| Please read below and assist in our efforts to create
one of the better artificial whitewater courses in the US.
Thank You,
Chris
Subject: Railroad trying to derail GV Water Park!!
Dear Paddling Friends, Concerning the Grand Valley River Park--a
project that would be a million dollar plus windfall gift to boaters
from the US Government. We have our funding, our plans drawn up,
we have the blessings of the Federal, State, and local governments.
We have permission to proceed and the good graces of the local and
state entities that were once suspicious, even hostile. The local
public and media are behind us. Construction bids are ready to put
out in 25 days. I wish I could share that all is well.
At the last moment we have a very major hang-up --the Southern Pacific
and Burlington Northern Railroad. They recently informed us in writing
that they will not give the public access to the only land route
leading to our river park. Their service road, which local private
entities have used for decades, will be available for construction
crews but not the public. Without their permission for public access
the Bureau of Reclamation cannot include the whitewater park features
in with their plans for a fish-ladder.
Sensing safety and liability concerns we have made formal offers
to fence the tracks off from road. The Town of Palisade has offered
liability insurance. Until recently we had verbal assurances that
they (SP&BN) would be able to accommodate us. Their recent letter
stating other intentions was an unplanned for surprise. Their conduct
afterwards, that of being unapproachable is even more alarming and
perhaps gives validity to the long held stereotypes about railroads
being above society. Without giving reasons or offering any form
of communication they have retreated into a shell back at their
headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Without their permission this whitewater
park project is over.
We have 25 days in which to encourage them to formally change their
minds and grant permission or the party's over for what would be
one of the best whitewater parks in the country. Our first need
is simply to get their attention. They are not answering calls or
letter. One thought is that we need to work through their stockholders
and customers but that is certainly not easy. (Anyone out there
own a coal mine or a few hundred SP&BN shares? )
Another Avenue of approach is our elected representatives. We are
working to get the help of Ken and John Salazar. (John Salazar is
the GJ area US House representative.) Both are very new to the National
political scene and will need help from their peers. Your help by
writing to these people will impress them how important this is.
As significant and perhaps more affective would be any help at all
you can possible silicate from other representatives. We are also
approaching Wayne Allard whose roots are more on the eastern slope.
Some letters to him from other parts of Colorado (especially the
Front Range) would surely impress him of the regional interest.
Finally we need for you to spread this message out as far as possible.
We very much need to get a lot of action in a short time. It is
important to emphasize that this park is not just some small town's
pet project or the play area for a few locals. With high water flows
up to 40,000 CFS and (three) four-foot high, river wide drops coming
after swift water lead-in it would have big water features offered
at no other whitewater park in this country. The site would be natural
for regional and national wildwater racing events. The runnout pools
below the drops make it a great venue for paddling instruction and
for youth programs. Being at an altitude that is thousands of feet
lower than other regional parks and having a dependable winter flow
will certainly make this site a major off-season training site for
racers (both slalom and wildwater), rodeo and freestyle types, and
as well for recreational paddlers.
Without some immediate action this park will not happen. Once again
thanks for your help~~
Dennis Adams
The webpage link is www.grandvalleyriverpark.org <http://www.grandvalleyriverpark.org/>
and the address is
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD CO.
Dick Davidson, Chairman and CEO
Union Pacific Building
1416 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE 68179
Phone: 402/271-5000
Please read the information below from Rob White, the AHRA park
manager, and Barbara M. Wisney, Director of Colorado Parks and Recreation
Association.
PLEASE CALL &/OR E-MAIL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND URGE
THEM NOT TO CUT STATE PARKS FUNDING!
You can find contact information for your representative by typing in
your zip code at this web site:
http://election02.rockymountainnews.com/election02/
Thanks for taking the time to make a difference and support our state
parks.
Mark Robbins
President, CWWA
March 10, 2004
Dear Community Leader,
This letter serves asColorado Parks and Recreation Association’s
formal request to you to contact your state legislators and ask them not
to reduce General Fund support to Colorado State Parks, and to continue
funding State Parks’ operating budget at its current level.
On March 1, the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado General Assembly
recommended a 50% reduction in General Fund support to the operating budget
of Colorado State Parks. Unfortunately, the agency cannot undergo a budget
reduction of this magnitude without some combination of partial and complete
park closures. Under this proposed budget cut scenario, Colorado State
Parks would be forced close at least 10 parks 2-3 days a week, and completely
close at least 10 additional parks.
Over the past two years, the State Parks operating budget funded by Colorado’s
General Fund was reduced by 30%. These previous reductions required State
Parks to close management offices and lay off full-time and seasonal employees,
and forced State Parks to increase user fees and to drastically reduce
discounts for senior citizens. Currently, State Parks receives only .0034%
of the State General Fund. In essence, Colorado State Parks receives just
over 50 cents in General Fund support per visitor per year. This is a
very small amount to pay for a public program that serves 11 million visitors
per year. In 2003, Colorado State Parks ranked fifth lowest nation wide
in general fund support among state parks systems that receive general
fund dollars.
Colorado State Parks have a huge impact on both the local and statewide
levels, providing an estimated $200 million in economic expenditures within
communities in a 50-mile radius of the parks. Visitors to the parks stay
in your communities longer, resulting in a boost to local businesses and
in substantial support to the tourism industry around Colorado.
In addition to economic benefits, Colorado State Parks provide a safe,
clean and affordable destination for us all. They promote a healthy quality
of life through quality facilities, clean campgrounds, scenic landscapes,
lakes and reservoirs and maintained trails. They generate pride and bring
about community involvement through service and volunteer projects. We
cannot let these valuable resources fall by the wayside.
The Colorado Parks and Recreation Association is asking you to take immediate
action.
In this packet you will find the following information:
1. A listing of the State Parks that would be affected by General Fund
budget cuts,
and a description of the negative impacts that will take place at these
parks.
2. Facts and bullet points that you can use to craft your call to action
to your state
legislators.
3. Contact information for legislative representatives in your area and
the members
of the Joint Budget Committee.
Please write a letter, send an email, or make a phone call to state legislators
in your area, urging them to stop these cuts. With your help, we prevent
parks from closing and halt the slow degeneration of Colorado’s world-renowned
outdoor recreation opportunities and experiences.
Your urgent action is essential.The committee will make a final budget
decision by the middle of March. If we all work together, we can take
an active role in preserving Colorado State Parks and the benefits they
provide to the people of this state.
Sincerely,
Barbara M. Wisney
Barbara M. Wisney, Director
Colorado Parks and Recreation Association
---
Colorado State Parks operates 40 state parks, all of which are open to
the public seven days a week. Three parks (CheyenneMountain, Lone Mesa,
andStaunton) are currently under development. If cuts are made to State
Parks’ General Fund support, many parks could face a significant
reduction in full-time staff, seasonal staff, and days of operation.
POTENTIAL PARK CLOSURES:
Barr Lake- Partial or full closure of park
Bonny- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Cheyenne Mountain- Development delayed
Crawford- Partial or full closure of park
Harvey Gap- Partial or full closure of park
Jackson Lake- Park closed 2-3 days a week
John Martin- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Lathrop- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Lone Mesa- Development delayed
Lory- Partial or full closure of park
Mancos- Partial or full closure of park
Mueller- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Navajo- Park closed 2-3 days a week
North Sterling- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Paonia- Partial or full closure of park
Roxborough- Partial or full closure of park
San Luis- Partial or full closure of park
Spinney- Partial or full closure of park
St. Vrain- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Stagecoach- Partial or full closure of park
State Forest- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Staunton- Development delayed
Sweitzer- Partial or full closure of park
Trinidad- Park closed 2-3 days a week
Vega- Park closed 2-3 days a week
---
IMPORTANT POINTS TO MAKE IN SUPPORT OF STATE PARKS
A. ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF STATE PARKS
Our nearby State Park plays a vital role in our local economy and any
funding cuts would undermine our efforts to keep our local economy strong.
The park plays a key role in attracting tourists, and their subsequent
spending, to our area. These tourist dollars are spent at local businesses
supporting activities in the park. Purchases like gasoline, food, supplies
and clothing. If the parks are not funded and no longer maintained, negative
word of mouth experiences will cause visitation and revenues to decrease.
State Parks generates revenue within the surrounding communities –
Colorado State Parks generate an estimated $200 million in economic expenditures
within local communities. Visitors to parks stay in the community longer,
take advantage of local business and support the tourism industry around
the state. The largest travel market inColoradois the VFR group—visiting
friends and relatives. They spend a lot of money in our State Parks for
their outdoor recreation activities in Colorado.
But, State Parks offer more than just recreational opportunities for
visiting family and friends. Due to the construction of visitor centers
and meeting facilities, the parks can be used and enjoyed year round.
Each of our State Parks is an important marketing tool for our CVB. We
market the park and its activities and facilities not only to the leisure
traveler and outdoor enthusiast, but to the tour group planner for bus
tours and to the meeting planner as a meeting and reception venue. We
also market park activities and facilities to local and regional civic
organizations and school groups.
B. COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF STATE PARKS
Recreation is the biggest contributing factor to creating strong and
supportive families. Colorado State Parks provide a safe, clean, affordable
and friendly atmosphere for families to enjoy outdoor recreation. Shared
leisure activities are essential for building and maintaining a strong,
healthy relationship between parents and children.
Recreational opportunities, proximity to open space and quality of recreational
facilities are vital components to a positive feeling towards the quality
of one’s life. Colorado State Parks provide the services, facilities
and features necessary for maintaining and improving our quality of life.
Colorado State Parks promote healthy lifestyles through maintained trails,
ADA accessible facilities and a variety of outdoor educational programs.
Meaningful outdoor reaction is commonly understood as the basis of a healthy
lifestyle. Colorado State Parks provides that avenue.
Communities with strong outdoor recreational components are sought after
places to live, providing residence with a source of community pride.
When deciding where to relocate, buy a first home or retire, prospective
residents look to the outdoor pursuits in close proximity to the community.
Colorado State Parks host events and special programs that promote community
awareness of the outdoors, as well as a place to interact with fellow
members of the community. State Parks provides wonderful opportunities
for community involvement.
C. PERSONAL BENEFITS OF STATE PARKS
In Colorado, our residents understand and highly value the benefits of
recreation. However, if State Park services are reduced and areas closed
there will be no other outlet will that will replace the lost benefits
of recreation. Try to tell hikers they cannot hike, or boaters that they
cannot boat, or anglers that they can no longer fish, and the value of
lost recreation becomes clear.
Colorado has a proud heritage of providing State Parks that truly offers
a richer environment for our residents. The value of that scenery to the
collective health of any community in Colorado should not be underestimated.
People admire a good view, a marvelous sunset, a glistening lake, a sky
full of stars, a flock of birds on the wind and any number of outdoor
scenes.
Coloradoans chose their best places for their State Parks because they
have felt themselves to be at their best in them. The ancient phrase 'pursuit
of happiness' has always meant a search for a condition more truly human,
more largely fulfilled and we have selected as State Parks, places where
we do, indeed, pursue that kind of happiness - no undifferentiated glee,
no frolicking foolishness - but happiness.
For our organization’s members and their families, we feel recreation
is not only for the time. Recreation is forever afterward. Each person
has his memory chest. Walking has become the most popular form of physical
activity in theUnited States. A walk in a State Park is one of our finest
cultural opportunities, a value that Coloradans expect to find available
near their community. People who cannot accommodate their recreational
urge by walking may bike, boat, camp, ride a horse, play golf, hunt or
fish their way to satisfaction. People seek these experiences to relieve
tension, to gain fitness and to simply enjoy the scenery.
D. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF STATE PARKS
Large tracts of open space that also feature recreational amenities are
the realm of State Parks.Our State Parks offer more land than local parks,
but unlike most national parks, are close enough to home for anyone who
seeks convenient recreation. While maintaining statewide appeal, state
parks can still accommodate the specific demands of our local communities
throughout the state.
Colorado State Parks conserve the natural resources that defineColorado’s
diverse landscape. They provide clean and safe facilities for people of
all walks of life to experience and learn about nature and wildlife native
to this state.
We must stress that our state parks are important because of what they
teach us about ourselves; then perhaps our children will understand and
treasure them. Providing and preserving state parks and open space enhance
the desirability of an area as well as contribute to the safety and health
of the state's inhabitants. State parks offer beautiful scenery, clean
air pleasant surroundings, tranquility and other aesthetic qualities that
help balance the stress of everyday life. Even non-users can enjoy a state
park's beauty as a distant view or while driving past it.
---
We urge you to contact your local legislators about the dire situation
facing Colorado State Parks. Please also contact the members of the Joint
Budget Committee (JBC), the General Assembly's permanent fiscal and budget
review agency. Statutes charge the Joint Budget Committee with analyzing
the management, operations, programs, and fiscal needs of the departments
of state government. The JBC writes the annual appropriations bill - called
the Long Bill - for the operations of state government.
The JBC members can be contacted at:
The Hon. Dave Owen (Senate District 13)
200 E. 14th Ave3rd Floor
Denver,CO80203
Phone: 303-866-2586
Fax: 970-330-9600
The Hon. Tom Plant (House District 13)
200 E. 14th Ave3rd Floor
Denver,CO80203
Phone: 303-866-2587
E-Mail:tom.plant.house@state.co.us
The Hon. Peggy Reeves (Senate District 14)
200 E. 14th Ave3rd Floor
Denver,CO80203
Phone: 303-866-4841
Fax: 303-866-4543
E-Mail:peggy.reeves.senate@state.co.us
The Hon. Ron Teck (Senate District 7)
200 E. 14th Ave3rd Floor
Denver,CO80203
Phone: 303-866-3077
Fax: 303-866-2012
E-Mail:ron.teck.senate@state.co.us
The Hon. John Witwer (House District 25)
200 E. 14th Ave3rd Floor
Denver,CO80203
Phone: 303-866-2582
E-Mail:john.witwer.house@state.co.us
The Hon. Brad Young (House District 64)
200 E. 14th Ave, 3rd Floor
Denver,CO80203
Phone: 303-866-2581
E-Mail:bradyoung64@centurytel.net
2004 Uinta Basin River Guide
Seminar Draft Schedule
When: May 27, 2004
Where: Dinosaur River Expeditions, Vernal Utah
Fee: $20 (includes lunch, year membership to CPRG & CPRG Journal)
$25 (non-guide fee includes all of the above)
Coordinator: Herm Hoops - POB 163, Jensen, UT 84035
Email: hoops@iwworks.com (Use guide training as subject)
+ = confirmed sessions
9:00 Introduction+ Herm Hoops-CPRG
9:15 Agency Presentations NPS - Chas Cartwright+, BLM, USFS, UT-DNR -
Richard Droesbeck+
10:15 History of the Chew Ranch+ Scott Chew-Chew Ranch
10:15 History of the Mantle Ranch Tim Mantle-Sombrero Ranches
11:15 Current Health Concerns* +
(West Nile, hepatitus, etc) Rae Paulson-Tricounty Health
Noon Lunch Courtesy of Vernal Smiths Food & Drug
1:00 Endangered Fish Project+ Mark Fuller-USF&WS Endangered Fish Project
1:00 Exotic Plant Management+ Tamara Naumann-NPS Dinosaur N. Monument
3:00 Warm Springs Rapid+ Dr. Rod Nash - writer
3:00 The Ute Tribe Prof. John Barton - USU
4:00 Interpreting Geology Dr. Tamsin McCormick
5:00 The Age of Dinosaurs+ Dr. Dan Chure - NPS Dinosaur N. Monument
6:00 The New Wilderness+ Dr. Rod Nash - writer
7:00 Social VERNAL SMITHS FOOD & DRUG & DINOSAUR BREWHAUS
NOTES:
-Interest has been expressed to hold a food handler course on May 28th.
CPRG will sponsor the course if there is enough interest. Contact Herm
Hoops (hoops@iwworks.com) (435) 789-5334.
-Adrift will be sponsoring a river rescue course to
be held in conjunction with the seminar, date to be determined. Contact
Pat Tierny, Adrift Adventures, (info@adrift.com), (800) 824-0150
*Tricounty Health will offer hepatitus AB vaccinations
at the reduced rate of $10/shot during the lunch hour; please identify
the number of guides who will require these vaccinations.
SPONSORS (As of 01/10/04): Colorado Plateau River
Guides; Utah Guides & Outfitters; Smith’s Food & Drug; Headwaters
Institute; Dinosaur River Expeditions; Adrift; River Runners Transport;
Colorado Plateau River Guides
October 29, 2003
POB 163
Jensen, Ut 84035
Gale Norton, Secretary of Interior
U.S. Department of Interior
1849 C Street
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Honorable Secretary Norton:
Colorado Plateau River Guides, an organization of over
400 guides, comes in direct contact with approximately 40,000 customers
of commercial outfitters running the rivers of the Colorado Plateau. The
guides spend about 2.5 days with those customers on river trips. Since
1993 we have worked closely with outfitters and agencies to provide educational
seminars for guides, to provide forums for issues affecting guides and
guests, and to set the highest standards for the river guiding profession.
As the Uintah Basin Director I am writing you concerning management actions
of two agencies under your jurisdiction: Dinosaur National Monument, (National
Park Service UT & CO) and Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge,
(U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service CO). The actions these agencies have
recently instituted have severely restricted public access and use of
the Green River in Brown’s Park on the Colorado-Utah border in Northeast
Colorado from river mile 263 (Swallow Canyon Boat Access) to river mile
244 (Lodore Ranger Station), almost 20 miles of the river.
Public use on these segments of the river is relatively
light. However, use is slowly growing in popularity as river permits become
more difficult to acquire and more families take up river running. The
segment is flat water, on a braided and often shallow river. Access is
limited by the remote nature of the area and rough roads, lack of potable
water and other amenities - it is almost self-regulating. Hordes of insects
make the segment unpopular with many potential users; low water and wind
can make running the segments difficult.
By launching at Flaming Gorge Dam river runners can complete a multi day
trip through Brown’s Park to the NPS boat ramp at Lodore Ranger
Station or they can extend their Dinosaur permit by several days. It is
an excellent spring and fall river trip. This section of river offers
sweeping views of Brown’s Park and the mountains to the west, and
is a popular way to view birds and other wildlife. The Green, through
Brown’s Park is one of the few non-permitted rivers where novices
can develop river running skills. This river segment is rich in human
history and brings people into contact with a way of life that has all
but disappeared.
Because this area is little known and receives very
light use, we fear that proposed management actions will occur unknown
to river runners and others. The closure of the Lodore boat ramp to boating
take outs is an example of how management actions can occur very quietly
and change with the whims of staff. Once agency policies are implemented
they are almost impossible to reverse.
The following issues and comments are relevent to the
agencies management actions:
ISSUE: In the late 1980's Dinosaur National Monument,
through an interpretation of their River Management Plan decided that
ALL waters within Dinosaur National Monument required a permit, added
the user days above Lodore (within Dinosaur N.M.) to the pool of user
days on the other river segments managed by Dinosaur N.M. Of course user
days within Dinosaur were already “maxed out” in their lottery
and thus no permits would be available for the segment above Lodore.
Curiously at the same time Dinosaur N.M. began issuing
a free permit for the river segment within Dinosaur N.M. below Split Mountain
Boat Ramp (with no affect on river use days) AND it issued a play permit
for kayakers to travel upstream from Split Mountain Boat Ramp (even though
this segment is within the permitted user day segment of the river the
“overuse” was overlooked). None of the above actions were
circulated for comment and few people were aware of the actions.
Until the past several years, Dinosaur National Monument
did not enforce their prohibition to take-out at the Lodore Boat Ramp.
A main reason for the closure of the Lodore Boat Ramp is the NPS concern
for crowding at the Lodore boat ramp. The closure does not affect river
runners with a permit to run Lodore Canyon (seeking to extend their trip
above Dinosaur). A secondary NPS concern, stated to me by the superintendent,
is that Dinosaur wanted to support the actions of the Brown’s Park
Wildlife Refuge above the Monument boundaries.
COMMENT: By eliminating Lodore as a take-out, the action
in effect makes running eight miles of the Green River impossible for
boaters without a Lodore permit. River runners have taken out at the Lodore
ramp after completing sections above the ramp since the 1940's. To my
knowledge, about a dozen groups per year take out at Lodore. My discussions
with commercial guides, owners and private river runners do not foresee
crowding of the boat ramp as a significant issue. If overcrowding problems
occur they can be handled by the Lodore ranger and/or a sign. Dinosaur
National Monument has no inclination to change their interpretation of
the regulation. In addition it appears that they are implementing this
action in support of the Brown’s Park Refuge proposed actions.
ISSUE: The Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge has eliminated
unattended vehicle (overnight while on the river) parking at the Swinging
Bridge and Crooke (old Refuge) river accesses.
In addition the refuge manager has indicated that he
plans to eliminate the boat ramps and campgrounds at Swinging Bridge and
Crooke. His reasons for these actions are based on the new Refuge Authorities
Act which requires elimination of all incompatible refuge use, which he
stated will be instituted in several months. In addition the manager cites
harassment of wildlife by river runners as a reason to severely restrict
use. The Refuge is contemplating closure of the river below Swinging Bridge
(river mile 260) to create a “wildlife sanctuary”. After meeting
with the Refuge Manager, he indicated that the USF&WS would seek public
comment on new management actions regarding river use and access.
COMMENT: Since the 1950's river runners and others have used sites at
the Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge (US Department of Interior,
US Fish & Wildlife Service) to launch and take out boats, camp, and
park vehicles while running the river.
The combined actions now in place and proposed by the
Brown’s Park Refuge will effectively eliminate river use for all
people, with the possible exception of those with a NPS Lodore river permit
(and that would require a pretty long day on the river). The present ban
on leaving vehicles unattended makes use of the sections of river in the
refuge difficult (How does one shuttle vehicles to the take out to end
a trip?). The refuge manager has indicated that unattended vehicles are
illegal on the refuge, even though other USF&WS areas permit river
runners to leave their vehicles unattended while running adjacent rivers.
Eliminating the boat access at Swinging Bridge (river
mile 260) and Crooke (river mile 252) as well as eliminating all river
use below Crooke will have obvious effect on these river segments. When
the local community discovers these popular campgrounds have been closed
there will be very hard feelings. The concept of a “wildlife sanctuary”
is based on Refuge staff observations like a boat moving a moose &
calf several miles down river (No staff members spoke to the alleged harassing
party, and it appears that it was only incidental).
The closure also has the purpose of providing conditions
for eagle nesting and other wildlife management actions that may or may
not be necessary. As an example, in Horsthief Canyon (Colorado River)
there is an eagle nest approximately 2 miles above the Westwater Ranger
Station. The eagles have nested and successfully used the nest for over
a decade. Parties of river runners pass underneath the nest while it is
occupied AND Union Pacific trains use the railroad tracks below the nest.
There is an active farming operation across the river.
“Beneficial use” (to wildlife and management)
is a subjective phrase based on current staff values and attitudes. It
appears that the managing agency has made up its mind on this issue and
public input, if solicited, will probably only be a formality.
In October of 2003 the refuge manager contacted a private river running
group with a Lodore NPS permit and told them they would not be allowed
to run the segment of river below Crooke Access. This required the group
to have their vehicles shuttled from Flaming Gorge Dam to Crook, where
they derigged their boats and drove their equipment to Lodore. We were
not contacted, as promised by the refuge manager, and there was no advertised
public input on this action.
That management decisions by the current refuge staff
is arbitrary and capricious is exemplified by their actions adjacent to
the Swinging Bridge during the spring of 2003. The refuge staff removed
an extensive corral, actively used by ranchers adjacent to the bridge.
They were required to rebuild the corral, constructed in 1909, because
it was not within their jurisdiction.
There are other significant issues related to these
active and planned closures. The sites we are concerned with have historic
use since the late 1940's (or earlier). That any manager would change
historic use, without seeking a full comment from the local community
and interest groups is inexcusable, and deserves remedial actions. The
way land managers make decisions can affect their relationships with communities
and interest groups for decades, making it extremely difficult for future
managers to institute legitimate and well thought out actions. When local
groups perceive a threat to something they are very closely attached to
they become combative with more than the agency conducting the action.
The result is that those actions create problems for even unrelated agencies.
While it is good to see agencies cooperating on management
activities, it is not a positive form of management when it is done to
“dupe” the public. When agencies use their power to close
or restrict public use, it should be for important and documented reasons
that stand the scrutiny of public review. When a manager makes a commitment
to involve individuals or groups prior to instituting change, they should
be held accountable if they do not. I have found the Superintendent of
Dinosaur National Monument very accessible, but the Refuge Manager of
the Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge seems to operate extremely
unilaterally with an apparent attitude that he needs to involve no one.
The effect of these agency actions will close a 20 mile segment of the
Green River. Colorado Plateau River Guides is concerned about the process
and nature of these actions and asks you to stop those actions in progress
and overturn those in place.
Colorado Plateau River Guides supports legitimate management
decisions based on well conceived, sound reasoning and that have purpose
and are not superfluous. The cases above concern us because they are not
conceived in a positive way in which ALL concerned parties support them.
Unfortunately they will wastes precious agency time and funds. I hope
your review of these management actions will bring some reasonable relief
to these problems and keep this segment of the Green River open to public
use.
Sincerely
Herm Hoops
Uintah Basin Director
Colorado Plateau River Guides
encl: map
cc: Dan Phillips, President CPRG
Public Meeting: Dates/locations
Tuesday, January 20, Annex Meeting Room, Lake County
Library, 1115 Harrison Avenue, Leadville
Thursday, January 22, Public Room, Community First Bank,
146 G Street, Salida
Tuesday, January 27, BLM Field Office Conference Room,
3170 East Main Street (Hwy 50), Canon City
Monday, February 9, REI Flagship Store, 1416 Platte
Street, Denver.
All meetings will still take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Integrated Concept Plan
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - 12/08/03
The below noted information consists of an Integrated
Concept Plan to provide assistance in resolving a number of Private Boat
and Special Use Agreement issues that have been brought to the attention
of Colorado State Parks and the Bureau of Land Management.
Reduction of Commercial Boat Carrying Capacities
Browns Canyon (Section 2 B) – Reduce Commercial
Use on weekends from 450 bpd to 360 bpd
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Parkdale (Section 4 B) – Reduce Commercial Use
on weekends from 300 bpd to 240 bpd [60 bpd reduction to be available
for commercial use in Section 4 B when the Royal Gorge (Section 5) is
under a High Water Advisory from AHRA]
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Adjustment of Commercial Launch Window
Numbers (Section 1 C) – Adjust Commercial Launch
Window from 8:30 am – 11:00 am to 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Increase in Private Boat Carrying Capacities
Browns Canyon (Section 2 B) – Increase Private
Use on weekends from 150 bpd to 240 bpd
Effective Time Period: 05/15 – 09/07
Private Boat Permit System
Work with Private Boat Permit Planning Team to establish
a working framework for an AHRA Private Boat Permit System
Minimum Fee
Increase Minimum Fee for Special Use Agreements/Boating
from the current $400 per year to $1,000 / $2,000 / *$2,500 per year (*
Recommendation)
Minimum Per Client Fee
Establish Minimum Per Client Fee for Special Use Agreements/Boating
– 5.25% of Gross with a minimum of $2.00 Per Client (Tied to current
AHRA Individual Pass Fee)
Agreement Transfer Incentive
$5,000 Agreement Transfer Fee if Agreement is Transferred
$500 Agreement Transfer Fee if Agreement is Retired
(Use Transferred)
Minimum Operating Requirement
Establish 1 – 3 year Minimum Operating Requirement
prior to transfer of Special Use Agreements/Boating
Agreement retired if Minimum Operating Requirement is
not executed
Gross Reservoir
There is some news on the re-licensing of Goss Reservoir.
We don't know if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is notifying
members of the Recreation Work Group, so we thought we'd let you know.
FERC has issued the Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) on the license
application for Gross Dam and Reservoir. The FEA includes the recommendations
of FERC's staff to its Commission but it is not the license itself. The
Commission has not made its decision regarding the license and we do not
know when it will do so. If FERC has not sent you a copy of the FEA, it
is available on FERC's web page. Go to www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm.
Click on Link to Rims; click on Docket # and then enter p-2035 in the
docket box and hit enter; click on the name of the document for submittal
# 20000629-0355; hit the 271 pages near the bottom of the page. FERC's
staff recommendations are discussed on page 133 of the report and the
recreation section starts on page136. (Note: on the web page the recommendations
start on pages 149 and 152 respectively.) If the license is issued, we
expect we will be given one year from the license date to complete a detailed
Recreation Management Plan (RMP). The detailed plan will be developed
with involvement from the local, state and federal agencies that have
been working previously on the Gross Reservoir re-licensing process. Denver
Water is in the process of hiring a consultant to develop the detailed
plan. We will update the work group as the detailed plan is developed.
If and when the license is issued we will notify recreation work group
members. We intend to hold a meeting with the work group within three
or four weeks of the issuance of the license. At this meeting, we will
review FERC's requirements for the recreation plan, as well as outline
the process for working on the details of the RMP.
If you have any questions, contact me at (303) 628-6553 or e-mail: leslie.parker@denverwater.org.
Middle
Boulder Creek Source Water Management Work Plan
From the City:
Thank you for making this summer's public meeting series
so successful! Over 120 people came to a total of four meetings between
April and August. Public comment has been and will continue to be an integral
part of this process and will help to shape the work plans' development.
We appreciate the time you took to contact us.
If for any reason you were unable to attend this summer's meetings, it
is not too late to comment! Your comments are valued no matter how you
get them to us. If you still have concerns you would like to share with
the management planning team, please use one of the following ways to
get in touch with us.
Call and leave a message for Kris Kranzush, Community Liaison at 303-441-4219.
Send a fax to City of Boulder, Barker Management Plan at 303-441-4271.
Write to:
City of Boulder
Barker Management Work Plan
Park Central Building, Second Floor
1739 Broadway
PO Box 791
Boulder, CO 80306
Email us at barker-info@ci.boulder.co.us.
Currently, the management planning team is writing the draft work plan
and anticipates having it ready for public comment in early 2002. At that
time, copies of the draft plan will be posted on the project Web site
(www.barkerres-boulderutilities.net) and placed in the Boulder Public
Library. Copies will also be made available upon request for a small copying
charge.
After the management planning team collects public comment on the draft
work plan, the plan will be finalized and sent to City Council for review
in June or July of 2002. The draft plan will include
recommendations in several areas including:
Preferred hydropower operations.
Whether or not to proceed with a boating feasibility study.
Plans for future studies.
Water quality, and more!
To stay on top of current information, to review the questions and answers
from the public meetings, or to get general information, check out our
project Web site at www.barkerres-boulderutilities.net.
Thanks again for your interest and participation. We look forward to hearing
from you.
|
