KZMU Moab Community Radio

Utah is the fastest-growing and second-driest state in the country. We also have one of the nation’s highest per-capita rates of water use. According to a recent investigation by ProPublica, officials often push for costly new infrastructure over conservation. Today on the news, we speak with the author of that investigative report. Plus, a national and global effort to conserve 30% of public land and water by 2030 has a new, broad coalition of supporters in Utah. They say Utahans are directly experiencing the effects of climate change and it’s time “to do something.”

Plus, the Weekly News Reel where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo and Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discuss COVID-19 cases soaring, delays to the Walnut Lane housing development, a local man’s death during a wingsuit incident, and Moab’s first baby of 2022. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks COVID-19 protection, Arches National Park timed entry tickets, and a new pizza place opening this month.

KZMU News · Friday January 14, 2022

Show Notes

Photo: Glen Canyon Dam substation (left) and bridge (in front of the dam) as seen from the south. Utah has one of the nation’s highest per-capita rates of water use.

ProPublica: Why the Second-Driest State Rejects Water Conservation

https://www.propublica.org/article/why-the-second-driest-state-rejects-water-conservation

Utah Geological Survey: Glad You Asked – Does Utah Really Use More Water Than Any Other State?

https://www.propublica.org/article/why-the-second-driest-state-rejects-water-conservation

Utah 30×30

https://utah30x30.org

Weekly News Reel Mentions

The Times-Independent: COVID-19 cases soar as omicron hits Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/covid-19-cases-soar-as-omicron-hits-moab/

The Times-Independent: Walnut Lane housing project delayed again

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/walnut-lane-housing-project-delayed-again/

The Times-Independent: Local man dies in wingsuit incident