Golden Milestones

In May 2009, West Denver Trout Unlimited dedicated its Golden Mile project---a $300,000 value-added improvement of a stretch of Clear Creek running through the city of Golden that greatly enhanced cold-water fishing for anglers living in the immediate area. It was lauded at the time by leaders of the City, Jefferson County, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an exemplary public-private partnership.

The Clear Creek Comeback

Since the completion of the project, angler use and success is up markedly for the Golden Mile stretch, and is drawing national attention as an important urban fishery.

The Chapter believed that while it was extremely important to improve trout habitat on a section of the stream that runs through the city of Golden, a corresponding value of the Golden Mile project was to increase public awareness of Clear Creek's potential as a recreational resource, and to serve as a catalyst for new partnerships and future improvements.

WDTU also - correctly - envisioned successful completion of the Golden Mile as a means for angler conservation interests to secure a place at the table when future decisions were made that might impact Clear Creek.

Success Spawns Success

There has been a remarkable increase in trout habitat improvements on Clear Creek since the dedication of the Golden Mile, including a “Fishing is Fun” project just upstream of Idaho Springs, another habitat remediation project in downtown Idaho Springs, and plans for a large habitat enhancement effort as part of the CDOT's Highway 119 improvements below the town of Black Hawk. Although it may be a stretch to attribute these subsequent endeavors to the success of the Golden Mile, the chapter  is encouraged by the levels of commitment and cooperation among private and public entities.

Extending Their Reach

The success of the Golden Mile project encouraged WDTU to plan and execute a second, major Clear Creek restoration effort—the Canyon Reach project—west of Golden. This project, completed in September and dedicated in October, 2011, breaks new ground in its special attention to people with restricted ability to access and appreciate what the river has to offer.

The restoration was done in three sections, chosen especially to provide safe access to and from both the highway and river for young families and marginally mobile anglers. The downstream section is located at Mayhem Gulch, near the Highway 6 Mile Marker 262; the middle section is upstream at a large unpaved parking area near Mile Marker 261; and, the upper section is at a paved parking area further upstream near Mile Marker 260 (the top of the project is a short distance below the junction of Highways 6 and 119).

Classic structures like cross vanes, J hooks, and boulder clusters provide winter habitat, bank stabilization, feeding lanes, and improved access.

Two innovative toe-wood structures provide large organic masses to encourage riparian growth in extremely rocky terrain.

Major contributors to the Canyon Reach project include Jefferson County, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s “Fishing is Fun” program, the Alfred Frei and Sons quarry, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Henderson Mine, the Trask Family Foundation, and a Colorado Trout Unlimited Gomo Grant (named for former Colorado TU staffer Leo Gomolchak). Capital outlay to date is approximately $300,000, exclusive of both past and future volunteer hours and planned signage.

The reality is that Clear Creek is becoming a respectable urban fishery. In this economic climate, with high gas prices, high unemployment and people who may be working extra hours or holding down two jobs to make ends meet, many people simply don’t have the time or the wherewithal to travel long distances to fish. They’re looking for fishing opportunities in close proximity to where they live. And, if they live along the northern Front Range, those opportunities may reside in Clear Creek.

West Denver believes there’s value in providing an improved, accessible fishery to a very large urban demographic group. And, the Chapter is hopeful that the success of the Canyon Reach project serves as a rallying point for community pride as well as a testament to Clear Creek's potential that inspires further efforts on the river.

LAFF is for Ladies

Ladies About Fly Fishing (LAFF) is (july 21) workshop for women to learn from Paula Fothergill, a renowned guide and teacher for Casting for Recovery who has also served as president of the Ferdinand Hayden Chapter in the Roaring Fork Valley. The LAFF workshop is sponsored by Purgatoire River Anglers and will be held Saturday, July 21, 2010, from  8am – 4pm at Monument Lake Resort in Weston CO. (Monument Lake is about an hour west of Trinidad CO). Download a workshop flyer.

In addition to Purgatoire River Anglers volunteers, Paula will be assisted by Ken Neubecker, immediate past president of Colorado TU and Executive Director of the Western Rivers Institute, who will provide instruction in entomology.

Workshop Agenda 8:00 – 9:00 Registration, continental breakfast and introductions 9:00 – 12:00 Basic fly fishing, knot tying, entomology, wading safety 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch 1:00 to 4:00 Fly casting instruction

The registration deadline is June 15th, but class size is limited so register soon!

To register, contact: Joanie Muzzulin ( jmuzzulin@gmail.com) 719-846-7307

Fly fishing equipment will be provided, but please bring:

• A Colorado fishing license (required)
• Your own fly rod if you have one "ready to go"
• Polarized sunglasses
• Insect repellent & sunscreen
• Hat
• Bandana
• Layered clothing for varying temperatures

(Make check payable to: Purgatoire River Anglers)

To arrange for a carpool from Trinidad, leaving at 7 a.m,, contact Sara Ferguson at 719-859-0814.

Meet Our Award Winners!

Colorado TU honors those whose contributions to resource protection make them deserving of statewide acclaim. Congratultions to our 2012 award winners!

Trout Communications Award - Kirk Deeter

Kirk Deeter, newly appointed editor of Trout Unlimited's TROUT magazine and long-time outdoor writer for Field and Stream and other publications, was recognized for his focus on Colorado's Best Wild Places and for his ongoing support of TU in Colorado.

Trout Conservation Award - Grand County

Grand County Commissioner Nancy Stuart accepts the Colorado TU Trout Conservation Award for the county's ongoing efforts to ensure that the upper Colorado River system is protected and restored for future generations.

Exemplary Guide & Outfitter - Kerry Caraghar

The fishing manager for Orvis-Cherry Creek, Kerry is a respected guide and leader in the regional fly fishing industry. He was instrumental in establishing the "Orvis 101" program to introduce new anglers to fly fishing, and is now a regular fly tyer and speaker with regional TU chapters. Kerry also and helped secure corporate grant funding for the Golden Mile habitat restoration project on his "home waters" of Clear Creek.

Chapter Communications Award - The Denver Chapter

Denver TU was recognized for modernizing its email system with improved tracking, developing a high-quality online newsletter (“The Drift”), maintaining an attractive & useful website, and developing the "Spill or Kill Reporting Card" to engage anglers as eyes and ears on their home waters.

Youth Education Award - Collegiate Peaks Anglers

When Salida schools adopted a 4-day class schedule, Collegiate Peaks saw opportunity. Working with the school district, the chapter established "Stream Explorers" to introduce students to aquatic life and fishing. Using an “inquiry-based” approach, the program focuses on hands-on learning and experimentation rather than lectures.

Youth Education Award - Evergreen Chapter

ETU’s youth education efforts include: teaching entomology, conservation, fly tying and fishing to 6th graders at JeffCo Schools Outdoor Lab; an annual day-long “fish camp” with entomology, fly tying, and fishing for 30 kids; a July 4th fishing derby for 250 kids; and partnership with Camp Comfort, which hosts children who have lost loved ones; and regularly assisting with youth fishing clinics

Outstanding Chapter Project - West Denver

West Denver’s $300,000 Canyon Reach effort builds on its earlier "Golden Mile" in the city of Golden. The project includes 3 sections below the intersection of U.S. 6 and CO 116 and focuses on both public access and aquatic habitat. J-hooks, cross vanes, boulder clusters and toe-wood islands improved habitat, while pathways and safe-wading areas were created for young families and limited-mobility anglers.

Most Improved Chapter - Rocky Mountain Flycasters

Rocky Mountain Flycasters have strengthened their chapter significantly in recent years and just completed a banner year with successful membership recruitment, an improved email newsletter and website, doubled average meeting attendance, and an increased commitment to education and conservation which has led to an 85% increase in the chapter budget. RMF has also contributed more than 5,000 volunteer hours to a slate of youth education and stream conservation projects.

Exemplary Chapter - Cheyenne Mountain

Cheyenne Mountain TU celebrated its 25th anniversary by hitting on all cylinders - strong chapter communications, growing attendance at events, strong revenue from fundraising, and the completion of important conservation projects on Fountain Creek and the South Platte. CMCTU has expanded its youth education programs and boosted conservation awareness by working with a local brewery to introduce a "Bear Creek Porter" to support conservation of a local cutthroat trout stream.

Outstanding Volunteer - Glen Edwards, West Denver

Glen has been a long-time chapter volunteer leader with the West Denver Chapter and was honored for his tireless efforts on the successful Golden Mile and Canyon Reach restoration projects, as well as for his conservation leadership within West Denver.

Outstanding Volunteer - George Osborn, Gunnison Gorge Anglers

After BLM completed a study on modifying the Relief Ditch diversion to reduce impacts on stream habitat while helping irrigators, the concept seemed doomed to languish - until George stepped up to provide steady, dedicated leadership. Construction will begin this year. George personally helped raise more than $200K in cash and in-kind donations.

Outstanding Volunteer - John Ellis, Evergreen Chapter

John has served ETU as president 5 times and Youth and  Education Chair for 18 years. He helped develop the Mt Evans Outdoor Lab Program in partnership with Jeffco Schools, worked with Evergreen Parks & Rec to establish a 4th of July fishing clinic that attracts 250 kids each year, was a leader in the O’Fallon Park/Bear Creek restoration project and helped build key partnerships with Audubon, Denver Mountain Parks, and the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife.

Outstanding Volunteer - Dave Piske

As conservation chair for the Rocky Mountain Flycasters, Dave has brought a thorough knowledge of advocacy processes and strategy to the cause of coldwater conservatin, drawing from his corporate career experience.  He has represented TU in collaborative negotiations on the Halligan-Seaman Reservoir expansion, on Long Draw Reservoir reauthorization, and has helped establish partnerships with agencies from the National Parks Service to Larimer County Open Space.

Outstanding Volunteer - Fred Portillo, West Denver Fred was cited as a “Renaissance Man” (and all-around great guy) who has always been willing to step up to fill a need. He served the West Denver Chapter as president (2 yrs), Vice-President (2 yrs), Programs Director (2 yrs), Youth Education Programs Coordinator (1 yr), Fundraising Raffle Chair (2 yrs) and Chapter Picnic Coordinator (2 yrs).  Wherever he was needed, time and again, Fred was there.

Kerber Creek Gets 50K Grant

Trout Unlimited's Kerber Creek restoration project received a $50,000 grant from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation to help fund the next phase of restoration work on Kerber Creek, near the town of Salida in southwest Colorado.

Trout Unlimited has worked for six years to restore Kerber Creek from the impacts associated with the effects of mining. In the last three years, Trout Unlimited has spent $1.3 million to improve the stream.

"This grant will allow us to take the next critical step in a project that holds vital importance to the area," said Elizabeth Russell, Trout Unlimited's mine restoration project manager.

The Kerber Creek Restoration Project is a joint partnership between Trout Unlimited, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Bonanza Stakeholders Group (BSG), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), local landowners and other partners.

Historic mine tailings from mining that occurred decades ago have washed down through Kerber Creek and are contributing metals and acid drainage into the waterway. The project will work to treat the mine tailings and will install fish habitat and stream bank stabilization structures. (The Collegiate Peaks Chapter has been a key player in the Kerber Creek restoration. Read an October 2011 article by Salida Mountain Mail's Joe Stone on the Kerber cleanup.)

Trout Unlimited and its partners are working to increase understanding of the environmental issues associated with legacy mining and public awareness of restoration projects.

03/09/2012 Contact: Erin Mooney, Trout Unlimited, (215) 557-2845, emooney@tu.org

Trout Unlimited is a non-profit organization with more than 147,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. Follow TU on Facebook on Twitter via @TroutUnlimited.

Purgatoire River Anglers Celebrate

Purgatoire River Anglers is inviting the community and fans of the Purgatoire to help kickoff the first stage of the Purgatoire River Demonstration Project this Tuesday (March 6) afternoon in Trinidad.

The initial stage includes the stretch of river from in front of Safeway to the Commercial Street bridge. The river will be stocked with trout in the spring and summer months allowing for fishing in the heart of Trinidad. Project partners include the City of Trinidad, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District, Pioneer Natural Resources, Colorado Trout Unlimited, San Isabel Electric Association, Trinidad Community Foundation, COMCAST CARES DAY and the Trinidad & Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce.

“Coming this May folks will be able to fish for trout on the Purgatoire and see a professional baseball game in Trinidad all in one day,” says Howard Lackey, Purgatoire River Anglers (PRA) Past President, while current president Jim Muzzulin adds, “This project is important for tourism and the economy of Trinidad, and couldn’t have happened without the support of our members and the community as a whole.”

Event Time:    12:15pm Location:     The riverbank in front of Safeway and next to the Steam Train. Date:        Tuesday, March 6

Contact: Kim Schultz Kimschultz1@comcast.net

About the Purgatoire River Chapter:

The PRA Chapter 100 was started in September of 2009, and since its inception has worked to enhance and return the Purgatoire River below Trinidad Lake Dam to a healthy aquatic habitat.

Video: Sen. Udall Cites TU in Hardrock Cleanup

Today, [Senator] Mark Udall spoke on the Senate floor about the ongoing pollution occuring at abandoned hardrock mines across the West, raising the issue to gain support from his colleagues to find ways for Good Samaritans to clean up those contaminated sites without assuming full legal liability for contamination they did not create.  Last week, Senator Udall sent a letter specifically asking the EPA for a policy that gives Good Samaritans some legal certainty for abandoned mine cleanups. Senators Michael Bennet of Colorado and Barbara Boxer of California also signed the letter."Hardrock mine pollution is a terrible reminder of irresponsible mining in the West.  Where Good Samaritans are willing and able to responsibly clean up pollution, leaving our treasured landscapes and watersheds better than they were before, we should do everything we can to support them," Udall said. "Good Samaritans are too valuable of a resource to keep on the sidelines. Congress should do what is necessary to bring their efforts to bear on the cleanup of abandoned mine pollution," Udall concluded in the speech. "Good Samaritans can't solve all of our abandoned mine pollution problems, but we can't afford to turn away those willing to help any longer." The mines pollute watersheds and endanger the health of communities and wildlife that depend on the clean water downstream. Udall has advocated for a fix to this problem since his days in the House. In 2009, Udall introduced the Good Samaritan Cleanup of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act  in the Senate (S.1777), which would free Good Samaritan volunteers to help clean up abandoned mines without taking on the liability.  Since then, Udall has met with Good Samaritan groups to discuss their efforts, and he continues to work with the EPA to find a way to legally protect these groups that are willing and able to responsibly clean up polluted sites around the state. Please contact Tara Trujillo or Jennifer Talhelm at 202-224-4334.

 Watch the video of Senator Udall's speech

Below is text of the speech as prepared for delivery: Mr./Madam President, I have come to the Floor today to talk about an environmental problem that affects many parts of Colorado as well as other Western states: abandoned hardrock mines. These mines pollute thousands of miles of streams and rivers in America with a toxic soup of heavy metals, including arsenic, lead and mercury. This pollution impairs drinking water and kills aquatic and plant life for miles downstream. This is a problem that does not get enough attention in Congress. It is my hope that by speaking today I can spur this body and the administration to take greater steps to help solve the problem. I invite my colleagues to join me in this effort. First, a little background: Starting in the 1800s, miners flocked to the West in search of fortune following the discovery of precious minerals like gold, lead, copper and silver. They settled in places with names like Leadville and Silverton and Gypsum. Mining became an important part of our history, settlement and development in Colorado. But it also left a deadly and dirty legacy. When a claim was mined for all it was worth, the miner frequently packed up and left without a thought about the lasting problems the mine would cause. This was an era before modern mining laws that hold miners accountable for their impacts on the land. In many cases, it is impossible to identify today the persons responsible for the vast majority of these abandoned mines. The Government Accountability Office estimates there are over 160,000 such abandoned hardrock mines in the West: 73 hundred are in Colorado, 47 thousand are in California, and another 50 thousand are in Arizona. Today, highly acidic water still drains from these mines, polluting entire watersheds. Following the logic that a picture is worth a thousand words, I want to show my colleagues what acid mine drainage looks like. This is the Red and Bonita mine in San Juan County, Colorado, near Silverton. For scale, note the pickup truck on the left hand side. Over 300 gallons of water drain from this mine every minute. The water is contaminated with all kinds of heavy metals that produce the orange and red streaks you see here. Highly acidic water flows into Cement Creek and eventually into the Animas River, impairing water quality and aquatic life. For a region of Colorado that thrives on tourism, including angling, this situation is extremely harmful. From EPA data we can conservatively estimate that over 10 thousand miles of streams and rivers and nearly 350 thousand acres of lakes are impaired in this country as a result of acid mine drainage. So, what is being done? For one, at those sites where a responsible party can be identified, the federal government has tools at its disposable to hold them accountable. Also, the federal land management agencies have a variety of programs that mitigate abandoned hardrock mine pollution. However, the efforts I want to focus on today are those undertaken by a third category of people - entities that had no role in creating the pollution at an abandoned mine yet want to make the site better. Appropriately enough, we refer to these entities as Good Samaritans. One such Good Samaritan is the Animas River Stakeholders Group in southwestern Colorado. They are working to find solutions to clean up the Red and Bonita Mine. Often these Good Samaritans are non-profits whose mission is to restore the natural environment. Sometimes they are community groups who want to improve their cities and towns. Sometimes they are mining companies looking to be good stewards in the communities they operate. And sometimes they are state and local governments. Take, for example, the Tiger Mine near Leadville, Colorado.  This picture was taken before any remediation actions were taken. You can see the piles of mine waste and drainage coming from the mine flowing beside it. At peak flows, as much as 150 gallons per minute of water contaminated with cadmium, copper, lead, zinc and iron flows out of the Tiger Mine. Some remediation work has already been completed, as you can see in this second picture.  The mine waste was moved out of the way, capped and revegetated. And ditches were put in above the mine to divert surface water runoff and further reduce contamination. You can also see in this picture that four pits have been dug below the mine. This represents the next phase of the cleanup being led by Trout Unlimited - another Good Samaritan. Eventually, these pits will become what is known as a sulfate-reducing bioreactor. As the presiding officer knows, I was not a chemistry major. I won't attempt to describe how this thing works. But the end result is a good thing: acid mine drainage flows in and cleaner water flows out. However, Trout Unlimited has run into a problem that has frustrated many Good Samaritans. The bioreactor counts as a point source of pollution. Therefore, before Trout Unlimited can turn the bioreactor "on," they must obtain a Clean Water Act permit. Trout Unlimited cannot meet the stringent permit requirements without investing in far more expensive water treatment options. Nor can they afford to assume the liability that comes with a permit. As a result, the bioreactor sits unused. Federal law is, in effect, sidelining some of our best hopes for remediation. I have tried for several years to give Good Samaritans some relief. I have introduced legislation every congress since 2002 that creates a unique permit specifically for this kind of work. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to convince enough of my colleagues just how good an idea this is. But I will keep trying. In addition, I have been working with Senator Boxer to encourage EPA to better use the administrative tools they have at their disposal. Good Samaritans report to me that administrative tools have been cumbersome to use so far and don't offer the full Clean Water Act protection they need. So Senator Boxer and I, along with Senator Bennet, have asked EPA to make this tool more accessible to Good Samaritans. And last week we asked the agency to provide Good Samaritans with assurances they will not be subject to enforcement for appropriate actions taken to clean up acid mine pollution. I am grateful for the work EPA has done to focus on these issues and for Senator Boxer's leadership. Good Samaritans are too valuable of a resource to keep on the sidelines.  Congress should do what is necessary to bring their efforts to bear on the cleanup of abandoned mine pollution. Good Samaritans can't solve all of our abandoned mine pollution problems. But we can't afford to turn away those willing to help any longer.

A Look Back at 2011

It has been an eventful year for Colorado Trout Unlimited and our 23 chapters. We’ve seen a growth in capacity thanks to new full-time volunteers and additional National TU staff, conducted on-the-ground projects to improve habitat and restore native trout, extended our advocacy on behalf of rivers, and created new partnerships to strengthen our ability to conserve, protect and restore Colorado’s rivers and watersheds. All of these efforts were made possible through the involvement and support of our members, donors, and partners – and we deeply appreciate each and every one of you. Looking back at the past year, here are a few of the highlights from 2011:

• Yampa Valley Fly Fishers – long time leaders in conservation projects in the Steamboat Springs area – become the 23^rd active chapter of Trout Unlimited in Colorado.
• Colorado TU and the Colorado Water Project expand efforts to educate and engage the public in protecting the Colorado headwaters, launching a new Defend the Colorado website featuring the “Faces of the Fraser” – local residents from an Olympic skier to a logger who share their connections with the river.
• Colorado TU brings on two new OSM/VISTAs – full time volunteers funded with support from the Office of Surface Mining and Americorps – to strengthen our efforts with youth education and RiverWatch water quality monitoring programs.
• Denver Water and west slope interests announce an agreement to provide additional water and funds to benefit the Colorado River headwaters.  The agreement does not address the impacts of proposed new projects, but is a good start in collaboration to benefit the Colorado, Fraser, and Williams Fork.
• Upslope Brewing Company unveils its new craft lager with a “1% For Rivers” program where a portion of all sales of the new beer benefit Colorado TU.
• Our new ColoradoTU.org website launches with an enhanced design, pages on TU activities in basins across the state, and an improved set of tools for visitors to engage with TU in river conservation.
• Grand Valley Anglers and Colorado TU volunteers plant more than 200 willows along Trapper Creek on the Roan Plateau, helping improve riparian habitat for a key native Colorado River cutthroat trout stream.  Grand Valley Anglers also assists federal agencies with reconstruction of a reservoir atop Battlement Mesa as a refuge habitat for native cutthroat trout.
• TU and a coalition of agency and private sector partners – with volunteer support from the Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter – complete award-winning mine restoration work along Kerber Creek in the historic Bonanza mining district.
• After years of advocacy and volunteer monitoring, TU and the Evergreen Chapter successfully get Bear Creek listed as an “impaired water” for temperature under the Clean Water Act – triggering a state regulatory process to identify the sources of the problem and develop projects to address them..
• The West Denver Chapter completes work on the Canyon Reach project, improving fish habitat and angling accessibility on Clear Creek.
• Colorado TU holds its first “Golf Classic,” engaging more than 120 participating golfers and raising funds for conservation and education.
• Denver TU provides seed money to launch development of a master plan for river restoration in the south Denver metro area; the plan wins unanimous approval from the South Suburban Parks & Recreation District and City of Littleton opening the door to a new “golden age” for the South Platte.

This is a long list, but still far from complete. And with your help, we will work to make 2012 an even better year for Colorado’s rivers and watersheds. Thank you – and happy new year to you all!

Fighting for the Green River

A speculative water project could take 81 billion gallons a year out of the Green River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Problem

The Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir offers some of the best fishing in the West. But despite the importance of the Green River to anglers and the local economy, a speculative water project proposed by developer Aaron Million could take 81 billion gallons a year out of the Green River and Flaming Gorge, and pump it 560 miles to the Front Range of Colorado.

Initial construction costs for this project will exceed $7 billion, with annual operating costs totaling over $123 million. Yet that’s not the worst part. The Million Pipeline is a potential economic and environmental boondoggle that could unleash a host of destructive impacts on local communities, fish and game habitats, and taxpayers in three states.   A pipeline project of this magnitude has the potential to:

• Ruin world class kokanee salmon and lake trout populations by increasing water temperatures and raising salinity levels.
• Destroy the Blue-ribbon fishery for trophy rainbow and brown trout in the Green River.
• Harm critical mule deer and pronghorn habitat and hunting opportunity.
• De-water wetlands in the basin and impede waterfowl hunting.
• Impact Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, Browns Park
• National Wildlife Refuge, Dinosaur National Monument, as well as Ouray National Wildlife Refuge.
• Lower water levels significantly, making it virtually impossible to access the reservoir for recreation.
• Further the spread of cheat grass, tamarisk and quagga mussels, which will harm hunting and fishing in the area.
• Force the government to spend millions of dollars in taxpayer money to reconstruct boat launches, campgrounds, marinas, fishing piers and other access points.
• Destroy a $118 million recreation-based economy the communities in the region depend on for their survival.
• Slow the recovery of endangered native fish like the razorback sucker, Colorado pikeminnow, and bonytail chub. Until these fish are recovered and removed from listing under the Endangered Species Act, the area’s recreation-based economy will continue to operate with restrictions required under federal law.

Make Your Voice Heard

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reviews federal permits for hydropower projects, and is taking comments on Million's application for a preliminary permit through December 16.  While this is only the first step of many that would be required for the proposed pipeline, it gives us the chance to stop Million's dangerous proposal now, before it can get started.  FERC needs to hear from you about the importance of the Green River and your concerns about the impacts of this project.

To submit your comments by the December 16th deadline, please follow these instructions:

1. Go to www.ferc.gov 2. Click on the 'Documents and Filings' menu tab on the homepage 3. Click on the eComments tab 4. Fill in the required information and you will receive an official form to file your comments 5. Include on the docket # P-14263 for the Flaming Gorge Pipeline project. 6. Submit your comment before the December 16th deadline

Note: If you have personal experiences on the Green, be sure to mention those in your comments.

Suggested Talking Points

In addition to the points listed above, it's important to stress the following in your comments:

• The Million project will be bad for the Green River and its world-class trout fishery and the regional tourism economy that fishery supports, as well as harming critical native fish habitat downstream where the Green is a centerpiece of endangered fish recovery.

• This project already failed to pass muster with another federal agency that reviewed it.  After scoping, the Army Corps of Engineers pulled the plug on the environmental analysis process that it had begun on this pipeline because Million didn't have the threshold information available to even allow them to analyze the project. Nothing has changed - and FERC shouldn't allow an applicant to "game" its system this way to create phony credibility with investors.

• Having struck out with the Corps, Million is now trying to sell this as a hydropower project - but it can't be justified based on its claimed hydropower benefits.  It would actually interfere with hydropower generation at Flaming Gorge by reducing the water available to go through the existing hydroelectric facilities. The project isn't good for fish or for hydropower.

Continue the Fight

To stay up to date on this issue and learn about more opportunities to get involved, please sign up to on our campaign website 'Sportsmen for the Green' and 'like' us on Facebook.

Questions? Contact Charlie Card, NE Utah Coordinator ccard@tu.org

Chapter Spotlight: Canyon Reach project on Mayhem Gulch

By Glen Edwards, West Denver TU Chapter On Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, the West Denver chapter held a brief dedication ceremony at Mayhem Gulch for the recently completed WDTU Canyon Reach project on Clear Creek. This project concentrated on safe access for young families and marginally mobile adults, both relative to the busy highway, and relative to the stream. Three separate stretches received major winter habitat and feeding lane structures, as well as boulder clusters for easy fishing access, constructed by the contractor, Frontier Environmental Services. The lowest stretch is at Mayhem Gulch, located 9.5 miles up Clear Creek Canyon from the intersection of Highways 6 and 93 just west of Golden, or just below Mile Marker 262. The middle stretch is upstream at a large unpaved parking area just below MM 261, and the upper stretch is further upstream near the Canyon Park Open Space sign just below MM 260.5.

Contributions to the project from CDPW's "Fishing is Fun" program, the Jefferson County's Conservation Trust Fund, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Alfred Frei and Sons quarry, CTU's GoMo Grant, the Henderson Mine, the Trask Family Foundation, as well as several private donors and our own WDTU chapter, totaled approximately $300,000. Educational signage for the project is planned, but not yet installed.

Jefferson County Comission Chairperson Faye Griffin spoke briefly at the Oct. 28 Canyon Reach Project dedication ceremony, and the Director of the new Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, Rick Cables, was the keynote speaker. Cables impressed the audience with his down-to-earth enthusiasm for efforts like the Canyon Reach Project , and for his obvious support for conservation groups like Trout Unlimited.

Fraser River gets a boost

by Bob Berwyn Summit County Citizen's Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — With its flows reduced by upstream tributary diversions, and its river-bottom cobbles choked by highway traction sand, the Fraser River has long been a symbol of the imbalance between resource protection and other uses of water in Colorado.

But the Grand County stream will soon get partial relief, as various agencies from both sides of the Continental Divide teamed up to construct a settling pond near the entrance to the Mary Jane ski area in a project tha symbolizes an emerging spirit of tran-smountain cooperation.

Better maintenance and capture of highway sand can help reduce impacts to tiny aquatic organisms that form the base of the food chain in the river, helping to sustain healthy fisheries. The larvae of the aquatic insects need a coarse bed of rocks at the bottom of the stream to thrive. When the sand fills in all the gaps between the rocks, the bugs have nowhere to go.

The settling pond will also protect municipal and resort water infrastructure and equipment.

Read more