TU's response to COVID-19

Practicing "social distancing" on the Potomac.
All photos by Chris Wood.

A note from Chris Wood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trout Unlimited:

We are all adapting to the new realities of the COVID-19 virus. Because of our concern for the health and well-being of our employees, we are closing all of TU’s offices and have requested all TU staff to work from home. We have also canceled all travel.

We are in a very fluid situation, and new information is rapidly emerging. Yesterday, the White House urged that we all avoid social gatherings in groups of 10 or more people.

Here is what the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control says: 

“Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at a higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. People who are at higher risk are encouraged to avoid crowds as much as possible.”

For that reason, all in-person and indoor Trout Unlimited events and gatherings, including chapter meetings, are cancelled for the next 30 days. We will assess where we stand in 30 days and have further guidance at that point. Small group outings may proceed with all of the proper precautions taken about social distancing.

COVID-19 has everyone on edge. Please be safe and be careful, but also enjoy the time with family and friends, and the people you love. Know that we will get through this together, and we will continue the good work of protecting and restoring the places we live, love, and fish.

Please help us spread the word by sharing these messages from our blog and YouTube channel with your members and partners.

8 female pioneers of the outdoors and environment

Many stories go untold and some of these you might not have heard about. Learn about 8 women who changed the narrative by advocating for conservation and the protection of their land, water, and wildlife.

Mary Seacole – Travel Memoirist

Mary Seacole, aka Mother Seacole was a novelist and avid traveler in the late 1800s. Born in Jamaica, she took to travelling through the Bahamas, Haiti, England, and Cuba. She collected knowledge about local plants used for herbal medicines. She later wrote the book ‘Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands”, the first travel memoir ever published by a black woman.

Clare Marie Hodges – National Park Service ranger

Formerly a schoolteacher, Clare changed career paths at the end of WWI and became the first female National Park Service Ranger. She was known to be fearless and independent, seen riding horseback overnight from each ends of the park to deliver gate receipts. She was the only female park ranger for the next 30 years.

Harriet Chalmers Adams – National Geographic Society

Harriet was a world explorer who was driven by curiosity and a goal to write about the world around her. Her love for travel began after a trip to Mexico. From then on, she explored all South America, with a focus on getting off the beaten path and meeting with 20 indigenous tribes. She was not only a strong writer, but she was a photographer who would contribute up to 30 articles for the National Geographic Society. Even though she was a key contributor to the publication, she was never offered a membership as she was a woman. She didn’t let that deter her and helped create the Society of Women Geographers in 1925.  

“ “I’ve never found my sex a hinderment; never faced a difficulty, which a woman, as well as a man, could not surmount; never felt a fear of danger; never lacked courage to protect myself. I’ve been in tight places and have seen harrowing thing.” ”

— Harriet Chalmers Adams

Josephine Mandamin – First Nations Anishinaabe Elder and Water Walker

Josephine was a water activist who called for a need to protect and care for our water. Since 2003, she had completed 13 Water Walks around Lake Superior, whose shoreline is over 2,500 miles, and would ceremoniously carry a copper pail filled with water that contained the lake water to raise awareness and pray. Others began to hear about her Water Walks and began joining her on her protest. Her final walk started in April 2017 and there were over a thousand participants. She and a group of helpers known as The Walkers started in Minnesota and for 97 days, they traveled 3,197 miles on foot. The path they took covered the shorelines of Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and so on until they reached the Labrador Sea and North Atlantic Ocean. Josephine passed away on February 22nd, 2019, at the age of 77, but she encouraged future generations to pick up the copper pail and continue sharing awareness for clean water.

Hallie M. Daggett - first woman employed by the US Forest Service

Hallie Daggett learned how to hunt, fish, ride, trap and shoot early in life, skills which served her well as the first woman employed by the Forest Service. She worked as a lookout for 15 years beginning in 1913 at Eddy's Gulch Lookout Station atop Klamath Peak in California’s Klamath National Forest. It was almost a hundred years later before the Forest Service appointed their first female chief Abigail R. Kimbell in 2007.

Berta Isabel Cáceres Flores – Hondouran human rights and environmental activist

Berta fought for her people, land, water when her government and outside corporations began building what would have been the world’s largest dam in Honduras, without the approval of the people who lived there. The project was ultimately halted by peaceful protests, local assemblies, the blocking of roads to the construction site, and citations of human rights violations by the international community. Berta was outspoken and supported by her local community but was killed by those who wished to stop the Honduran activists protesting the dam. Her legacy and impact continue today. The people of Honduras are still fighting off the project and calling for justice in Berta’s name.

Wangari Maathai - 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Professor Maathai founded The Green Belt Movement (GBM) in 1977 in response to the needs of rural Kenyan women who reported that their streams were drying up, their food supply was less secure, and they had to walk further and further to get firewood for fuel and fencing. Together, the GBM encouraged women o grow seedlings and plant trees to bind the soil, store rainwater, provide food and firewood, and receive a small monetary token for their work. The Green Belt Movement continues to expand its horizon to include community development work encompassing the arenas of environmental conservation, democracy, community empowerment and conflict resolution.

Mollie H. Beattie - first female director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Mollie Beattie was the first female director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In her short term there from 1993 to 1996, she oversaw the reintroduction of the gray wolf into the northern Rocky Mountains and the addition of 15 national wildlife refuges. A wilderness area is named for her in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

“In the long term, the economy and the environment are the same thing. If it’s unenvironmental it is uneconomical. That is the rule of nature.”

— Mollie H. Beattie

There are so many women who have made a difference for the land, water, wildlife, and their environment. Celebrate Women’s History Month by checking out additional stories of women inspiring others to speak up for what they care about.

Resources & Additional Stories

• https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/female-pioneers-paved-way-women-outdoors?doing_wp_cron=1583248869.2432579994201660156250

• https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11863

• https://www.wilderness.org/articles/article/11-women-who-made-wilderness-history

• https://www.adventure-journal.com/2016/01/harriet-chalmers-adams-the-original-adventure-lebrity/

• https://www.wxpr.org/post/water-walker-josephine-mandamin#stream/0

• https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/women-who-changed-way-we-see-nature

• https://insidetheperimeter.ca/forces-of-nature-great-women-who-changed-science/
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

March Currents: A voice for Colorado's rivers

Topics include:

• 8 female pioneers of the outdoors and environment

• 10 National Parks that wouldn’t exist without women

• Advocacy Alert Digest

• Drag-free presentations

• Water for Colorado

• Film: Project Rainbow

• STREAM Girls volunteers needed

• F3T showings across Colorado

• Raffles

• Brewing for Colorado’s Rivers

• Gala 2020 Recap

Bill introduced to fully fund Land and Water Conservation Fund

Bill introduced to fully fund Land and Water Conservation Fund and help address maintenance backlog

Press Release from Trout Unlimited:

For immediate release 

3-5-2020 

Contact: 

Shauna Stephenson, Trout Unlimited 

sstephenson@tu.org, (307) 757-7861 

(March 5, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of Senators announced legislation to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and help tackle the multi-billion-dollar public lands maintenance backlog.  

The group unveiled the legislation in a press conference that included Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jon Tester (D-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tom Udall (D-NM).  
 
The effort led by Senators Gardner and Daines packages two bills, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act and the Restore our Parks Act, that have already cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support. Yesterday, President Trump tweeted his support for passing the legislation, calling on Congress to send him a bill that “fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our National Parks.”  

“We thank Senators Gardner and Daines, President Trump, and this bipartisan group a lawmakers for making this legislation a priority,” said Steve Moyer, vice president of government affairs for Trout Unlimited. “Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have long sought to fulfill the LWCF promise for the American people and provide much needed funding to take care of our public lands.”  

Since 1965, LWCF has been the primary funding source to acquire and conserve new public lands that are essential for sustaining our outdoor traditions and protecting fish and wildlife habitat. The public lands maintenance backlog has been mounting for decades and is now estimated at $20 billion, with the Parks Service share alone nearly $12 billion. The Restore Our Parks Act includes $6.5 billion for the Park Service while addressing the backlog for all public land agencies remains a priority for hunters and anglers.  

“Public lands are incredibly valuable to Trout Unlimited and our members. Not only do they offer world-class angling opportunities, but 70 percent of the remaining habitat for native trout in the West is found on public lands,” continued Moyer. “Further, some of the best trout habitat, and most heavily used public lands are in the eastern U.S., such as the Monongahela national forest in West Virginia, Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee, and Shenandoah National park in Virginia. We look forward to working with the bill sponsors, committee leaders including Chair Murkowski and Ranking Member Manchin, the President, and members of Congress in both chambers to pass this historic legislation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we’re all in to get it over the finish line.” 

### 

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon and their watersheds. Follow TU on Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and our blog for all the latest information on trout and salmon conservation.   

The 2020 River Stewardship Gala auction is now LIVE!

The 2020 River Stewardship Gala auction is now LIVE!  You can view the items and register to bid by visiting this link CTUgala2020.givesmart.com. The auction will run through the evening of the event – next Thursday, March 5th. The Gala is Colorado TU’s largest fundraiser of the year so please bid often and generously! 

Be sure to check out these items!

• Handmade bamboo rod by Bill Loehr

• Spey Class with Anglers All's Simon Gawesworth

• 4 Nights lodging & 3 full days of fishing for 2 in the world famous Iberá Wetlands located in northeast Argentina with Andes Drifters

• Gear from Fishpond, Orvis, and Simms

• Tickets to see Hamilton in Denver

• Browning Citori Shotgun

• 5 days of guided flyfishing for 2- into remote New Zealand backcountry - with 7 nights accommodations, breakfast and lunch provided daily, and roundtrip airfare from San Francisco to New Zealand with Distant Waters

• Artwork by Garrison Doctor, Josh Udesen, Mark Lance, and more

• Aspen Getaway

• And of course, too many fishing trips to list

Help protect Colorado rivers - ask your Senator to support HB1157!

Rocky Mountain PBS Announces “Water Week”

Rocky Mountain PBS Announces “Water Week” – A Collaboration of Communities Throughout Colorado to Elevate Conversations on Water

Rocky Mountain PBS (RPBS) will bring Colorado-based organizations and communities together for “Water Week”, an effort to provide resources and information to a broad statewide audience by convening conversations to share the diverse perspectives of Coloradans with respect to water.

“Water Week” features unique, historical and informational programming on RMPBS, along with digital resources, and events in communities across Colorado designed to connect experts, environmentalists and businesses to any of us who see water as an essential part of Colorado’s past and future.

“I think we’re going to see a much longer period of aridity and therefore, incredibly creative thinking that’s going to have to come about,” said Andy Mueller, General Manager for the Colorado River Water Conservation District. “It doesn’t spell the end of civilization in the southwestern United States. What it means though is our civilization’s going to have to transform.”

“One year ago, RMPBS organized a statewide listening tour and engaged local advisory committees to better understand which topics are most important to their communities,” states Amanda Mountain, President & CEO for Rocky Mountain Public Media. “Water repeatedly surfaced as both an historic and contemporary issue, which led us to invest in programming and partnerships to continue these conversations around this critical topic.”

Colorado’s statewide water plan prescribes that conversations about water play a role in shaping our shared future in the state and in the broader West. We asked over 40 water experts to provide feedback to RMPBS about how public media can engage those who are not otherwise actively involved in the topic, as well as how best to expand the number of perspectives represented in critical conversations.

“Water Week” includes RMPBS hosted events across Colorado that are free to local communities:

Come enjoy whiskey and beer tastings, and experience the *NEW* one-hour special, Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power.  

Feb 25, 6pm 
Colorado Springs: ALMAGRE Venue + Bar 
Whiskey Tasting, Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening*, water information tables. 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, ALMAGRE Venue + Bar, Sterling Ranch, Ax and the Oak.
Event details and RSVP  

Feb 25, 6pm 
Gunnison: Western State CO University, University Center Theatre 
Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power reception, *full screening* and Q&A. 
CO Office of Film (host) 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship; the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media. 
Event details 

Feb 26, 6:30pm 
Pueblo: Walter's Brewery & Taproom 
Beer Tasting / SIZZLE Reel & Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *promo*, information tables.
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Walter's Beer.
Event details and RSVP 

Feb 26, 5:30pm 
Grand Junction: Eureka! McConnell Science Museum (on CMU Campus) 
Whiskey & beer tasting, SIZZLE Reel & Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *promo*, exhibiting community partners.
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Eureka! McConnel Science Museum, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Ute Water, Audubon Rockies. 
Event details and RSVP 

 Feb 26, 6pm 
Durango: Fort Lewis College Ballroom 
Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening*, reception with beer, panel discussion.
Partners: Four Corners Water Center, Business for Water Stewardship, Dolores Water Conservancy District; Southwestern Water Conservation District, City of Durango Utilities, US Bureau of Reclamation, Mountain Studies Institute, Water Information Program, H2org. 
Event details and RSVP 

Feb 26, 5:30pm 
Montrose: Ute Indian Museum  
Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening* and Q&A. 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship; the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media.
Event details 

Feb 27, 6pm 
Denver: Sterling Ranch Community Center in Littleton 
Beer tasting, Colorado Experience: Western Water and Power *full screening*, exhibiting community partners. 
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Sterling Ranch Colorado, Audubon Rockies, Grist Brewery, For the Love of Colorado.
Event details and RSVP

Feb 28, 5pm 
Durango: Powerhouse Science Center 
Whiskey & beer tasting, exhibiting community partners (no Colorado Experience screening).
Partners: Business for Water Stewardship, Five Rivers Trout Unlimited, Beer2Clear, Steamworks Brewing Company, Carver Brewing Company, Honey House Distillery, Conservation Colorado, H2org.
Event details and RSVP 

All “Water Week” event details for local communities can be found at www.rmpbs.org/events/waterweek/

“Water Week” programming on RMPBS begins on February 27th at 7pm with a new episode of Colorado Experience entitled “Western Water & Power”. This program visits the history of Western settlers who dreamed of deserts in bloom, where they chased the mirage of more water than the arid lands could provide. “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting,” describes the urgent struggle every generation of Coloradans faces to control this fleeting but precious resource -- creating hydrodynamic history through structures that can propel water to run uphill toward money and power.

Immediately following at 8pm, Colorado Experience: “Living West – Water” will explore what happened to the Ancestral Pueblo people of Mesa Verde and Goodman Point. After settling in southwest Colorado for over 700 years, the ancestral Pueblo people suddenly left their cliff dwellings and spring-side kivas, leaving behind a variety of archaeological treasures. In this episode, historians and archaeologists discuss the possibility that this drastic move was caused by a devasting drought in the southwest region. Discover the similarities in historic conditions – and what the disappearance of water might mean for the state of Colorado today.

Continuing at 8:30 pm, Confluence tells the story of The Colorado River, which runs through the Western Slope, shaping both the landscape of the American Southwest and the people living near its waters. Confluence follows an up-and-coming indie folk band as they traverse this endangered river system, documenting its places and people through original music.

“Water Week” concludes its programming with “Arkansas River: From Leadville to Lamar” airing at 9:30pm. This program explores the economic and social importance of the river basin including its recreational, municipal, and agricultural value. By the year 2050, the population of Colorado is expected to double, but future growth and economic development hinges on a dependable water supply. In response, the state has developed a plan that will meet the needs of all water users. On RMPBS, come discover why the Arkansas River basin is an important part of that new water plan.

RMPBS wishes to thank all of the local community and statewide partners in supporting our mission of strengthening our civic fabric and convening important conversations that impact our state. Locally RMPBS has received support from the Bureau of Reclamation, Mountain Studies Institute, City of Durango Utilities, Southwest Water Conservation District, Dolores Water Conservancy District, Water Information Program, Powerhouse Science Center, Carver Brewing Company, Steamworks Brewing Company, Five Rivers Trout Unlimited, Beer2Clear, Honeyville’s Honey House Distillery, and the Four Corners Water Center at Fort Lewis College.

On Thursday February 27th RMPBS will also be hosting Carver’s Green Drinks from 5:00-6:45PM to talk about the events of Water Week.

For more information regarding “Water Week,” to RSVP to events, access resources, and learn how to get involved, visit the Rocky Mountain Public Media website at: rmpbs.org/events/waterweek/. The page includes a curated list of resources, and all Coloradans are invited to participate in a statewide survey on attitudes and knowledge are related to water.

Broadcast Schedule:

7pm - *NEW* Colorado Experience: Western Water---And Power
Ever since Western settlers dreamed of deserts in bloom, men have chased the mirage of more water than these arid lands can provide. 

8pm - Colorado Experience: Living West - Water
What happened to the Puebloans of Mesa Verde and Crow Canyon? Historians discuss the possibility that this move might have been due to a drought in the Southwest region.

8:30pm - Confluence
The Colorado River shapes both the landscape of the American Southwest and the people living near its waters.

9:30pm - Arkansas River: From Leadville to Lamar
Arkansas River from Leadville to Lamar explores the economic and social importance of the river basin including its recreational, municipal, and agricultural value.

About Rocky Mountain Public Media

Rocky Mountain Public Media is Colorado’s largest statewide, member-supported, multimedia organization and the parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz and THE DROP. Rocky Mountain Public Media has more than 90,000 members representing every county in Colorado and reaches 98% of the state’s citizens through television, radio and digital platforms. A non-commercial media organization by and for the people of Colorado, we create high quality local and multimedia content through Regional Innovation Centers in Denver, Colorado Springs, Durango, Grand Junction and Pueblo. Our enriching journalism, educational and cultural programming connects and engages citizens for lifelong impact. RMPBS, started in Denver in 1956 as Colorado's first public television station, is now a statewide television network, with stations in Denver (KRMA), Pueblo/Colorado Springs (KTSC), Steamboat Springs (KRMZ), Grand Junction (KRMJ) and Durango (KRMU). Visit us at www.rmpbs.org.

Contact: Debbie Higgs (970) 235- 8707 // debbiehiggs@rmpbs.org

Ballantine Media Center, 1000 Rim Drive

Durango, CO 81301

New, Colorado Water Plan Interactive Map

The water Coloradans use to drink, irrigate crops, recreate, and sustain our communities is water that we share with our rivers, streams, and lakes. But climate change and population growth are straining water supplies across our state. Colorado’s Water Plan provides a blueprint to ensure we can meet future demands while also keeping our rivers healthy and flowing. The Plan includes local projects that can help make our communities more sustainable, ensure safe drinking water for all Coloradans, help our economy thrive, and protect water resources and wild ecosystems for future generations. 

In addition to the map, check out these short videos talking about the various water projects happening around the state and how the Colorado Water Plan made that possible.

Good Samaritan legislation: A solution for a vexing problem

The 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill was an environmental disaster that began at the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado, when Environmental Protection Agency personnel, along with workers for Environmental Restoration LLC, caused the release of toxic waste water into the Animas River watershed.

by Trout Unlimited (Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization, boasting more than 140,000 members. TU’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.  Learn more at www.tu.org)

Pollution from mine sites (abandoned or active) fall into two categories: “Non-point sources” and “point-sources”.  Non-point source sites are those without a specific point where the pollution discharges into waterways.  These are commonly waste rock and tailings piles that cause contaminated soil runoff.  Point-sources are those that have a specific source of water pollution discharge that you can, well, point to. In this instance, think of a mine portal bleeding orange, heavy metal-laden water; that’s a point source.  

This is an important distinction because under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the EPA requires a discharge permit for all discharges of point source pollution. The effect is that third-party groups - “Good Samaritans” who have no legal responsibility or connection to an abandoned mine – who are interested in conducting a cleanup to address a point-source, draining abandoned mine would inherit permanent liability for a problem they didn’t create.  Additionally, Good Samaritans would be required to hold a CWA pollution discharge permit and meet all applicable water quality standards as if they had created the pollution. In other words, the Clean Water Act treats polluters and Good Samaritans the same.  There is no distinction in the law.  

Because a draining mine is likely to drain forever, the entity performing the work at an abandoned site would be saddled with accountability for any remaining pollution and held liable as if they had created the pollution to begin with - even if their actions create measurable improvements in water quality. The existing legal framework is “all or nothing”.  A cleanup project must result in 100% attainment of water quality standards – 99% isn’t good enough.  This creates legal jeopardy for Good Samaritans who are unsure if 100% attainment is possible. This conundrum leaves the EPA as the only entity legally positioned to clean up leaking, abandoned mines.   But, again, it is only through Superfund can this action occur.    

Under current law, only the EPA can treat discharged mine water from abandoned mine sites.  ‘Superfund’, or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) provides the legal authority and source of funding for the EPA to treat mine waste water from a point-source.  But, mine sites are not the only toxic sites awaiting EPA Superfund cleanups.  At present, there are over 1300 toxic chemical/pollution sites on the EPA’s Nation Priorities List (NPL) awaiting funding and attention, only a few of which are mine sites.  Federal resources are limited for the EPA to conduct cleanups at Superfund sites and there is no dedicated funding source beyond the Congressional appropriations process.  And, unfortunately, there are hundreds - if not thousands - of smaller, abandoned draining mine sites contaminating the environment that are not likely to qualify for a Superfund action.  These are sites that Good Samaritans could take on to increase cleanup capacity beyond the back-logged and underfunded Superfund program.   

View fullsize

After the Gold King mine spill in 2015, numerous Federal and State agencies placed a greater emphasis on quantifying the scope and scale of draining mines in Colorado.  A study by the State Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS) showed over 250 draining mines in Colorado with 148 likely degrading downstream water quality.  With more frequent temperature fluctuations and population increases across Colorado, having clean water sources will become more important for future generations of Coloradans.  The draft legislation discussed in previous summaries and below, will give qualified groups the opportunity to assist the EPA and federal agencies in addressing the cleanup of draining mines.    

Good Samaritans would only be those private organizations and/or state agencies qualified to conduct cleanups who apply for, and receive, a new type of “Good Samaritan” permit from the EPA. At a minimum, permit applications would have to include: site description, parties to be involved in project, description of mine residue to be remediated, description of the expertise of the Good Samaritan and resources available to successfully implement the project, baseline environmental conditions, comprehensive remediation plan, monitoring plan, engineering plans, contractors, work schedule, health and safety plan, contingency plans, project budget, proof of financial resources and an operation and maintenance plan. Permits would only be issued after a public hearing and comment period, and only if the Good Samaritan meet requirements to the satisfaction of the EPA and applicable regulations.  

Funding for Good Samaritan projects would come from a variety of private and public sources, including both state and federal dollars depending on site locations.  Grants and foundation money could also be utilized to fund these types of cleanups that would take on a true collaboration of all project partners and interest groups in the surrounding area.   

If the EPA chooses to issue a permit for an abandoned mine cleanup, a Good Samaritan would not be required to hold a traditional CWA pollution discharge permit.  And, they would be shielded from lawsuits if 100% attainment of water quality standards are not achieved. The EPA would instead hold the Good Samaritan to the requirements and terms of the permit.  And, in the unlikely event that a Good Samaritans violates the terms of the permit, and the violation leads to a reduction in water quality or environmental conditions below baseline levels, then the EPA is authorized to require the Good Samaritan to return the site to baseline conditions or face fines, bond forfeiture and permit revocation.   

Good Samaritan legislation is being proposed by conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited who want to conduct Good Samaritan cleanup projects, but are prevented from doing so under current laws.   Under existing laws, there are three primary disincentives to Good Samaritan cleanups.  They are: 1) It is not feasible to improve water quality to meet high Clean Water Act standards, even though there would be measurable water quality improvements. 2)  The Good Samaritan would be permanently liable for pollution they didn’t create.  3)  The threat of being sued under “citizen suit” provisions of the Clean Water Act if a project does not attain 100% of water quality standards for any given criterion - again, even if there is a measurable improvement in water quality.  

Without Good Samaritan legislation, abandoned mines sites throughout the West that are not qualifying candidates for Superfund will continue to drain pollution every single day without a legal mechanism to begin addressing the problem. Under CERCLA, these sites are not candidates for Superfund projects and therefore the EPA does not have the funding or authority to clean them up.  By passing Good Samaritan legislation, state agencies and private organizations can fill in this gap and help take-on cleanups that would yield cleaner water to the benefit every water user downstream.  

The current draft proposal is for a pilot program that would terminate after 15 projects or 7 years, whichever comes first.  After which, Congress would either let the program expire or pass legislation to continue the program. This will allow for the concept to be proved-up and show that Good Samaritan mine cleanups are effective before making permanent changes to federal law.   

In the end, Good Samaritan proponents believe any improvement to water quality, over any period of time, is better than none at all.  

CTU Annual Gomolchak Grant - Open

Request for Applications

CTU is pleased to announce that we are accepting proposals for the Leo Gomolchak Conservation Grants Program, named for Leo Gomolchak, a longtime CTU staffer and volunteer who worked tirelessly to promote wild and native trout restoration in Colorado.   This program is designed to benefit conservation efforts and organizational development at the chapter level by providing seed money which can be used as a starting point in financing grassroots conservation and/or education activities.

Under this program, we invite chapters to apply for grants of up to $1,500.  This year, a limited number of larger grants ($5,000 or more) may be available as well, for projects with significant leveraging opportunities (e.g., where funds can help match other larger grants toward conservation projects).  The application process and review criteria are described below. The application deadline is March 27.  Contact me if you have any questions regarding this process (dnickum@tu.org, or 303-440-2937 x1).

Application.  To apply for a Gomolchak Grant, chapter presidents should submit a brief letter (not more than two pages) that:

• Describes the proposed project

• Explains the purpose and need for the project

• Lists the expected project costs, the level of funding requested from CTU, any anticipated project funding from other sources, and if the chapter requests assistance in pursuing other matching grants; and

• Outlines the timeline for the project’s implementation.

Grant review criteria are listed below.  In describing the project, application letters should note the ways in which a proposal addresses these criteria (of course, not every project will address every criterion).  Application letters should be received by March 27 at CTU. 

Email is preferred (send to dnickum@tu.org), but letters can also be submitted by mail to 1536 Wynkoop Street, Suite 320, Denver, CO 80202.  A final report (again, a brief letter, including photos if available) outlining how funds were used and project results will be required for any approved grant.

Chapters with outstanding Gomolchak Grants for which final reports have not been submitted will be asked to provide the report (or a progress update, if implementation has been delayed), before funding for a new grant can be issued.

Grant review criteria.

• Significance - the degree to which a project will improve wild or native trout resources

• Organizational health – the degree to which a project will improve TU’s organizational strength at the chapter level

• Demonstration value – the extent to which a project will provide a model that can be applied by other TU chapters or partners

• Do-ability - the capability of the chapter and its project partners to carry out the proposal

• Need - the extent to which CTU support will make the project possible

• Innovation – we encourage new and creative ideas that might not otherwise be attempted

• Partnerships – projects that involve multiple chapters or that promote CTU/chapter collaboration are encouraged

• For the larger ($5000+) grant requests, leveraging potential will also be a major criterion; projects with greater matching opportunities will compete more strongly.