Flaming Gorge ’scheme’

Pueblo Chieftain

TELL IT TO THE CHIEFTAIN

Re: “Flaming Gorge pipeline users lining up,” Jan. 15 Chieftain. It’s a stretch for developer Aaron Million to try to sell his  grandiose pipeline dream as an “environmental” project that will benefit Colorado’s overtapped rivers.

   It’s a promise that, like many of his claims, has yet to be firmed up. What is certain is that the pipeline would draw down Flaming Gorge reservoir levels and risk a host of potential environmental problems, from invasive species and water quality decline in the Green River’s famous fishing waters to degraded wildlife habitat all along the 560-mile route.

   Moreover, this project is also lining up fierce opposition all along its route, from towns, communities and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal who rightly worry about the environmental and economic costs of this boondoggle in the making.

   Front Range communities should first consider simpler, less costly measures to meet our region’s water needs, such as conservation, aquifer recharge and leasing. What’s needed most is comprehensive regional water planning, not pie-in-the-sky schemes.

Drew Peternell, director

Colorado Water Project

Trout Unlimited

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2010/01/24/editorial/doc4b5b971364daf581933349.txt

Water is crucial to rural economies

Pueblo Chieftain

By SAL PACE
STATE REPRESENTATIVE

When water leaves a community so does the opportunity to attract companies, build homes, draw business or grow crops.  When water leaves a community, so does a community’s future opportunity for prosperity. We’re facing tough economic times, but we need to ensure that when we rebound, that we rebound together as an entire state — urban and rural.

   That is why I am running House Bill 1159 to require that mitigation plans must be a part of any large transfer of water from one part of the state to another — specifically from one river basin to another.     When a farm shuts down operations, the tractor repairman or the fertilizer salesperson will soon close their doors. Under current Colorado water law, there is no legal consideration for the permanent loss to the economy that is felt when water is transferred permanently out of a community.

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2010/01/31/editorial/doc4b64e1d9f0bc8388687208.txt

Navigation rights make a splash in landowner’s skirmish with river rafters

By Jessica Fender
The Denver Post

A skirmish between a Texas developer and two rafting outfitters on the Taylor River could throw the futures of Colorado’s rafting companies into jeopardy and leave a lasting imprint on the rights of riverfront landowners. Read more

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14303397#ixzz0eCqeHMOH

Group: Protect Hermosa watershed

by Dale Rodebaugh
[Durango] Herald Staff Writer

The Hermosa Creek watershed – 155,000 acres stretching from the north Animas Valley to just beyond Purgatory – deserves protection because of its sterling water quality and corresponding natural resources, including diverse flora and fauna and recreation, the River Protection Workgroup says. Read more

Colorado enviros pushing water conservation

By Julie Sutor
summit daily news

“People really understand the importance of conservation,” said Summit County native Becky Long, who works for Colorado Environmental Coalition, a statewide advocacy group. “Every drop of water you take out of a river is one you’ll never see again. Water is one of our most precious resources, and it needs to be part of the road map as we’re planning for the state’s future growth.”  Read more

Million defends Flaming Gorge water proposal

By CHRIS WOODKA
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

“Front Range communities should first consider simpler, less costly measures to meet our region’s water needs, such as conservation, aquifer recharge and leasing. What’s needed most is comprehensive regional water planning, not pie-in-the-sky schemes,” Drew Peternell of Trout Unlimited wrote in a published letter to The Chieftain.

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2010/01/29/news/local/doc4b62a2d7376ef917368797.txt

Trout Unlimited Names New CEO

Field & Stream

Trout Unlimited has named Chris Wood, currently TU’s chief operating officer, to fill the chief executive officer’s position held by Charles Gauvin since 1991.  Wood will take over February 1.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fishing/2010/01/trout-unlimited-names-new-ceo

Building a better habitat

Eagle Valley Enterprise

Derek Franz

That is the kind of support that has been snowballing for the watershed council. That is also why the river restoration project, which is divided into five reaches, has expanded since it began in the fall of 2008. Local, state and national entities including Edwards Metropolitan District, Eagle River Foundation, Eagle County, Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Trout Unlimited and others have contributed grant money to the efforts.

http://www.eaglevalleyenterprise.com/article/20100127/NEWS/100129974/1054&ParentProfile=1001

OHV fees

Durango Herald

What has been proposed is that 40 percent of the money collected on OHVs goes for law-enforcement activities focused on illegal off-highway vehicle use and enforcing designated routes on public lands. Another 30 percent would go to restore areas damaged by improper or off-trail use of off-highway vehicles. And the final 30 percent would go to maintenance of existing routes, signage, maps and educational outreach.

That seem like an equitable distribution. It is supported by Trout Unlimited, the San Juan Citizens Alliance, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Wild, Great Old Broads for Wilderness about 30 other similarly interested groups.

http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Editorial/2010/01/27/OHV_fees/

Future water shortages predicted in Grand Valley

By Sharon Sullivan
[Grand Junction] Free Press Staff Writer

Despite two rivers flowing through town and a drinking water supply from Grand Mesa, projections from Colorado River Basin Roundtable studies predict significant gaps between water supply and demand by 2050. Read more