Study shows possible coalbed methane effects

Craig Daily Press – By Collin Smith

An ongoing study into the possible effects of coalbed methane production in the Sand Wash Basin now shows the area has deep faults potentially connecting coal seams and near-surface water reservoirs.

This would mean activity in those coal seams could affect water resources used by local residents. Read more

McInnis, Maes promise an oil and gas rig in every pot if elected governor

The Colorado Independent – by By David O. Williams

The two remaining GOP gubernatorial candidates won’t even wait to see how new, environmentally tougher oil and gas drilling regulations work during an actual gas boom, according to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, instead promising to yank the regs as quickly as possible if elected.

Why bother to Read more ?

Oil and gas industry slams Salazar for yanking drilling leases near Utah parks

the Colorado Independent – by By David O. Williams 11/20/09 3:31 PM

Salazar, who outright pulled eight of the leases near critical national parks like Arches and Canyonlands and deferred 52 others for more study, said they were sold at the direction of Bush administration officials trying to push them through on their way out the White House doors. Read more

Debate continues over off-road vehicle use

Summit Daily News – by Bob Berwyn

Growth of motorized recreation spurs funding questions

A coalition of conservation and outdoor user groups wants to earmark specific portions of the $3.2 million pot for restoration and law enforcement, but some regional public land administrators, along with representatives of motorized groups, advocated the status quo….
 Speaking on behalf of Colorado Trout Unlimited, Dave Peterson said enforcement and restoration efforts haven’t come close to keeping pace with the growth in off-road use in recent years. Read more

First Annual Collegiate Peaks Anglers Benefit Art Show

Sat. Nov 21, 6:00pm – 9:00 pm at Virtuosity Gallery, 106 North F Street, Salida – 719-221-8964.

Salida artists Joshua Been and Carl Ortman present an angler and water themed art show at Virtuosity Gallery to benefit Collegiate Peaks Anglers. Both painters continually support local conservation efforts and invite you to share a visual journey of our valley. Please join us for an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, tall tales and original oil paintings. With the holidays coming, pick up a one of a kind painting for your one of a kind person. Prices range from $150 to $3000 and 30% of the proceeds will benefit Collegiate Peaks Anglers. To see examples of Joshua Been’s work go to www.joshuabeen.com.

Rethinking the Roan Plateau

Opinion: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

We hope the court will direct the Department of Interior to cancel the Roan leases, refund the lease money and consider technological changes that would allow the industry to extract the bulk of the natural gas. Environmentalist contend that, using 2007 technology, the vast majority of the gas resources underlying the Roan can be extracted without disturbing the top. Read more

“Agriburbia” sprouts on Colorado’s Front Range

Denver Post – by Jason Blevins

Today, Milliken’s 618-acre Platte River Village is ready for construction, with 944 planned homes surrounded by 108 acres of backyard farms and 152 acres of drip- irrigated community farms. The plan is for the farms to feed local residents and supply restaurants while paying for community upkeep. And Redmond, a 47-year-old planner-farmer, has 13 other Front Range projects mulling his “agriburbia” concept. Read more

Quillen: The politics of storage

Denver Post Opinion

Granted, it’s early to be paying much heed to next year’s gubernatorial campaign, but there are already candidates out stumping. Among them is Josh Penry, a Republican state senator from Grand Junction.

Last summer, he told the Colorado Water Congress that our “water inheritance is running out,” and we need to “embark on a new round” of building reservoirs.

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Water-demanding farms looked at as resources vanish

From the Arizona Republic – by Shaun McKinnon

In Arizona, the crops yield about 1 percent of the state’s annual economic output, yet the fields soak up 70 percent of the water supply. That outsize allotment has painted a target on the farms as urban water managers search for the next bucket of water to meet future demands.

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CWCB: Montrose County instream flow water rights public meeting

From: Coyote Gulch

The following stream segments in Montrose County are being considered for instream flow protection at this time: North Fork Tabeguache Creek, Red Canyon Creek, San Miguel River, and Tabeguache Creek.

Additional streams that are being considered for appropriation in 2010 in Water Division 4 include: Alpine Gulch, Big Dominguez Creek, Blue Creek (Increase), Cebolla Creek, Cochetopa Creek, East Beaver Creek, Little Dominguez Creek, Spring Creek, and Willow Creek.

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