Canyons of Ancients named ‘at risk’

Off-road vehicles, vandals, and oil and gas development are still sending shockwaves through the nearby Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. A recent assessment of the monument and other pieces of the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) has revealed that premier public lands are in serious danger. Groups throughout the country are now calling on the Bureau of Land Management to take action.

Located 45 miles west of Durango, the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument encompasses 164,000 acres and represents the highest density of archeological sites in the country. Since being designated by a controversial presidential proclamation in 2000, the BLM has administered the area but largely without a rulebook or substantial budget. The monument is also part of the NLCS, a 5-year-old land conservation system managed by the BLM.

The Wilderness Society and World Resources Institute recently undertook the first comprehensive assessment of the NLCS. The effort has revealed that the BLM is ill-equipped to manage its best Western lands, and that areas like the Canyons of the Ancients and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area are now in serious danger.

“Conservation is supposed to be the priority for these places, but despite the presence of talented and committed staff, the report is dominated nationally by grades of C and D,” said Wendy VanAsselt, one of the authors of the report.

VanAsselt said that Congress and the Department of Interior must provide the remedy—dedicated BLM staff, more funding and a real commitment to protect the areas from vandalism, overgrazing and off-road vehicle abuse.

The assessment graded the BLM’s Conservation System in seven categories. The NLCS overall scored no higher than a “C” in any category. However, Colorado units scored better than the overall system in some areas. For example, Canyons of the Ancients received an “A” for cultural resource management, due to its significant effort to inventory and protect cultural resources, but only a “C” for natural resources monitoring.

“What we’re seeing at Canyons of the Ancients and Gunnison Gorge is BLM staff doing a good job with limited resources,” explained Amber Clark, of the San Juan Citizens Alliance. “But with recreational use of the area growing rapidly and resources for conservation management declining at the same time, BLM can’t possibly keep up.”

The assessment concludes with five recommendations for the BLM including: increased staffing and funding for the NLCS; a better information base for conservation management; completion of overdue management plans; immediate closure of harmful roads and routes; and full utilizations of volunteers and academic partnerships.

“The good news is that it’s not too late for the BLM, the administration and Congress to safeguard these public treasures,” said Jill Ozarski, of the Wilderness Society. “But with new development in the West putting increased pressure on these lands and waters, they better act quickly.”

Downtown unveils Holidazzle event

Downtown Durango is reaching for more business from locals and visitors this holiday season. Durango’s Business Improvement District (BID) has unveiled a new holiday season promotion known as “Holidazzle.” The hope is to draw more dollars into downtown for shopping, dining, services and entertainment during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

According to Rod Barker, BID chairman, Holidazzle is an effort to strengthen downtown. “A main objective for BID is to develop a stronger image for the downtown area as a unified and complete retail, restaurant and entertainment destination,” he said. “Our diversity is our strength, and the best way to communicate diversity is with a common message that says, ‘We have it all.’ The Holidazzle promotion gets us moving effectively toward that goal.”

BID decided to launch and fund Holidazzle based on the need to ensure a successful downtown shopping season. The pre-Christmas shopping season is critical to the health of many small retailers and often represents a large portion of their annual business.

“Increased retail competition and a sluggish economy mean we have to work harder to get our message out, that Downtown merchants rely on the ongoing support of the locals,” said Peter Schertz, co-owner of Maria’s Bookshop. “Our goal as merchants is to recognize and reward that support with a high level of personal service, good prices and lots of choices.”

Holidazzle will include a large advertising push and distribution of a complete calendar of more than 20 downtown events. During the month-long Holidazzle period, traditional events like “Sing with Santa” on Nov. 25 and “Noel Night” on Dec. 8 will be highlighted. Many downtown merchants will also participate in a window-decorating contest.

LPEA announces new rate increases

The price of power will be going up after the first of the year. La Plata Electric Association officials recently gave preliminary approval to electric rate increases to bring about an overall increase in revenue of 3.5 percent.

Causes for the rate increases are twofold. First, LPEA’s power supplier, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, is raising the wholesale rates it charges to member co-ops. In addition, LPEA expenses have increased despite companywide efforts to save money. Fuel and materials costs have increased significantly, due to inflation and last summer’s hurricanes.

“Across the nation, energy prices are all rising,” said Greg Munro, LPEA CEO. “Electricity, natural gas, heating oil, they’re all going up. Fortunately, electricity hasn’t gone up anywhere near as much as we’ve seen for other energy sources. Still, we know people are getting hit with price increases from all sides, so we’ll do our best to keep cost increases down by continually searching for cost savings and efficiencies.”  

Of the approximately $4.8 million the increase will generate over the next two years, nearly $4.1 million is for buying power from Tri-State, and $775,000 is for LPEA’s increased costs of doing business. This leaves less than a 1 percent increase for LPEA, well below the annual inflation rate, according to Munro.

LPEA said it will make a concerted effort to increase education and help members save on costs. “We plan to increase our energy efficiency education efforts,” Munro said.

The LPEA board is expected to give final approval to the rate hike during its Dec. 21 meeting.

Local Green Building efforts awarded

Two Durango builders recently received high marks for their Green Building efforts. Locals took home two of four statewide Built Green awards presented by the Denver Home Builders Association on Oct. 26.  

Four Corners Construction Management, LLC, was named Green Builder of the Year for its 45-home Copperhead Camp project. Tom D. Gorton Construction, Inc., won Built Green Home of the Year for Villa Ladera. Both projects are located at Edgemont Highlands, east of downtown Durango.

Both builders collaborated on the design of the winning projects with Cottle Carr Yaw, a nationally acclaimed architectural firm based in Basalt. Important components in the Edgemont Highlands Community Green Building practices included the use of high-efficiency mechanical systems, advanced insulation packages, clean air filtration and the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.  

– compiled by Will Sands