BLM seeks input on storm water parcel
The City of Durango is moving forward on a plan to funnel storm water from its northeastern flanks using land acquired from the Bureau of Land Management.

The public has until Fri., Aug. 10, to comment on an environmental assessment on the transfer of about four acres of public land to the City of Durango for the so-called Holly Avenue Storm Water Drain System. The project, at the western corner of Holly and 32nd streets, would consist of a “micro-pond” that would filter storm run-off before sending it through a culvert to another holding pond, an abandoned-oxbow lake. Such wetlands act as natural filters, and from there, the “treated” water will eventually percolate into the Animas River.

“The facility would reduce impacts on the Animas River by filtering out oil, metal and grease coming from storm-water runoff,” said Jennifer Jardine, lands and real estate specialist with the BLM. “We are wanting to convey the land because it’s the best location for a storm water treatment facility.”

The land was purchased by the BLM in the ’70s to be used for offices. However, that plan never came to fruition, and the parcel, surrounded by a chain-linked fence, has been used to store gravel and equipment. Jardine said it is at a natural low point, making it ideal for catching storm run-off.

“The water naturally drains to that spot anyway, and there’s already infrastructure built around the property,” she said. “That’s sort of the last piece of the puzzle before the water goes into the Animas River.”

There would be no money exchanged in the deal, which falls under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, which allows the sale or transfer of small parcels of public lands for public purposes to local governments or organizations. Since the conveyance would be considered a “federal action,” the EA and public comment period are required in order to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.  

For years, the city has explored options for directing and removing pollutants from storm run-off from the 289-acre section of town. Typically, during heavy rain storms, a wall of untreated water flows down 32nd Street to the river. The storm drain would help mitigate a potential flood and keep trash and toxins from getting into the river.

 
However, nearby landowners who would be impacted by the project or the drainage pipe have opposed the $1 million plan, saying the storm water would pollute pristine wetlands and wildlife habitat. Over the last six years, the city has paid out more than $355,000 in easements to these landowners. The Holly Avenue detention pond is expected to cost another $285,000.

Comments on the BLM’s land conveyance can be sent no later than Fri., Aug. 10, to: BLM, Attn: Jennifer Jardine, San Juan Public Lands Office, 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301 or via e-mail to jjardine@blm.gov.

Connecting the dots in Durango
It’s all hands on deck for Durango Connect, the 7-mile human chain along the Animas River Trail planned for this fall. Last week, the City of Durango officially announced that the endeavor to literally link one end of Durango to the other will be held Wed. Sept.  26, at 10 a.m. The event is meant as a community-wide celebration of the long-awaited completion of the Animas River Trail from 32nd Street to Dallabetta Park.

“The idea is to honor and showcase the Animas River Trail in a way that will be remembered for many years,” City Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Metz said. “It’s taken nearly 40 years to develop the River Trail through town. We want to engage the public as participants rather than as spectators.”

The feat, which will entail at least 8,000 people, was the idea of “Snow Monsters” creator, Jack Turner. “I felt like an ordinary ribbon cutting couldn’t do justice to the people and organizations that had the vision to create and build the trail,” said Turner, who was born and raised in Durango. “I remember the days when the river was treated like a dump, and now it’s the jewel of our town.”

A formal dedication ceremony will be held at the newly completed section of trail behind the Durango Mall. This section was completed in May, now making it possible to follow the path uninterrupted the entire length of town.  

Turner added that the endeavor would not have grown legs without the buying in of numerous individuals and organizations, including local schools. “A real key has been the involvement of Durango 9-R, and our charter and private schools partners,” he said. “We think there will be over 5,000 kids, teachers and school staff participating, which will hopefully attract their families as well.”

9-R Assistant Superintendent Victor Figueroa said the school district is excited to participate. “This fits well with 9-R’s Strategic Plan and demonstrates to our students they are part of our community and that our community values healthy lifestyles,” said Figueroa.

In order to create a festive “Durangoish” atmosphere and keep participants entertained, event organizers are seeking musicians, jugglers, magicians and street performers to be staged at intervals along the trail.

Durango Connect will be broadcast live from 8 - 10:30 a.m. on local radio stations 99X, QIQX and KRSJ. “This will be integral to communication with the public on event day,” says Turner. “We’ll have a series of volunteer trail captains who will relay information about where we need folks to complete the chain.”

Organizers plan to document the event with cameras and an aerial helicopter. Video will be uploaded immediately after to YouTube. A collaborative documentary film is also in the works.

To learn more, check out www.DurangoConnect.com or contact Durango Parks and Recreation at 375-7300 or via email at rec@ci.durango.co.us.

Lake Nighthorse floated $285,000
Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to start your engines. Motorized recreation is one step closer to a reality at the reservoir about a mile and half from downtown Durango.

On Tuesday, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife announced it was awarding $285,000 to improve boating facilities at the lake as part of its “Motorboat Colorado!” grant program. The funding comes primarily from taxes on motorboat fuel.

The money will go toward building an invasive mussel inspection station, a dock and buoys, and an access road. The remaining money will be used to finish a recreation master plan for the lake.

When fully built out, the body of water is expected to draw 163,000 visitors a year – bringing millions of tourist dollars and approximately 165 jobs to Durango. However, the water is still murky on who will oversee recreation at the lake. Citing more pressing financial obligations, Parks and Wildlife bequeathed management of the lake to the Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District, which in turn looked to the City of Durango.

As de facto lake management, the City embarked on devising a recreation master plan for the lake in 2011, an effort that is ongoing. The community input part of the process was facilitated by Joy Lujan, of the National Park Service. At the time, motorized use was the hottest controversy, although it was rendered a moot point by previous construction of a $3 million boat ramp. The ramp was paid for by a state grant that stipulated the ramp allow use by gas-powered boats within three years or the Bureau of Reclamation must return the money.

“In order to open the reservoir to public use in a timely manner, the Bureau of Reclamation and the State agreed on the need to solicit interest from other nonfederal entities to provide recreation,” said Mark Chiarito, of the BuRec, at the time. “Hence ... the boat ramp needs to be considered as a valid existing facility for inclusion in the recreation master plan.”

Lujan said most likely the final plan will designate motorized and nonmotorized areas and restrict engine decibels.

It is estimated the lake could be open for recreation as soon as the spring of 2013. Until then, the lake will remain fenced with public access restricted.

– Missy Votel