Guest Commentary: We don't need to drill it all

Denver Post Bill Fales and Auden Schendler

What a thing it was. Seven green John Deere​ tractors, buckets skyward, hundreds of thousands of dollars in farm ordinance, rolling down Main Street in Carbondale on a beautiful Saturday earlier this month. The tractors, in the height of fall roundup, were on the way to ... a street protest.

Really.

These tractor owners are not Occupy Wall Street types. They wear crushed and filthy felt cowboy hats. They have no iPhones. They don't use Soft Soap. Lotion is as foreign an idea as complaining. And yet here they were, in these fractious times, going to meet their friends -- 300 of them, in fact: the hippies and the hunters, the drummers and the Republicans, the women in long flowing dresses, the businessmen and the children, fellow cattlemen and grandparents.

They gathered under the name the Thompson Divide Coalition (TDC), organized more than three years ago to protect 221,000 acres of Forest Service land just outside of Carbondale from gas drilling. Thompson Divide is a place for all people: It's the town's viewshed; it hosts a popular climbing area; offers five months of grazing for cattle owned by local ranchers who provide an important and growing source of healthy local food; it includes hiking trails around a pristine creek; an incredible nonprofit Nordic ski area; one of the best game management units for hunting elk and deer in the nation; and a vast system of snowmobile trails.

Because these uses touch everyone, it's hard to find anyone in the Crystal or Roaring Fork Valleys who doesn't support the coalition. The signs speak to that: Tractors for Thompson Divide. Ranchers for Thompson Divide. Save It For the Kids. Cows Need Grass, Not Gas. Clean Air, Clean Water = Priceless.

And the message from this group was, in short, that we don't need to drill it all. While gas is useful and necessary, and the business provides jobs and food for families, we don't have to drill every square inch. Today, Western Colorado is seeing some of the highest wellhead density in the West. And we as a state are going to town on our bountiful reserves, no question.

Read more here...

Bill Fales is a rancher and owner of Cold Mountain Ranch. Auden Schendler is a vice president at Aspen Skiing Company​.

Study: Climate Change Threatens Trout Habitat

  From Colorado Public Radio - Please take a moment to listen:

Drive past a river in Colorado’s mountains and there’s a good chance you’ll see someone trying to land a trout. But now, scientists say, Colorado’s best trout-fishing rivers are in jeopardy because of climate change. A new study says trout habitat in the West will shrink by about half over the next 70 years. Kurt Fausch is a professor of fish biology at Colorado State University, and a co-author of the study. He speaks with Ryan Warner.

Click here to visit CPR and listen to the podcast.

First Annual Casting For Recover Event from the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter

From Erik Heikennenen, President CMCTU: CMCTU’s First Annual Tying and Giving Back fly tying event is scheduled for October 25, 2011 7pm-9pm. Here’s your opportunity to sit down and tie flies with some of “best of the best” professional fly tiers, guides and authors.

The event is also a great way to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month and help Casting for Recovery. All flies tied by you and our guests will benefit breast cancer survivors attending Casting for Recovery fly fishing retreats!

With and through the guidance of former Chapter Board Member, Jim Williams, CMCTU members have tied and donated 92 dozen flies this year and over 250 dozen in the past 5 years to Casting for Recovery.

Don’t forget this is your chance to sit down, at our member / audience tying table, next to professionals and tie up a few flies of your own.

Are you ready to show the folks at Casting for Recovery we have a few more flies to tie for them?

Join us at Tying and Giving Back!

Don't Forget - CONNECT Premier This Thurday!

  Don't forget folks - The Greenbacks and Colorado Trout Unlimited is presenting the Colorado premier of CONNECT, a Confluence Film production this Thursday, October 20th at the Oriental Theater located at 44th & Tennyson. We're looking at a large crowd, so get your tickets and we'll see you there.

We have a lot of door prizes and cash raffle items, so get there early!

Thank you to all the companies that donated products that go directly to Colorado Trout Unlimited and The Greenbacks.

Check out the trailer - this is going to be a great event!

FERC Finds Million Application Deficient

An application for an environmental review of the proposed Flaming Gorge pipeline, submitted by Aaron Million's Wyco Power and Water Inc., has been found deficent by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In requesting that Mr. Million provide greater specificity in his plans and fill-in gaps in information, the agency also appears to question the appropriateness of being the lead agency for the project's review: "Because the Commission would only have jurisdiction with regard to the proposed hydroelectric development, which is only one component of the proposed 501-mile-long water supply pipeline project, construction of substantial parts of the overall project may require permits from other federal agencies. For the 3,212 acres of federal land you identify in exhibit 3, please identify the responsible federal agencies that manage those lands."

The Flaming Gorge Pipeline, estimated by the Colorado Water Conservation Board to cost nearly $9 billion to build, is known by its detractors as the "most expensive water in Colorado history."

See complete coverage of the Flaming Gorge Pipeline by Western Resource Advocates.

See the actual FERC letter to Wyco Power and Water.

See the video about the Flaming Gorge Pipeline shot by Pete McBride.

Not as bad as climate change models predict

Robin Knox, CoordinatorWestern Native Trout Initiative

It is a risky proposition to try to predict outcomes in nature based solely on a single environmental event or external consequence. We should remember America’s Draconian views on fire suppression and U.S. Forest Service's fire policy before and after the great fire in Yellowstone National Park in 1988.

We were reminded of “unpredictable nature” once again after reviewing the recent report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Wenger et al.,2011) discussing the potential effects of various climate change models on the future distribution of four trout species in the western United States.

In the worst case scenario, under a University of Washington climate change model-MIROC3.2 (Liittel et al. 2010), the Wenger report predicts a possible 47 percent decline in all trout habitat and a 58 percent decline in native cutthroat trout habitat due to increased water temperatures and negative interactions with non-native rainbow, brook and brown trout.

While the comprehensive report provided valuable insight into the precarious future of western trout populations due to factors related directly to climate change, it’s important to remember there are many other variables involved with coldwater native trout fisheries.

Climate change and its predicted impact notwithstanding, native trout fisheries will continue to face the realities of an expanding human population across vast stretches of the West. Regardless of your belief in the predictability of climate change models, the status of native western trout hangs in the balance for many reasons. In addition to the changing weather patterns, fisheries will continue to be negatively impacted by the demands for water and energy, drought and forest fires, and competition with introduced non-native species. The good news is that these negative impacts can be reduced and altered by sound conservation policies at the local, state and federal levels.

So it was unfortunate that the authors of this paper focused solely on the predicted decline and demise of these fish species without factoring in potential remediation efforts. Among these are better resource management practices, habitat protection and conservation initiatives to help protect these valuable fish species. It’s interesting to note that brook trout, for example, one of the main competitors of other native trout species, may suffer even greater negative impacts from climate change and thus reduce the competition for habitat with cutthroat trout where they coexist.

Since 2006, the Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI) has been working to protect, restore and enhance the habitats of western native trout, and reduce the competition with non-native fish species. The fundamental goal of WNTI is to speed the implementation of conservation strategies for native trout across the West. The intent is to have conservation and management actions focus on common themes that include (but are not limited to) water quantity and water quality improvements, improving fish passage and connectivity of watersheds, developing in-stream and riparian habitat to cool waters, and conducting non-native fish removals. These actions are supported by WNTI’s designation as a National Fish Habit Partnership under the auspices of the parallel National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP).

Taking corrective actions to conserve and protect the 19 species of native trout and char here in the West and other important trout habitats across the country from environmental threats such as climate change and water loss comes with a cost, of course. Action by trout anglers across the country to help financially support the programs of trout-related Initiatives like WNTI or the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture is sorely needed. Sound habitat management practices for trout can result in lowered water temperatures, stronger resilience to drought, flood and fire events, all of which are expected to become more common as weather patters change in the future.

Anglers and the greater conservation community in general have always supported worthwhile efforts like these in the past. They need to step up to the plate once again for the future. For more information on how to help, visit www.westernnativetrout.org and www.fishhabitat.org.

Project Healing Waters

The Denver based chapter of Project Healing Waters has been doing some great things lately. From Larry Snyder, the Denver group of Project Healing Waters:

While fly tying and casting classes are still continuing at the Denver VA hospital and the Aurora VA clinic, the Denver group of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is finishing off our 2011 outings and trips this Saturday, the 15th of October, with an informal get together at Cherry Creek State Park. Vets, volunteers and their family members will be treated to a fall lunch prepared by one of our volunteers.  2011 was a break out year for Denver.  In 2010 we were only able to book 4 fishing trips for the vets. This year it was 19 trips, with some of the trips flat out ruining a few of the vets with many trout caught in the 5 to 12 pound range. These guys may not want to catch normal fish anymore. Some of the better trips included floating the Colorado River, Battle at Boxwood Gulch Tournament, the Blue River Ranch, the Rahwah Ranch, Homestead Ranch, St. Mary's float tubing, the Canejos River, Big Thompson, Arkansas, Lake Lehow and of coarse a couple of trips to Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout in Woodland Park. One of our vets was able to go to Canada fly fishing for Pike, Walleye and Small Mouth Bass. Next month, another vet will be shipped off to the Bahamas to do some saltwater fly fishing on the flats.

I believe the latest number is somewhere around 20 new vets that finished the fly tying and casting classes this year with another 13 currently attending the fall classes. Both the hospital and the Aurora clinic have waiting lists of veterans who have heard about what we are doing and want to attend future classes. One of our volunteers has orchestrated monthly, more advanced, fly tying classes at Gander Mountain for those that we have graduated. He said we can't teach them and just drop them and we encourage them to continue and build on what they learned. 3 of our vets have joined us as volunteers, as well.

What's in our future? I can't tell you how exited I am about 2012. We will start off the year with a booth at the ISE show this year (we will raffle off a couple of rods, one being a 9' 6wt PHW all purpose rod with fighting butt) and we will co-host a booth with the Ft. Carson group at the Fly Fishing Show in January. Toward the end of January, we will be teaching rod building and on the 15th of March (mark this in you calendar) we will be hosting a Fly Fishing Film Festival fund raiser at Red & Jerry's in Littleton. Spring classes will start at the hospital and the clinic and we will kick off the fishing with a trip to Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout, probably in April. Many of the great fishing venues the vets enjoyed, this year, have asked us to come back. A goal of 30 fishing trips has been thrown out and we will work hard to achieve that.

Such a great program. Be sure to check out the Project Healing Waters Fly Rods that give 20% to Project Healing Waters and help support our veterans.

Orvis & Conservation

  Did you know? Orvis donates one of the largest amounts to conservation in the fly-fishing industry.

At Orvis, we live by the mantra, "If our company is to benefits from our customers' enjoyment of our natural environment, we must act to preserve it." Thus, we donate 5% of our pre-tax profits to the support of worth-while projects that protect nature. Each year, a number of renowned conservation organizations apply for matching grants from our company.

~ Perk Perkins, Chief Executive Officer

In fact, Orvis has recently donated a large amount to the Western Native Trout Initiative, and has also donated a new Superfine Touch 804-4 rod, a Battenkill Bar Stock II reel, and a WF Trout Wonderline for The Greenbacks to raffle at the Colorado premier of CONNECT next week.

Orvis' dedication to protecting our environment for future generations is greatly appreciated. Please visit their conservation blog for more information on the projects they are currently helping by clicking the image below.

RSC Outing at Ouray Ranch

Last weekend Colorado Trout Unlimited River Stewardship Council members were treated to a sweet day of fishing at Ouray Ranch, near Granby, Colorado. Located on the banks of the Colorado River just below Grand Lake, the Ranch generously allowed Colorado TU to socialize with and appreciate some donors and luminaries who contribute to our efforts in preserving Colorado's rivers. Oh, and do some fishing too!

The morning started out fairly cold and overcast, but after a stimulating roundtable discussion about the health of the Colorado and Fraser Rivers, and the current state of negotiations, the skies started to clear and people were ready to get out on the water.

As the skies cleared, the temps warmed up and the dry-flies were working!

Thank you to all the great people who came out for this day on the water - your support is certainly appreciated - Colorado TU could not do what we do without you!

Thank you!

White River Best Wild Places - Part II

By Aaron Kindle Finishing the tale from yesterday's post - White River Best Wild Places - Part I

Day three we headed downstream to examine the impacts of oil and gas development and to see some of the little known wild gems of the lower White.  We began on Piceance Creek road, the center of most energy development in the basin. We saw a large pipeline being constructed, many oil and gas facilities and rigs, and a few streams that have been altered from both grazing and energy development.  Fortunately, we had the pleasure of bringing Scott Warner along for this portion of the trip. Scott is a member of the newly formed TU chapter in Steamboat and has hunted the lower White for 15 years. He offered lots of perspective, explained how energy development had changed the area, and told us hunting stories.

Here I took the chance to explain our efforts regarding energy in the basin including the Sportsmen’s Conservation Vision that I recently submitted to the BLM. The document was created in hopes of helping the BLM craft the appropriate stipulations and other safeguards for energy production to ensure the permanent existence of hunting and fishing on BLM lands in the basin. It calls for a prudent and common sense approach to development and offers guidance for developing in a responsible manner that is compatible with land and stream conservation.

As the tour continued, we traveled high onto the Cathedral Bluffs and had the chance to gaze down into Lake and Soldier Creeks. These two creeks hold some of the last remaining pure populations of cutthroat trout in the lower White River Basin. One can tell why these streams hold the elusive creatures – they are pristine, mostly unroaded, and undisturbed by most people. TU is working on several fronts to keep these creeks and others like them in the basin protected and restored where necessary.

The last morning we wrapped up the trip with some small creek fishing for Colorado River Cutthroats on a small tributary to the White River. In only a couple hours we all had caught several fish and I was even lucky enough to land a big cutthroat/cutbow after some thoughtful coaching from Kirk Deeter and Chris Herrman.

We ended the trip by visiting a ranch where Chris has been working on an easement. We met with the ranch manager, a Rio Blanco County Commissioner, and a fishing guide. After listening intently to their perspectives and ideas about how to move into the future in the basin, a sense of both satisfaction and melancholy came over me. While I am happy about our work in the basin and the success we are starting to find, it is always hard to leave such a great area and to say goodbye to great folks dedicated to keeping wild places wild. The White River Basin is a great wild place. May it always stay that way.

Look for more from Field and Stream in the coming weeks about the tour.

Best regards, Aaron Kindle       akindle@tu.org