Hello River-Loving Friends! “It’s not the size of the organization in the fight. It’s the…
Western Rivers Update: Colorado River Talks Collapsing, Nederland Fire, and Susitna Threats
Hi Friends of Western Rivers,
First, we continue to keep a close eye on the negotiations around the Colorado River, and our eye sees nothing positive happening. The 7 state negotiators continue to make snide comments 
about each other in the media all while the November deadline looms. For our part, we continue to push forward with our 9 proposed solutions and continue to get media coverage for doing so.
Denver 7 TV News interviewed me (and my dog Joe) about the Colorado River chaos wherein I told the reporter that the states need to stop building new dams and reservoirs.
You can watch the Denver 7 TV News story here.
We are all waiting and watching just like you are because the negotiators have sealed themselves away from the public which we also see as a violation of transparency.
Second, the tragic fire to the shopping center in Nederland, CO, which made national news over the weekend, is very near our home base. The property damage is considerable, and the loss to local
residents and business owners is even greater. Thankfully, there was very little wind during the fire and so it did not spread past the strip mall, nor was their loss of human life.
The fire was just 50 yards from Boulder Creek which we monitor for threats. There is a fair amount of charred embers and burnt debris along the Creek path and around Barker Reservoir (just downstream). The public safety crews have set up pollution containment booms near and in the Creek, and local people have started rallying to pick up the debris. We will continue to monitor the Creek, but so far we don’t see any cause for concern. Rebuilding and recovery will take a long time for the community. (See our photos posted on Facebook here.)
Finally, we are proud to be getting some Northern Exposure by joining colleagues in Alaska who are working to protect the Susitna River near Anchorage. The beautiful and wild river is now facing two huge threats — one is a proposed 
hydroelectric dam, and the second is a massive new mining road.
hydroelectric dam, and the second is a massive new mining road.Given the Trump administration’s approval of a different mining road in Alaska last week, our allied groups believe the threat to the Susitna may ratchet up.
We’ve joined the “Defend the West Susitna” coalition to help stop this massive mining road, and to continue opposing the proposed large dam that would severely harm the river.
Our colleagues have created a new youtube video which you can watch here. We’ll keep you updated on this threat as it develops and let you know how you can weigh in to help protect the Susitna River.
Thanks for all of your support!
And stay tuned for all of the action!
