Outdoor notes

BOATING WARNING ISSUED

Three boating-related deaths and several drownings on Utah's lakes and reservoirs this year have Utah State Parks boating managers continuing to urge life-jacket use.

Managers specifically warn about the importance of life jackets while playing on inner tubes, inflatable rafts and mattresses and other toys. These toys are often slippery and unstable.

"These flotation toys are not life-saving devices," said Dave Harris, boating coordinator. "A life jacket should be worn at all times when using or playing with these toys."

When outside a swim beach area, those using these toys are required to wear a life jacket.

Nearly 80 percent of those who die in boating accidents are not wearing life jackets.

For more information, visit www.stateparks.utah.gov or call 801-538-BOAT.

VIEW MOUNTAIN GOATS

The Division of Wildlife Resources will host its annual Mountain Goat Watch on the Tushar Mountains east of Beaver on Aug. 9.

The viewing event is free and participants may see as many as 100 goats.

The DWR will provide all the equipment needed to view the goats. In some cases the goats have gotten as close as 35 feet from onlookers.

Lynn Chamberlain, regional conservation outreach manager, said the trip will begin at 8 a.m. at the convenience store at the bottom of Exit 109 off I-15 on the south side of Beaver.

From there, participants will caravan to the viewing location, which is at an elevation of around 11,500 feet.

In addition to seeing the mountain goats, the trip will be an opportunity to explore an alpine-tundra ecosystem.

For more information call 435-865-6100.

NEW MAP AVAILABLE

The Utah Geological Survey has released a new geologic map covering parts of Kane and Washington Counties in Utah, and Coconino and Mohave Counties in Arizona.

The map encompasses approximately 1,900 square miles of some of the most spectacular scenery and geology of Utah. Within its boundaries are parts of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and about one-third of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.