Hyrum
pond tests positive for West Nile virus, councilman
says
By Seth
Bracken
September 5, 2008 HYRUM -- A pond tested positive for
West Nile virus two to three weeks ago, said Tom LaBau,
Hyrum City Councilman, Thursday night.
The pond that tested positive for the virus is located
near Hyrum State Park, however several ponds throughout
Cache Valley have also tested positive in studies run
by the Bear River District Health Department, said LaBau.
He also said that mosquitoes are not limited to a certain
area and can travel long distances.
"Those things can fly 15 miles so they don't necessarily
live there," said LaBau.
While there have been few documented cases of West
Nile Virus in humans, the symptoms are not always easily
documented and are often mistaken for the flu, said
LaBau.
In other city council business, a representative from
the Utah Quality Growth Commission, John Bennett, visited
several sites in Blacksmith Fork Canyon to asses the
possibility of governmental grants to conserve public
lands, rather than sell them to private sectors.
Bennett said while two sectors totaling 80 acres would
qualify for the grant, there are no more funds left
in the budget for this year and if the council voted
to accept the aid, there would be no funds until about
September of 2009. The land space is worth between $250,000
and $300,000 and the money would be used to build a
park, said City Councilman, Paul James.
Bennett said the commission works with areas that
are undeveloped public land and while keeping them public
allows for recreational use and takes advantage of the
profit that is possible.
"Basically we're looking for agricultural lands or
lands that are in a natural state," said Bennett
The commission then would pay the city the amount
that it could have received, had the land been sold.
The commission also works closely with other non-profit
organizations and others such as the National Forest
and counties. The commission has already worked with
other cities in Cache County including Providence and
Avon, said Bennett.
The council also voted unanimously to waive Hyrum
City's utility fees for the households of active duty
military personnel, including career personnel with
a cap of two years.
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