Despite Forests at Risk, Village at Wolf Creek full steam ahead

{with update}
Considering the strategic timing of the release of Red McComb's RGNF land swap decision - 

VWC Access Project "Final Environmental Impact Statement" - a few days before Thanksgiving Day, with the end of the comment period right after the New Year's holiday it's pretty clear that the fix is in and the development is quite probably on a fast track.  My bet is that the construction won't resemble their website's pretty projections one bit, we shall see.

Thus I'll transition this blog from a feeble attempt to be an information kiosk advocating for the preservation of Alberta Park - with it's precious biologically productive watershed and hydrology kept unmolested for the greater good of the Rio Grande River Basin and all it's stakeholders - to that of being a witness to the coming plunder. 

To begin I'll share some of the sober science that our Republican pals hold in such contempt that they do all to pretend doesn't exist.

Here's a scientific assessment of the backdrop against which this ridiculous development and future boondoggle will occur:

Rocky Mountain Forests at Risk
Confronting Climate-driven Impacts from Insects, Wildfires, Heat, and Drought

http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2014/09/Rocky-Mountain-Forests-at-Risk-Full-Report.pdf

Lead authors
Jason Funk, Stephen Saunders
Contributors
Todd Sanford, Tom Easley, Adam Markham

September 2014 

4. iv  Figures, Tables, and Boxes
   
5. v  Acknowledgments 

1   Executive Summary 

Chapter 1
5   A Cherished Landscape at Risk 
Chapter 2
9   Increases in Tree-Killing Insects  
Chapter 3
13 Increases in Wildfires  
Chapter 4
19 Impacts of Heat and Dryness on Forests  
Chapter 5
24 Effects on Iconic Tree Species of the Rocky Mountains  
Chapter 6
38 Present and Future Climate Change in the Rocky Mountains  
Chapter 7
44 What We Can Do 

47 References 

From the Executive Summary:
"… Today, however, the forests of the Rocky Mountains are facing a triple assault: tree-killing insects, wildfires, and heat and drought. If allowed to continue unchecked, these stresses and their impacts could fundamentally alter these forests as we know them. 

Human-caused global warming is driving these detrimental effects by bringing hotter and drier conditions, which not only cause their own effects but amplify those of other stresses.  

An exceptionally hot and dry stretch from 1999 to 2003 produced unusually severe impacts on the region’s forests. If these trends continue, even hotter and drier con- ditions could become commonplace, leading to even greater effects on Rocky Mountain forests. 

This report documents the latest evidence on how climate change is already disrupting the forests of the Rocky Mountain region and what scientists project for the decades ahead, and suggests how we can best meet these challenges. …" 

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Update

I have received the following email from the Public Affairs Specialist for the Rio Grande National Forest:

Hi, 

I read your latest blog and just wanted to let you know that you are incorrect about the reason for the timing of the release of the draft ROD and FEIS coinciding with the holiday season.  

I know it looks suspicious, especially to those who don’t like the draft decision, but we wanted to get it out as soon as everything was completed and it just happened to work out to be on November 20. My guess is that there is no way for me to convince suspicious folks otherwise, but I figured I would let you know the truth. The legal notice wasn’t actually published until November 21. 

Your calculations of the objection period ending on January 4, 2015 are correct, except that since the 4^th is a Sunday, the objection period actually doesn’t end until Monday, January 5, 2015.  I attached the Federal Register Notice that announced the notice of availability of the FEIS. The objection period begins with the publication of the legal notice in the paper of record, not the FRN {as I noted in my post: Valley Courier }.

 Public Affairs Specialist  Rio Grande National Forest

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MB,

 I trust you and want to remain in good standing with you and will add your comment to my post - but it will also include my response:

You are correct - 

it's a tough one to swallow and it's not going down.

But it's OK, it's not like anyone that matters gives a damned.

VWC Access Project "Final Environmental Impact Statement" index

"The publication of the draft record of decision in the 

Valley Courier starts a 45-day objection period. 

The final decision will be signed if no objections are received." RGNF

{By my math that makes it Sunday January 4th - excellent timing for the release I must say}

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

Text of Draft index; and introduction; and background. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Draft
Record of Decision
Village at Wolf Creek Access Project Final Environmental Impact Statement
USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region Rio Grande National Forest Divide Ranger District Mineral County, Colorado 
http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai.com/11558/www/nepa/78763_FSPLT3_2387251.pdf

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

1.0 Introduction ...................... 1 2.0 
Background and Location....... 1 3.0 
Purpose and Need................... 2
4.0 Decision............................ 2 4.1 
The Decision........................... 2 4.2 
Selected Alternative................ 2

4.2.1 Non-Federal Lands to be Conveyed to the United States….. 3 4.2.2 
Federal Land to be Conveyed to the Non-Federal Party .............. 3 4.2.3 
Best Management Practices......................................................... 3 4.2.4 
Encumbrances........................................................................…… 4 4.2.5 Monitoring................................................................................... 4 4.2.6 
Lynx Conservation Measures ...................................................…. 5 4.2.7 
Permits, Licenses, Entitlements and/or Consultation ...............…… 6

5.0 Decision Rationale .........................................................……. 6
6.0 Public Involvement............................................................…. 26

7.0 Alternatives Considered ...29 
7.1 Alternatives Considered 
but Eliminated from Detailed Study ...29 7.2 
Alternative 1 - No Action ... 30 7.3 
Alternative 2 - Land Exchange (Proposed Action) ... 30 7.4 
Alternative 3 – ANILCA Road Access … 30

8.0 Environmentally Preferable Alternative.... 31 9.0 
Findings Required by Other Laws, Regulations and Agency Policy .... 31 10.0 
Pre-Decisional Administrative Objection Process ... 31 11.0 
Contact Person ... 32 12.0 
Signature and Date ... 32

VillageWolfCreek Breaking News - RGNF Favors Developing Alberta Park, Wolf Creek!

"The publication of the draft record of decision in the 

Valley Courier starts a 45-day objection period. 

The final decision will be signed if no objections are received." RGNF

{By my math that makes it Sunday January 4th - excellent timing for the release I must say}
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Apparently the developers still believe we are living in the 1980s.

For the decision see:

http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai.com/11558/www/nepa/78763_FSPLT3_2387251.pdf

News Release

--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—

{I've added the highlights}

November 20, 2014

Draft decision released for Village at Wolf Creek Access Project

MONTE VISTA, Colo. – The Rio Grande National Forest has completed the Village at Wolf Creek Access Project analysis and draft record of decision. Forest Supervisor Dan Dallas selected Alternative 2, the proposed land exchange between the United States and Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture (LMJV). The land exchange will provide the opportunity for LMJV to develop year-round access to their property.

“After a thorough review of the final environmental impact statement and public comments, I have decided to approve Alternative 2, the land exchange,” said Dallas. “I believe this is the best decision for the land and the public while providing the access to which the proponent is legally entitled.”

Alternative 2 conveys approximately 177 acres of privately held land to the Rio Grande National Forest in exchange for approximately 205 acres of National Forest System land managed by the RGNF.  The land exchange would create a private land parcel of approximately 325 acres extending to U.S. Highway 160 and will accommodate year-round vehicular access.

The existing Tranquility Road would be extended east across NFS land to the private land. This road would provide restricted seasonal access between Wolf Creek Ski Area and the private land.

The primary benefits of the land exchange proposal over the previous right-of-way proposal include relocation of most of the proposed private land development to an area farther away from the ski area and Forest Service acquisition of wetlands and a perennial stream.

{I wonder how RGNF finesses the fact the Red McCombs knew dang well that land was landlocked before his purchase! - Or does the RGNF ignore that detail - we shall see?}

LMJV previously sought a right-of-way access across RGNF from U.S. Highway 160 to their private land.  Since their private land is surrounded by National Forest System land, LMJV is entitled by federal statute to have granted to them by the Forest Service a right-of-way for access commensurate with the reasonable use and enjoyment of their property. 

The publication of the draft record of decision in the Valley Courier starts a 45-day objection period. The final decision will be signed if no objections are received. A 45-day resolution period ensues if objections are submitted by individuals who previously provided comments. The resolution period may be extended an additional 30 days for a total of 75 days. The final decision is signed following this resolution period.

For more information about the proposed Village at Wolf Creek Access Project, visit the Rio Grande National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande.

###

Public Affairs Specialist

Rio Grande National Forest

719-852-6212 (o)

Hello Ukraine

Dear Ukrainian visitors and other Old World visitors to this website,

My name is Peter and this NVAWC website is my own venture, a hobby you could say.

This "information kiosk" is unaffiliated with anyone else, it's simple, just me sharing important information and some of my thoughts because I want to do my part in helping stop a thoughtless rich family from inflicting irreparable destruction to the heart of a thriving biologically productive complex watershed area called Alberta Park located up against the USA's Continental Divide, near Wolf Creek Pass, location of legendary Highway 160* that tops off at 3,310 meters.  Alberta Park is part of the source waters for the interstate/international Rio Grande River making it specially important and worth protecting.

OK, so that's what I'm doing here.  

Now, please allow me to ask you folks, what are you doing here?

I ask this because I've been watching my numbers with increasing fascination and curiosity about why people from across the globe would be interested in this local issue.  I've tried finding "Wolf Creeks" in Ukraine, Russia and other places to check that sort of link but haven't had any luck.  Is it just a curiosity about America?  Or what?  Here's what I'm talking about:

most recent week - Oct 1, 2014 6:00 PM – Oct 8, 2014 5:00 PM

Rocky Mountian Forests at Risk

I came across this report that seems worth passing along.  Something to think about while we wait for the Rio Grande National Forest to come out with their overdue Environmental Assessment of the Red McComb's Alberta Park land swap proposal.

This seems a fitting reminder that we are living in the 2010s and our natural and business world is rapidly changing before our eyes - beware of 1980s speculative pipe dreams - their time has passed into yesteryear.  The future needs as much of the Rio Grande River watershed and riparian system protected as possible.  

Red McComb's plan only promises destruction of that all important high mountain watershed and biologically productive wetlands with unavoidable damaging consequences to all down stream users of the interstate, international Rio Grande River.

Rocky Mountain Forests at Risk
http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2014/09/Rocky-Mountain-Forests-at-Risk-Full-Report.pdf

Confronting Climate-driven Impacts from Insects, Wildfires, Heat, and Drought

Americans revere the Rocky Mountains for their aesthetic, environmental, and economic value. The Rockies are home to some of the crown jewels of the national park system, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain National Parks.

These parks alone receive 11 million visitors each year and generate more than $1 billion annually in visitor spending. Another 60 million people visit the region’s 37 national forests each year.

Today, however, the forests of the Rocky Mountains are facing a triple assault: tree-killing insects, wildfires, and heat and drought. If allowed to continue unchecked, these stresses and their impacts could fundamentally alter these forests as we know them.

Human-caused global warming is driving these detri- mental effects by bringing hotter and drier conditions, which not only cause their own effects but amplify those of other stresses. An exceptionally hot and dry stretch from 1999 to 2003 produced unusually severe impacts on the region’s forests. If these trends continue, even hotter and drier con- ditions could become commonplace, leading to even greater effects on Rocky Mountain forests.

This report documents the latest evidence on how climate change is already disrupting the forests of the Rocky Mountain region and what scientists project for the decades ahead, and suggests how we can best meet these challenges. 

Lead authors
Jason Funk Stephen Saunders
Contributors
Todd Sanford Tom Easley Adam Markham
September 2014 

[ contents ]

4. iv  Figures, Tables, and Boxes
   
5. v  Acknowledgments
   

1 Executive Summary   
Chapter 1
5 A Cherished Landscape at Risk    
Chapter 2
9 Increases in Tree-Killing Insects   
Chapter 3
13 Increases in Wildfires 
Chapter 4
19 Impacts of Heat and Dryness on Forests 
Chapter 5
24 Effects on Iconic Tree Species of the Rocky Mountains 
Chapter 6
38 Present and Future Climate Change in the Rocky Mountains 
Chapter 7
44 What We Can Do 

47 References

read the report here

Paul Bauer, "The Rio Grande - A Guide To The River's Geology"

A little something about the Rio Grande River,

with appreciation to http://JourneySantaFe.com.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Paul Bauer, "The Rio Grande - A Guide To The River's Geology" (2/10/2013)

Published on Feb 10, 2013 by OccupyNewMexico

Presented at Collected Works Bookstore in Santa Fe, NM 

as part of the Journey Santa Fe weekly lecture series -- http://journeysantafe.com

Paul Bauer is a principal geologist and associate director at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech. He received a Ph.D. in geology from New Mexico Tech in 1988. He served as manager of the state's Geologic Mapping Program for 12 years, and was coordinator for the New Mexico Decision-Makers Field Conferences for 10 years, a program designed to bridge the gap between earth scientists and policy makers in New Mexico.

Since his first Taos Box rafting trip in 1980, he has spent much of the last 30 years investigating the geology and hydrogeology of north-central New Mexico. He has led many field trips to the area, including educational whitewater rafting tours. His current research is focused on using geologic field studies to describe the evolution of the mountains and basins of northern New Mexico, and the hydrogeologic conditions of the Upper Rio Grande region.

He has co-authored a series of geologic quadrangle maps of Taos County, has written a wide variety of books and articles on the geology of the region, and in 2007 completed a study of the springs of the Rio Grande gorge.

In 2011, he combined an enthusiasm for whitewater adventures with an interest in earth science education by publishing the award-winning book The Rio Grande: A River Guide to the Geology and Landscapes of Northern New Mexico. 

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

Climate Change and the Forests of the West (Keeling Lecture)

The Keeling Lecture

Dr. Steve Running

Climate Change and the Forests of the West   

UCTV - Perspectives on Ocean Science

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLL7t3tF7z8

University of California Television (UCTV)

Uploaded on Jun 10, 2010

Dr. Steve Running, a Regents Professor in the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana, discusses the paradox of why forests in the West are growing faster while simultaneously suffering from higher die-off rates. 

Running was the IPCC lead author on a 2007 WG1 report analyzing North America's contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide and its impacts on the global climate. 
Series: "Perspectives on Ocean Science" [6/2010] [Science] [Show ID: 18197]

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

introduction to the "Keeling Curve" and CO2 observations…
and how that ties into understanding global growth patterns

11:40  Image of our thin atmosphere against the Earth's horizon

28:30  Great satellite view of ten years worth of the whole Earth's seasons unfurling.

32:20  two week longer growing season in Northern US
33:50  April snow pack (snow water equivalent) 1950 - 2000

34:30  Tim Barnett, et al. 2008 paper, Western States spring snowpack 1950 - 2006

(Montana March temps are up 7°F )

38:00  Wild fire - Westerling, et al. 2006 - fire season 78 days longer - increased fires above 6500ft

43:00  Bark Beetles and warming winters

45:30  Montana absolute low temps have warmed 15°F in past 15 years!

48:40  Raffa, et al. - bark beetle study

49:00  Van Mantgem, et al 2009 - Background mortality rates Western forests

51:00  Stability of natural carbon sinks?

… Carbon Monitoring

53:30  Planetary Boundaries

http://www.post2015hlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Rockstroem-Sachs-Oehman-Schmidt-Traub_Sustainable-Development-and-Planetary-Boundaries.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_boundaries

55:00   A thank you to David Keeling.

Blast from the past: The Village at Wolf Creek, It’s A Scandal

I stumbled acrose this today and reread it and feel OK about what I was trying to get across.  Parts of it are dated so I won't drag it up to the top of the pile, but I will link to it.  And yes, the original swap did turn out to be plenty up and up... still McComb's changing his intentions and sneaking in that Village monstrosity, none of that was right - and soured the entire deal. 

And this thing should have been settled long ago in favor of Alberta Park being left alone to continue functioning as the invaluable productive biological national resource that it is. 

Leave it as it is!  A productive habitat, wetlands, fens, storage and filter to source waters of the international Rio Grande River.  

Why not McCombs enterprises?

March 21, 2012

The Village at Wolf Creek, It’s A Scandal

http://no-villageatwolfcreek.blogspot.com/2012/03/village-at-wolf-creek-its-scandal.html

Colorado Fracking Site Flooding September 2013, etc.

This is slightly off topic, except for sane land use/appreciation/protection aspect and it's another Colorado issue.   
I'm embarrassed it took me so long to notice the video.

Colorado Fracking Site Flooding September 2013 HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEVGPdQIW9s

 

ClimateState

Published on Sep 17, 2013

Follow ClimateState on facebook for climate research https://www.facebook.com/ClimateState

Historic flooding across large portions of Central and Eastern Colorado has caused an unprecedented amount of damage. Along with the rise in water levels came elevated concern over the tens of thousands of frack wells that scar the region's landscape. In one of the hardest hit areas, Weld County, there are over 20,000 frack wells alone.

To check out a video of Marcellus Shale Earth First blockading an active hydraulic fracturing drill site click here: http://vimeo.com/rewilding/msef-block...

Colorado Floodwaters Cover Fracking And Oil Projects: 'We Have No Idea What Those Wells Are Leaking' http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013...

Colorado flooding forces thousands more evacuations 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-5...

"Biblical" rains trigger flooding that kills 3 in Colo. 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather...

PHOTOS: The Deadly Toll Of Colorado's 'Biblical' Flood, So Far

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013...

Two Major Storms Lash Mexico - 41 Dead Amid "Historic" Floods 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1uY9n...

Thousands ordered to evacuate as typhoon lashes nation

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013...

Anti-copyright: you can use any part of this in any way that you'd like. http://vimeo.com/7468356
2

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Fracking Ground Zero Tour - Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIAimnmOBUM

Published on Jan 22, 2013

The frenzy to power continued economic and population growth means drilling and fracking for oil and gas is no longer "out of sight, out of mind." Energy companies want to drill in urban areas of Colorado. Citizens from these communities took the "Bring Your Own Gas Mask" tour of a rural area in Garfield County - to see what life in the oil patch will be like.

In part one, resident Thomas Thompson welcomes the visitors and shows them around. Be sure to see part two, in which another local, Rick Roles, shares his tragic experiences. To follow this issue, "like" this Facebook page  :http://www.facebook.com/frackbusters

Fracking Ground Zero Tour - Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfNPVdi8VGU

Published on Jan 22, 2013

The frenzy to power continued economic and population growth means drilling and fracking for oil and gas is no longer "out of sight, out of mind." Energy companies want to drill in urban areas of Colorado. Citizens from these communities took the "Bring Your Own Gas Mask" tour of a rural area in Garfield County - to see what life in the oil patch will be like.

In part two, local resident and oilfield veteran Rick Roles shares his tragic experiences. Be sure to also see part one, in which resident Thomas Thompson welcomes the visitors and shares his nightmares. To follow this issue, "like" this facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/frackbusters

Village at Wolf Creek EIS release update 3/31/2014

After the Durango Herald's article and considering March has come and gone, I contacted Mike Blakeman, Public Affairs Specialist for the Rio Grande National Forest to ask him about the Village At Wolf Creek Landswap Environmental Impact Statement and received the following reply.

Hi Peter,  

When it comes to the VWC land exchange EIS, everything takes longer than you expect.  As you know, many people have been expecting the RGNF to release the VWC FEIS and ROD for a while now. After a thorough review of the EIS, Dan (Dan Dallas - Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor) has determined that additional analysis is needed before he can make an informed decision. 

In particular, Dan asked the team to expand their review associated with developments that are accessed next to ski areas on public lands. We don’t currently have a timeline, but we hope to have the work completed by early summer. 

As a reminder,  Dan stated early on when the EIS was first initiated that the process would take as long as is needed in order to complete a thorough analysis on which he could base his decision. NEPA requires Dan to take a “hard look” at all aspects of the environmental and social issues associated with the proposed project. 

He asked for a more in-depth look and further analysis upon review of the draft EIS documentation prior to making a final decision.  

Hope that helps.  

Mike Blakeman 

Public Affairs Specialist 

Indeed it does.  
Thank you for the information Mr. Blakeman.

Durango Herald: Village at Wolf Creek, Delayed But Not Derailed - 2/15/2014

OK, here we go.

Durango Herald headline February 15, 2014:

"Delayed but not derailed" 

Even as beetles ravage forest, the scale of Red McCombs’ plans to build a mountaintop village hinge on land swap 

By Joe Hanel Herald staff writer | 2/15/2014  

http://durangoherald.com/article/20140215/NEWS01/140219691/Delayed-but-not-derailed-

"A turning point in the three-decade battle over Wolf Creek Pass is expected next month, when the U.S. Forest Service will declare its preference on a land exchange with a Texas developer who wants to build a resort village.

"B.J. “Red” McCombs has been trying since 1986 to build the Village at Wolf Creek at the base of Wolf Creek Ski Area. His latest proposal – now five years in the making – is to swap his private land in a large meadow below the ski area for Forest Service land abutting U.S. Highway 160. 

"Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor Dan Dallas expects to make a decision on the land swap in early to mid-March. 

"Much has changed on Wolf Creek Pass since McCombs offered the land trade in 2009. … "

Courtesy of San Juan Citizens Alliance

In summer 2007, the trees of Wolf Creek Pass were still green, 

before a spruce beetle outbreak ravaged the forest.

{read the entire article at the Durango Herald}

Village at Wolf Creek Environmental Impact Study Issues

All remains quiet regarding the upcoming release of the VWC-DEIS.

While we continue waiting on the long over due Village at Wolf Creek Landswap Environmental Impact Statement to be released - I figure it's a good time to share this index to a series of comments I submitted to the VWC-DEIS team.  It will be interesting to see how they deal with the various important outstanding issues that have been raised by many people.

Feel free to copy and share any of the posts here at 

NO - Village at Wolf Creek .blogspot.com 

Where third party references are used, please be sure to include an acknowledgement of those third parties including their links.  

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

    •    VWC-DEIS 1.6.5 Climate and Air Quality

    •   VWC-DEIS 1.7.1 Health and Human Safety at a High Altitude

    •    VWC-DEIS 1.7.3 Validity of 1986 Land Exchange  

    •    VWC-DEIS 1.10 ANILCA 1980 - Road Access Rights

    •    VWC-DEIS Chap. 2 Page 46/47 - Employment Status 

    •    VWC-DEIS 3.4 Water Rights and Use

    •    VWC-DEIS 3.1 Surface Water – Water Quality, Stream Health and Floodplains

    •    VWC-DEIS 3.7.5 Wetland Functions and Values

    •    VWC-DEIS 3.7.6 Fens

    •    VWC-DEIS 4.7.1 (Wetlands) Direct and Indirect Consequences

• VWC-DEIS 35945 - Why no Impact Study of the costs of a failed VWC development?

• VWC-DEIS - MAPS and such

• FOIA request for VWC-DEIS Land Appraisal documents

• Agencies clash over mapping of ‘old-growth’ fens

• An essay concerning Red McCombs' long and winding road

Link to the Rio Grande National Forest official information page