Mayfield oil strike not confirmed or denied
By C. R. Truitt
4-9-08

MANTI—An official with Wolverine Gas and Oil would neither confirm nor deny anything definitely at a recent meeting of the Sanpete County Commission, but hinted that his company may indeed have found oil in a new well near Mayfield.
Paul Spiering, the company’s district landman, visited with county commissioners on Tuesday, April 1. He remained cautious about saying that the Mayfield well would produce oil, but it was enough of a possibility that the company was seeking a 90-day conditional-use permit.
The permit would allow Wolverine to build a temporary treatment tank, loading area and a trailer office. He said if the well does produce, the company might purchase land and, if the well produces enough, build a pipeline.
Commissioner Dwight Inouye asked Spiering if it were true that a large electric line would be put in. Spiering said he didn’t think so, but it could be if enough oil were produced for the company to put in a pipeline.
The commissioners granted the 90-day permit on condition that the company put up a $10,000 bond to cover potential road maintenance costs.
The permit will allow the company to move forward with the process of applying for a permanent conditional-use permit from the county’s planning and zoning commission, should the well become operational.
In another matter before—and about—the commission, Manti resident and Concerned Citizens of Sanpete County leader Kay Crane asked the commissioners about the “gentlemen’s agreement” regarding the makeup of the commission.
Under the unspoken, informal agreement, there is one commissioner from the north end of the county, one from the southern end, and one from the central portion.
Sanpete County Attorney Ross Blackham said the “gentleman’s agreement” has never been legally binding. He referred to it as a “custom,” and said that there had been times when all of the three areas were not represented on the commission.
Crane said she had heard a rumor that some people wanted to change the commission from three members to five members. Blackham explained that to do that a group of citizens would have to petition the commission to study the issue, and it would take an election just to approve the study.
If voters approved, an impartial group would be impaneled to study the matter and to submit a recommendation on which type of government the county should have, of those allowed under Utah statute.
Then, to make the change, another election would have to be held. He said the process was specifically laid out in state law and he figured it would take about two years.
Neither the commissioners nor Blackham said they had ever been approached with such a proposal.
Crane also asked if the Sanpete County Fair was on for this year. Commissioner Mark Anderson gave an emphatic “yes,” and added that all major contracts had been signed.
However, he explained that the county had lost its chairman of 20 years, Brad Bown, and hadn’t found a replacement. Crane asked if the county could use volunteers, and Anderson said volunteers are always needed.
In other discussion, Brooke Bouwhuis, representing Wind Walker Learning Center, Wind Walker Guest Ranch and Heaven On Earth Festival, requested a “mass gathering” permit and a temporary special event permit to sell beer at a bluegrass festival at the Wind Walker ranch. She said her goal is to attract over 200 people for the event.
She has arranged for a beer garden that would be in a controlled area. Bouwhuis said she has already arranged for security through the Sheriff’s Office.
Organizers are also planning entertainment from a Native American group along with art workshops and art displays.
In other commission business, Inouye asked if the Gunnison Valley Hospital property owned by some doctors is listed as tax exempt. The commissioners consulted with County Assessor Ken Bench, who showed them that most of property is tax exempt under the Gunnison Hospital Special Service District. Nonetheless, the commission had questions and authorized Inouye to investigate further.
In another matter, a landowner requested help to close access to his property to ATVs. Keith Larsen said he owns land by the dumpsite in Mayfield, and this is a “sand box” for riders. He said he has closed off his land, but his fences get cut, knocked down and burned. He said he couldn’t keep livestock on his land because of the problem.
The commissioners said the BLM is already considering closing off its land around the area to this type of activity, and Commissioner Claudia Jarrett referred him to the county’s access committee for help.