Landlord Perceptions on Homelessness in Northern Utah

Homeless programs often rely on landlord engagement for successful implementation. However, there is very little research that examines landlord perspectives related to homelessness. Better understanding landlords’ opinions and attitudes regarding those experiencing homelessness can inform program development and policy in the efforts to prevent and mitigate homelessness in the U.S. A 49-question survey was created and administered by social work faculty and students to landlords and property managers throughout the Bear River Region of northern Utah (N = 134). The survey contained a variety of questions that assessed landlord attitudes and knowledge toward those experiencing homelessness as well as their comfortability in renting to these individuals. Results revealed that landlords would like to help solve homelessness in their community, but they do not know where to start. Additionally, results showed that landlords’ willingness to rent to individuals experiencing homelessness is dependent on contextual factors, such as having more information regarding the individual, their income, past rental history, and other factors. Finally, results showed that landlords had biases toward specific groups of individuals experiencing homelessness (e.g., landlords felt more comfortable renting to those with physical disabilities than those with substance misuse histories). Results are discussed in context of program, policy, and research implications.

Water Chemistry in Estuaries Around Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA.

<p>The Great Salt Lake (GSL) in northern Utah is a key natural resource for migratory waterfowl and the local economy. The quality and quantity of water reaching the Great Salt Lake are of concern, particularly as competing interests along source rivers, such as the Bear River, seek to divert and capture more water to meet their needs. This project presents preliminary field study and aims to improve the scientific understanding of the chemical mixing taking place where freshwater rivers discharge into the Great Salt Lake. Water samples were collected in 16 locations in mixing zones between the Bear River Bay, marshes of the mouth of the Ogden River, and shallow water zones in the Great Salt Lake. Water samples were acidified with nitric acid and filtered through 0.2 micrometer filter. Field in-situ parameters: temperature, pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen, and electric conductance were measured using Troll 9500 probe and concentrations of forty elements were analyzed in ICP-MS and ICP-OES. Field in-situ measurements indicated that pH is weekly alkaline with saline waters typically being more alkaline than fresh water. Saline waters are more reducing than fresh waters. Fresh water flows were extensive in very shallow environments. Extremely shallow environments were more affected by high salinity mud deposits. The results indicate higher concentrations of heavy metals transported from the Bear River Bay to the Great Salt Lake than from the Ogden River. The pattern of elemental concentrations is complex. Fresh water fluxes penetrate shallow saline waters over relatively long distances (hundreds of meters). The depth of lake waters was predominantly less than 0.5 meter. ICP-OES measurements showed that overall Bear River samples had somewhat higher concentrations of major ions than in in the Ogden River. ICP-MS measurements indicated similar patterns between trace elements in the Bear River and in the Ogden River. Both areas have relatively higher concentrations of Al, Fe, and Mn. Concentrations of Pb, As, Se, and Hg are also relatively high. Correlation between in-situ parameters indicates complex relationship between different elements. For example more acidic conditions do not necessarily result in higher concentration of metals. Higher concentrations of metals correlate better with more reducing conditions. Concentrations of metals did increase significantly at more acidic conditions, but they typically characterized less saline waters. We will attempt hydrochemical modeling in the next phase of this research which will be verified by laboratory experiments of mixing of waters in question. This will allow controlling the parameters since natural dynamic flow systems driven by wind in a very shallow water and freshwater fluxes flowing far into saline water bodies might compromise accuracy of thermodynamic modeling.</p>

Ricks Spring

Ricks Spring is one of several major karst springs that discharge along the Logan River in the Bear River Range in Cache County, Utah. The spring is located along U.S. Highway 89 in Logan Canyon about 17 miles (27.4 kilometers) northeast of (up-canyon from) the city of Logan, at mile marker 477. It lies within Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest at an elevation of 5880 feet (1792 meters). Situated at the base of a hillside, the spring is one of the largest and most scenic along the Logan River (figure 1). Water from the spring flows out of a large alcove, under Highway 89, and into the Logan River, about 150 feet (45 meters) from the spring. Pullouts on both sides of the highway provide parking for visitors to the spring, and a boardwalk crosses the spring run, which allows access to the rise pool in the alcove. Several signs at the spring provide information about its history and hydrology. Ricks Spring typically flows during the spring, summer, and fall months, but can have periods of no flow during the winter months, particularly during extended periods of cold weather. During these times, the water in the rise pit recedes to a small pool of standing water that can contain fish, which presumably originate from the nearby Logan River. During the last 10 years, cave divers have explored the conduit that feeds the spring for about 2300 feet (700 meters) into the mountainside.

Conclusion

This chapter shows how LDS officials and businessmen continuously found ways to bend railroads to their benefits or reshape Mormons institutions in order to flourish in their networks, such as the irrigation display at the Chicago World’s Fair. Regardless of the failure of the Bear River Irrigation company, it was proof of Mormon fortitude through cultural and locative righteousness. The company’s resources were reorganized by Mormon businessmen, and Mormons effectively promoted the LDS Church in other venues at World’s Fair. On the other hand, railroad barons’ contracts provided uninterrupted freighting, lucrative receipts of transcontinental tourism, and friendships with Mormon businessmen who intervened on their behalf in Congress. The results of their efforts were the combined naturalizing and mainlining of Mormonism, as tourists were convinced that they could learn from the Mormons to cultivate western lands and define religion in the modern west.