Foes believe roadless-area rules could open 300,000 acres to development.
Dentry: Natural gas drilling hurting land
By Ed Dentry Rocky Mountain News
July 22, 2008
"While there is little to no relationship between the price of gasoline and development of natural gas on public lands - which is what most of this development has been about, as opposed to oil - our rush to produce short-term energy supplies can have a profound effect on the fish and wildlife habitats and water supplies that define the West," said Chris Wood, a Trout Unlimited executive.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/22/feverish-natural-gas-drilling-has-wreaked-havoc/
Trout Unlimited boosts fish in Canon City
By CHRIS WOODKATHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
Trout Unlimited is trying to raise money to improve fish habitat on the Arkansas River through Canon City.
The Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter is trying to complete fundraising for the $20,000 project, which will create weirs, “J-hooks” and boulder clusters on the Arkansas River between Ninth Street and Raynolds Avenue in Canon City, said Ted Sillox, project coordinator.
http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2008/07/08/news/local/doc4872f6be32e9b629083968.txt
Enviros seek options to fight Roan drilling
by David Frey, Aspen Daily News Correspondent Monday, July 7, 2008
After Ritter took office, his administration reviewed the plan and called for protecting about 15,000 more acres to safeguard areas of environmental concern further.
Many wildlife groups, including Trout Unlimited, the National Wildlife Federation and the Colorado Wildlife Federation, have endorsed that plan. The House passed a bill sponsored by Salazar’s brother, Rep. Ken Salazar, and by Rep. Mark Udall, both Democrats, to implement it, but it must also be passed by the Senate.
Lending a helping hand
A change in policy will help fish in Wild Trout, Gold Medal waters flourish
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Colorado has some new regulations for its Wild Trout and Gold Medal waters, including much-needed changes that may see more waters added to the list of the state’s most productive fisheries.
"We hope this opens the door for more waters being added to the list of Wild Trout waters,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “We think there’s a desire from anglers to see more waters managed this way.”
http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/sports/stories/2008/06/28/062908_OUT_column_WWW.html
Gov. Ritter on energy/wildlife hot seat
By Charlie MeyersThe Denver Post
Dave Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited, deeply lamented the commission's waffling, calling it a rollback in the face of industry pressure.
"This caught us very much off guard and this newest round poses notable problems, particularly from a rivers standpoint," Nickum said.
Nickum also expressed regret that the industry had taken such radical steps in its attack.
"It's frustrating that they put out so much misinformation, that they deliberately exaggerated what the rules proposed. That's unfortunate because there's so much more flexibility in the original draft rule than has been suggested."
Showdown set on new Colorado oil, gas regulations
Jun 21, 2008 By JUDITH KOHLER, AP But Dave Nickum of the Colorado chapter of Trout Unlimited said he's worried about losing ground. He's concerned about a suggested change from the draft rules to limit buffers around water bodies to just rivers and lakes with native cutthroat trout or gold-medal fisheries.
http://www.examiner.com/a-1452713~Showdown_set_on_new_Colorado_oil__gas_regulations.html
55,000 acres on Roan up for lease
Phillip YatesGlenwood Springs correspondent Aspen, CO Colorado June 10, 2008
But Corey Fisher, energy field coordinator for Trout Unlimited, said his group was disappointed that BLM is moving forward with its current plan because it doesn't provide the level of protection that fish, wildlife, angling and hunting values on the Roan Plateau warrant.
Fisher said a critical concern for his group is the viability of the Colorado River cutthroat trout. However, the BLM's current plan would allow for development in the fish's watershed areas, he said.
"It disappointing that the BLM is obstinately moving forward with its plan when hunters, anglers, local townships, the governor and everyone in this area thinks there is a better way forward," Fisher said. http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20080610/NEWS/347280190
Gas board expects an earful
Monday, June 09, 2008
Joining in with the bowhunters association in urging support for the regulations was Colorado Trout Unlimited, Colorado Wildlife Federation and some retired officials with the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2008/06/09/061008_1a_energy_main.html
Sportsmen meet in Wyo. to talk preservation of hunting land
Trout Unlimited spokesman Chris Hunt said Thursday that hunters and anglers don't oppose energy development but they also don't want to see their hunting and fishing grounds destroyed.
"If you're a sportsman in Wyoming or in Colorado or in Utah or Montana or New Mexico, you're watching as the places you hunt and fish are disappearing," Hunt said. "And it's a pretty simply equation, lost habitat equals lost opportunity."
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/may/23/sportsmen-meet-in-wyo-to-talk-land-preservation/
