BRASS HANDS AWARD 2009-MARK H. WILLIAMS
Mark H, being a devoted husband, father and grandfather is also as tenacious as a pitbull. He has never faltered in his affinity to the land and its people. Even though he worked years as a heavy equipment operator he was able to have a hand in a lot of major developments that were and are a benefit to Emery and Carbon counties and the Utah State. Even as he retired from the industrial world of building highways, dams and power plants he became more and more involved in multiple-use of public lands and how to save it.
As a very young man, Mark H earned his Eagle Scout Award and later a Silver Beaver Award. This prefaced his position as the Eagle Scout Advancement Chairman in the Region. The approval of Eagle Scout Projects, interviews, awards banquets, merit badge counselor was such a pleasure for him. An important Scout project for Castle Dale City was the renovation of the old bridge that led into town in earlier years. The boys were praised by the city for their incredible work of beautifying and preserving this structure. This project made it possible for ATV's to ride across it out of town after following a route signed in town for this purpose. This signing was also done in other cities and towns around the county and was initiated by Mark. He wanted a way for the ATV'ers to ride out of their town on their machines.
He had numerous people that influenced him as his passion grew for "his" land. One that was a favorite was Owen McClennahan. They explored together, learned from each other and rockhounded together. Finally Owen decided that a book needed to be written and Mark was chosen as the photographer. It was published as a guidebook and named Utah's Scenic San Rafael Swell and made a hit. Owen's interest in uranium and fluorescent rocks captivated Marks interest also and the resulting photography of the rocks was tremendous. There is a display in the Museum of the San Rafael that contains Owen's rocks being fluoresced with black lights.
He has a huge admiration for those who settled the area - from the ancient Indians to those who settled our communities. Another project he participated on was the clean up of the Buckhorn Indian Rock Art Panel when he was on the Historical Society Committee. The graffiti on it was heartbreaking. Another project was the restoration of the Swinging Bridge.
As the land issues kept springing up, Mark could see the need for more involvement and more voices. By this time he had purchased an ATV and was more aware of problems that needed to be faced and acted upon. Working with Utah State Parks, Manti La Sal Forest and Bureau of Land Management has its challenges but he has developed a great rapport with them. Many trails have been saved, groomed, repaired, marked and mapped. This is an ongoing thing that Mark will be a part of as long as he can.
Mark was a candidate for Emery County Commissioner two different times - close races but he didn't make it. This experience brought him more attention and helped him open the eyes of people to get more involved in what was happening in politics. After this opportunity in the public eye, he decided he would go ahead and fight the battles on the sidelines.
Mark and Terry shared their knowledge and love of our area with the rest of us by writing a weekly column for the Emery County Progress called "Williams' Wanderings". They would spotlight an interesting historical area and tell the story, how to get there and anecdotes about the time period it involved. This led them to write an updated version of the original "Utah's Scenic San Rafael" in 2001. Again, a self-guided tour book with new areas to explore and all color photographs.
Some of Mark’s most important accomplishments include, but are not limited to the following:
* Mark H. founded the SouthEastern Utah OHV Club and the response to a club and working together as a group of volunteers has exceeded his highest expectations.
*Organized and supervised the SEUOHV Club’s first ever work project….The Rock Canyon Trail
*Mark established SEUOHV Club’s “Swell Cure For Cabin Fever” Poker Ride (annual fund raiser for land use battle)
*Mark H. served on the OHV Advisory Council for 8 years and was instrumental in getting the money that SITLA gets from registrations dedicated to the improvement of *OHV opportunities on Trust Lands.
*While Chairman of the OHV Advisory Council, Mark H. was able to modify the rules to allow non-government entities to apply for grants. (Sage Riders were 1st to utilize)
*Also as Chairman of the OHV Advisory Council, Mark H. was able to get the “ceiling” lifted to over $1,000,000.00 per year for projects that enhance motorized recreation in Utah.
*When it looked as if the San Rafael Swell was going to be designated a National Monument, Mark led the charge to find out the particulars of getting a legal petition organized and enough signatures to place the decision on the ballot to have it voted on by the people. The people of Emery County were successful in defeating the Monument, and Commissioner Randy Johnson thru the election.
*Mark H. was instrumental in getting the ATV Bridge over Ferron Creek. He convinced the Forest Service to do the NEPA and then conned Utah State Parks out of the money to install the bridge located at the bottom of The Dragon Trail.
*Mark H., with help from Maverick Country Stores and others on the Council, was able to start a reward program in which certificates were handed out to kids caught WEARING a helmet while riding. The certificates were then redeemed at Maverick for drinks, snacks or ice-cream.
*To bring some visitors in to discover our beautiful mountains and spectacular desert Mark decided he wanted to promote a jamboree. The Arapeen ATV Jamboree was scheduled to begin on Labor Day each year and go through Friday of that week. The Jamboree provides guided tours for 5 days and introduces our trails to people from all over the country.
*In order to protect the ATV Poker Ride Trail from a possible Federal Land Trade, Mark convinced Emery County officials to purchase an easement from SITLA.
*Cedar Mountain T.V. Tower Trail (trail cat improvements)
*Mark served many years as a Volunteer ATV Trainer for Utah State Parks’ “Know Before You Go” Safety Education Program.
*Mark continues to teach adults thru the ASI ATV Education Program.
Currently, Mark H. is serving on the Emery County Public Lands Council, Emery County Trails Committee, Emery County Travel Council and Special Service District #1.
He will always be a good representative for the people and will never let down his guard. He is still a photographer, rockhounder, camper, ATV'er and an honorable man.
Mark H, being a devoted husband, father and grandfather is also as tenacious as a pitbull. He has never faltered in his affinity to the land and its people. Even though he worked years as a heavy equipment operator he was able to have a hand in a lot of major developments that were and are a benefit to Emery and Carbon counties and the Utah State. Even as he retired from the industrial world of building highways, dams and power plants he became more and more involved in multiple-use of public lands and how to save it.
As a very young man, Mark H earned his Eagle Scout Award and later a Silver Beaver Award. This prefaced his position as the Eagle Scout Advancement Chairman in the Region. The approval of Eagle Scout Projects, interviews, awards banquets, merit badge counselor was such a pleasure for him. An important Scout project for Castle Dale City was the renovation of the old bridge that led into town in earlier years. The boys were praised by the city for their incredible work of beautifying and preserving this structure. This project made it possible for ATV's to ride across it out of town after following a route signed in town for this purpose. This signing was also done in other cities and towns around the county and was initiated by Mark. He wanted a way for the ATV'ers to ride out of their town on their machines.
He had numerous people that influenced him as his passion grew for "his" land. One that was a favorite was Owen McClennahan. They explored together, learned from each other and rockhounded together. Finally Owen decided that a book needed to be written and Mark was chosen as the photographer. It was published as a guidebook and named Utah's Scenic San Rafael Swell and made a hit. Owen's interest in uranium and fluorescent rocks captivated Marks interest also and the resulting photography of the rocks was tremendous. There is a display in the Museum of the San Rafael that contains Owen's rocks being fluoresced with black lights.
He has a huge admiration for those who settled the area - from the ancient Indians to those who settled our communities. Another project he participated on was the clean up of the Buckhorn Indian Rock Art Panel when he was on the Historical Society Committee. The graffiti on it was heartbreaking. Another project was the restoration of the Swinging Bridge.
As the land issues kept springing up, Mark could see the need for more involvement and more voices. By this time he had purchased an ATV and was more aware of problems that needed to be faced and acted upon. Working with Utah State Parks, Manti La Sal Forest and Bureau of Land Management has its challenges but he has developed a great rapport with them. Many trails have been saved, groomed, repaired, marked and mapped. This is an ongoing thing that Mark will be a part of as long as he can.
Mark was a candidate for Emery County Commissioner two different times - close races but he didn't make it. This experience brought him more attention and helped him open the eyes of people to get more involved in what was happening in politics. After this opportunity in the public eye, he decided he would go ahead and fight the battles on the sidelines.
Mark and Terry shared their knowledge and love of our area with the rest of us by writing a weekly column for the Emery County Progress called "Williams' Wanderings". They would spotlight an interesting historical area and tell the story, how to get there and anecdotes about the time period it involved. This led them to write an updated version of the original "Utah's Scenic San Rafael" in 2001. Again, a self-guided tour book with new areas to explore and all color photographs.
Some of Mark’s most important accomplishments include, but are not limited to the following:
* Mark H. founded the SouthEastern Utah OHV Club and the response to a club and working together as a group of volunteers has exceeded his highest expectations.
*Organized and supervised the SEUOHV Club’s first ever work project….The Rock Canyon Trail
*Mark established SEUOHV Club’s “Swell Cure For Cabin Fever” Poker Ride (annual fund raiser for land use battle)
*Mark H. served on the OHV Advisory Council for 8 years and was instrumental in getting the money that SITLA gets from registrations dedicated to the improvement of *OHV opportunities on Trust Lands.
*While Chairman of the OHV Advisory Council, Mark H. was able to modify the rules to allow non-government entities to apply for grants. (Sage Riders were 1st to utilize)
*Also as Chairman of the OHV Advisory Council, Mark H. was able to get the “ceiling” lifted to over $1,000,000.00 per year for projects that enhance motorized recreation in Utah.
*When it looked as if the San Rafael Swell was going to be designated a National Monument, Mark led the charge to find out the particulars of getting a legal petition organized and enough signatures to place the decision on the ballot to have it voted on by the people. The people of Emery County were successful in defeating the Monument, and Commissioner Randy Johnson thru the election.
*Mark H. was instrumental in getting the ATV Bridge over Ferron Creek. He convinced the Forest Service to do the NEPA and then conned Utah State Parks out of the money to install the bridge located at the bottom of The Dragon Trail.
*Mark H., with help from Maverick Country Stores and others on the Council, was able to start a reward program in which certificates were handed out to kids caught WEARING a helmet while riding. The certificates were then redeemed at Maverick for drinks, snacks or ice-cream.
*To bring some visitors in to discover our beautiful mountains and spectacular desert Mark decided he wanted to promote a jamboree. The Arapeen ATV Jamboree was scheduled to begin on Labor Day each year and go through Friday of that week. The Jamboree provides guided tours for 5 days and introduces our trails to people from all over the country.
*In order to protect the ATV Poker Ride Trail from a possible Federal Land Trade, Mark convinced Emery County officials to purchase an easement from SITLA.
*Cedar Mountain T.V. Tower Trail (trail cat improvements)
*Mark served many years as a Volunteer ATV Trainer for Utah State Parks’ “Know Before You Go” Safety Education Program.
*Mark continues to teach adults thru the ASI ATV Education Program.
Currently, Mark H. is serving on the Emery County Public Lands Council, Emery County Trails Committee, Emery County Travel Council and Special Service District #1.
He will always be a good representative for the people and will never let down his guard. He is still a photographer, rockhounder, camper, ATV'er and an honorable man.
