Wetlands and ‘old-growth’ fens heat up Wolf Creek debate. by Adam Howell

Here is an article that details a few of the reasons why people fear for the Alberta Park watershed area.  Any massive development in Alberta Park at 10,300 will cause unavoidable damage followed by cascading consequences that will impact the interstate, international Rio Grande River !

The fact that McCombs is suggesting moving his project a few hundred yards and slightly uphill, and closer to the highway will not mitigate that unavoidable destruction.

Think before digging!

reprinted with permission from The Durango Telegraph

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Durango Telegraph

• December-29-2005
• » Wetlands heat up Wolf Creek debate

Wetlands heat up Wolf Creek debate Agencies clash over mapping of ‘old-growth’ fens by Adam Howell   Wetlands are currently boiling with controversy in the vicinity of Wolf Creek Ski Area. According to recently obtained e-mails, two agencies are throwing jabs in a recent bout over the regulation of wetlands as they relate to the proposed Village at Wolf Creek. According to the exchange, the Army Corps of Engineers’ Albuquerque District has prevented the Environmental Protection Agency from verifying the locations of wetlands at the site of the proposed developed.

Durango Telegraph "Village at Wolf Creek" Archives

 After putting together the Pagosa Springs SUN Newspaper Archives, I figured: why stop?  Over in Durango, the Durango Telegraph has printed a number of interesting articles and letters regarding the proposed Village at Wolf Creek.

With a couple articles deserving to be highlighted: 
The first, though dated in it's legal details, does an excellent job of describing the Fens/Wetlands situation and regulatory complications.  Illustrating some of the unavoidable impacts development would have on this watershed to the Rio Grande River. The second article describes the increasing stress the Rio Grande National Forest biosphere is suffering, and why we must take care of what we have.

Wetlands heat up Wolf Creek debate ~ Agencies clash over mapping of ‘old-growth’ fens

CoverStory, Adam Howell

http://www.durangotelegraph.com/index.cfm/archives/2005/december-29-2005/wetlands-heat-up-wolf-creek-debate/

~ ~ ~

Rio Grande forest ‘endangered’

Quick 'n' Dirty

http://www.durangotelegraph.com/index.cfm/archives/2005/november-17-2005/quick-n-dirty/

=====================

Durango Telegraph Weekly Newspaper 
http://www.durangotelegraph.com

The “Village At Wolf Creek” Archives

{ going back to 2005 }

Pagosa Springs SUN Newspaper: The “Village At Wolf Creek” Archives

 I was reviewing some old articles when I had the idea, that these news articles, along with a few opinion pieces and letters to the editor should be easily available for folks who may want a better understanding of the current controversy.

I have striven to remain within copyright guidelines and each article is linked to the full Pagosa Springs SUN story.

Pagosa Springs SUN Newspaper

http://www.pagosasun.com

The “Village At Wolf Creek” Archives

{ going back to 2000 }

Copy of the "Wingle Transmit New Decision pdf"

The following is a faithful reproduction {though it may contain typos.} of the pdf I was sent by the RGNF,  when they replied to my FOIA request.    

This is the Decision Notice that withdrew the February 20, 1986 RGNF's rejection of the LMJV trade offer and directs the land exchange proposal to continue. 

Missing from the documents I received was the 2/20/86 RGNF decision, so I have sent another FOIA request for that document, which I will also post after receiving it. 

pm



19860306WingleTransmitNewDecision.pdf

AMENDED Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact {9/29/86}

The following is a faithful reproduction {though it may contain typos.} of the pdf I was sent by the RGNF,  when they replied to my FOIA request.    

I have taken the liberty of highlighting sections I want to address in later posts.

pm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

19860929AmendedDN.pdf

AMENDED
DECISION NOTICE
and
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

FOIA RESULTS = USDA Forest Service: Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact {3/6/86}

The following is a faithful reproduction {though it may contain typos.} of the pdf I was sent by the RGNF,  when they replied to my FOIA request.    

I have taken the liberty of highlighting sections I want to address in later posts.

pm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 Document 19860306DN.pdf

DECISION NOTICE
and
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Proposed Wolf Creek Land Exchange
with
Leavell Properties, Inc.
in
Mineral and Saguache Counties, Colorado
Del Norte Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest
USDA Forest Service