Utah Windriders Association

Arrived around noon to 11 degrees and no wind. Suprised me as it was drifting snow over the road up the hill into stockton, also blowing in Grants. Waited till 1:00 then it picked up to a very steady 6-12 mph. 6 inches of super fine fluff over a 1-2 inch base. Great snow conditions. Rode for around two hrs. Just back and forth not much lift. Kite stayed steady in the sky. Sal joined in for last hr on 14 LEI. Warmed up to around 20 degrees when the wind came up. Only two months to go till, hopefully, there's water in Rush. Ranchers have put fence posts and wire across the middle of the pond. We may need to talk to someone about it's temorary removal. Any ideas as to who to contact.
Jon Mzee

What? Let me get this straight. You say there is a fence going across the middle of the lake? That is extremely bad news. We are totally screwed now if that is the case. A fence across Rush basically shuts that place down for us. BAD NEWS

YUP It runs from the Fence-Gate South of where we lanuch across to the other side where it meets the fence over there. I think it splits the lake at the BLM/Private junction, and as you imagine, it basically shuts down acress to your Butter Speed Zone. I would think if we speak to the right someone and get, hopefully, permission to remove it, with the PROMISE that we will put it back at the end of the season, there shouldn't be much objection. We need the right spokesman, (KMAN) to deliver the message. It only makes sense that it (the fence) doesn't do much good when there is water only when it dries up. Kenny may have to give up on the place a little earlier next year but it 's worth it to have FULL access. I would also be willing to work on this. Let's get together and make a plan. In this case, it may be better to get permission up front rather than forgiveness later on if we just pull up the posts.
Jon Mzee

We are working on it right now to get that fence taking care of. I used to go to High School with the owner two son. The owner oldest son is develop the land there. I'm very surprised that they would put a fence across the Rush lake. They knew the windriders and I go there.

OK. Jake, you're in charge. Let me/us know what we can do to help!
We don't want to lose that 1/2 of our pond.
Jon Mzee

Jon,

Don't worry about me. I still have the Lake Point Ponds and the Salt Ponds for flat water heaven.

A fence across the lake really does stink. Jake thanks for taking the point on this one.

Kenny

I really think we need to organize and come up with a plan and be as diplomatic as possible. On our drive to skyline yesterday we were joking about volunteering for the rancher. Each Rush rider would get a pass from the farmer in exchange for 2 weeks of ranch work and they would remove the fence. Maybe it's not a joke after all. We could repair other fences on the ranch in exchange for removing the one across the lake. We could also offer $$$$. The UWA could help with this I would think, as well as us, the riders. A fence across Rush lake is a horrible thing in many ways. Who would be willing to do ranch work and or pay money? I definately would. I vote YES!!!

Come on people and read this post and give us some responses. Thanks Craig for moving this post to the message board.

Jacob Buzianis wrote:We are working on it right now to get that fence taking care of. I used to go to High School with the owner two son. The owner oldest son is develop the land there. I'm very surprised that they would put a fence across the Rush lake. They knew the windriders and I go there.

It sounds like Jake is our best first line of communications.

How's it coming Jake???

-Marty

We need to know what is the purpose of the fence. If it is just for livestock, I think we could talk to them about a temporary removal during the riding months. My concern is if they are thinking of trying to divert the water so that the lake doesn't fill again so they can develop the land. If that is the case, we need to get in touch with some environmental groups.

count me in for ranch work or money. i'm sure i could arrange a corporate sponsorship for the UWA.

a kiter named john works for the government in hydrology. perhaps he could look into water rights or whatever for the blm side. i heard that the pig farm is who is pumping water from the lake and keeping the water levels down. this would undoubtedly affect the water level and ecology of the blm side of the lake. i woudl think we have a leg to stand on there...

also, isn't "rush lake" on the government's list of water recreation facilities? or was that in years past? if he is fencing in that part of the lake for livestock, i woudl think that woudl affect water quality which would be protected under the recreation designation.

just a few thoughts.

sucks bad, glad jon said something. also glad that there is a UWA!!! was looking forward to rush. but since work gets in the way so much. i would rather donate or see the uwa do a group thing, ie.. maybe a group day work session then beers and barbe with the flies!!!! that way we could kite. all in all we need to fight and preserve rush and keep what little water rights we have!!!!!
just my 2 cents

Before we get to excited about the fence and start offering time and money we should first find out there intentions. It is probably just there while its dry to keep the cows in. Maybe start by asking for them if they would please take it down. If this doesn't work then I would be in for other measures. This could save time for more kiting and money for beer.

Humm, I thought something like this would happen sooner or later.

A couple months ago Rick, Les, and I chatted about meeting with the Stockton town council. The hold meetings maybe twice a month but no less than once a month.
I spoke with one of the council men about attending the meeting. He and the mayor seemed excited to meet with us and talk about the lake. I think it got windy and we forgot about it.

Although, I do think we need someone who would be willing to go out to the meetings once a month.