Utah State Paleontologist: Please Ask NPS to Support Dinosaur Fossil Curating

Posted 11 July 2006 by Guest Contributor

By James I. Kirkland, Ph. D. The National Park Service is requesting comments on the development of a regional paleontological repository facility in Vernal, Utah in a partnership with the Vernal Field House of Natural History (Utah State Parks). The facilty is to be constructed adjoining the newly opened Vernal Field House of Natural History in Vernal and jointly managed. Please strongly support the development of this facility. The plan can be accessed here. We need to strongly support the development of the Uintah Research and Curatorial Center in Vernal, Utah versus the alternative of No Action! The collection facility at Dinosaur National Monument is falling apart because of substrate instability. The Vernal Field House of Natural History does not have a collections facility in their new Museum and has basically given up their status as a federal repository until such a facilty can be constructed. If the proposed facility is not constructed, Utah will not have a federal paleontological repository in the Uinta Basin. Thus, many more future fossil collections from this region will leave the state, particularly those made through the mitigation of paleontological resources due to energy development. Also the absence of a paleontological repository in the region could hinder the development of energy resources in the Uinta Basin through the slowing down the ability of local paleontological mitigation groups to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Again, please strongly support the development of this facility. Jim Kirkland is a State Paleontologist with the Utah Geological Survey.

2 Comments

the pro from dover · 11 July 2006

The Jurassic quarry at Vernal is certainly a unique site for anyone with a love for dinosaurs to visit. Dinosaur national monument which is in the northwestern corner of Colorado is a beautiful remote and rugged area ideal for a rafting/camping/fly fishing/mountain biking/hiking vacation. The triangle which connects Vernal to Grand Junction Colo. and Price Utah is the most concentrated fossil collecting area in the USA. This area is not wealthy, no ski resorts, national parks, theme parks, nothing. Lots of LDS's. Hardworking and Godfearing. The Pro sez check it out and spend some money there. This is truly a national treasure.

Dave Thomas · 12 July 2006

Jim Kirkland has also informed me that the Quarry Visitor Center in Dinosaur National Monument will close for up to a year. He writes

Although no time line is suggested on the length of the closure. The word I have is year or longer....., depending on available funding. James I. Kirkland Ph. D. State Paleontologist Utah Geological Survey 1594 West North Temple, Suite 3110 P.O. Box 146100 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6100 (801) 537-3307 FAX (801) 537-3400 jameskirkland@utah.gov http://members.networld.com/kirkland/ >>> Dan Chure 07/11/06 5:42 PM >>> As promised, here is the formal announcement of the closure of the Quarry Visitor Center. I will post additional information as it become available. Please excuse any cross posts. Dan Chure Park Paleontologist Dinosaur National Monument * NATIONAL PARK SERVICE * *PRESS RELEASE* For immediate release: July 10, 2006 Contact Information: Mary Risser, Superintendent Quarry Visitor Center in Dinosaur National Monument Closed for Structural Repairs The Quarry Visitor Center in Dinosaur National Monument will close beginning Wednesday, July 12 for structural repairs according to Superintendent Mary Risser. The building will remain closed indefinitely until significant life, health, and safety issues are addressed. "The Quarry Visitor Center was constructed in the mid-1950's on expansive soils," Risser said. "The first hints of problems emerged even before the construction was complete. Cracks in the parking lot began to appear in November 1957, and during the first year of operation, staff detected disquieting vibrations in the upper gallery." Remedial measures were taken in 1967 by underpinning the support columns. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Quarry Visitor Center continued to move. By 1989, the upheaval was sufficient to compromise the structural integrity of the support system of the visitor gallery. Supplemental anchorages were used to anchor the existing steel roof and visitor gallery deck beams to the masonry pilasters along the south wall. "This year, the National Park Service commissioned a formal monitoring program for the visitor center," Risser continued. "The first of a series of four regularly scheduled observations trips took place between May 8, and May 11, 2006. The detailed inspection identified some previously unknown conditions, especially in the round administrative area, that triggered this closure. This was an extremely difficult decision to make, but based upon this new information, we decided that we couldn't expose the visiting public or our employees to the risk posed by this building." "Dinosaur National Monument encompasses more than 210,000 acres, and the monument is open to the public," stated Chief of Interpretation Carla Beasley. "Even though the quarry is no longer accessible, there are still plenty of reasons to visit. We have petroglyphs throughout the monument. You can visit the restored cabin of homesteader Josie Morris. Drive the two scenic auto tours --- one that starts at the Lower Visitor Center near the Quarry and one that starts on the Colorado side of the park and features beautiful, rugged canyon scenery. You can also join a commercial outfitter for a one-day trip through Split Mountain Canyon. Take a hike on one of the hiking trails and join a ranger for an interpretive program." End