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JORDAN RIVER COMMISSION NEWS & EVENTS                              January 2012
Events, Native Species, Projects, Research, and Opportunities for Participation!

 

These are just a few of the topics you can look forward to finding in the Jordan River Commission's new monthly newsletter!
 
We encourage you to submit photos to be included in the Photo of the Month segment, and to share this newsletter with your friends, family, and neighbors. 
 
If you decide that you would no longer like to receive the newsletter, you can always unsubscribe by following the "Safe Unsubscribe" link at bottom of email.

 

Jordan River Parkway listed in America's Great Outdoors 50-State Report
AGO

In a federal press release issued in November, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar identified the Jordan River Parkway and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge as two projects representing what states believe are best investments in the nation to support a healthy, active population, conserve wildlife and working lands, and  create travel, tourism and outdoor-recreation jobs across the country.

 

The projects will be included in a report as part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative to establish a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda and reconnect Americans to the outdoors.  The report, expected to be released next week includes one hundred projects - two from each state - and is the result of a series of meetings with governors and stakeholders held by Salazar and other senior Interior officials to solicit ideas on how to best implement AGO in their states.

 

These projects were identified for their potential to conserve important lands and build recreation opportunities and economic growth for the surrounding communities as part of close engagement with Gov. Gary Herbert and the state of Utah, as well as private landowners, local- and tribal-elected officials, community organizations and outdoor-recreation and conservation stakeholders. 


Study on Low-Oxygen Risks to Jordan River
Utah DEQ logo

Salt Lake City, Utah - The Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) released today for public comment the first part of a draft water quality study on the impact of low dissolved oxygen levels in the lower Jordan River.

 

Excess organic matter in the lower Jordan River during late summer is contributing to the low dissolved oxygen levels that may hurt fish and other aquatic organisms.

 

The first phase of the study focuses on low dissolved oxygen levels in segments of the river.  Sufficient dissolved oxygen in the Jordan River is vital for aquatic life to exist. The second phase will identify the causes of the low dissolved oxygen which will lead directly to an implementation strategy to restore the river. In the end, the so-called Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study will establish the threshold on the daily dose of pollutants to bring the river into compliance with state and federal water quality standards. An advisory committee comprised of non-DWQ technical experts has helped steer the development of the study.

 

An open house will be held from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 in DEQ's Board Room 1015 at the Multi Agency State Office Building, 195 North 1950 West.

 

Project Spotlight:  
Jordan River Parkway Trail Map

trail users

 

The Jordan River Commission and Salt Lake County are pleased to announce that they have been awarded a technical assistance grant from the 

National Park Service's River and Trails Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program.  The grant will focus on developing an interpretive trail map for public use of the Jordan River Parkway trail system.

 

At this point in time, no current printed trail map for the Jordan River Parkway is available for public use. The goal of this project is to develop the first user-friendly, easily-accessible, and comprehensive source of information about Jordan River Parkway's trailheads, parking areas, and amenities.  In addition to basic trail information, the map will contain interpretive information and highlight educational opportunities along the river corridor.

"This grant helps continue our efforts to make the Jordan River a great amenity for our Salt Lake County and surrounding communities," says Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.

 

The map will be available in both printed and online formats.  The printed version will be available free of charge at local governmental offices, and ultimately at a variety of local businesses and destinations.  The online version will allow trail users to print off a map of customized trail segments.  It is the hope that these maps will be completed and available in time for use by summer 2012.RTCA and NPS logo

 

Find out more...

About Jordan River Commissioncommission logo

 

The Jordan River Commission was created by an interlocal cooperation agreement in August 2010. The Commission was created to implement the concepts and projects outlined in the Blueprint Jordan River, to serve as a technical resource to local communities, and to provide a forum for regional coordination of planning, restoration, and responsible development along the river corridor. 

The Commission is comprised of a mix of governmental and non-governmental members working together to enhance, preserve, protect, and responsibly develop the river corridor.   Current membership includes eight cities, three counties, the Utah Transit Authority and the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. More cities and districts and agencies are expected to join the Commission in the coming year.  The Commission also has six Ex-Officio members that represent local businesses and non-profits interested in promoting the Jordan River.

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What to do on the Jordan River Parkway this Month:
 
winter on trail 
  • Take a walk
  • Go bird watching
  • Practice your photography
  • Have a snowball fight
  • Give your dog some exercise
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Catch up with a friend

Tell us how you enjoy the Jordan River in the winter?

Native Species of the Month:
Bald Eagle
bald eagle  
Photo of the Month
photo of month
This month's photo taken by:
Ivan Makarov, all righs reserved
Be a Weed Warrior:
Hoary Cress

hoary cress

Jordan River Commission
 
195 North 1950 West
P.O. Box 144870
Salt Lake City, UT  84114
801-536-4158