Water Agreement to Benefit Black Canyon of the Gunnison

by Watch Staff

Jun 09, 2008

The conservation groups involved in the federal case and the water rights negotiations include Environmental Defense Fund, High Country Citizens’ Alliance, National Parks Conservation Association, The Wilderness Society, Trout Unlimited, Western Colorado Congress, and Western Slope Environmental Resource Council, and Western Resource Advocates. “It has been a good example of what groups can do when they join together,” said Drew Peternell, Director of Trout Unlimited’s Colorado Water Project.

http://www.telluridewatch.com/pages/full_story?article-Water-Agreement-to-Benefit-Black-Canyon-of-the-Gunnison%20=&page_label=news&id=85421-Water-Agreement-to-Benefit-Black-Canyon-of-the-Gunnison&widget=push&instance=secondary_stories_left_column&open

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

By GARY HARMONThe Daily Sentinel

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

New Law Requires Developers to Prove Adequate Water Supply

by Watch Staff

Jun 06, 2008

DENVER – On May 29, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law House Bill 1141 – a new law which will require developers of projects that contain more than 50 units prove the development will have an adequate water supply.

According to Drew Peternell, director of Trout Unlimited’s Colorado Water Project, housing developments that are built without adequately addressing water supply, the cost to homeowners and local governments can be enormous.

http://www.telluridewatch.com/pages/full_story?article-New-Law-Requires-Developers-to-Prove-Adequate-Water-Supply%20=&page_label=news&id=84686-New-Law-Requires-Developers-to-Prove-Adequate-Water-Supply&widget=push&instance=secondary_stories_left_column&open

Grand County agenda focuses on [zebra mussels], water issues, beetle kill mitigation

By Tonya BinaSky-Hi Daily News June 8, 2008

http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20080608/NEWS/391086138

Tentative deal reached in Gunnison River water rights battle!

State and federal officials, water users and conservation groups have reached a tentative agreement in a 30-year legal battle over the river that flows through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado... http://www.examiner.com/a-1428900~Tentative_deal_reached_in_Gunnison_River_water_rights_battle.html

The politics of oil shale

[Stand-by to pull your hair out. ED]

Fortune [magazine] talks to Sens. Orrin Hatch and Wayne Allard about the roadblocks to oil shale production.

By Jon Birger, senior writer

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/06/news/economy/birger_shale.fortune/?postversion=2008060614

Town of Fraser approves guided fishing on Fraser River

http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20080604/NEWS/583568047

The Fraser Board of Trustees voted 6-1 Wednesday night to allow commercial fly-fishing on the Fraser River. Trustee Joyce Burford voted against it....

State fears loss of surface-water rights

By Dick Kamp, Wick News Service

Published: Thursday, June 5, 2008 6:08 PM MDT

Gov. Janet Napolitano and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality say they're losing the ability to regulate surface water in the state.

At a May 19 ADEQ hearing in Tucson on declaring Davidson Canyon as “Outstanding Arizona Water” — a designation that strengthens water quality protection — a controversial Supreme Court Decision raised questions of a larger significance to Arizona and other Western states.

The hearing also provided an opportunity for those in attendance to comment on he state's proposed revisions to water quality regulation, which was of little concern to most were present to overwhelmingly support protecting the canyon by giving it a higher surface water quality standard than other surface water bodies.

Attorney Melinda Kassen of the Denver office of nonprofit environmental group Trout Unlimited pointed to successful local efforts in Boulder among local water regulatory agencies and within county planning and zoning departments to fill in the gap left by Rapanos, while conceding that “nobody knows what will happen as a result of it.”

http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news04.txt

Presentation: Roadless Areas of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest

Do you know where the Roadless areas are in YOUR backyard?

Come to this slideshow to find out! Wild Connections is sponsoring a "Roadless Roadshow" in 7 communities in early June. This free public presentation will discuss the ecological values of Roadless areas, give details and facts pertaining to the current management of these areas such as fire management flexibility, and provide trails and hiking information so you can go explore Roadless areas in your own backyard. Please attend one of these shows!

Salida - Monday, June 9 Bongo Billy's Coffee 300 West Sackett Ave. Salida, Colorado 81201

Westcliffe - Tuesday, June 10 Rancher's Roost Cliff Lanes 25 Main Street (west end of Main) Westcliffe, Colorado 81252Leadville - Wednesday, June 11 National Mining Hall of Fame 120 West Ninth St. Leadville, CO 80461

Colorado Springs - Thursday, June 12 Penrose Branch (Downtown) Pikes Peak Library District 20 North Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Denver, CO Date TBD

All Presentations are:

6:30-8:00 PM

Free and open to the public

Cookies and beverages provided

Seating may be limited

Why is this timely and important?

Jefferson Roadless Area 2008 vs 2001 Inventory

The US Forest Service is working right now on developing a Colorado-specific rule. The draft Colorado Roadless Rule is slated to be published in just a few weeks. While we don't know the details of what this new Colorado rule will look like, we are certain that it will weaken current protections currently afforded to these undeveloped lands. Wild Connections, and the broader conservation community, have made it a priority to analyze the impacts of the proposed rule, and we will need your voice to help ensure that the human and ecological services that Colorado's Roadless lands provide are not compromised.

Click here for the additional info...