Wetlands Work to Begin
On Aug. 20, Colorado Parks and Wildlife approved $400,000 for wetlands and riparian habitat projects in the San Luis Valley.
Three national wildlife refuges operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management will see the installation of 10 water-control structures which will benefit sandhill cranes, waterfowl and two federally-protected species – the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, by improving wetlands habitat.
Solar in the SLV
A Landscape Assessment and Solar Regional Mitigation Strategy for three solar energy zones in the San Luis Valley is being developed by the Bureau of Land Management. The strategies are being developed to identify and mitigate potential impacts of solar development. The zones are located in Antonito Southeast, De Tilla Gulch and Los Mogotes East.
Playtime for Pups
The Alamosa city council unanimously approved creating a dog park at Lee Fields east of the city recreation center.
It is hoped the park will be in place by the end of this year. A second dog park will be considered by the Cattails Golf Course next year.
Medical Flights Available From the Western SLV
A 24/7 emergency air ambulance transport service to Denver is now available in Del Norte. Based at the Kent Rominger Airport, Eagle Air Med will speed up the ability to get critically injured patients to a larger hospital.
A flight to Denver from Del Norte takes about 40 minutes traveling at a cruising speed of 270 to 280 miles per hour.
Crestone Taxes May Drop
Saguache County Commissioners have agreed to reduce the town of Crestone’s taxes to a third of their presently assessed level.
“The commissioners/county board of equalization dropped the lots within Crestone from $36,875 to $12,500 per 50-foot-wide lots and half that for 25-foot-wide lots,” said Saguache County Assessor Jackie Stephens. The reduction is part of an effort to assist Crestone businesses that are struggling with their tax bills.
The reduction still has to be approved by the state tax auditor and state board of equalization.
Protection for Trout Ranch
The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust, based in Del Norte, named the 590-acre Rainbow Trout Ranch in the Conejos Canyon as its current Save the Ranch project.
The Trust, which has preserved 24,000 acres in 15 years, has made the longtime guest ranch a focus of its fundraising this year.
Bear Versus Hog
A 63-year-old New Mexico man died on Aug. 7 after his motorcycle collided with a bear, 13 miles south of Antonito.
The unidentified rider was traveling on Hwy. 17 around 3:30 p.m. when his 2010 Harley hit the bear, which was attempting to cross the highway. The animal fled into a nearby forest.
