Farming The Desert, Drought in Southern Utah, prt2

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Farming The Desert, Drought in Southern Utah, prt2

From: Ross Chambless
Length: 00:08:42

Drought in Utah raises questions about the sensibility of farming in the dry country. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Farming The Desert, Drought in Southern Utah, prt2
From: Ross Chambless

Default-piece-image-1 For farmers drought can be the most destructive of natural disasters. But it’s an expensive disaster for American taxpayers who continually bailout the farmers. In Utah’s San Juan County many farmers and ranchers still cling tightly to “water rights” and water-intensive farming traditions. Some say farming in such dry areas is wasting the public’s water resources. But asking the farmers to give up their livelihoods can be difficult. The second of a two-part, award winning series. (Debuted August 2003, KUER in Salt Lake City)

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Piece Description

For farmers drought can be the most destructive of natural disasters. But it’s an expensive disaster for American taxpayers who continually bailout the farmers. In Utah’s San Juan County many farmers and ranchers still cling tightly to “water rights” and water-intensive farming traditions. Some say farming in such dry areas is wasting the public’s water resources. But asking the farmers to give up their livelihoods can be difficult. The second of a two-part, award winning series. (Debuted August 2003, KUER in Salt Lake City)

Broadcast History

Debuted August 2003, on KUER FM90 in Salt Lake City

Transcript

Farming the Desert:
Drought in Southern Utah
Part 2 or 2
Ross Chambless

HOST: A PROLONGED DROUGHT IN UTAH – NOW ENTERING ITS 7TH YEAR - HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL ON MANY UTAH FARMERS AND RANCHERS. THIS GROUP USES 85 PERCENT OF THE STATE’S WATER… ACCORDING TO THE UTAH DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES… WATER THAT IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO COME BY. SOME BELIEVE THE DROUGHT IS PUSHING THE STATE INTO AN ENTIRELY NEW ERA IN WATER POLICY… ONE THAT WILL FAVOR URBAN USE, RECREATION, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. AS ONE WATER EXPERT SAYS, IN THE END THEY’LL SHUT OFF THE FARMER’S WATER BEFORE THE SHUT OFF PEOPLE’S HOMES. PRODUCER ROSS CHAMBLESS PRESENTS THIS PORTARAIT OF WHAT DROUGHT HAS MEANT FOR FARMERS IN SAN JUAN COUNTY.

[sound of windy field]

ROSS: IT’S GUSTY HERE. THE AIR SMELLS OF BURNT DRY GRASS… AND A RED HAZE FROM WILDFIRES KEEPS CREEPING UP FROM ARIZONA TO THE SOUTH…

[sound of...
Read the full transcript

Timing and Cues

A prolonged drought in Utah – now entering its 7th year - has taken its toll on many Utah farmers and ranchers. This group uses 85 percent of the State’s water, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources, water that is getting harder and harder to come by. some believe the drought is pushing the State into an entirely new era in water policy - one that will favor urban use, recreation, and endangered species. As one water expert says, in the end they’ll shut off the farmer’s water before the shut off people’s homes. Producer Ross Chambless presents this portrait of what drought has meant for farmers in San Juan County.

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