UPLA got involved today and may have paved a path for EJS to be held for 2021.
UPLA Trustee Melissa Fischer started by calling Chris Baird, the Administrator for the Grand County Commission, where Moab is located. This commission is the body responsible for issuing special event permits.
The principal issue is regarding special event permit registration caps related to COVID. Based on the state’s COVID transmission level, there are guidelines that Grand County has adopted based on the SE Utah Health Department recommendations. SE Utah is in a High Transmission status, meaning there can be no indoor events and outdoor events are restricted to 250 people PER DAY for all locations.
According to an interview with Chris Baird, Grand County Commission Administrator, with Fox 13 today, Chris made an offer to Red Rock 4 Wheelers to draft an amendment to the ordinance that would allow 250 people at each dispersed location. He indicated that the amendment would still have to be approved by the Commission through public forums.
This morning, UPLA President Gil Meacham spoke with Red Rock’s President, Mike Kelso. Mike was unaware of Chris Baird’s offer to work on revising the ordinance. and confirmed that if that was done, Red Rock was willing to do the event with Trail Runs and limited other activities.
A subsequent phone call by Melissa and Gil with Chris Baird also was very productive. Chris indicated that if Red Rock wished to proceed, that he could draft an amendment and with Fast Tracking they could get approval by February 16. He also confirmed that he felt the amendment was likely to be approved by the Commission. Another phone call with Mike Kelso confirmed that if approval was granted by February 16 Easter Jeep Safari 2021 would proceed! We put Mike and Chris in touch with each other.
Bottom line is this morning Easter Jeep Safari for this year was cancelled. Through the active collaboration of UPLA, County Administrator Chris Baird, and Red Rock 4 Wheelers, it appears there is now a path for EJS to continue this year.
This is a developing story with information changing rapidly. In the meantime, we urge you to check accuracy of information you post on this subject and to check back with UPLA for further updates.
Update, Just In: The Grand County Commission administrator has requested that EJS attendees, RR4W members, and the 4-wheeling community send letters to the county commission in support of the amendment to allow 250 participants at each dispersed location. Please send via email to: commission@grandcountyutah.net
