Nature and Science

 It's a blustery fall day in northern Utah, we are camped beside a reservoir watching the wind stripping the last leaves from the gamble oaks. That same wind pushes the dark, heavy clouds against the mountains, only to watch them slide over the ridges, laughing as they take the promised moisture away, another example of nature ruling against the desires of humans, a reminder that man does not control nature. 

No, man does not control nature, or rather science (as nature is only a manifestation of science in a physical state); regardless of his failed attempts to influence nature as displayed through the centuries by prayers, alters, offerings, and sacrifices galore.

Even as the alchemists tried and failed to turn lead into gold, they tried again and again, only to fail each time. We may indeed use nature, such as the construction of this reservoir to harvest and store snowmelt to provide irrigation water during the dry summer, but we cannot create more snow than nature supplies, nor ban the droughts which plague our farmers.  

In fine, we cannot control nature. we may be able, with increasing accuracy, to predict the storms and their intensity, but we cannot command them away. We are able to better protect ourselves from nature's furies and better respond when they occur, but we cannot govern nature's course. 

Which brings me to the novel Cronavirus and our responses, or lack thereof, to the deadly Covid-19. Coronavirus, which has existed in some animals, mutated and now is a plague on all humans. It does not care if you are a communist, fascist, socialist, republican, democrat, independent, rich, poor, gay, straight, or undecided. It is nature, and nature does not care about you or I. Not even our President can declare it away.

Covid-19 does not care about Easter, or warmer weather. It concerns itself not if our schools or business are open, surprisingly, it does not give a wit about our upcoming election.

Science does know some facts about this scourge, and science tells us that wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, disinfecting commonly-touched surfaces, and practicing social distancing helps to slow the spread of this leveler of mankind. These are facts, proven facts; they do not belong to either a political party, a particular person, or a specific faith. We may not like these facts, but they are facts. 

If you do not want to spread Covid-19, or see your family members sicken and perhaps die, wear a mask. If you do not want to see your child or your grandfather die from Coronavirus, wear a mask. If you want to help the country recover and prosper again, wear a mask. Stop trying to make it a political statement, or about government overreach or your personal freedom; frankly it is bigger than all that. 

It's about your life, and yes, your personal responsibility to all those around you, everyone you come in contact with. It's the bagger at the grocery store, the clerk at the hardware store, the dry cleaner, the receptionist at your place of work. 

JUST WEAR THE DAMN MASK!

Thank you for reading; feel free to share this post if you desire. Comments and thoughts are encouraged and allowed, just click the pencil in the box below to leave a comment. 

R. M. "Bob" Hartman      

Sagebrush(Fire) Rebellion

KY       25,084               LA   17,883                  MA       879                        MD         182

One of the many reasons people in a given location come together and form a government is for protection; protection not only from outside attacks but also from predators within our society. This protection within society gives rise to the rule of law, and the regulators (armies, politicians, police, etc) that are rightfully expected to enforce the regulations. Of course, this protection that we rightfully expect our governments to provide comes at an expense, in the form of taxes. We also reasonably expect that expense (taxes) to be basically uniform across the adult population.
In the very recent past, some western politicians, seeking attention from a disgruntled public, have raised the idea of limiting federal government by taking federal lands, administered by the BLM, USFS, BIA, and other federal agencies, away from the national government and administering the lands by state control. While this may have some very short-term economic benefit to state governments, nothing could be in the worst interest of the citizens in particular and the various states economic condition in general.

Let’s examine a western-states specific item: Wildfires. These are generally fought with a combination of local, state and federal agencies. In 2013, there were 47,579 wildfires; the majority of those in the western states. The total area burned was 4.3 Million Acres! Sadly, that is not the worst of the news. The FEDERAL government spent a total of $1,740,934,000 (1.74 Billion, billion with a capital B dollars) in suppression (put out the fire) costs. As an average, that is $405 per acre. (Source: National Interagency Fire Center http://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_documents/SuppCosts.pdf) 

This does NOT include the amount spent by any local or state agencies, nor does it include any remediation, property lost, or human costs. Forty-seven firefighters lost their lives in fire suppression efforts in the western United States in 2013. I thank them for their sacrifice; I have been on wildfire fire lines more times than I want to remember. If you have never been there, thank your lucky stars, but don’t discount those brave people in my presence. They are all volunteers for the duty; yes, they are paid for their efforts, but they are not forced to protect your property.
Here is the breakdown of wildfire acreage burned by state:

AK  1,316,876    AL   25,623     AR 14,733         AZ 105,281
CA     577,675    CO 195,145     CT      238         DE          17
FL         7,660     GA     6,736     HI           0        IA     14,704
ID      722,204     IL           55     IN        806        KS      7,137

ME            743    MI        940     MN  22,107      MO      1,660

MS              33    MT 124,209    NC   24,547      ND     16,116
NE               63    NH       137     NJ      1,430      NM   221,957
NV     162,907    NY   1,073      OH        152      OK      26,490
OR     350,786    PA    1,788      PR      4,716      RI               27
SC          7,082    SD     4,475     TN     7,080      TX        10,743
UT        70,282   VA     4,418     VT        281     WA      152,603
WI         8,577    WY  44,016

The states I have underlined are in one method or another asking/demanding the federal government relinquish control of federal lands to the states. So my question is, how will the states make up this additional expense to their budgets/and or cut other costs to cover the suppression costs? Here is the per-state cost. (All figures in this article are based on the 2013 wildfires, which was the third most costly in the last 20 years.)

Arizona will need another            $  42,638,805
Idaho will require another            $292,492,620
Montana will need another          $  50,304,645
New Mexico needs another        $  89,892,585
Nevada will require another        $  65,977,335
Texas will require another           $       424,035
Utah will need another                $  28,464,210
Wyoming needs another             $   17,826,480
Not so Grand of A Total!!         $ 588,020,715
(Breakdown by state source: (http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2013_Statssumm/fires_acres13.pdf)) 

In plain English, the eight states that want to take state control of federal land will reduce the federal wildfire cost by 33.78%. That is a win-win for the feds (which these states dislike), a win-win for the states, but a lose-lose-lose-lose for the people living in those eight states. Yes, you the taxpayers will lose “4 ways from Sunday”, as mother used to say.

Here’s why:
The amount of federal taxes each of us pays is equal across the country: if you make X amount, you pay Y amount in taxes. The federal tax rate does not change if you have 1+ million acres on fire (Alaska) or only 27 (Rhode Island). Your federal taxes are NOT going down.( Feds win; people in the eight states lose.)
The drop of 33.78% in expenses on the federal level will allow the various federal agencies to increase the amount that is allocated to various branches, without a tax increase. (Feds win; people in the eight states lose.)

Your state taxes will increase to cover the costs of fighting wildfires, as all state governments are required to operate on a break-even or better basis. (States wins, people lose.)
If there are higher than predicted fire costs, your state tax rate will go up again to cover the expense; and once state rates go up, they don’t ever go back down. (States wins, people lose.)

That’s right, readers. In the case of wildfire control and costs in the budgets, if the states take control of the federally-administrated lands in each state, the feds win twice, the states win twice, and WE, the people, lose, four times.

And you want to vote these “State Control” politicians back into office? Against the better judgment of your own wallet?I don’t think so. Your comments and thoughts are all welcome! Agree with me, or disagree, let me know what you think!

The Vernal Equinox

Yesterday, March 20, 2014, at 16:57 GMT, was the annual occurrence of the Vernal Equinox. That is the day and time that the sun illuminates both the southern and northern hemispheres equally, the advent of spring in the north, and fall in the south. I live, fortunately, in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is Spring! The lilac tree outside my office window has tiny green leaves opening up, and this weekend will be the beginning of my lawn and garden season.

It’s time to trim the roses, and encourage the vines growing on the fence, to water the native plants in our front garden. Time, now, to shake off the doldrums of a cold winter, to clean the windows and drapes, remove the dirt and debris from the rain gutters. Put a new coat of wax on the truck, and imagine the possibilities of new adventures. It is time.

It is also a fitting time to remember who I am, and the ideas, inspirations, and causes that form and shape me. The time to wake up, so to speak, from my hibernation. In the days, weeks, and months ahead, I plan to enjoy bike rides, hikes, picnics, and canoeing, all with my spouse of 30+ years. From the old masters, I can learn that it is time to stop and smell the roses; to avoid becoming so caught up in the business of life that I forget the peace that exists in nature. In fine, it is time to get on with my life.

What are your plans for this spring, and where will it take you?

Comments and thoughts are always welcome!

Sunrise on the Wasatch

This morning, I was greeted by a beautiful vista, the clouds at the apex of a canyon backlight by a glorious sunrise. This seemingly common daily occurrence, that of the sun rising, set me to pondering the recent actions of the populace in general, and of the rancor and disharmony that seems to overshadow our daily lives. In the words of the poet:
“Brave Helios, wake up your steeds
Bring the warmth the countryside needs”-Graeme Edge, 1967

Personal beliefs in the creation of the universe don’t matter; the sun rises and sets regardless of our opinion. Our status in life, our possessions, wealth, influence or power, all are without meaning or importance to the sun. This all-important luminary gives light and warmth to all, without qualification or reservation.

Compare that state of equanimity to our present situation. Men argue and fight to impose one set of wills or values upon others; based upon perceived differences or avarice, to the final good of no one.

There will always be differences among us; circumstances of birth, property, social standing, etc. But in our dealings with each other, regardless of our differences, can we not be more akin to the sun and treat everyone equally?

Think about it.

(Published in the Salt Lake Tribune March 4, 2014. However, the Tribune removed the quote from G. Edge, and that negatively affected the tone of the letter, in my opinion)

Father's Day 2012

It’s Father’s Day, 2012. I’m sitting on my deck, cold glass of wine and a pipe at hand. Today has been quiet, and good; I had a wonderful hike with my wife and our dog, at a little known canyon on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley. The hike was in lush, green country, filled with ferns and deciduous trees; oaks, cottonwoods, and maples fill this canyon. In a very short time, we had reached a point where you could not hear any sounds of “civilization.” While it was not an easy hike (we gained 1600 feet in 1 hour); it was well worth the trip.

Perhaps what I enjoyed most about this particular hike was how quickly it brought me back to similar hikes with my children, who are both adults with spouses and children of their own. In the brief time we were the “controlling parents” Kathleen and I tried, with a good degree of success, to instill in our children a love of nature, all its beauty, and the values of being a family, enjoying and understanding life and its rewards. The reward, now achieved, is watching our children now do the same entertainments with their own children, and listening with joy to our grandchildren explaining with happiness the various walks, trips and family camaraderie enjoyed and remembered by all.

More than all of that, however, is the positive feeling I have for the success of our children. They have found love, companionship, and comfort with a person they are comfortable with. Our children have enjoyed becoming adults, spouses, and parents; and really, what more can a father ask for?

Being a parent is not easy! There really are no “guidebooks” for the role we play as parents. We can only try, with greater or lesser success, to bring forth the best we had as youth, and use our best skills to improve on what our own parents taught us. In this process, we analyze what the experiences of our own youth gave us, and selectively use the positive and discard the negative. Certainly, I have watched with pleasure as our children matured and eventually became parents in their own right. They will, I am sure, choose different paths for their families that we did, and I am also certain they will be very successful in their decision.

It’s good to be a father, and even better to be a grandfather! To all of the fathers that read this post, congratulations! I raise a glass in a toast to all of us! (Oh, yes, mothers also, but this is Fathers Day!)
Enjoy!

ARZM..do you know what it means?

An article in the Salt Lake Tribune (Sunday December 12, 2010) is of great interest, not only to people in Utah, but also those in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Texas; with a much broader ripple effect to the United States security and that of it’s allies. A Canadian company, Uranium One, holds title to 10,000 acres of uranium claims in those states; and in Utah that includes a town (Ticaboo), the Shootaring Canyon mine and uranium mill. While the mill is not in operation at this time, the exploration for uranium has been ongoing, and the mill is kept in a state of readiness until the price of U3O8 increases to approximately $7.50 per pound, (as of December 14, 2010 $6.80 and rising) at which time it becomes economically feasible to re-start the mill, which employees a “crushing and leaching’ method of extraction, where the raw material is mined in conventional fashion and then leached on the surface, as described below.

In Wyoming, their projects include the Willow Creek, Moore Ranch, JAB and Antelope projects. These projects ship “Loaded Resin” to Willow Creek for drying into U3O8 which is Triuranium octoxide, the base material, known commonly as “yellowcake”, for much of the world’s nuclear power plants. It can be converted to use a nuclear material for non-peaceful purposes. Uranium One’s projects and processing mills in Wyoming are in operation at this time. The properties in Texas and South Dakota are not in operation at this time, however, like their sister projects in Wyoming, these will be developed as “wells” into which a leaching solution is pumped, then the leach material and the Triuranium octoxide are pumped to the surface and processed into loaded resin and shipped for drying. This leaching process, known as ISL or in situ leaching, is a relatively “benign” process as far as current studies report. Unlike less developed nations (Kazakhstan) which use an acid as the leach material, the projects in the United States are limited to an alkaline leach, usually a mix of sodium bicarbonate and carbon dioxide. United States protocols demand test wells driven on the perimeter of the sites to monitor ground water affects from the ISL processes. If we make the presumption that the processes are as safe as U.S. government studies say they are, where is the concern?

The first concern is water supply to the mines and wells. In the western United States, water is a valuable commodity, and using it in leaching processes makes it unsuitable for consumption until properly treated, adding costs to the project. The second environmental concern is of the disposal of the overburden, or waste materials produced by conventional shaft mining, as well as “well mining”. The overburden material is radioactive, and a byproduct of the material is Radon Gas. The effects of “small amounts” of Radon Gas dispersed into the atmosphere are not currently known. In situ leaching does affect ground water, and according to Uranium One, the leaching material is maintained to a neutral value, much the value of common vinegar. Ground water monitoring “insures” the PH value of the leaching material.

So, again, what is the concern? Uranium One has been sold to a Russian mining company, Atomredmetzolo (ARZM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rosatom, the Russian nuclear agency (similar in form to our NRC). Although four members of Congress petitioned the U.S. Treasury Department to disallow the sale of Uranium One’s assets to ARZM, Treasury has approved Uranium One’s planned sale to ARZM, as have the NRC and the Utah division of Radiation Control. The Utah DRC approval was based on “written documentation that there would be no changes in the operations.” This email –yes email- documentation said, and I quote, “ decisions with regard to the day-to-day operations of the Shootaring Mill will be made by the management of Uranium One Exploration U.S.A. Inc., in coordination with Scott Schierman as the Corporate Radiation Safety Officer for the Shootaring Canyon Mill…”

The problem is with the ultimate parent “company”, which is the Russian nuclear agency, Rosatom, which has been accused, and never cleared, of selling nuclear material (yellowcake) to Iran for its’ nuclear program.

So, we have put one of our national resources, uranium, up for sale to the Russian government, who can use the product for whatever it likes, including selling yellowcake to nations that are working not in the best interests of the United Sates. In the process, we are diverting a scarce national resource, water, into the manufacture of products that could, conceivably, be used against us in warfare.

There is something wrong with this picture!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s a picture perfect Monday afternoon in mid-November. The weekend snow has covered my valley in a blanket of virgin-white snow, and the ski-buffs, snowmobile and tourist industry are happy and hoping to be well fed. I have, personally, a much quieter view. The snow will provide much needed early year water, which will help us through another dry season here in the desert; and the calm and peace that descends with the white powder is a welcome respite to the constant pounding of rushed-up construction jobs that have filled our ears and will again mar our roads next spring. That perennial orange and white “flower” that litters our roadscape will soon wilt into slumber, and we will be able to travel safely, if perhaps with caution, through the winter scene.

Winter to me is constantly a season of re-birth, of perhaps re-thinking where I am and where I am going. It is time spent in quiet contemplation of the mysteries of the universe, and of the earthly relationships I have today. Life is good, and life, fortunately, will continue with or without my aid and approval. This is a season I look forward to, most especially for it’s time spent in solitude, not only in my snowshoe treks through the mountains I love so much, but also for the time spent in my chair, meditating on the wonder of this world. For as much as the Almighty has seen to send the animals to winter quarters and rest, He has sent me to places of beauty and forgiveness. He is telling me to review the year just past, to forgive and forget, to grow, love and enjoy.

Relative to His design, I spent time today enjoying the glorious day, the sun on the mountains fresh with snow, even as the next storm graces the Oquirrh mountains with clouds. From a vantage point high on the East side of the Salt Lake Valley, I looked with tenderness on my home, on my life. It is time now for me to be kind to myself, as He is being kind to all His world. He is giving, through the winter snow, life itself to a high desert, and I am grateful for that. He is giving me life renewed, a chance to begin anew the journey through life, and again I am grateful.

Life, and the journey it gives us, is to be enjoyed! And today, for some peculiar reason, I am enjoying and reveling in the onset of Winter, the renewal of quiet, contemplative times; a time to remember and give thanks for all the wonders and glories that have been shown to me, that I have been allowed to enjoy.

Thanksgiving, that unusual and peculiar American holiday, is a scant few days away. What ever you are thankful for this year, celebrate it, and enjoy in your own fashion. I will be thankful for all that I am receiving, and thankful for all that is yet to occur. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and a joyous year to come!

On my recent Camping trip

Musings From a WDR (west desert rat)
Why does the GP (general population) have to be so trashy? I have bags of trash, old shotgun shells, clay pidgeons, empty water bottles and beer cans from my favorite campsite. Why do I do this? So I can come back here to a clean site. But every time I return, it is the same; trash and garbage everywhere. Ok, so you had sex, carry your condoms out yourselves! Really, people! Diapers? Hello? Trash impacts animals, birds. The stuff you leave contaminants not only the scenery but also the animals. And you weren’t here long ago. I put out one of your campfires when I arrived. You left it smoking, logs overhanging the edge of your fire pit.
Don’t mistake me, I also use the desert. I enjoy coming here for peace and solitude, which the desert provides in ample abundance, particularly on the weekdays. But I don’t think my main job is to clean up after you. You who are so vocal when the government limits access to the land, why are you not so careful to take care of the land? My Goshute friend says you can always tell when “white folks" have been here. Look at the trash. It’s disgusting. Plastic plates, beer cans, etc. litter the landscape. Beer cans don’t burn, folks. They stay in the pit where you tossed them; Bud Light seems to be the flavor for this year. Oh, and don’t forget Pepsi. Why? You had enough room to bring it out with you, cannot you take it back? Your home trash removal will not cost you a dime more to empty out your crap.

Thinking of Adam on his birthday

Adam
Or 5/4/80

Without our plan,
You came into our lives
In a time of trouble
And strain.

You put us back together
That night.
You made us realize
Nothing is as important
As Life.

In sixteen years,
You showed many people
What true love
Is all about.

Your best friend
Was eighty five.
You protected
Your sister on the bus.
And fought like cats and dogs
At home.

You always thought of others,
Your mom, Grandmother,
Grandfather.
You worked hard, always strove
To be your best.

I remember…
A deck, completed.
You were going to
Drink that beer
No matter how much you
Disliked it!
I wish we could fly,
Adam and I,
My son and I.
Those words ring in my ears
Every time I think of you.
We flew, my son,
We flew.

Your time here was much too short
I think of you often.
How much you loved
Nature and people.
Do you remember
Being a ranger
At Yuba, for a day?

Adam and I,
My son and I.
It’s been 14 years
I miss you every day.

I am not sad,
Nor melancholy
I know you are at peace
With Grandpa Ed.
Making up stories
About the one
That got away.

I feel your presence
In long, lonely nights.
When I cannot sleep,
You come to me.
With that open smile,
That welcoming grip,
You bring me back
To what matters most.


Your time on earth was
Short, and to the point.
You moved people
In so many ways.
Adam and I
My son and I.

I cannot forget
Your calm acceptance
Of the fates before you.
As I watched you pass,
I was impressed
With your brave demeanor.
You never forgot
To say a word of thanks
To anyone who
Helped you along.

Adam and I
My son and I.
This would have been
Thirty Years.
I wonder how you would be?

Your easy style!
I could not believe
You started to drive;
Like everything you did
With style, grace, and
A racer’s skill.
You were so natural
In all that you did.

Rest well, my son.
May I have the grace
You showed to the world.
My I have the strength
That you always displayed.

Oh, by the way
The lawn needs mowing,
And the dishes need doing.
You never shirked
Any duty.
Though you thought
It was your sister’s turn.

Every time I pull
The RV out
I think of you
And your broad
Smile.

Rest well, my son.