Logan River Task Force Seeks Input from Cache Valley Residents Feb. 11
USU students and faculty serve on the Logan River Task Force, a multi-disciplinary group developing a comprehensive plan for managing Utah's Logan River. The public is invited to review the plan at an evening gathering Thursday, Feb. 11.
Utah State University scientists are among a group of professors, students, government officials and interest group representatives who’ve worked over the past 18 months to develop a comprehensive approach for managing Utah’s Logan River.
Thursday, Feb. 11, the Logan River Task Force invites the public to attend the unveiling of a draft action plan and offer comment. The gathering takes place from 6-8 p.m. at the Logan River Golf Course Clubhouse at 550 W. 1000 South in Logan.
“We want to make sure the Logan community has the opportunity to tell us what they want their river to look like in the future,” says Task Force Chair Frank Howe, adjunct associate professor in USU’s Department of Wildland Resources and Utah Department of Wildlife Resources university research liaison.
The task force’s draft, which includes a long-range management plan for the river from First Dam to Cutler Reservoir, covers 20 indicators of river health, including water flow in the river, channel and floodplain functions, riparian vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, an expansion of recreational opportunities and improvement of trail continuity. The plan also addresses a variety of private property concerns.
Howe says the action plan, scheduled for implementation this spring, will be the foundation for river restoration projects and will provide an approach to monitor long-term success.
“The river needs to convey flood water through town, but we also want to the Logan River to be a place where people come to jog, fish, kayak, watch birds or just sit and enjoy the sound of the river,” he says.
The task force is addressing one of Logan Mayor Craig Petersen’s goals, which is to engage USU faculty and students in projects of mutual interest to the City of Logan and the university.
“In many areas, USU can make significant contributions to improving Logan City,” said Petersen in a statement. “For this particular task, USU faculty members have especially relevant expertise to help us better utilize Logan River.”
USU Quinney College of Natural Resources Dean Chris Luecke agrees.
“We’re excited to be involved in a project that enable us to share our expertise with the community and involve our students in a real-life, hands-on learning experiences,” Luecke says. “We welcome opportunities to partner with the community in conservation projects.”
Task force accomplishments to date include production of a riparian planting guide in partnership with USU Forestry Extension. The guide, distributed to residents who live along the river, will be available at the Feb. 11 meeting.
The task force also helped Logan City secure a $600,000 grant from the Utah Division of Water Quality for river restoration. Logan City provided a $400,000 match to the grant.
The task force plans additional public meetings and workshops in the coming year.
Related link:
USU Quinney College of Natural Resources
Contact: Frank Howe, 435-797-8523, frankhowe@utah.gov
Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
Frank Howe, adjunct associate professor in USU's Department of Wildland Resources and Utah Department of Wildlife Resources university research liaison chairs the Logan River Task Force.
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