March 2002 Burn permits now available OGDEN - Got a burning desire? Get a permit. Weber County's open burn period is between April 1 to 30 for the lower Ogden Valley, and between April 15 to May 15 for the Upper Valley. Permits can be obtained from local fire departments, or for residents of unincorporated Weber County, Farr West, Hooper, Huntsville, Marriott-Slaterville and West Haven, at any of the Weber Fire District Stations. The permits outline general safety requirements and define what can be burned. Should a fire get out of control, individuals will be held liable for any damages. Allowable burning includes weed growth along ditches used for irrigation, weeds and brush along fence lines, stubble, leaves, and prunings from trees, bushes and plants. Not allowed are trees, trash, garbage, waste, lumber, tires and oil-based products. For more information, call 782-3580. West Weber water users face rising costs By JASON WOOD_ Standard-Examiner correspondent Utah's water outlook is bleak, and many residents of west Weber County communities will be paying more for the little water they get this spring. Because the primary source of culinary water for towns such as Farr West, Plain City and Marriott-Slaterville is increasing fees, the secondary service provider is being forced to follow suit. According to Gary Hales, general manager of the Bona Vista Water Improvement District, his organization will be paying more to Weber Basin Water Conservancy District. And that action will translate into slightly higher costs for local consumers beginning May 1. "It's an unavoidable adjustment. We have enjoyed providing water to residents in west Weber County without any changes in fees since 1987," Hales said. Residents in Farr West now pay $7 for every 10,000 gallons of culinary water culled through Bona Vista's system. If the fee hike is approved, they'll be looking at 3,000 gallons less for the same seven bucks. "Our obligation to Weber Basin will rise $12 per acre-foot every year for the next four years. We're trying to pass on as little of that cost to the consumer as possible," Hales said. Farr West Mayor Jimmie Papa-george, at the City Council's regular meeting last month, said he adamantly opposed any fee hikes for resi-dents of his community. "I've been working against this proposal," Papageorge told council members. "Any public awareness we can raise will be to our residents' advantage." Hales countered that the costs of providing culinary water, coupled with the statewide drought that's been plaguing Utah for four straight years, make the modest spring increase reasonable for Farr West residents. "Any increase in fees for culinary water is unfortunate, but we believe this is a reasonable situation," said Hales. "We're also hoping for considerable restraint with culinary water use, given the water shortage everyone in Utah faces." April 2, 2002 31