Cutthroat competition

Durango Herald op-ed from Paul Sheppard, president of the Five Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Durango: As part of the recent land swap discussion, we should consider values that do not equate well to dollars, as they are priceless.

The U.S. Forest Service recognizes articles identified in the Wild & Scenic Rivers Acts as "outstandingly remarkable values" or ORVs. These are features in the forest of such high value, the Forest Service is directed to manage them so as to retain their character. In order for the people to make more informed decisions about the proposed land swap, I feel it important to share these values.

http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/2009/09/27/Cutthroat__competition/

Thanks to Coyote Gulch for the link!

More fodder for FRAC Act backers as Pa. officials shut down fracking ops

The Colorado Independent - By David O. Williams

The problems in Pennsylvania could supply lawmakers even more ammunition in the ever-intensifying national campaign to strip a Safe Drinking Water Act exemption for the process that was granted during the Bush administration. Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette is leading the charge on that front with her so-called FRAC Act – a measure hotly debated in and around the gas fields of Colorado’s Western Slope. Read more

Upper Ark water study gets state funds

By CHRIS WOODKATHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

“It’s important from the standpoint of knowing what the total supply is and comparing our projected demands. Then we’ll know what we need to meet those demands,” said Terry Scanga, general manager of the Upper Ark district. The study would also look at groundwater recharge rates and possible sites for groundwater storage. Read more

Colo. water cleanups hobbled by ‘Good Samaritan’ legal risks

 Colorado Independent

 By Katie Redding

Trout Unlimited's Elizabeth Russell advocates for federal “Good Samaritan legislation,” laws that would relieve groups like Lake Fork Watershed from liability. She said that in Pennsylvania, the only state with such laws, “clean ups are happening left and right.” http://coloradoindependent.com/38169/colo-water-cleanup-projects-hobbled-by-%E2%80%98good-samaritan%E2%80%99-legal-risks

Enough water?

By CHRIS WOODKATHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

And speaking of the environment, a statewide plan is only effective when each piece of river it touches can be accounted for, said Melinda Kassen of Trout Unlimited.

Kassen said the nine basin roundtables that feed into the IBCC have yet to complete the analysis of nonconsumptive water needs throughout the state. Even then, each project will have to be decided on a case-by-case basis, since recreation interests

- rafting vs. fishing, for example - are often at cross-purposes.

Some reaches are fine, some need protection and some need restoration, Kassen said.

“We need to make sure we use the money available for environmental protection to protect those areas we know will have problems,” Kassen said.

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/09/20/news/local/doc4ab5bc15852b1824827984.txt

State plans for multiple water futures

By CHRIS WOODKATHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Melinda Kassen of Trout Unlimited said the overall goal of meeting water needs is not as important to the environment as when and where the water is used.

“It’s about ecosystems,” she said. “What do we have to do to protect the important ecosystems of the state?”

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/09/15/news/local/doc4aaf1b996005b080031227.txt

Sportsmen's group labels gas drilling a threat to Roan

By DENNIS WEBB/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Friday, September 11, 2009

John Trammel, of the Grand Valley Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited, is quoted in the report as saying, “It would be a serious mistake to jeopardize the irreplaceable values of native fish on the Roan by drilling in their watersheds.”

http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/09/11/091209_3A_roan_sportsmen.html

State Faces Future With More People, Less Water

The Watch

by Allen Best

“There are projects that have significant adverse environmental impact that we could not support,” said Melinda Kassen, managing director of the Western Water Project for Trout Unlimited. “And there are projects that have substantially fewer environmental impacts that we can support,” she said, if mitigation measures are included. http://www.telluridewatch.com/pages/full_story/push?article-State+Faces+Future+With+More+People-+Less+Water%20&id=3559823-State+Faces+Future+With+More+People-+Less+Water&instance=secondary_stories_left_column

Part of Animas River west bank to undergo stabilization process

by Garrett AndrewsHerald Staff Writer

"We're losing that riverbank," said former president of the Five Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited Ty Churchwell. "Eventually it will eat its way through Roosa Avenue."

He said that part of the problem is the unstoppable force of nature, the other is human. River users who utilize the free parking along Roosa Avenue often don't walk to a trail to get to the river but forge their own through the native vegetation.

The repair measures have been designed to withstand a 50-year flood, and should be around "for decades," said Churchwell.

http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/08/27/Part_of_Animas_River_west_bank_to_undergo_stabilization_process/