Animas River Days 2009

I just returned from a meeting about Animas River Days 2009. It is beginning to come together. We are tweaking the schedule a little bit and the whole thing promises to be a boat load (pun intended) of fun!

Growth

I know that cities and businesses have operated under a "If your not growing your dying" philosophy. It seems to me that, in a county where we recently had a moratorium on water taps because of drought, we need to reconsider this philosophy. I think you could argue that growth, when done improperly, could be viewed as slowly bleeding an area to death. The water issues have only begun in the American Southwest. We need to look further down the road than 15 years. Shouldn't towns and cities be looking at a longer term legacy/ existence? The warning shots have been fired. Let's pay attention and think about sustainability.

Thank You Commissioners

The La Plata County Commissioners have decided to delay issuing a permit to the Wildcat Mine because of a lack of information. The Durango Herald stated on Saturday that "La Plata County planning staff has recommended that unless Wildcat Mining Corp. turns in additional information to the county - specifically, how the project in La Plata Canyon will be accessed - commissioners should deny the permit." It is good to see the Commissioners taking a good solid look at the proposed project. Gold mining is not innocuous. Though the options are better than the old Arsenic days there is the potential for heavy impacts to water, in this case the La Plata River, a major tributary to the San Juan. The mine is situated directly above the river. Good work Commissioners.

Head of EPA

Rumor has it that President Elect Barack Obama is considering Bobbie Kennedy Jr. as the head of the EPA. With what little impact my input has, I think he would be hard pressed to do any better for the position. Bobbie Kennedy Jr. has an immense amount of experience with nearly all aspects of the environmental issues that we will be faced with in the near future. He is actively working to generate energy alternatives to oil, understands the Clean Water Act, and the many components of NEPA. It would be great to see someone so proactive head up the EPA.

Desert Rock

I love it when lawyers from New York make statements like "The only thing a delay does is hurt the Navajo nation. Shame on the New Mexico government for imposing its will on Navajo sovereignty" (Durango Herald, 7/11/08, N.M. tries to stop Desert Rock permit). Mr. Maisano made this statement in response to the fact that NM is suing the EPA for more research to be done before they make a decision on Sithe Global's permit. Good old Frank Maisano, speaking for the people of the Navajo Nation. It is clear that not everyone in the nation is of the same mind as Mr. Maisano, though some certainly are. Mr. Maisano should contain his speaking points to represent his New York based company, Sithe Global Power, and let the sovereign Navajo Nation speak for itself. I would still contend that this is an environmental justice issue. Sithe Global plans to construct a power plant, using technology that is proven to have detrimental effects on the people and environment that exist within 100 miles, on the Navajo Nation and send the power well beyond the borders of the Navajo Nation. Early studies show that the mercury found in Vallecito Reservoir is very likely coming from the existing power plants in Northwestern New Mexico. Shame on you Mr. Maisano and Sithe Global for imposing your pollutants on the people and environment of the sovereign Navajo Nation and the rest of the Four Corners Region. There is no such thing as clean coal.

Keep Lake Nighthorse Motor Free

As the ALP project nears completion the reality of Lake Nighthorse looms. Animas Riverkeeper is trying to keep motor operated crafts out of the lake. The loss of elk habitat is already a travesty. The presence of motors in the lake will only add insult to injury. Motors pollute the waters, interupt wildlife, and disturb the solace of an area. Make your voice heard. Keep motors out of Lake Nighthorse.

The Katie Lee

Here she is, the Riverkeepers' new boat on her inaugeral run. She made the run during the annual river parade at Animas River Days. We named her the Katie Lee. Look for her patrolling on a water way near you.