Slowed development gives time to plan

ST. GEORGE -- The tough economy and resulting slowdown in development in southwest Utah may be a good thing, a Utah Geological Survey official said.

A senior scientist for the agency, Bill Lund, said the lag in development has allowed him to make sure government planners, geologists and engineers are aware of the geologic hazards like landslides and flooding in the St. George-Hurricane area.

"There's a definite pause down here now," said Lund, who is based in Cedar City. "We're hoping by the time [the economy] turns around, we will have had a chance to present this information to the various communities and they'll be in a position to use it when the growth horses start stampeding again."

The agency recently completed a report identifying hazards in a 366-square-mile area that could cause problems down the line for existing and future development.

"We're hoping [the report] will give planners and land-use regulators a tool to help them identify potential problems," he said. "We're also hoping it will give engineers and geologists doing the geotech work a heads up on what's out there and what needs to be covered."

Besides landslides and flooding, the report covers hazards like surface faulting, earthquakes, liquefaction and rock falls.

"The geology and hazards won't change," Lund said, "but where people want to live and build stuff certainly will."

Hiker who died in Zion identified

SALT LAKE CITY -- The University of Utah says a hiker who died in Zion National Park over the weekend was the director of the school's Office of Sustainability.

Craig Forster also was on the faculty of the College of Architecture + Planning for the last five years.

Zion National Park officials confirmed Forster's identity. They say the 55-year-old fell from an unnamed canyon off of state Route 9 on Friday. He fell 15 to 20 feet and suffered head injuries.

The University of Utah said in statement that Forster provided examples of how people can work together to create a healthier environment for future generations.

University President Michael Young said in the statement that Forster laid the framework for the school's efforts to become climate-neutral.

Forster was the office's first director.

Boy dies after ATV accident in Beaver Co.

BEAVER -- Police say a 6-year-old Beaver County boy has died following an all-terrain vehicle accident.

The boy, Jubal White, was riding on the ATV with a 10-year-old girl near his Beaver home on Saturday. Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Steve Winward says the girl accidentally put the vehicle in drive instead of reverse and drove onto a chain-link fence.

Winward says the girl jumped out of the way, but White was crushed when the ATV rolled. He died of head trauma on the way to the hospital. Winward says neither child was wearing a helmet.