y, August 10, 2000
Opinions
To voice a concern...
board members of the Crook County Natural Resource
and .two local ranchers attended a meeting between
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and
Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) on
to voice concerns with new directions being taken by
Protection Agency (EPA), the federal water
agency.
to ensure that our local constituents are repre-
When the state agency makes decisions that may af-
ability to address resource concerns locally. Those at-
Were Ted Moline, Bud Streeter, Veronica Canfield, Dan
and Odgen Driskill.
County NRD with the support and direction of a
advisory committee, after applying for the funds last
was asked to create what the EPA terms a "Water-
estoration Action Strategy" (WRAS). The District refused,
the concerns that it is an action from the
Clean Water Action Plan and because the
contends EPA does not have the authority to condition
Upon completion of a WRAS. The District prevailed
June they received a letter indicating that they would
the funds even though they refused to complete a
se Crook County NRD, along with the local advisory
up and resisted what we consider arbitrary and
requirements being implemented by the EPA, we
water quality funds without complying. We be-
local people should continue to be allowed to deter-
own destiny in the future. We went to Cheyenne to
r°tlr message to DEQ that we want them to advocate for
people in the state of Wyoming, here in Crook County
funds will be utilized to address the fecal coliform
on two segments of the Belle Fourche River. The
Chose to consult landowners and move forward with a
watershed effort to restore water quality rather
the state or federal agencies to determine the steps.
Sincerely,
Veronica Canfield
Local Supervisor, CCNRD, and
Vice-President of WACD
Kudos to Tim
when I traveled through your nice town I had the
of meeting Officer Tim Hardin. I'm not sure I have
correct. I do remember his first name, Tim.
extremely friendly and kind. I was going over the
on the east edge of town. He gave me a warning,
the nicest officer I ever had stop me.
Thank you,
Shirley Leat
Rapid City, SD
k
Newcomers to this county,
we desperately need your help
t, dry, and windy weather throughout the western
has produced the unfavorable conditions to have
active fire season, in all probability it will last
first good snowstorm. As of the first of August, wild
Several western states had burned over a million acres
lands and trees in addition to many homes and other
In Crook County, volunteer fire and ambulance
responded to 86 calls from July 1 through August
of these calls were fires, 98% of which were
lightning. It has been several years since the last
Season so we thought it would be helpful, especially to
that have moved into the area more recently, to
SOme information concerning our county fire suppres-
response is the best hope to contain a wildfire. Rural
by calling their neighbors for help, and all available
responding with some type of field sprayer or shovels,
Very effective in containing a blaze. It is very essential
Our fires as small as possible, as one large fire requir-
drops could deplete our entire fire budget. Neighbors
one another in wildfire suppression have been the
model .over the years for fire fighting.
for the Crook county and city fire departments
The men and women who serve in this way
their time to assist in fire fighting in the field and
,.ss hours in other ways in training and main-
"WHERE THE KID HIS NAME"
raining equipment back at the station. There are no paid fire
fighters in the county. Volunteer firefighters are dispatched
through the emergency 911 system as they leave their hobs
for hours and sometimes days to assist with fire suppression
efforts. Therefore these volunteers are losing their income
and their employers are also losing the income that is gener-
ated from these employees. Traditionally, individuals in the
community will provide secondary support to the volunteers in
the form of hand labor, food and drinks during the fire. After
the fire has been suppressed, it is the landowners responsibil-
ity to keep an eye on the area to watch and mop up the hot
spots; thereby releasing our fire department personnel and
equipment to prepare for the next fire call.
We need to continue to support the efforts of our volunteer
fire departments in our communities in any way that we are
able, especially if you are willing and able to join as a volun-
teer firefighter. These individuals must be 18 years of age or
older. The necessary training can be furnished free'of charge
and with minimal time spent. This training is provided for the
firefighters to protect their lives, and yours.
Individuals under the age of 18 can fight fires with permis-
sion and direct supervision of their parents or legal guardian.
The Crook County board of commissioners had budgeted
$52,000 this year to the fire control department. If it were not
for the volunteers who donate their time, the county fire bud-
get could easily be ten times this amount, especially during a
busy fire season. The money would have to come from other
departments within the county government or by raising your
taxes.
If you have any questions or need to find out what zone you
live in, please contact County Fire Warden Elvin Rush, City
Fire Chiefs or the local Zone Fire Wardens. Emergency Man-
agement Coordinator Veronica Canfield is willing to coordi-
nate workshops for training of new volunteers. Please call 283-
2390 or 283-1441 if you are interested or have comments
Thank you,
Elvin Rush, County Fire Warden
Veronica Canfield, EM Coordinator
IHOO& WyCAS results
The district's 84 4th-grade
students remained above
average in all three areas.
(The following are two-year
averages with D indicating
district average and S indi-
cating state average).
Reading: D (239)/S (235)
Writing: D (237)/S (234)
Math: D (231)/S (229)
Nationally compared, local
4th graders fell into the 69
percentile with 50 percent
being the national norm.
Crook County's 102 8th
grade results showed a slight
decline, which Gates said is
consistent with a statewide
decline this age group.
Reading: V (234)/S (234)
Writin D (242)/S (239)
Math: D(231)/S (239)
Compared nationally, dis-
trict 8th graders fell into the
61 percentile.
And the county's 120 1 l-
grade students remained at
the state average.
Reading: D (237)/S (237)
Writing: D (240)/S (241)
Math: D (234)/S (233)
The TerraNova national
comparison shows county I l-
graders in the 57 percentile.
"Our goal, of course, is to
be consistently above the
state average," Gates said,
"and we expect to always be
above average nationally."
Several external and inter-
nat factors will cause a fluc-
tuation in results from year
to year, including the inter-
ests and strengths of the stu-
dents being tested.
Gates noted that most of the
district's teachers are atten-
ding summer classes and
workshops to enhance their
teaching skills.
Christian Women
brunch to be
held August 16
Crook County Christian
Women's club will be holding
a "Country Fair Special"
brunch on Wednesday, Au-
gust 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the
Moorcroft Christian School.
Those attending are asked to
bring a craft item, baked
goods or other treasure to be
auctioned off by Charlee
Mills-Kuhbacker of Oahoto.
Josie Pearson of Aladdin will
entertain with "Blue Ribbon
Tunes."
Karen Tosterud from Vermil-
lion, SD will provide a pro-
gram on "How to be a grand
prize winner when dealing
with life's changes."
Reservations can be made
by calling 283-2406, 467-
5740 or 756-3800. A free
nursery is available. Bring a
sack lunch for each child.
LoCal "
Scholarships
* Jordan Franzen, Hulett, Dr.
Dean Norum Memorial
Scholarship at Dickinson
State University, Dickinson,
ND.
GET THING8
MOOOVING!
The €iumtIll
The Sundance Times
Everett E. Burgeson
Investment Representative
F_00iwardJones
120 W. Hudson
P.O. Box 158
Speal;fish, SD 57783-1058
Bus 605-642-5778 Fax 605-642-5779
Hm 605-642-7875 800-233-4745
Serving Individual Investors Since 1871
i
Sp " "l00ng
Ink
By Ehzabeth Canfield
Old-time gardeners tell us that when we plant perennials, the
first year they sleep, the second year they creep--and then by the
third year they really come into their own.
I'm beginning to believe the same is true of some government
regulations. OSHA is a good example. Of course, we all wanted
safety regulations for our workers. We didn't realize what over-
zealous enforcers would interpret this to mean--until the program
was well underway and had crippled or bankrupt many small
businesses. It took many years to make this a viable and reason-
able government agency.
I think if we don't watch carefully, the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), working through its Clean Water Action
Plan (CWAP), is going to be the cause of much undue hardship for
Westerners.
We all want a clean environment, clean unpolluted water in our
streams, right? Are we going to be happy here in the West when
the powers that be equate pollution from harmful chemicals and
disease-laden water of many Eastern waterways with the contami-
nation Wyoming streams carry from the deer and geese that live
on or near our creeks? EPA and some radical environmental groups
are pushing ranchers to move corrals away from these waterways,
and insist that greater care must be given to septic systems. We
are becoming a more populated state, with all the problems that
humans seem to bring whenever they gather together. With the
present trend toward small acreages where people build homes,
keep a few horses or other animals, the problem will compound.
There are presently funds available to assist with moving long-
established corrals away from streams and waterways; this money
will not be available down the road, from the reports I've read.
Some of these measures are coming; we can't stop them all.
My quarrel is with EPA's determination to use what many pro-
fessional water quality people believe is incomplete and inconsis-
tent data to enforce their regulations. The government's own Gen-
eral Accounting Office issued a report saying present data is not
consistent, complete or reliable. A US Geological Survey in 1993
indicated thai the present National Water Quality Inventory was
,so,severely flawed and scientifically invalid that it could not b
used to smmnarlze water quality conditions and trends,"
:OSNA in . tirst radical years put many small foundries and
manufacturers out of business; prices on machinery, vehicles and
parts jumped tremendously, affecting us all.
EPA, if it is not restrained will affect our lives, whether we are
rural or urban Wyomingites, if it is allowed to pursue its present
course. The cost will be prohibitive.
The Crook County Natural Resource District, is part of an effort
to modify EPA's denands, to bring common sense back to the table
as we all search for ways to protect our environment.
I don't know how many times I've heard here in Wyoming: "If it
ain't broke, don't fix it." True, of course. But how about a little
preventive care--mend it before it breaks? It's far less costly, and
saves a lot of wear and tear.
The local district could use your help in the coming primary elec-
tions, where it is asking for a one-half mill levy.
For a ranch valued at $250,000, the tax would be about $11.86
per year; for a $65,000 home in one of our towns, it would amount
to approximately $3.08, as estimated by the county assessor's of-
rice. Back in earlier days, we supported our conservation district
with a Harvest Festival, where we trekked to town with jars of
jelly, hay, geese--even defiant little "Banty" hens and a few pigs
ready for market. Townspeople sometimes went overboard, bid-
ding far over market price for our offerings... Times have changed;
Leonard McCullough is no longer with us to do the auctioneering.
But in my heart, I feel the local district is a very worthwhile tool to
help us keep up with the issues that are perhaps even more im-
portant today, issues that, in the long run, are going to affect us
all--in our way of life as well as in our pocketbooks.
e thunder" r'olls...it's rally time asain
Schelling
t the end of the sidewalk watching a steady stream
rumble past his family home in Moor-
he honks and waves from leathered cyclists
but notice the little boy sitting on his minia-
that Papa and Granny gave him on his fourth
April. The little boy is my grandnephew, Taylor.
is Saturday afternoon rides on his grandpa's
and, unlike those nonplussed by the influx of
motorbikes, Taylor likes it.
one feels about the rally, it's here again and big-
ever in its 62nd year. (Sixtieth, actually, given the
it clidn go for two years during the height of World
gasoline was scarce and men were sent to war.)
place the 2000 attendance near the half-million
cry from the 200 Jackpine Gypsy men, women,
who attended that first "Gypsy Camp" in the
of J.C. qappy' and Pearl Hoel's Sturgis home on
Avenue back in 1938.
visited with 94-year old Pearl Hoel after last year's
Predicted the event will only "get bigger, and I don
we're going to put it." I guess it will just keep
into the surrounding areasincluding Crook
it or not.
maintain order in this relatively quiet comer of the
Wyoming Highway Patrol commissioned 45 extra
the area, the Crook County Sheriff's department
the reserves, and local police a making the
debate remains whether too much law enforce-
at rally events. Who knows how much is too
wants to find out how much is too little? Not me.
even mind standing in line at the local restaurant or
nay turn at the gas pump. It's nice to see area
getting a financial boost.
like Taylor, I kind of like looking at the Harleys
in all colors, shapes, and sizes...just like their
y, August 10, 2000
Opinions
To voice a concern...
board members of the Crook County Natural Resource
and .two local ranchers attended a meeting between
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and
Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) on
to voice concerns with new directions being taken by
Protection Agency (EPA), the federal water
agency.
to ensure that our local constituents are repre-
When the state agency makes decisions that may af-
ability to address resource concerns locally. Those at-
Were Ted Moline, Bud Streeter, Veronica Canfield, Dan
and Odgen Driskill.
County NRD with the support and direction of a
advisory committee, after applying for the funds last
was asked to create what the EPA terms a "Water-
estoration Action Strategy" (WRAS). The District refused,
the concerns that it is an action from the
Clean Water Action Plan and because the
contends EPA does not have the authority to condition
Upon completion of a WRAS. The District prevailed
June they received a letter indicating that they would
the funds even though they refused to complete a
se Crook County NRD, along with the local advisory
up and resisted what we consider arbitrary and
requirements being implemented by the EPA, we
water quality funds without complying. We be-
local people should continue to be allowed to deter-
own destiny in the future. We went to Cheyenne to
r°tlr message to DEQ that we want them to advocate for
people in the state of Wyoming, here in Crook County
funds will be utilized to address the fecal coliform
on two segments of the Belle Fourche River. The
Chose to consult landowners and move forward with a
watershed effort to restore water quality rather
the state or federal agencies to determine the steps.
Sincerely,
Veronica Canfield
Local Supervisor, CCNRD, and
Vice-President of WACD
Kudos to Tim
when I traveled through your nice town I had the
of meeting Officer Tim Hardin. I'm not sure I have
correct. I do remember his first name, Tim.
extremely friendly and kind. I was going over the
on the east edge of town. He gave me a warning,
the nicest officer I ever had stop me.
Thank you,
Shirley Leat
Rapid City, SD
k
Newcomers to this county,
we desperately need your help
t, dry, and windy weather throughout the western
has produced the unfavorable conditions to have
active fire season, in all probability it will last
first good snowstorm. As of the first of August, wild
Several western states had burned over a million acres
lands and trees in addition to many homes and other
In Crook County, volunteer fire and ambulance
responded to 86 calls from July 1 through August
of these calls were fires, 98% of which were
lightning. It has been several years since the last
Season so we thought it would be helpful, especially to
that have moved into the area more recently, to
SOme information concerning our county fire suppres-
response is the best hope to contain a wildfire. Rural
by calling their neighbors for help, and all available
responding with some type of field sprayer or shovels,
Very effective in containing a blaze. It is very essential
Our fires as small as possible, as one large fire requir-
drops could deplete our entire fire budget. Neighbors
one another in wildfire suppression have been the
model .over the years for fire fighting.
for the Crook county and city fire departments
The men and women who serve in this way
their time to assist in fire fighting in the field and
,.ss hours in other ways in training and main-
"WHERE THE KID HIS NAME"
raining equipment back at the station. There are no paid fire
fighters in the county. Volunteer firefighters are dispatched
through the emergency 911 system as they leave their hobs
for hours and sometimes days to assist with fire suppression
efforts. Therefore these volunteers are losing their income
and their employers are also losing the income that is gener-
ated from these employees. Traditionally, individuals in the
community will provide secondary support to the volunteers in
the form of hand labor, food and drinks during the fire. After
the fire has been suppressed, it is the landowners responsibil-
ity to keep an eye on the area to watch and mop up the hot
spots; thereby releasing our fire department personnel and
equipment to prepare for the next fire call.
We need to continue to support the efforts of our volunteer
fire departments in our communities in any way that we are
able, especially if you are willing and able to join as a volun-
teer firefighter. These individuals must be 18 years of age or
older. The necessary training can be furnished free'of charge
and with minimal time spent. This training is provided for the
firefighters to protect their lives, and yours.
Individuals under the age of 18 can fight fires with permis-
sion and direct supervision of their parents or legal guardian.
The Crook County board of commissioners had budgeted
$52,000 this year to the fire control department. If it were not
for the volunteers who donate their time, the county fire bud-
get could easily be ten times this amount, especially during a
busy fire season. The money would have to come from other
departments within the county government or by raising your
taxes.
If you have any questions or need to find out what zone you
live in, please contact County Fire Warden Elvin Rush, City
Fire Chiefs or the local Zone Fire Wardens. Emergency Man-
agement Coordinator Veronica Canfield is willing to coordi-
nate workshops for training of new volunteers. Please call 283-
2390 or 283-1441 if you are interested or have comments
Thank you,
Elvin Rush, County Fire Warden
Veronica Canfield, EM Coordinator
IHOO& WyCAS results
The district's 84 4th-grade
students remained above
average in all three areas.
(The following are two-year
averages with D indicating
district average and S indi-
cating state average).
Reading: D (239)/S (235)
Writing: D (237)/S (234)
Math: D (231)/S (229)
Nationally compared, local
4th graders fell into the 69
percentile with 50 percent
being the national norm.
Crook County's 102 8th
grade results showed a slight
decline, which Gates said is
consistent with a statewide
decline this age group.
Reading: V (234)/S (234)
Writin D (242)/S (239)
Math: D(231)/S (239)
Compared nationally, dis-
trict 8th graders fell into the
61 percentile.
And the county's 120 1 l-
grade students remained at
the state average.
Reading: D (237)/S (237)
Writing: D (240)/S (241)
Math: D (234)/S (233)
The TerraNova national
comparison shows county I l-
graders in the 57 percentile.
"Our goal, of course, is to
be consistently above the
state average," Gates said,
"and we expect to always be
above average nationally."
Several external and inter-
nat factors will cause a fluc-
tuation in results from year
to year, including the inter-
ests and strengths of the stu-
dents being tested.
Gates noted that most of the
district's teachers are atten-
ding summer classes and
workshops to enhance their
teaching skills.
Christian Women
brunch to be
held August 16
Crook County Christian
Women's club will be holding
a "Country Fair Special"
brunch on Wednesday, Au-
gust 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the
Moorcroft Christian School.
Those attending are asked to
bring a craft item, baked
goods or other treasure to be
auctioned off by Charlee
Mills-Kuhbacker of Oahoto.
Josie Pearson of Aladdin will
entertain with "Blue Ribbon
Tunes."
Karen Tosterud from Vermil-
lion, SD will provide a pro-
gram on "How to be a grand
prize winner when dealing
with life's changes."
Reservations can be made
by calling 283-2406, 467-
5740 or 756-3800. A free
nursery is available. Bring a
sack lunch for each child.
LoCal "
Scholarships
* Jordan Franzen, Hulett, Dr.
Dean Norum Memorial
Scholarship at Dickinson
State University, Dickinson,
ND.
GET THING8
MOOOVING!
The €iumtIll
The Sundance Times
Everett E. Burgeson
Investment Representative
F_00iwardJones
120 W. Hudson
P.O. Box 158
Speal;fish, SD 57783-1058
Bus 605-642-5778 Fax 605-642-5779
Hm 605-642-7875 800-233-4745
Serving Individual Investors Since 1871
i
Sp " "l00ng
Ink
By Ehzabeth Canfield
Old-time gardeners tell us that when we plant perennials, the
first year they sleep, the second year they creep--and then by the
third year they really come into their own.
I'm beginning to believe the same is true of some government
regulations. OSHA is a good example. Of course, we all wanted
safety regulations for our workers. We didn't realize what over-
zealous enforcers would interpret this to mean--until the program
was well underway and had crippled or bankrupt many small
businesses. It took many years to make this a viable and reason-
able government agency.
I think if we don't watch carefully, the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), working through its Clean Water Action
Plan (CWAP), is going to be the cause of much undue hardship for
Westerners.
We all want a clean environment, clean unpolluted water in our
streams, right? Are we going to be happy here in the West when
the powers that be equate pollution from harmful chemicals and
disease-laden water of many Eastern waterways with the contami-
nation Wyoming streams carry from the deer and geese that live
on or near our creeks? EPA and some radical environmental groups
are pushing ranchers to move corrals away from these waterways,
and insist that greater care must be given to septic systems. We
are becoming a more populated state, with all the problems that
humans seem to bring whenever they gather together. With the
present trend toward small acreages where people build homes,
keep a few horses or other animals, the problem will compound.
There are presently funds available to assist with moving long-
established corrals away from streams and waterways; this money
will not be available down the road, from the reports I've read.
Some of these measures are coming; we can't stop them all.
My quarrel is with EPA's determination to use what many pro-
fessional water quality people believe is incomplete and inconsis-
tent data to enforce their regulations. The government's own Gen-
eral Accounting Office issued a report saying present data is not
consistent, complete or reliable. A US Geological Survey in 1993
indicated thai the present National Water Quality Inventory was
,so,severely flawed and scientifically invalid that it could not b
used to smmnarlze water quality conditions and trends,"
:OSNA in . tirst radical years put many small foundries and
manufacturers out of business; prices on machinery, vehicles and
parts jumped tremendously, affecting us all.
EPA, if it is not restrained will affect our lives, whether we are
rural or urban Wyomingites, if it is allowed to pursue its present
course. The cost will be prohibitive.
The Crook County Natural Resource District, is part of an effort
to modify EPA's denands, to bring common sense back to the table
as we all search for ways to protect our environment.
I don't know how many times I've heard here in Wyoming: "If it
ain't broke, don't fix it." True, of course. But how about a little
preventive care--mend it before it breaks? It's far less costly, and
saves a lot of wear and tear.
The local district could use your help in the coming primary elec-
tions, where it is asking for a one-half mill levy.
For a ranch valued at $250,000, the tax would be about $11.86
per year; for a $65,000 home in one of our towns, it would amount
to approximately $3.08, as estimated by the county assessor's of-
rice. Back in earlier days, we supported our conservation district
with a Harvest Festival, where we trekked to town with jars of
jelly, hay, geese--even defiant little "Banty" hens and a few pigs
ready for market. Townspeople sometimes went overboard, bid-
ding far over market price for our offerings... Times have changed;
Leonard McCullough is no longer with us to do the auctioneering.
But in my heart, I feel the local district is a very worthwhile tool to
help us keep up with the issues that are perhaps even more im-
portant today, issues that, in the long run, are going to affect us
all--in our way of life as well as in our pocketbooks.
e thunder" r'olls...it's rally time asain
Schelling
t the end of the sidewalk watching a steady stream
rumble past his family home in Moor-
he honks and waves from leathered cyclists
but notice the little boy sitting on his minia-
that Papa and Granny gave him on his fourth
April. The little boy is my grandnephew, Taylor.
is Saturday afternoon rides on his grandpa's
and, unlike those nonplussed by the influx of
motorbikes, Taylor likes it.
one feels about the rally, it's here again and big-
ever in its 62nd year. (Sixtieth, actually, given the
it clidn go for two years during the height of World
gasoline was scarce and men were sent to war.)
place the 2000 attendance near the half-million
cry from the 200 Jackpine Gypsy men, women,
who attended that first "Gypsy Camp" in the
of J.C. qappy' and Pearl Hoel's Sturgis home on
Avenue back in 1938.
visited with 94-year old Pearl Hoel after last year's
Predicted the event will only "get bigger, and I don
we're going to put it." I guess it will just keep
into the surrounding areasincluding Crook
it or not.
maintain order in this relatively quiet comer of the
Wyoming Highway Patrol commissioned 45 extra
the area, the Crook County Sheriff's department
the reserves, and local police a making the
debate remains whether too much law enforce-
at rally events. Who knows how much is too
wants to find out how much is too little? Not me.
even mind standing in line at the local restaurant or
nay turn at the gas pump. It's nice to see area
getting a financial boost.
like Taylor, I kind of like looking at the Harleys
in all colors, shapes, and sizes...just like their
