An attempt to outlaw blended radioactive waste failed during the final meeting of the Radiation Control Board.

Board members stood by the Radiation Control Division's decision to allow EnergySolutions to accept blended waste each year while it prepares a site study showing that the practice is safe, even for large volumes of the blended waste.

EnergySolutions creates blended waste by combining high-level radioactive waste that is banned in Utah with lower-level waste to make a mixture of waste acceptable for dumping in Utah.

Critics of down-blending say the spirit of Utah's law is being violated. Matt Pacenza, the policy director fo HEAL Utah, one of the biggest critics of the process, says the meeting didn't go as he had hoped.

"We're disappointed. We wish that Gov. Herbert and his administration and this board would do more to stand up to EnergySolutions and would do more to protect Utahns from hotter blended waste," said Matt Pacenza.

This is a news release from Salt Lake City.

In an effort to streamline operations and increase public involvement, Mayor Ralph Becker and the Salt Lake City Council recently announced the creation of a new Parks, Natural Lands, Trails and Urban Forestry Advisory Board. The redesigned board will serve as a catalyst venue for citizen involvement in the stewardship of Salt Lake City’s public lands.

“The new Board will provide a one-stop-shop for residents to give input on how we care for our public lands,” says Emy Maloutas, Parks and Public Lands director. “The board will work closely with our Division of Parks and Public Lands and the public to ensure that a positive and constructive dialogue takes place.”

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A team of Utah and Wyoming researchers has received a $6 million National Science Foundation grant to study natural and human water resource systems.

Researchers will use the three-year grant to increase their understanding of environmental sustainability and long-term water forecasting issues in both states.

The CI-WATER project includes researchers from Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, Utah State University, and the University of Wyoming.

The award is from the foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which supports states' research, science and mathematics education, and workforce development.