Kirk Klancke, president of TU's Colorado Headwaters chapter in Fraser, praised West Slope stakeholders for their push for river protections. “They realized that a healthy river is the basis for healthy communities and local economies,” he said. “They realized that if we don't save our rivers, we'll lose the heart and soul of this magnificent place.”

But the overall outlook of Colorado's Trout Unlimited is cautious.

“Some have called this deal a ‘global solution,' but it certainly isn't global in scope, as it does not address the future impacts of the pending Moffat and Windy Gap expansion projects,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited, in statements released on Wednesday. “Nor does it involve the single largest user of Upper Colorado River water —the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District.”

http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20110428/NEWS/110429919/1079&ParentProfile=1067