Big Changes at the USPS
On Feb. 23, after a five-month study, the U.S. Postal Service announced it would be consolidating 223 centers across the country sometime after May 15
In Colorado, post offices in Salida, Alamosa, Durango and Colorado Springs will be affected by the decision. What this means for Colorado Central subscribers is that the magazine (and all other mail sent from Salida for that matter) will first be re-routed to Denver for sorting and then delivered back to Salida (sounds more efficient to us, right?). Normally, locals get the magazine the next day but the new rules will add several more days to the delivery time. Our Front Range subscribers may see their copies sooner but we‘re not holding our breath.
Geothermal Lease Signed
GUNNISON – The Double Heart Ranch in Gunnison County, whose owner and employees have been outspoken critics of possible geothermal development on federal lands near their property, have reversed themselves and purchased a geothermal lease on Feb. 9, according to The Gunnison Country Times.
The lease includes about 8,353 acres near Waunita Hot Springs and Tomichi Dome. The ranch was the only entity to bid on the lease. Despite the lease, there are concerns that stipulations regarding wildlife in the surrounding area would make geothermal development unlikely.
Over the River Update
The Over the River project proposed by Bulgarian artist Christo for the Arkansas River canyon has been in the news quite a bit lately.
A lawsuit was filed by students at the University of Denver on Feb. 1 on behalf of opponents of the project in order to halt the art project. Attorney and DU professor Michael Harris will oversee student lawyers Mason Brown and Justine Shepherd, who initiated the lawsuit.
The Chaffee County Economic Development Corp., on the other hand, gave a thumbs up to the project on Feb. 7 in a letter to county commissioners, according to The Mountain Mail. They dubbed the proposal, “a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase natural beauty and vibrant communities in Fremont and Chaffee counties.”
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper also weighed in on the controversial project on Feb. 23 at a reception for the Colorado Press Association.
“This will be one of his last projects, and it’s not a bad gift to Colorado, even if my wife does think it’s crazy,” said Hickenlooper.
Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker, meanwhile, has requested nearly a quarter-million dollars from county commissioners to pay for additional deputies and equipment he feels will be needed to protect the citizenry before and during the installation, including ballistic vests, tasers, badges and other law enforcement equipment.
Finally, the OTR folks themselves have decided to keep the conversation, and controversy going for another year after announcing postponement of the project to early August 2015. They cited the need for more thorough planning for event management for the initial project phases. Construction is now scheduled to begin in Feb. 2013. What it means for us journalists is we’d better keep a reserve of ink on hand as this story is not going away any time soon.
Energy Companies Fined
GUNNISON – Gunnison Energy and SG Interests, two natural gas developers working in the Gunnison Valley, have been accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of collusion in keeping the price of public land leases artificially low.
The companies agreed to pay $275,000 each for antitrust and False Claims Act violations, according to The Gunnison Country Times. The settlement was announced in mid-February and is awaiting review by the U.S. District Court in Colorado.
Forest-road Rules in Dispute
DENVER – Officials in Colorado are making a final push to establish their own rules for management of the remaining roadless national forests in the state.
The Obama administration will decide in March between national rules and state rules for managing roadless lands. The state rule would restrict road-building and tree-cutting on about 4.2 million acres. The national rule bans roads on 4.4 million acres of the 14.5 million acres of national forest in Colorado, according to The Denver Post.
Environmental groups including Earthjustice are concerned the state rules are too lax and would lead to further expansion of coal mining, drilling and other industrial use of the state’s backcountry.
Lamborn Proposes Oil Shale Development
WASHINGTON – Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn is taking heat over his proposal to open up public lands for oil shale development. Community leaders and mayors on the Colorado Western Slope say that Lamborn’s “Pioneer Act” does not take into account local impacts.
The Act mandates 125,000 acres of public land for gas leases and oil shale development. Western slope leaders claim the Act would lead to lower royalty rates for their communities than traditional leases.
County commissioners and mayors are also concerned that oil shale is only speculative at this point with no viable commercial market.
“I think it’s a great step forward,” Lamborn said.
Notable Quotes:
“I always tell people from BV, it doesn’t matter where you start. It’s where you can take it that counts.” – 2006 Buena Vista High School graduate Nate Solder, who played in Super Bowl XLVI for the New England Patriots. The N.Y. Giants defeated the Patriots 21–17. – The Chaffee County Times, Feb. 2, 2012.
“There are quite a few that honk. Once in awhile, we’ll get a blast from an eighteen-wheeler. That’s really rewarding.”– Butch Clark, a member of a group of Gunnison citizens who have been publicly protesting against the Iraq War since March of 2004 at 100F Park. – The Gunnison Country Times, Jan. 5, 2012.
“Do I think it’s going to happen? No. I do not. I hope and pray it’s not going to happen. I do worry. If we bring a quarter million people, in such a short time, into such a small area, I do worry.” – Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker, speaking about public concerns over an attack by terrorist group al-Qaeda during the Over the River art installation. – The Mountain Mail, Jan. 6, 2012.
“There are so many places ATVs can use – it’s like forever and a half – I don’t know why they need to expand.” – Salida City Councilman Jim McCormick, in a discussion about allowing off-highway vehicles on Chaffee County roads near Salida. – The Mountain Mail, Feb. 8, 2012.
