says the 21st anniversary season has more competitions than ever before and they're spread out so more people can participate in more events.

The premiere event of the opening weekend has to be the short track speed skating at the Park City Ice Arena. Five-time Olympic speed skating gold medalist Dr. Eric Heiden will be the ceremonial starter for the event. Heiden is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon and now heads TOSH, the world-renowned The Orthopedic Specialist Hospital in Murray, but his heart is still on the ice. Heiden is one of a number of former Olympic athletes who are donating their time to the Utah Winter Games to help amateur athletes enjoy winter sports.

Also on this first weekend, disabled skiers will take to the slopes at the Park City Mountain Resort to compete for the traditional Huntsman Cup. Alta will also host the always popular KSL Family and Friends slalom ski race.

Other sports highlights will include Saturday, January 20th, when skeleton racing comes to the Utah Winter Games for the first time. Olympic Gold Medalist Jim Shea, Jr., has donated money from the Shea Foundation, and former Olympian and World Cup winner Lincoln deWitt will be on hand to coach racers before they plunge down the Olympic skeleton track at nearly 80 miles an hour.

That same weekend, the surprise hit of last year's games takes to the snow at Soldier Hollow. The cross-country ski race last winter attracted a hundred people, and this year promises to be larger.

High excitement comes to Brighton on January 27th when the always sold-out Jeep Terrain Park Slopestyle Challenge hits the hill. That event is limited to the first 80 competitors to sign up. There are separate events for snowboarders and skiers. The winners automatically qualify for the Jeep Terrain Park regional slopestyle competitions later in the season. There will be 75 national qualifiers who will go head-to-head in the regional competitions, and the winners will go to the Jeep National Slopestyle Championship in Lake Tahoe in March.

The Park City Mountain Resort will host a KSL Family and Friends ski race on March 3rd. About the only restriction on this fun family race is that you have to be at least 3 years old to compete and no one older than 93 has ever competed in it, but if you're 94, you're more than welcome to take on the age-graded competition.

Scattered around the rest of the weekends are lots of ski racing, cross-country, biathlon, curling, long-track speed skating, figure skating, ski archery, ski jumping, luge, and a wild bunch of snowboard slopestyle, jibbing, jam sessions, and even a competition devoted entirely to jibbing on and off trees. You don't have to be any good at these sports to have an awful lot of fun trying them out, but if you are good, you could go home with a gold medal since all of the competitions are graded by age and gender.

Add all these events together, and you have the recipe for thousands of Utahns to have loads of fun in eleven sports.

The Utah Winter Games are the oldest and biggest amateur winter sports event in the country. They continue the legacy of 2002 in Utah by making it possible for large numbers of people of all skill levels to have a wonderful time with winter sports.

In the 2005-2006 20th anniversary season, more than three thousand people took part in 20 competitions in 15 sports and 32 instructional clinics.

The Utah Winter Games: All Ages, All Abilities, Always Fun.

For more information on the Utah Winter Games, please contact Christa Graff at 435-640-7921 or christa@graffpr.com or visit the Utah Winter Games web site at http://www.utahwintergames.org .



3 on 3 Team Challenge Scheduled for January 10

Powder Mountain, Utah - (January 5, 2007) The initial event in Powder Mountain's 3 on 3 Team Challenge Series is scheduled for January 10, 2007. The terrain park competition is held under the lights at the Sundown Terrain Park. Registration starts at 4:00 p.m. and is free for anyone having a lift pass. The competition is from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Teams of three compete on three terrain park features that are randomly chosen the day of the event. Teams can compete for nightly prizes and earn points based on the team's performance. The team with the most points at the end of the three part series will win 2007/08 season passes. Future competitions will be held on Wednesday, February 7 and Wednesday, March 7.

Powder Mountain has terrain parks at Sundown and on the Hidden Lake Trail. For more information, please call 801-745-3772 or visit the resort's website at http://www.powdermountain.com .



FISHING REPORT FOR SOUTHEASTERN UTAH

GENERAL The new 2007 Utah Fishing Guide is now available. Changes include a new 8-fish trout limit at Scofield Reservoir, and the opportunity to use two fishing poles statewide with the purchase of a second pole permit which costs $15. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. A year-long fishing license for adults runs $26. Kids under 14 fish for free.

ABAJO MOUNTAINS No report.

CLEVELAND RESERVOIR On www.bigfishtackle.com, one angler reported excellent fishing on January 6th for 12-16 inch rainbows and 19-inch cutthroats. He used a chartreuse rat finkie and wax worm a few feet off the bottom in 30 feet of water. The ice was 13-14 inches thick with a 6-inch snow cover.

ELECTRIC LAKE No report.

HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR (also known as MAMMOTH RESERVOIR )

No recent report. The ice is sandwiched with layers of frozen slush and topped with snow. Bring a snow shovel. Tackle recommendations include twist-tail grubs, glo-bugs, tube jigs, feathered jigs or Swedish pimples, tipped with bait. The most popular jig color is chartreuse followed by white. Common baits include chub meat, meal worms and nightcrawlers. Tiger trout range from 12-16 inches. The bite is light. Closed to the possession of cutthroat trout.

HUNTINGTON STATE PARK The water is extremely low. Slow fishing conditions and virtually no pressure.

JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR Aquatics Biologist Justin Hart led a fishing party of seven persons to Joes Valley over the weekend. Fishing ranged from slow to good, depending on the angler's luck and expertise. Justin caught nine trout, including a 3.5 pound 20-inch cutthroat trout. Most trout ranged from 11-15 inches. All members of the party used small spoons or jigs tipped with chub meat. They fished in 10-22 feet of water on the west side. The ice was 6-inches thick. Several members of the party hooked some large splake which broke off before being iced. Conservation Officer Mike Milburn fished on 1-8-06 and caught four splake in an hour and a half. Fish ranged from 12-16 inches. Mike used a spoon attractor 12-18 inches above an ice fly tipped with chub meat. Special regulations apply. Please refer to the fishing proclamation.

LAKE POWELL Visit http://www.wayneswords.com for the weekly report, provided by Wayne Gustaveson, DWR project leader.

LASAL MOUNTAINS Mountain reservoirs are frozen and inaccessible. No report.

MILLSITE STATE PARK Conservation Officer Casey Mickelsen reported slow to fair fishing over the weekend with traditional ice fishing tackle.

SCOFIELD RESERVOIR Last Saturday, Carl Gramlich and Casey Olson of the DWR fished around the island and enjoyed good success. They fished just off the bottom in 15-20 feet of water, using small jigs tipped with mealworms or pieces of nightcrawlers. Conservation Officer Chris Rhea, who checked anglers over the weekend, reported generally good fishing with jigs and meal worms. Some trout were 8-10 inches. Others fell within a 13-16 inch size class. Occasionally, a few 20-inchers were iced. The trout limit is now 8 fish.

2006-07 4th Annual Ski Utah Photo Contest. Powered by Pictureline.com.

While you are entering contests, why not submit your winter photos from Utah into the Ski Utah Photo Contest. Ski Utah is looking for the season's best action and winter imagery. An annual tradition, this year's contest promises to be bigger and better than ever with great prizes from Ski Utah sponsors and members. Many of the photos received in the contest will also be considered for publication in Ski Utah's 2007-08 Winter Vacation Planner, on SkiUtah.com, and in other printed marketing and sales materials.

Submit your best Utah powder shots, scenics, action or family fun photos for a chance to win great prizes and exposure for your photography.

Grand Prize
Five-night Utah winter vacation for two:

·Roundtrip airfare for two to Salt Lake City on Delta Air Lines (domestic only)

·Five nights lodging for two

·Four days skiing/snowboarding for two

·$200 Hertz voucher

·$500 gift certificate towards the purchase of a Canon digital SLR camera redeemable at Pictureline or http://pictureline.com


Package must be used during the 07/08 ski season and requested dates are subject to availability.

First Prize

·Rossignol Skis

·$300 gift certificate towards the purchase of any Canon product through Pictureline or pictureline.com

Second Prize

·Ski Utah gift package including Smith goggles, DaKine pack, Eider winter apparel, etc...

·$200 gift certificate towards the purchase of any Canon product through Pictureline or pictureline.com



CANON'S NEW FIVE MEGAPIXEL DC50 DVD CAMCORDER CAPTURES MAGICAL MEMORIES

Double-Duty DVD Camcorder Combines Canon's Advanced Video Technology andTop-Tier Photo Features in a Slim, Easy-to-Use Design

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 5, 2007 (CES Booth #12606) - Canon's new DC50 DVD Camcorder is a dream come true for discerning video enthusiasts and photo buffs seeking an easy way to take, view and share vibrant video and spectacular photos. Canon's flagship DVD Camcorder starts with the convenience that direct-to-DVD recording offers and then packs advanced video features and photo power, exclusive engineering excellence and intuitive imaging expertise into a compact camcorder that is the soul of simplicity to operate and the master collector of memories for years to come.

The DC50 DVD Camcorder incorporates a robust 5.39 Megapixel CCD Image Sensor with an RGB Primary Color Filter that provides vibrantly colored video and brilliant five megapixel photos. Combined with the range of optical advantages and technological advances beginning with its high quality, genuine Canon 10x optical / 200x digital zoom lens, the DC50 DVD Camcorder delivers the stellar image quality resulting from Canon's experience and heritage as an optics company. The zoom lens on the DC50 DVD Camcorder goes beyond simply drawing the far off subject close in and bringing the distant vista near. With Canon's smooth zoom control, the user can select one of three steady zoom speeds that maintain their constancy regardless of how hard the user presses on the zoom button.

"Canon continues our commitment to translate the best technology for imaging professionals whether their specialty is broadcast video or still photos into a user-friendly form that consumers can easily enjoy," says Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "The DC50 DVD Camcorder delivers on that promise many times over, with its potent mix of the latest technology and optical excellence."

Canon's Super Range Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) helps correct camera shake almost instantly even when the camera is hand-held and in motion, or the zoom is held at a long focal length. The "lens shift" type OIS employs both gyro and vector detection methods, compensating for a greater degree of camera shake while avoiding the loss of image quality typical in electronic image stabilization systems. What's more, the OIS system can be engaged to steady the camcorder shake when shooting five megapixel photos, further enhancing the functionality of this dual-purpose camcorder.

The Canon DC50 DVD Camcorders accept three-inch DVD-R/-RW discs, which can store up to 60 minutes of video on a single layer disc, or up to 108 minutes of video on dual layer discs. Canon chose the DVD-R format to ensure high compatibility with a range of DVD players, both old and new. DVD allows consumers to easily locate scenes without having to rewind or fast forward, to create playlists of favorite scenes and can even do some quick editing right in the camcorder.

DIGIC DV II

Canon's brilliant (and proprietary) video and still image processor, the DIGIC DV II, is the brains behind the dual purpose Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder. The DIGIC DV II image processor is the next generation of Canon's exclusive signal processing technology. In addition to recognizing the different color requirements of video and photos, and processing both to their optimal level of quality, DIGIC DV II processes video with improved color reproduction and dramatically reduces noise in low-light situations.

Advanced Photography

Photos benefit from Canon's DC50 DVD Camcorder's razor-sharp 5.39 megapixel CCD image sensor and array of complementary features, including the camcorder's Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens, 9-point AiAF autofocus that helps ensure that subjects are in focus however far off center they appear in the frame. Indeed, the DC50 DVD Camcorder features an array of digital camera features such as a built-in flash with red-eye reduction; PictBridge compatibility and a Print & Share button for quick and easy one-touch printing or downloading of images. Users will enjoy sophisticated features such as auto exposure bracketing; and a super high-speed shutter capable of shooting at up to 1/720 of a second (perfect for shooting in bright sun light). The DC50 DVD Camcorder has enhanced user controls, including Aperture Priority (AV) Shutter Priority (TV), Special Scene Modes such as Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight and Fireworks; Image Effects that enable users to creatively customize their photos in a variety of ways, and even a histogram that displays a graphical representation of the light values of the image.

Lights, Camera and Action…

Missing magic moments like baby's first steps or memorable events on a family vacation because the camcorder is powering up is a thing of the past, thanks to the Canon DC50 Camcorder's responsive, Quick Start Mode. The Quick Start Mode readies the DC50 DVD Camcorder from standby for shooting in less than a second.

The Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder fits firmly and comfortably into the user's hand, its simple joystick operation and strategically positioned controls making one-handed videography virtually effortless. Extra buttons have been eliminated, allowing the user to control playback, focus, exposure, and menu options from one convenient place. With its powerfully bright, built-in Ultra Video Light, The Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder is ready to shoot in virtually any lighting conditions

Moving Images…

Whether doubling as a digital camera with a motor drive for those iconic action shots, catching special photos on a miniSD memory card while simultaneously shooting direct to DVD video or simply letting this cutting-edge camcorder capture high-resolution, true 16:9 widescreen HR (High Resolution) video, the Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder is all about the image.

Indeed, it is that true 16:9 format that brings real cinema style to "home movies" enabling them to play full-frame on wide-screen TVs without the need to crop, zoom, stretch or otherwise distort the picture. The DC50 DVD Camcorder automatically letterboxes the 16:9 footage, allowing users to display their recordings on a standard (non-widescreen) television.

Level and Grid Markers

Canon has incorporated a level marker and a new grid marker to the feature mix. When engaged, the markers appear - in either white or gray - superimposed over the image on the camcorder's 16:9 color LCD display. The level marker easily lets the user know if the camera is being kept level while the grid marker makes it easier for the user to compose a more appealing and effective shot.

The Canon DC50 DVD Camcorder offers the added convenience of a wireless remote control and features a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed terminal for fast video and photo transfer, as well as easy one-touch DVD dubbing with the included Roxio MyDVD for Canon. The menu system can be set to display in 17 selectable languages.

Canon's DC50 DVD Camcorder arrives in stores in late February and carries an estimated selling price of $799*.



National Wildlife Refuge News

Dear Friend,

Problem:
For more than twenty-five years, pro-drilling interests in Congress have attempted to open one of America's last great wild areas, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to oil and gas drilling, and throughout this time, advocates like you have worked hard to protect it. Time and time again, you successfully barred powerful oil and gas lobbies from spoiling
this national treasure with simple grassroots mobilization.

This pristine stretch of coastline on the Arctic Ocean is one of our country's most biologically important habitats and deserves permanent protection.

Solution:
The Arctic NWR should be permanently protected through designation as Wilderness, ensuring that future Americans, our children and grandchildren, can experience a place exactly as Mother Nature intended.

On January 5, Representatives Edward Markey (D-MA) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN) offered a bipartisan solution - H.R. 39, the "Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act" - that would permanently protect this refuge asWilderness.

Action Needed:
Please urge your U.S. Representative to permanently protect this amazing place! Urge them to sign on as a cosponsor to H.R. 39 today!

Deadline for responding:
Please take action by Sunday, September 30, 2007.

To send a message, please click the link below:
http://refugenet.e-actionmax.com/r.asp?aacwc=374418315825654434223791

110th Congress Convenes

Democrats formally took control of Congress January 4, as the House and Senate convened the 1st Session of the 110th Congress with newly elected Democratic majorities as a result of the November midterm elections.

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was elected as the first woman to serve as speaker of the House. She pledged to stick to an ambitious plan to push through legislation on several fronts during the first 100 hours the House is in session. Ethics, minimum wage and stem cell research top the list of legislative priorities.

In the Senate, Harry Reid (D-NV) took over as majority leader, where Democrats hold a 51-49 edge. In the House, Democrats hold a 233-202 majority.
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Arctic Wilderness Bill Introduced

On January 5, the second day of the new Congress, Reps. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN) introduced H.R. 39, the "Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act." The legislation would make the 1.2 million acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge a permanently protected wilderness area.

H.R. 39 would end the annual attempts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling by energy companies. The legislation may have a hard time in the Senate, where 60 votes would be needed to overcome an expected filibuster by pro-drilling Republicans.

The coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge is believed to contain approximately 10.5 billion barrels of oil, according to the Interior Department. However, the area is a biologically rich ecosystem within the Refuge where polar bears, caribou, musk ox and millions of birds abound.
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Stateside LWCF Funding Approved

For the past four decades, funding in the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has been responsible for the creation and development of more than 40,000 national, state, and local parks, refuges, forests, and recreation areas in all fifty states. The LWCF receives its support from offshore oil and gas revenue. Unfortunately, over the years LWCF funding appropriated by Congress has declined.

In the final days of the 109th Congress, however, legislation was passed establishing a new and permanent conservation fund from offshore drilling for stateside LWCF. Signed by President Bush December 20, 2006, the new law allows a "conservation royalty" of 12.5 percent of lease revenues that will accrue from an expansion of new oil and gas drilling in 8.3 million acres of the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ken Salazar (D-CO) led the LWCF effort. Their estimates of future funding to states and localities are about $10 million to $30 million annually, starting in 2009, but funding could increase by 2016. This represents the first-ever dedicated revenue stream for the stateside LWCF program.
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Bison Range Agreement Terminated - New Agreement Planned

On December 10, 2006, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Dale Hall terminated the controversial annual funding agreement (AFA) with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) at the National Bison Range in Montana. For the past 18 months, under the AFA, approximately half of the budget and staff positions at the National Bison Range Complex have been turned over from the FWS to the CSKT.

Director Hall terminated the AFA due to concerns about the tribal contractor's reliability, incomplete work, leadership and behavior. Hall's decision was based on documentation from the FWS' Region 6 office.

Although the AFA expired this past September, the FWS and CSKT had continued to operate under its terms while they attempted to negotiate a new agreement.

However, on December 29, 2006, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a press release announcing the Department's intentions to renew negotiations with the CSKT for a new AFA. Officials from the Department of the Interior are expected to visit the National Bison Range later this month. However, an employee grievance filed by federal FWS employees at the Bison Range citing a hostile work environment is still pending.

The NWRA believes that a National Wildlife Refuge System AFA policy, developed with full public input, should be completed prior to negotiation of any new agreement. Further, investigations into grievances filed by refuge staff must be completed before negotiations are reinitiated. An AFA at the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska (the only other one in existence at a refuge) has been determined a success by observers; however, that agreement is substantially different in structure from the Bison Range agreement.
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Midway Atoll NWR Draft Visitor Services Plan Released

The FWS and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have issued a draft plan for allowing a regularly scheduled visitor program to resume on Midway Atoll. The plan proposes a small-scale visitor program on the remote atoll, primarily for wildlife viewing, photography, environmental education, and interpretation.

The visitor services plan would allow up to 30 overnight guests on Midway at any one time during 2007, and possibly higher numbers in the future depending on lodging and transportation. A small number of private sailboats and cruise ships would also be allowed to stop at Midway. Visitors would be offered guided interpretive history, wildlife, snorkeling, and kayaking tours; opportunities to help restore habitat and historic resources; and time to explore Midway's trails and photograph the wildlife and scenery.

The plan also outlines visitor fees, permit requirements and staffing, among other things. The draft plan is available at http://www.fws.gov/midway , http://www.hawaiireefs.noaa.gov , or by calling the FWS in Honolulu, HI, at 808.792.9530. Comments on the draft plan will be accepted through February 6, 2007, and should be sent by e-mail to midway@fws.gov.
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Take Action!

You can make your voice heard by utilizing the Refuge Action Network (RAN), a free, fast and easy way to respond to important national wildlife refuge alerts. Using the RAN system, you can send an e-mail or fax (even if you don't own a fax machine) to your elected officials with a click or two of your mouse. Just visit refugenet.e-actionmax.com to get started.

Please visit the NWRA Web site at http://www.refugenet.org or contact Michael Woodbridge, Director of Government Affairs, at 202.333.9073 or mwoodbridge@refugenet.org for more information.
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CANON EXTENDS DVD CAMCORDERS WITH A TRIO OF SLEEK NEW 35X OPTICAL ZOOM MODELS

New Canon DC230, DC220 and DC210 DVD Camcorder Models Are Feature Packed, Family Friendly and Amazingly Affordable

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 5, 2007 (CES Booth #12606) - Canon's trio of new, feature-filled, easy-to-use, DVD camcorders fit comfortably into the hands and the budgets of doting dads, moms on the move, proud grandparents and even film-buff brothers or sisters aching to be making the next great backyard blockbuster. Canon's new DVD camcorders offer the convenience of viewing and sharing DVD discs, whether shooting in 16:9 Widescreen HR (high resolution) format for their widescreen Television (without resorting to cropping or stretching the scene), or bringing distant subjects and scenes up close and personal. Canon's DC230, DC220 and DC210 DVD Camcorders make video excellence and video ease two sides of the same coin.

All three of these new DVD camcorders combine the convenience, versatility, and broad compatibility of DVD recording and playback with the dramatic reach of genuine Canon 35x optical zoom lens (1000x digital zoom), which is Canon's longest optical zoom on a camcorder to date. Sophisticated yet simple to use, Canon's Smooth Zoom feature actually reduces the erratic, jerky zoom techniques that plague some users of long zooms, smoothing out the process by selecting from one of three pre-set zoom speeds. For even smoother video, Canon Image Stabilization helps provide a shake free image for the entire focal length.

"The new DC230, DC220 and DC210 DVD Camcorders are Canon's latest contribution to the state-of-the consumer camcorder art and further reinforces Canon's position within the DVD camcorder category," states Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group, Canon USA., Inc. "More importantly, they combine this dynamic DVD technology and many other Canon camcorder advances and innovations into slim, trim, lightweight camcorders that are easy to use, easy to afford and easy to love for the high quality results they produce."

Slim, compact, and ergonomically designed, the DC230, DC220 and DC210 DVD Camcorder's smooth contours allows the model to snug comfortably up into the user's palm, while the easily accessible joystick and strategically placed controls make one-handed videography virtually effortless.

Quick Start

Missing magic moments, bona fide "firsts" (like baby's tentative first steps) and other once-in-a-lifetime happenings is not an option thanks to Canon's responsive, Quick Start Mode. When in standby mode, Canon's DC230, DC220 and DC210 DVD camcorders are ready for action in less than a second, simultaneously powering up their large and bright 2.7 inch wide 16:9 format, 123,000-pixel LCD displays. This feature dramatically improves battery life and makes the camcorder ready for those moments that may have otherwise been missed waiting for the camcorder to warm up.

Optical Quality

The three camcorder's long 35x optical zoom lens that can capture Junior's first catch in the outfield and not miss the exultant expression on his face, and users can feel assured that their personal milestones (and the occasional embarrassing "oops") will be preserved for posterity without the need for retakes or re-creations.

DIGIC DV II

DIGIC DV II is the next generation of Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing technology. Even though video and still images have different color requirements, DIGIC DV II digital signal processing ensures optimal image quality for both video and still images. Using DIGIC DV II image processing, the DC series of camcorders produce video with improved color reproduction -- especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. It also uses a hybrid noise reduction system that employs two types of noise reduction for images and video that is crystal clear.

Camcorder Convenience

The Canon DC230, DC220, and DC210 DVD Camcorders accept three-inch DVD-R/-RW discs, which can store up to 60 minutes of video on a single layer disc, or up to 108 minutes of video on dual layer discs. Canon chose the DVD-R format to ensure high compatibility with a range of DVD players, both old and new. DVD allows consumers to easily locate scenes without having to rewind or fast forward, to create playlists of favorite scenes and can even do some quick editing right in the camcorder.

Canon's DC210 DVD Camcorder

Despite occupying the true entry-level tier of Canon's DVD Digital camcorder line, the DC210 DVD Camcorder actually offers users a phenomenally feature-packed camcorder so users can enjoy the superior quality and innovation of Canon optics in a DVD camcorder. From the long, 35x optical/1000x digital zoom, image stabilization, and brilliant 2.7 inch widescreen LCD, to all of the power that DIGIC DV II technology brings to the movie-making mix, the DC210 DVD Camcorder raises the bar for entry level DVD.

Canon's DC220 DVD Camcorder

Building on the rock-solid foundation of the DC210 camcorder, the Canon DC220 DVD camcorder adds a wealth of more advanced features and advantages including its a nine-point AiAF autofocus, and a miniSD memory card slot capable of recording still images in high 1024 x 768 resolution. The Canon DC220 DVD Camcorder offers high-speed USB 2.0 Hi-Speed capability, PictBridge compatibility, and Canon's Digital Video Solutions disk for Windows and Macintosh

Canon's DC230 DVD Camcorder

Positioned at the apex of this advanced yet entry-level array of DVD camcorders, the DC230 DVD Camcorder offers the advantages of the DC220 model, plus a 1.07 megapixel CCD image sensor capable of recording crisp video as well as still images in a high 1152 x 864 resolution to a miniSD card, and features the added convenience of a wireless remote control.

On the Level and Interesting to the Eye

Because the right features can help any user compose shots like a Hollywood director, Canon has incorporated a level marker and added a new grid marker to the easy mode feature mix. When engaged, the markers appear - in either white or gray - superimposed over the image on the camcorder's display. The level marker appears as a horizon line, to easily let the user know if the camera is being kept level while the grid marker effectively divides the image into nine equal rectangular segments, making it easier for the user to compose a more appealing and effective shot.

Available in early March, the Canon DC210 and DC220 DVD Camcorder kits carry an estimated selling price of $399 and $449 and respectively.* The DC230 DVD Camcorder will be available in late March for an estimated selling price of $499.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit http://www.usa.canon.com .