Reflections: Sholona Lake reflects storm clouds moving through the San Juans last weekend./Photo by Todd Newcomer.

A-LP alters Smelter access

As construction has moved forward, the Animas-La Plata project has made significant changes to a Durango trail/road that was popular for recreation. For a substantial portion of its length, the old road that climbs Smelter Mountain, and is popular among mountain bikers, walkers and runners, has become more road than trail in recent weeks.

The old road, known as County Road 212, had been popular and provided relatively easy recreation access leaving the north end of Bodo Park and eventually cresting the top of Smelter Mountain. However, a portion of the road is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and is being used to help reroute a major oil and gas pipeline around Ridges Basin.

“We own the land,” said Pat Schumacher, A-LP projects manager. “It’s access for the pipeline right-of-way, and in order to get access for pipe trucks, we had to blade it off and improve the road.”

County Engineer Rick Routh commented, “It has already gone through the public process, and now we’re seeing the effects.”

As to the effects, Routh added, “It’s had a pretty significant effect on County Road 212, but they do have to keep it open.”

Nearby County Road 211, which provided access to Ridges Basin, has been closed to public access for the summer. And while Routh maintained that access to Smelter Mountain would remain open to members of the public on foot and bike, he urged awareness.

“There will be construction equipment in the area, and there are potential safety issues,” he said. “The public is urged to use caution.”

Baby lynx discovered in San Juans

Colorado Division of Wildlife researchers found two baby lynx huddled with their mother at a remote site in the San Juans last week, the first documented reproduction since the agency’s lynx reintroduction began in 1999. At that time, the first of 96 lynx were released into the San Juans, beginning what state wildlife biologists hoped would be a restoration of a species. Prior to last week, there was no evidence of reproduction and consequently, the DOW kicked off a four-year program this spring to add another 180 lynx.

“These lynx kittens represent an enormous milestone in species recovery,” said Greg Walcher, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “To be able to say we actually left Colorado a better place than we found it, we must be willing to do more than just say we care about endangered species. We must be willing to actually work toward recovering these magnificent animals.”

Wildlife biologists found the lynx and kittens in a den amid downed timber on a steep hillside at 11,000 feet in typical lynx habitat. Both of the kittens and the mother were in excellent condition, and there are lots of snowshoe hares in the area, the lynx’s chief prey. The researchers were at the site for only 11 minutes.

Child breaks back in Rec Center fall

Earlier this month, an accident at the Durango Recreation Center’s climbing wall resulted in a broken back. The incident has led to a revision of the Rec Center’s policy on the climbing wall in an effort to avoid a repeat in the future.

According to Kathy Metz, Durango Parks and Recreation director, a private group from outside Durango had rented the facility for an after-hours event. The center’s staff had certified a number of people from the group to belay and supervise the climbing wall. However, a 14-year-old managed to hook into the self-belay machine improperly and when he leaned back to descend the wall, fell and broke his back.

Metz said that the 14-year-old is apparently recovering well.

In response to the accident, the Rec Center has made dramatic changes to policy.

“What we’ve done since the incident is change how we manage the climbing wall,” Metz said. “In order for anyone to climb on the wall it has to be staffed and supervised by city employees.”

Metz added that the accident could have been worse and should not have happened.

“These sort of things are awful,” she said. “It should have never happened, and we’ve decided we don’t need another incident like this. We don’t want this to ever happen again.”

The accident was the first to happen on the Rec Center’s climbing wall.

Commission signs off on water plan

La Plata County is pushing for the creation of domestic water supply in the southeast portion of the county, but only if citizens form their own special district. Last Tuesday, county commissioners took a formal position and supported a new domestic water supply in concept.

Josh Joswick, chair of the La Plata County Commissioner, stated, “It is our belief that the decision as to whether a domestic water system should be developed should rest with the voters in the area to be served.”

The position goes on to state that the commissioners are interested in a supply that could provide thousands of county residents with drinking water. However, the county is not interested in taking the lead.

“We recognize that the availability of a reliable, potable water supply is critically important to all county residents, and the board stands ready to offer additional assistance that might be appropriate to proponents of the water system,” Joswick said.

Last year, the county funded a study of the feasibility of such a water system. One of the recommendations was setting up a special district. To that end, a group of interested citizens have been meeting with the intention of setting up a district plan.

Local history gets big financial help

Dollars are flowing into Durango for historic preservation. Two projects, one at the Animas Museum and another at the Smiley Building, have attracted more than $750,000 in grant funding.

The Colorado Historical Society has awarded the Animas Museum a $377,559 grant for reconstruction of the museum building’s original roof. The project will not only restore the original appearance of the old school building, but also will provide much-needed additional storage and public programming space. The Smiley Building, a private enterprise, has been awarded $385,000 from the society. The dollars will go to completing the restoration of the former middle school’s exterior. Crumbling parapets above windows will be refurbished, two roofs will be reconstructed, and the building’s doors will be replaced.

“These projects are wonderful examples of how the State Historical Fund strives to meet its mission through highly visible projects for direct public benefit,” said Alyson McGee, the fund’s outreach coordinator. “These types of creative partnerships between a state institution, private owners and nonprofit entities are having a significant impact on communities such as Durango through providing cultural, educational and economic benefits.”

For the museum project, the La Plata County Historical Society has launched a public campaign to generate $200,000 in additional contributions. Museum supporters have already pledged or donated more than $67,000 toward that goal. It will be necessary to secure the remaining funds in order to actually receive the grant funding.

-compiled by Will Sands