Department of Interior (DOI) makes smart move on oil shale

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It’s a rock, not oil!

Oil shale development has long been a controversial issue in the West due to its history of failed projects despite billions invested by taxpayers and industry. It’s certainly no stranger to us at CEC. While we continue to push for cleaner more efficient types of energy for our future, oil shale continues to pop it’s head up longing for attention. There are so many potential issues with developing oil shale at times it’s difficult to even begin to discuss. For starters, to turn oil shale rock into oil, it must be superheated to 700 degrees or more over a period of months or even years to be turned into oil. No matter how you shake it, developing oil shale is going to be energy intensive and could require enormous amounts of electricity and water to develop.  No one knows just how much water oil shale companies would use or pollute, but we do know oil shale speculation poses an unacceptable risk to Western families, rivers, and our farmers and ranchers. That dice of speculation is one that we at CEC are not willing to roll. Recently the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has decided that research should happen beforecommercial development, demonstrating that they too are not ready to roll the oil shale dice.

Currently, BLM is completing a planning process for the future of oil shale development in the West, based on Secretary Salazar’s decision in February 2011 to take a fresh look at the oil shale plan released in 2008.  That plan opened up 2 million acres of western public lands to oil shale, despite the fact that the BLM clearly acknowledged that it did not know what the real impacts of development would be. Just last week however, Secretary Salazar adopted a plan that better protects our water, air and quality of life in western Colorado from costly oil shale speculation. The plan put forth allocates over 1,000 square miles of public lands to conduct research, development and demonstration (RD&D) before converting that land to commercial leasing. This is still massive amount of public land, for an industry that has yet to prove itself. While we think the current approach by BLM is on the right track, the question remains as to whether we should be allocating our public lands to research and development of oil shale or if we should be putting our public resources toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. For more information on oil shale, it’s past, present, and future visit: www.oilshalfacts.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado’s water– it’s worth protecting

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We can hardly read a newspaper or watch television this summer without another story related to the drought, just yesterday the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported that “tough water measures” are anticipated for 2013.  Generations past knew this was an arid region, our farms, ranches, recreation and other economic drivers have relied on the Colorado River to sustain us.

Just one of Colorado’s rivers worth protecting, Beaver Creek is a renowned coldwater fishery.

This is why more than 100 individuals, business leaders, outdoor recreation organizations, farmers, ranchers, owners of wineries and breweries among others signed a letter asking the Bureau of Land Management to make smart decisions for oil shale development to protect our water today and for the future.

Within the letter, signers urged that:

“We have to be smart about oil shale, or we risk the future of Colorado’s farms and ranches, the ability of municipalities to meet water needs for Colorado families, or having enough water in our rivers for recreational uses such as fishing and rafting. We do not have to choose between energy production and meeting our water needs if we take the right approach.”

Facing our severe drought, they are not alone in wanting to ensure that water impacts are fully evaluated before any commercial development of oil shale ensues:

“The technology behind oil shale development is unproven and could pose an unacceptable risk to Colorado’s water. No one knows just how much water would be needed for oil shale or what the full potential threat to water quality is in our state” continues the letter.

What’s more is that oil shale companies already own the water rights they need to develop oil shale. Big oil companies have established conditional water rights throughout western Colorado that could potentially be used for oil shale. Rather than giving big oil access to our water, these signers aks that the oil shale industry first prove they can develop the resource in a way that does not pollute or drain our water supply.  We, at CEC agree with these signers as we continue to work hard to protect the Colorado River, aptly dubbed the “lifeblood of the West.” We aim to protect the Coloradan way of life and encourage you to join us!

To learn more about our effort or to get involved visit www.90by20.org and www.oilshalefacts.org

 

 

Wilderness and Access

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Hikers enjoying lunch in the Hoosier Ridge proposed wilderness.

I recently led a hike into the Hoosier Ridge proposed wilderness area near Breckenridge. It was an amazing hike into a beautiful area with abundant wildflowers, sweeping vistas and enchanting forests. But that’s not what I want to write about. I want to write about the hike participant who only had one leg. John Evans was a very nice fellow from Wales. He was in Breckenridge on vacation, saw our hike announcement in the local newspaper and thought it would be a great excursion for his family. When I asked the group: “Does anyone have any health conditions I should be aware of?” Mr. Evans piped up and said, “I only have one leg.” I had not noticed until then, and honestly probably would not have. He wore a prosthetic and wore it well. I came to find out that his daughter had never been on a hike before and he had done very little hiking himself, but both were excited to try it. Hoosier Ridge did not disappoint. We all (there were 10 of us total in the group) hiked through the meadows and forests, chatting all the way. Mr. Evans borrowed a walking pole from another hiker and did just fine.

In contrast, if you read the rhetoric from folks who oppose wilderness, typically dirt bike and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) enthusiasts, they will say over and over that wilderness areas block access to people with disabilities, the elderly and veterans. Now go visit the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) or the American Legion websites and see what they think about wilderness. I’ll save you the trouble — it’s not on their radar. Nevertheless, the ATV and dirt bike message about access is one of the biggest arguments we encounter about wilderness.

So why aren’t the AARP, AAPD and American Legion complaining about wilderness? Probably because their memberships are much like the general population. Most Americans love wilderness and want more of it protected. And they realize the value of having wilderness even if they themselves can’t or don’t visit it via foot, wheelchair or horseback. Many years ago when I was working on protecting Browns Canyon I met with an older man who was in a wheel chair and had various tubes going in and out. This gentleman was a strong wilderness supporter even though he was pretty much confined to his home. He supported wilderness because it gave him peace knowing that there are wild places out there and he wanted his grandchildren to be able to know those places.
Google “veterans wilderness” or “disabled wilderness” and you can find plenty of organizations and groups that are using experiences in wilderness to help our fine service men and women re-enter civilian life and organizations that facilitate wilderness trips for persons with disabilities.

Wilderness does not prevent access; wilderness areas are open to all. And the idea of wilderness can inspire us for our entire lives even if we personally are unable to set foot there. So the next time you hear someone say “Wilderness blocks access for the . . . “ tell them “No, we ALL need wilderness to recover, inspire, challenge and quiet ourselves!”

CEC Goes to Washington DC

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Colorado’s Senator Bennet was honored at the GO Week Congressional Reception along with many other legislators from across the country. At the reception he joined the Colorado Crew for a picture.

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Washington DC for Great Outdoors America Week. It was a great trip! We both furthered our goals for protecting public lands in Colorado and it was a fun time! Great Outdoors America week (GO Week) is organized by the Wilderness Society and brings all different kinds of outdoor related organizations, businesses, elected leaders etc from all over the country to our nation’s capitol to collaborate and meet with members of Congress. In addition to groups advocating for wilderness protections like CEC, there were outdoor education people, mountain biking advocates, veterans for the outdoors and many others. The big tent approach is very effective, imagine hundreds of GO Week participants flooding the halls of Congress, it was hard to miss the passion for the outdoors and public lands!

The Colorado crew was impressive. There were over thirty of us meeting with our delegation members about current wilderness legislation, such as San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act and the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act; and upcoming pieces of legislation (we hope!) like Senator Udall’s Browns Canyon and the Central Mountains Outdoor Heritage proposal and Senator Bennet’s Hermosa Creek Wilderness Proposal. We also updated our delegation about our progress in the Dolores Basin and efforts on Wild and Scenic Rivers efforts. The Colorado Crew included county commissioners, town council members, business leaders and outdoor industry representatives all promoting public land protection. See, Impressive! One of the Congressional staffers pulled me aside after a meeting and said ‘that was really refreshing!’ I guess not all of the meetings they have are so much fun!

Speaking of fun, GO Week pulls in people from all over the country that are passionate about wilderness and the outdoors. So there are plenty of folks to get to know and lots of old friends from past GO Weeks to catch up with. If you plan your day right you can take some time to take in DC’s rich history and culture.

Check out the Op-Ed submitted by our impressive Colorado crew: http://www.postindependent.com/ARTICLE/20120709/VALLEYNEWS/120709899/-1/RSS

Kurt Kunkle
Wilderness Campaigns Coordinator

Why do mountains matter?

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Mountain sunset in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mountains matter across the globe. It’s up to us to protect them!

In Colorado we love our mountains; it’s a source of state pride, offering uncountable breathtaking vistas and recreational opportunities as well as so much more. “The Mountain Pavilion” was just one of the many pavilions that CEC attended at the Rio+20 Conference on sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this past week. Outside the pavilion several signs touted what we know to be oh so true in Colorado:

  • Mountains balance our climate and our lives
  • Mountains connect us all
  • Mountains are our water sources and reservoirs
  • Mountains are our future heritage
  • Mountains are home of glaciers and people

Mountains are all of this and so much more! For me mountains provide rejuvenation, solace and a connection to something bigger. Why do mountains matter to you?

 

 

Social Media: Building a sustainable future at #rioplus20

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On the eve of the official Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development “Rio+Social” invited the world to participate in a ten hour conference on the role social media plays in building a sustainable future. Attendees could access this conference via a live stream or in person.  As, a relatively new convert to the power of social media, I choose to attend in person. We were encouraged to share trending topics with our networks around the world; tweet, pin, post, blog, tumble, connect! Rio+Social self-identified as “an innovative event and global conversation about the nexus of social media, technology, and sustainability”– and what an exciting conversation it was!

Messages in the sound bites that epitomize social media included: “more, more, MORE is the DNA of business–that needs to change; to young people: come up with new ideas, imagine a new world, don’t be contaminated by the past; challenge leaders to live up to their word–via social media; the economic crisis is not an excuse for not doing what we need to do for sustainable development; GO PLANET!; the power is yours–working together young people can save the planet and save humanity; change and dramatic change is what is needed; from youth: leaders you must listen!; we deliver powerful political messages via cell phones, using technology to support sustainable programs; social media is like water–dilution is the solution to narcissistic pollution; and ultimately from the twitter world–we are united by our hope for a better tomorrow. We must seize this moment.”

As I said, I’m relatively new to the world of social media and a skeptic at best to its power to change the world. But, during that 10 hours watching my twitter feed, seeing tweets from all over the world, and knowing that at least in Brazil (home of Rio+20) #rioplussocial was in the top trending hash tags that day, I became a believer. Thousands around the world are connecting across all types of borders about IMPORTANT, relevant environmental topics via social media. We are finding like-minded people, we are building movements, and we are making change—it was chilling to watch and participate. Don’t misunderstand, I still don’t believe that tweeting takes the place of writing legislators and “showing up” for important events–slacktivsm does not equal activism. However, activism via social media is the future of social movements and it is powerful.

RIO+20–what’s that?

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That’s what I thought when I first heard about Rio+20. Anyone remember the 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio De Janiero, Brazil? I was 10 years old, so umm, I don’t. But 20 years later (i.e. Rio+20), my eyes and ears are wide open.

Rio de Janeiro. Host city for Rio Plus 20. CEC will be there!

As a follow-up to the 1992 Earth Summit, the Rio+20 U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development will host world leaders and thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, and various NGOs for the purpose of finding solutions to tough issues such as; how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet? How can we create the future we want? This is truly a global conversation and a monumental event and I’m excited to say that CEC is ready to join in!

Along with my colleague, Kate Graham, I have jumped on an exciting opportunity to join a small team of young professionals from Grand Junction who will be traveling to Brazil next week for Rio+ 20!

While in Rio we will be actively conducting interviews for a short film documentary (working title Voices of Rio) focused on educating and activating a Colorado-based viewership.  On the one hand, we know that Colorado and CEC are leading the charge for sustainable development working to protect our air, water and wilderness. On the other, we know that we can be doing more!

We want to ensure we are playing our part by engaging in global conversations on important issues such as climate change, clean water, smart growth, environmental justice and MANY more relevant topics to Colorado and the world. In conducting interviews our goal is to identify and address the challenges we face in Colorado and the United States that stifles our active participation in the global movement for a sustainable future. In juxtaposing international and regional outcomes during the past 20 years, we aim to pinpoint the root cause(s) of inaction, and catalyze our viewership to chart a new path toward progress and sustainable change.

Throughout this VERY unique and exciting week, the world will be tweeting, posting, and blogging and so will we! Won’t you join us?

Follow us on:

Twitter
Facebook
CEC blog

or join the conversation @#RioPlus20 on Twitter.

Time Flies and so did the Birds

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It seems like just the other day excited guests had gathered at the dance. The performers had just relaxed from the tension of an unwelcome visitor when a brawl was about to break out in the corner…..

The males squared-off hackles raised ducking and weaving looking for weakness. Suddenly in a flurry of feathers and dust, the first kick was delivered. The birds staggered back flapping their wings. Regaining their balance, they began delicately circle one another, when again, one launched! The force of the blow caused the big male to stagger. As they parted, the guests watching in horror could see flecks of blood coating the once pure white feathers of the male birds. A third time the males squared off and tensions escalated.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a large shadow passed over the dancers. In the blink of an eye the birds scattered flying off in all directions, abandoning their duel and the now dangerous dance floor to its new start – a massive Golden Eagle. Like a show girl taking the stage in Vegas, the flashy eagle ruffled her feathers, took a spin on the deserted
dance floor and then departed into the setting moon as quickly and quietly as she had appeared.

This year’s dance was over though the true finale is yet to come. For even
now, snugly sheltered in their delicate eggs, the next generation of Grouse awaits. Soon to hatch  they will be ready and willing to perform – The Forbidden Dance.

“Historical” Facts of the story of the Forbidden Dance

CEC, with support from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Wilderness
Society, Rocky Mountain Wild, Friends of Northwest Colorado and other
partners, provided one training trip for new grouse guides and four public trips to view Greater Sage Grouse in Northwest Colorado.

During the guides training trip, held on April 1st, a Harrier Hawk visited the “lek.” Fights between male grouse are a frequent sight as competition to mate is fierce among the birds. On the final trip, held April 9th, the combined light of the rising sun and
the setting full moon proved perfectly enticing to a massive Golden Eagle
who quickly raided the lek. Regardless of these interruptions, we hope each and every
guest left with the memory of a life time – an incredible wildlife encounter to be certain – and photos to prove it!

If you wish to view and/or purchase photos of Greater Sage Grouse taken
during the 2012 tours please visit:

Todd Patrick Photography
To see and share photos visit CEC’s Flicker pages.

If you are interested in joining us for a tour in 2013, check our website January 2013 for information!

The Continuing Story of the Forbidden Dance

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When we left the lek—the grouse were dancing joyfully and then a beautiful predator crashed the party. The dancers were hunkered down awaiting their fate. Party guests were tense watching to learn if a dancer would die……

Female Harrier flying over and checking out male Greater Sage Grouse on lek in NW Colorado. By Todd Patrick

The beautiful yet menacing hawk stretched her wings wide, tilting them to slow her flight, seeming to hover a foot from the ground. She flexed her sharp talons, brushing her lethal weapons lightly through the feathers of the largest male grouse teasing him with her power, strength and beauty.

Hawk & Grouse by Todd Patrick

The grouse seemed to shudder or was that just the breeze in his full coat of feathers?

Then, seeing nothing she wished to take, the hawk lifted her wings and soared fast and true through the big bright blue sky.

A sigh went up from the crowd. The grouse couples arose with new life and commenced to shake their tail feathers as if in triumph. Yet, the moment of peace was brief as in one corner of the dance “floor” a scuffle ensued.

Two males drunk on survival, squared off, eying each other like prize fighters. They circled one another looking for weakness. Ducking and weaving, jabbing, with a right hook here and faint there.

Male Grouse Face-Off at the Lek By Todd Patrick

The tension mounted as the insults began to fly back and forth between the two cocky birds. Such fights often ended in blood-shed. Would the grouse survive the hawk only to be lethally injured in a dance room brawl?

Male Grouse Circling before a Fight. By Todd Patrick

Find out in the final installment of….The Forbidden Dance….

“The Forbidden Dance” is an extended metaphor with blatantly anthropomorphic perspectives of some of the events experienced during the 2012 Grouse Viewing Trips as recounted by CEC’s Northwest Organizer, head grouse wrangler, and abuser of metaphors Sasha Nelson. Her professors are seriously considering confiscation of her advanced degree in animal behavior and her colleague biologists at Rocky Mountain Wild are threatening to never speak to her again. In her defense Sasha states: “I was so sleep deprived I think I was channeling my Nature Writing in the West professor who used to say – a message doesn’t have to be scientifically accurate to be understood.”

Learn more about Greater Sage Grouse and CEC’s work in Northwest Colorado by visiting us!

Better Than TV!

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There is nothing like experiencing first hand something you would watch on Discovery or the National Geographic Channel. Here I am, well before sunrise, driving westward in anticipation of watching the Greater Sage Grouse perform their mating dance. I arrive in Craig to meet up with the other Northwestern folks joining in on this training trip. Everyone looks pretty groggy as Sasha gives a preliminary chat about what our day will entail and what to expect once we are on the “lek”. All the necessary forms are filled out and last minute details finalized, everyone loads up into the vehicles, and we begin the journey continuing west until we near the Wyoming border.

There they were with their tail feathers high and fanned out, the tips of their wings scrapping the ground and their air-sacks expanding as they proudly danced and displayed their manliness. It did not take long before the ladies arrived to check out the gentlemen who were looking for that special someone. There were three ladies that came for the show and left, as far as we could tell, satisfied. They were off to feed and soon lay an egg. After a few hours the show was over and everyone that came for the viewing was as satisfied as the Greater Sage Grouse ladies. It was a sight to see and one I, and the rest of the group, will not soon forget.

What happened to the grouse dancers?

Too find out read the next installment of “The Forbidden Dance” later this week or a few seats are still available, join us  for a “dance” experience  you will remember always!