This is a site dedicated the preservation and protection of Colorado's natural and social history.
Colorado has seen many changes. From Plains Indians and gold miners, to
cowboys and naturalists, Colorado has a beautiful story to tell.
It is not a story we read in a book, but a story we discover through our
senses: the smell of wild flowers, the taste of spring water, the touch
of a furry catepillar, the sound of winter snowfall, the sight of the Rocky
Mountains. It is all part of a precious ecosystem, a precious place we
call "Colorado."
With the passing of each decade, change occurs faster, with more agressiveness
and severity. In Colorado, change brutally impacts the sensitive environment:
wildlife disappears, wilderness disappears, ghost towns disappear, historic
remnants disappear. The very beauty and wonder of Colorado disappears...forever.
This
site is a voice for Colorado, for the small mountain towns, the apline
timberline, the buffalo who have to graze at the edge of I-70. Colorado
belongs to these and the people who have sustained its life and vitality.
It's time to stop pushing them aside.
Recently,
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has proposed paving and drastically
changing Guanella
Pass,
a scenic and historic byway on the slope above Georgetown, Colorado. This
timberline area is home to lynx, boreal toads (a rare and declining species),
ptarmigan, bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and many other animals. Turning this
beautiful backcountry road into a highway--which would connect I-70 and
285--would create serious negative impacts, both on wildlife and the quality
of life in Georgetown.
The FHWA proposes their plan to destroy wildlife, wetlands, and the rustic
character of Guanella Pass in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
They're reconstruction alternatives are all extremely harmful and go too
far (with the exception of Alternative 1 "No Action"--this means leaving
the pass alone). They're claims and reasons are ridiculous and many times
contradictory. For example, their claim to improve safety by paving and
widening the road will only quadruple the traffic volume, increase car
speed, and encourage road use by large or heavy or inappropriate vehicles--not
to mention a greater number of road kill. Safer? I think not.
The people of Georgetown and Clear Creek County have expressed many times
at open houses, public hearings, and through petitions that they do
not want the road paved...but unfortunately,
that may not be enough to stop the $40 million, 10 year construction.
Your written or verbal statement is needed (you do not have to live in
Clear Creek or Park County). Comment period ends Oct.15, 1999. Please submit
a comment to protect the beauty of Colorado. Support "NO ACTION" or
the Sierra Club Alternative.
Guanella Pass
is still in debate! The enormous volume of public concern has created
such a commotion that the Federal Highway Administration has yet to finalize
a decision about the road. They are hosting another series of open
houses where citizens may voice their opinions about our beautiful Guanella
Pass. The FHWA has introduced a new Alternative 6, but beware: this
still goes to far. It is not a true rehabilitation alternative, but merely
a superficial way to confuse the issue further. PLEASE come to one
of the public hearings below and let your voice be heard!
Monday, Dec.4th, Crow Hill Fire Station (Bailey)
Open House 5:30 to 6:45pm; Formal Session: 7 to 9
Tuesday, Dec.5th, Georgetown Community Center
Open House 7 to 7:30pm; Formal Session: 7:30 to 9
Wednesday, Dec.6th, FHWA Office
555 Zang St., Lakewood, 3rd Floor Conference Room
Open House 5:30 to 6:45; Formal Session: 7 to 9
Thursday, Dec.7th, Georgetown Community Center
Open House 5:30 to 6:45; Formal Session: 7 to 9
Thanks again for all your support.
We CAN stop this and keep Colorado beautiful. See you there!
Link
to the DEIS Report
Link
to the Sierra Club Alternative and Other Info
[email protected]
