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.

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

Changing Climate impending impacts on water availability

Here at NO-VillageAtWolfCreek the post with the most visits, by far, is from September 26th 2012 titled:  The Impact of Climate Change on Ski Resort Operations and Development: Opportunities and Threat.  Obviously, many people understand climate change is an increasingly important issue that needs to be taken into account.

Since I'm an advocate, I know that anything I say about global warming and its impact on the near future will be brushed off by boosters of this speculative venture.  That's why I like pointing to evidence based studies by genuinely knowledgeable people.

Here I want to share a recent assessment that focuses on Colorado's water resources. It's a sobering look at the near future and the challenges that we will be facing.  My point being, the time to squander precious natural resources on a developer's crap shot has passed.

The new dream is that someone in a position of authority will stick their neck out and declare the intact biologically productive wetland, and fens of the entire Alberta Park area an irreplaceable resource worth the protecting.

In any event, I encourage you to take the time to view the entire report, it's only 18 pages long and well written, and there's a lot to learn about.

The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization

http://rockymountainclimate.org/statements_1.htm

RMCO's Recent Statements and News Releases

Alberta Park Openhouse ~ Recalling the RGNF Sept. 20th, 2011 Field Trip

Since I seem to be getting some regular visitors, and we're stuck waiting on the Village at Wolf Creek Land Swap Environmental Impact Study, I'm thinking it would be a good time to bring forward some old stories to reacquaint folks with the threat and the struggle to protect a nearly pristine watershed at the headwaters of the interstate, international Rio Grand River.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Alberta Park Openhouse ~ Recalling the RGNF Sept. 20th, 2011 Field Trip

September 20th, 2011 the Rio Grande National Forest sponsored a 
four hour field trip/hike through Alberta Park, 
site of the proposed VWC development. 

Led by District Ranger Tom Malecek the tour was intended 
to inform the interested public about the project.  
Below is a report I filed with the Four Corners Free Press on the event.

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

Printed in the Four Corners Free Press 

November 2011 issue

page 28

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"Moving The Village" 

The Impact of Climate Change on Ski Resort Operations and Development: Opportunities and Threats

To support my claim in yesterday's VWC-DEIS Comment, namely, that the future bodes ill for such grand speculations as Mr. McCombs dream of bulldozing the Alberta Park Watershed into a luxury vacation village.   I submit a few highlights from the following report, but encourage you to view the entire study at:

http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/42018/226339450.pdf?sequence=1

The Impact of Climate Change on Ski Resort Operations and Development: Opportunities and Threats
By  Daniel D. D. McGill
B.S., Human and Organizational Development, 
1999 Vanderbilt University
Submitted to the Department of Urban Studies and Planning in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Real Estate Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology September 2007
© Daniel D. D. McGill All Rights Reserved.

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

The Impact of Climate Change on Ski Resort Operations and Development: Opportunities and Threats

By Daniel D. D. McGill
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
September 2007

ABSTRACT
This thesis serves as a pedagogical guide to the ski resort industry, and presents a broad overview of the unique issues that accompany climate change. {...}

With few exceptions, existing literature on this topic has neglected to consider what opportunities might emerge as a result of climate change. While the field of climatology is an ever evolving science, the ski industry would be wise to take note as global warming is likely to prove one of those tectonic forces that gradually – but powerfully – changes the economic landscape in which they operate.

VWC Land Exchange Real Estate Appraisal - p50 - Local Market Conditions

Open letter to the authors of the Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange - Environmental Impact Study.

Earlier this month I made a Freedom of Information request for a copy of the Village at Wolf Creek land exchange Appraisal Report.  I received it this past Tuesday (9/25/12) along with a cover letter that is pretty much a Gag Order.  Considering the late date I actually set it aside.  But now that the comment period has been extended by ten days I felt an obligation to at least open it up and try to wade through the two volume, 200 some page report. 

So, I’m reading along in the “VWC LEX - Non-Federal Parcel volume underlining a provocative paragraph here and there, but moving along just the same, considering I’m under a gag order.

But, then I came to page 50: ”Local Market Conditions,” and "The Village at Wolf Creek."  I’m sorry but it hit me like a slap in the face and makes me want to scream: “I told you so!”  

Come on, even the appraiser, who clearly believes that development is the “highest and best use” of this land - admits that the project is not financially feasible in the current market... and does anyone actually believe the market will be improving?

What in the world is the point of facilitating this out-of-reality scheme of a billionaire - {who builds a Formula One race track for fun and thinks it’s a civic improvement} - in the face of the economic reality of our area - as spelled out on page 50?  Keep in mind we are talking about source waters to the Rio Grande River Basin.  

For one, please consider the creeping impacts of the global warming, you authors so glibly wrote off.  After all the crop failures and other economic losses from this summer’s heat waves and drought will have far reaching economic impact.  Furthermore, the physics of global warming guarantee that this is just the beginning of the pain our economy will be feeling - at all levels.

Can we get real?  The happy dreamy days of the 80s, when this obsession was born are over, never to return.   

The details of the Village at Wolf Creek Proposed Land Exchange Real Estate Appraisal Review’s “non-federal” volume, page 50, regarding our local conditions is chilling to the bone.  But, I’m not allowed to share any of the details with others.  However, you authors of the EIS can read every word of it... please don’t ignore it, {the way you’ve tried ignoring the cascading consequences of our planet’s climate situation}, in your deliberations.

It is time to turn this McCombs’ Village at Wolf Creek versus Alberta Park Watershed discussion around and find some way to convince Mr. McCombs that it is in the best interest of everyone involved, including the empire he will be leaving his daughter, to find some way to return his current holding to the USDA Forest Service, or a nature conservancy arraignment.

[ “Dear EIS authors imagine my surprise, and relief, this morning when I pulled out the “second” volume of the VWC LEX Appraisal only to discover that I was sent two copies of the same report.  I wonder if that means the second was given to me for sharing?  In any event, I stand corrected, the Appraisal appears to be one volume of about a hundred pages.” ~ ~ ~ 

Nope wrong again.  Rereading my cover letter, I see that yes indeed Mr. McClure did indicate there should be two separate reports.  So since I have two copies of the volume marked “non-federal” I wonder if someone is looking at two copies of “federal” or whatever the other report was titled. ]

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

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

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

Dear Friends of Wolf Creek, the United States Forest Service will never listen to you, if you don't contact them!

Here's where to do that, but you need to do it before Thursday, October 11th

Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange Proposal #35945
https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?Project=35945 

The Forest Service values public input. Comments received, including respondents’ names and addresses, will become part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the agency with the ability to provide you with project updates. The Forest Service wishes to provide you with as many opportunities as possible to learn about our activities.

MAPS and such

Alternative 3 - ANILCA Road Access - simulation 4.10-10 page 8-39

Alternative 3 - Land Exchange - simulation 4.10-8 page 8-37

CRITICAL VIEWPOINT LOCATIONS - Simulation 4.10-1 page 8-30

Figure 3.6-1. Vegetation Type Map, page 8-23 

Figure 3.6-2. Vegetation Structural Stage Map, page 8-24



These maps show the wetlands areas.  
Red McComb's faustian bargain with the RGNF is that by removing the southwest expanse of wetlands and giving LMJV the uphill section north of his current parcel that somehow the watershed won't be impacted as much.  Seems to me either option will severely disrupt the hydrology of Alberta Park and adversely impact this headwaters to the Rio Grande River. 

Also on a more personal note, I've had a couple locals tell me that one of those small lakes has been sanctified by virtue of being where the ashes of a number of loved ones have been spread over the years.  Such considerations hardly stand in the way of developers, still it's another heart ache tearing up this watershed will inflict.

Figure 3.7-1. Waters of the U.S. Map, page 8-26 

Figure 3.9-1. Lynx Habitat Types LAUs & Linkage Map, page 8-27

Figure 2.4-8. Alternative 3. ANILCA Road Access, Moderate Density Development Concept, page 8-16 

Figure 2.4-6. Alternative 2. Land Exchange Maximum Density Development Concept, page 8-14 

Figure 3.1-1. Surface Water Features and Watersheds, page 8-18 

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Dear Friends of Alberta Park and Wolf Creek, 
we have this one moment (September) to tell the Rio Grande Forest Service and the US Department of Agriculture's powers-that-be what a destructive boondoggle this luxury Village at 10,500± elevation would be.

But, they'll never listen to you, if you don't contact them!

Here's where to do that, but you need to do it now, September:

Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange Proposal #35945

https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?Project=35945

Commenting on This Project
The Forest Service values public input. Comments received, including respondents’ names and addresses, will become part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the agency with the ability to provide you with project updates. The Forest Service wishes to provide you with as many opportunities as possible to learn about our activities.

Official Deadline for comments: 9/30/2012. (or is that Friday the 28th, or Monday the 1st?)

Massive Forest Die Off in and around Alberta Park, Wolf Creek Colorado

{updated 9/7/12}

Why would anyone still consider building a multi-million dollar "Luxury Village" in the dying forest at and around Alberta Park?  

The prognosis is that an extreme fire event will occur up there in the foreseeable future. { I've been sent a message from a Rio Grande National Forest official who points out that the Spruce forest in Alberta Park itself, though dying in front of our eyes is in a location where it could exist, dead and standing, for quite some time before succumbing to forest fire.  Interesting, though it is, I don't see how this materially alters the sales viability of a luxury village in a dead, but standing forest.   
See the note near the bottom of this post}

Given this situation wouldn't it be a better idea for USDA-RGNF officials to think past that imminent event and consider how important a hydrologically unmolested Alberta Park Fens-land and wetland matrix will be for the future recovery process from the damages this inevitable forest fire will inflict on this Rio Grande River Basin Watershed?

Why don’t USDA-Forest Service officials begin to proactively pursue a strategy of encouraging Mr. Red McCombs to return his Alberta Park parcel to the Rio Grande National Forest, or perhaps to a land conservancy group?

To support the logic behind this suggestion link to this report:

 Report Highlights Need to Address Bark Beetle 

Aftermath on Private Land

2011 forest health report

According to the Colorado State Forester, the aftermath of the mountain pine beetle epidemic will require as much attention as the outbreak itself – including attention from private landowners.

The forest health report provides a comprehensive overview of forest insect and disease concerns in the state.

FOIA request for VWC-DEIS Land Appraisal documents

Here's one of the reasons I keep doing all this.  No else seems to be!  And this is the one month it makes a difference.  Or if they are doing something they're keeping it secret.  Why?  When these days and weeks right now is the time for the public to be made aware.

Incidentally, I'm no real estate person, I don't have the knowledge to look at these documents with an intelligent eye.  So I'll be making these documents public when they arrive and I hope that someone will be able to make some use of them.

[email: citizenschallenge{at}gmail]

We only have September to file official comments regarding the VWC-DEIS . . .

INDEX for my comments VWC-DEIS #35945

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. Below is an incomplete list of problems with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement #35945.

To facilitate understanding the document I have organized my objections into single issue threads. I'm hoping this will help give folks a jump-start in learning about the VWC-DEIS

Each post begins with USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section quoted.


VWC-DEIS 1.7.3 Validity of 1986 Land Exchange

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.
 
{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}

~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project

Page 1-13   Chapter 1.  Purpose and Need for Action 

1.7.3 Validity of 1986 Land Exchange

Several commenters questioned the validity of the original 1986 land exchange that resulted in the current private inholding. 

It is not the function of this EIS to evaluate the past Federal actions that allowed the land exchange.     VWC-DEIS

Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project

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

Can’t fault the Rio Grande National Forest officials for taking this stance.  It was a long time ago and actually RGNF made a somewhat sweet deal {in a faustian sort of way}.  The parcels Mr. McCombs traded were nice {I’ve been there, I’ve looked at the land}.

More importantly to this question, Rio Grande National Forest officials were trading with the understanding that Leavell McCombs Joint Venture was intending to build a small exclusive get-away with a couple hundred cabins maybe.

But then it all went sour.  Before anyone knew it ~ there was nothing but fast talking then BAM it was pie in the sky and a luxury village for ten thousand rich folks come hell or low water. 

This in Alberta Park 10,300' the heart of the headwaters of the Rio Grande River Basin?

I bring this up because there is a lot of talk about Mr. McCombs' Private Property Rights - But, there is also an American tradition of Integrity and Sticking To One’s Word.  Mr. McCombs did not do that. 

Protect it with all the lawyers he wants ~ the bottom line is LMJV was not true to its own assurances and promises that were made to the RGNF and our community {in order to secure the deal}, when this whole real estate adventure started.   

Decades have rolled by and his deceit has brought Mr. McCombs nothing but grief in these parts.  The dream that may have made sense back in the 80s/90s, is like the lost soul who’s train has departed the station; never to return.  But life goes on!  We need to move on. 

When will the powers-that-be facilitate an end to this charade?

Mr. McCombs please allow this land to return to it's fold
protected within the Rio Grande National Forest. 

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

Friends of Alberta Park and Wolf Creek, 
we have this one moment to tell the Rio Grande Forest Service and the US Department of Agriculture powers-that-be what a destructive boondoggle this luxury Village at 10,500± elevation would be.

But, they'll never listen to you if you don't contact them!

Here's where to do that, but you need to do it now, September:

Village at Wolf Creek Land Exchange Proposal #35945

https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?Project=35945

Commenting on This Project
The Forest Service values public input. Comments received, including respondents’ names and addresses, will become part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the agency with the ability to provide you with project updates. The Forest Service wishes to provide you with as many opportunities as possible to learn about our activities.

Deadline for comments is officially 9/30/2012. (or is that Friday the 28th, or Monday the 1st?)

Memory Lane... Alberta Park Field Trip, Democratic State Convention

Looking at old posts I found four more worth bringing up:

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Colorado State Democratic Convention ~ The Memes Courier 4/14/12 (side one) 

In honor of the Colorado State Democratic Convention I put together a two sided flier on legal size paper resembling a single-sheet newspaper publication of old.  It’s the culmination of years of attention to this issue and a distillation of previous posts here at NO-VillageAtWolfCreek.blogspot, along with news. . . 

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

Colorado State Democratic Convention ~ (side two) The Memes Courier

The Memes Courier, April 14th, side two . . .

Red McCombs’ Alberta Park Poker Game, Texas Style

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Wolf Creek development tangled with political ties
By Mike Soraghan
Denver Post Staff Writer

Posted:   02/05/2006
Updated:   06/02/2010
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_3474870

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

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Alberta Park Openhouse ~ Recalling the RGNF Sept. 20th, 2011 Field Trip

September 20th, 2011 the Rio Grande National Forest sponsored a 
four hour field trip/hike through Alberta Park, 
site of the proposed VWC development. 

Led by District Ranger Tom Malecek the tour was intended 
to inform the interested public about the project.  
Below is a report I filed with the Four Corners Free Press on the event.

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

Printed in the Four Corners Free Press 

November 2011 issue

page 28

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

"Moving The Village" 

It appears Billy Joe “Red” McCombs’ longtime dream of constructing a luxury resort town in the middle of Alberta Park (elevation: 10,300 feet), nestled against the Continental Divide on Wolf Creek Pass Colorado and coincidentally home to some forty feet of annual snowfall, burns hot as ever.

After having over a decade's worth of development preparations thwarted McCombs dumped Bob Honts, his developer, regrouped his Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture and has hired a new developer, Clint Jones, to spearhead a new plan of attack. . .

VWC-DEIS 4.7.1 (Wetlands) Direct & Indirect Consequences

{updated 9/2/12}

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.
 
{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}

~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project 

Page 4-73 - Chapter 4. Environmental Consequences  

4.7 Wetlands and Waters of the U.S.
4.7.1 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences

VWC-DEIS 1.7.1 Health & Human Safety at a High Altitude Resort

{updated 9/2/12}
{update 8/31/12 - see elevation ?}

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.
 

{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}

~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement  Village at Wolf Creek Access Project 

Page 1-13   Chapter 1.  Purpose and Need for Action

1.7 Issues Not Analyzed in Detail 
Numerous additional issues as identified below were raised by the public during the scoping process.  The Rio Grande NF considered these, and dismissed them from further analysis in the DEIS

1.7.1 Health and Human Safety at a High Altitude Resort
Numerous commenters were concerned about the health and safety of people at a high altitude development.  Individuals are responsible for their own health, and living, working and recreating at high altitude is an individual choice and responsibility.

VWC-DEIS 3.7.5 Wetland Functions and Values

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.
 
{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}

~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project

Page 3-49  -  Chapter 3.  Affected Environment 

3.7.5 Wetland Functions and Values
Wetlands are often described in terms of their functions and values.  Functions refer to the ecological role or processes that a wetland performs.  Values refer to the importance of these functions to the environment or to humans. 

VWC-DEIS 3.7.6 Fens

{updated 9/2/12}

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.
 

{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}

~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement  Village at Wolf Creek Access Project 

Chapter 3.  Affected Environment  Page 3-55

3.7.6 Fens There are approximately 28.97 acres of fen wetlands within the Analysis Area (Table 3.7-6).  Fens are wetlands characterized by the accumulation of organic-rich soils and are primarily fed by groundwater sources.  Because the rate of accumulation of peat in fens is so slow, the Forest Service considers these ecosystems to be irreplaceable and makes every reasonable effort to design projects to avoid impacting them (USFS, 2006b). 

VWC-DEIS 3.4 Water Rights & Use

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.
 

{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}

~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project

Chapter 3.  Affected Environment - Page 3-25

3.4 Water Rights and Use

3.4.1 Scope of Analysis

Water rights within the State of Colorado are administered under the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation.  The Doctrine states that a water right decreed first in time is the most senior priority and has the first right to divert water ahead of subsequent users.  The “priority” of the water right is based on a combination of the first date of beneficial use and the date it was adjudicated. 

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

Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.
 

{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}

~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project

page 3-1 -  AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT - CHAPTER 3.

3.1 Surface Water – Water Quality, Stream Health and Floodplains
3.1.1 Scope of Analysis

VWC-DEIS 1.6.5 Climate and Air Quality

{revised 9/2/12}
Reviewing the VWC-DEIS you'll notice a number of points worth a closer look. To facilitate that I will use this blog for my study notes, organized into single issue threads. Each will quote the USDA Forest Service - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project - Draft Environmental Impact Statement section in question.


{For clarity I have added breaks between sentences and highlights where appropriate.  Wording has not been altered.}
~ ~ ~

Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Village at Wolf Creek Access Project

United States Department of Agriculture

USDA Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
Rio Grande National Forest
Divide Ranger District
Mineral County, Colorado

1.6.5 Climate and Air Quality