Olivia Siegel

Protecting wild places and wildlife, for their sake – and ours June 2013

PEOPLE POWER Citizen activists are following their passions to help save the Thompson Divide.

JIM AND SHARILL HAWKINS Sharill got involved with the Thomp- son Divide issue three years ago, helping B&B owners galvanized by with a Thompson Divide Coalition study haul route threat

Clay Hawkins Clay to establish the baseline quality of water or 16 years, Sharill and Jim Hawk- in area creeks and rivers prior to any Fins have owned and operated the drilling occurring. More recently, she Four Mile Creek Bed and Breakfast, a hit on the idea of using the Whimsical quiet slice of paradise halfway between Women of the West art show, which In this issue Glenwood Springs and Sunlight Ski she hosts at her property, as a way to Area. The Thompson Divide is literally help the cause, convincing her fellow A plan for Aspen's backyard 2 their backyard – and the potential haul artists to donate a portion of proceeds to route for drilling operations runs through Go wolverines 3 groups working to protect the Thompson the front yard. Divide. The December show benefited Wilderness proposals progress 4 The Hawkinses are the face of a tour- TDC, and the May show the Wilderness Suspension of disbelief 7 ism- and recreation-based local econo- Workshop. Do your thing for the my that would gain little from develop- Thompson Divide 9 ment of the Thompson Divide, and has LEA LINSE everything to lose. “Our business would A student leader finds her voice Skytruth or dare 10 basically be ruined,” says Jim. “As far as Lea Linse first heard about natural gas Remember the Roan 11 I’m concerned we’ve sacrificed one half leases in the Thompson Divide during Goodbye, Lone Ranger 12 of this county for energy exploration. We CONTINUED ON page 6 Donor hall of fame 14 don’t need to sacrifice the other half.”

Get ready for Naturalist Nights - see schedule, page 7 >> Summer events calendar 5 June 2013 | Wild Works 1 A PLAN FOR ASPEN’S BACKYARD

f you live in the Roaring Fork Mountain Cooperative Plan began one that emphasizes letting natural I Valley, you’ve probably biked with the goal of saving the forest processes accomplish some of the or hiked up Smuggler Mountain or from a forecasted mountain pine plan’s goals.” into Hunter Creek and marveled at beetle outbreak. Fortunately, the Because no specific projects for how lucky Aspen is to have such an beetles never reached epidemic treating vegetation are listed in the incredible area so close to town. It’s levels in our diverse local forests; proposed plan, we’ve asked the rightly called “Aspen’s backyard.” recent surveys indicate the statewide Forest Service to solicit public com- ment and formally examine potential WW is pushing for a lighter touch on the environmental impacts as it moves ahead with future projects. Hunter Creek-Smuggler Mountain Plan. We’ve also called for an emphasis on trail quality over trail quantity. It Because of its proximity to Aspen, epidemic is over, and beetle activity just makes sense to prioritize limited its important wildlife habitat and has returned to endemic levels. management resources to maximize its recreational values, this area de- As a result, the plan now focuses the trail system we already have. The serves extra attention. Over the past on enhancing wildlife habitat and south side of Smuggler Mountain 18 months, the Forest Service, Aspen recreational use. The Forest Service (home of the illegally built Balcony Center for Environmental Studies, has begun an environmental as- Trail) should be preserved for its eco- Pitkin County and the City of Aspen sessment of the proposal, aiming to logical and wilderness values. This (with input from several stakeholder complete it in time to allow work area provides important bear and groups including WW) have gone to start this summer or fall. WW elk habitat, and Colorado Parks and through a cooperative planning pro- submitted comments in the initial Wildlife has specifically requested cess to develop a management plan “scoping” phase of the process in that there be no trails in this area. for this special area. mid-May. Thanks to all of you who Lastly, we’ve asked the Forest The Hunter Creek-Smuggler sent emails to the Forest Service sup- Service to minimize the use of me- porting our points. chanical treatments, (e.g., bulldozers Hunter Creek Cutoff “We think the and chainsaws), and instead to use plan has the poten- prescribed fire (where it can be done Smuggler Loop tial to do a lot of safely) or natural disturbances (such Smuggler Mountain Rd. good things for rec- as endemic levels of pine beetles) to reation and wildlife enhance forest diversity and improve habitat in the area, wildlife habitat. Balcony Trail but there are a few You gotta love the irony: a plan key ways it could whose original purpose was to com- be improved,” says bat pine beetles may end up em- WW’s Will Roush. bracing the bugs as a management “We’re pushing tool. Mother Nature is the original for a lighter touch, aikido master. ASPEN The illegally constructed Balcony Trail passes through high- value wildlife habitat, posing a challenge to recreation planning in the area. The Forest Service will evaluate whether a sustain- able trail alignment is possible.

2 Wild Works | June JUNE 2013 2012 GO WOLVERINES The iconic species may be heading for a comeback in Colorado.

n February, the U.S. Fish and support for a reintroduction much redoubts for wolverines as their IWildlife Service announced its more likely. remaining habitat shrinks due to intention to list the wolverine as a Wolverines are a rare, wide- climate change. threatened species. The proposed ranging member of the weasel Wolverines historically lived in listing is an overdue recognition that family that thrive in remote alpine Colorado until the early 1900s, this iconic carnivore – much like the environments. They birth their young when they were eliminated by polar bear – stands to lose much of poisoning and trapping. In 2009, re- its habitat to climate change. searchers tracked M56, a lone male Fortunately, this action opens the wolverine, as he traveled 500 miles door for Colorado Parks and Wildlife from near Grand Teton National Park to restart discussions about reintro- into Colorado. He’s thought to be ducing wolverines into our state. the region’s first confirmed wolver- This is an exciting opportunity, and it ine in over 90 years. will be a priority for WW to assist in In 2010, CPW officials began this process in the coming years. Cameron Miller conversations with interested stake- We do have concerns about a The only known sighting of M56. holders about a wolverine reintro- provision of the listing that desig- duction program. However, discus- nates the Southern Rocky Mountains in dens dug deep into the snow just sions were put on hold pending a (Colorado, southern Wyoming and above treeline in February, and need decision by the federal Fish and northern New Mexico) as an experi- that snow to remain in place through Wildlife Service. February’s decision mental population area for wolver- mid-spring, when kits are weaned is key in allowing CPW to re-engage ines. But while this will limit the and can safely travel on their own. with stakeholders about the poten- protections given by the Endangered Colorado’s high-elevation islands tial for a wolverine reintroduction Species Act, it will make broad of snow could serve as important program.

TREKWEST PITSTOP IN ASPEN

ast fall, WW staff and board paddling from northern Mexico to Aspen on Saturday, July 6, and we’ll Lmembers were privileged to southern British Columbia to call host a public event with him at hold a retreat with Michael Soulé attention to the need for an interna- Hallam Lake that and John Davis, co-founders of the tional wildlife conservation corri- afternoon or eve- Wildlands Network. An illustri- dor. TrekWest, as this expedition is ning. Please make ous conservationist-explorer, John called, is highlighting the regional sure you’re on had recently completed TrekEast, a efforts of conservation organizations, our email list, and 7,600-mile human-powered jour- private landowners and others dedi- like our Facebook ney linking up the wildest and most cated to wildlife connectivity along page, to get the intact ecosystems from Florida to the “spine of the continent.” WW is details when we Quebec. pleased to be one of TrekWest’s col- announce them. Now John is performing a similar laborating organizations.

feat in the West, hiking/biking/ John will be passing through John Davis sets off. Kim Vacariu

June 2013 | Wild Works 3 WILDERNESS PROPOSALS PROGRESS

etting new wilderness would Admiring the view Gbe a good deal simpler if we in the proposed had only one chamber of Congress Treasure Mountain (the Senate) to deal with. Both our addition to the Senators from Colorado are working Raggeds Wilderness, on proposals to make historic addi- one of the areas in tions to the wilderness acreage of Sen. Udall's Central Mountains our region, but efforts in the House proposal. are best described as mixed. While we can’t speak for Sen. Mark Udall, we can report that

his Central Mountains Outdoor Samantha Pickard Heritage proposal is making steady Arkansas River; now that a Browns progress. This draft legislation, which Canyon bill is nearing introduction, would protect over 235,000 acres we’re hoping that a Central Moun- HOW YOU across Pitkin, Eagle and Summit tains bill might not be far behind. CAN HELP counties, is a return to the bold Meanwhile, Sen. Michael Bennet Please take a moment to tell multi-area, large wilderness bills of has launched what he’s calling the our Senators that you support late last century. Gunnison Public Lands Initiative, more wilderness. You’ll find The Senator’s staff continue to and has set up a web page to solicit links to both their comment meet with recreation groups, water public input on which areas in that forms, along with suggested providers, fire departments and other county should be protected, and by points to make, at: stakeholders to refine the package, what designations. The page specifi- and WW is providing support as cally invites comments about wil- appropriate. When Sen. Udall first derness designations, and concludes announced the proposal, in February with Sen. Bennet hoping that “a wildernessworkshop. 2012, he paired it with a vision for broadly-supported public proposal org/action protecting Browns Canyon, on the suitable for legislation can emerge.”

INVISIBLE AEROVANES

ur Artist in Wilderness program awards one-week residencies to Oartists to make works inspired by the lands that WW is working to protect. This past winter, Steuart Bremner and Terry Talty, a husband- and-wife team from Denver, took the program in a new direction. Their Invisible Aerovanes are sets of three sleek, 4-foot "paper airplanes" made of stainless-steel mesh. Depending on conditions, the vanes may align with the wind, reflect the sun or moon, or whiten with snow. Two of the installations will be offered for sale at a High Country News beneft at the home of Andy Wiessner and Patsy Batchelder on June 21. A third can be viewed in front of WW's office at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. Terry Talty Terry

4 Wild Works | June 2013 June 2013 | Wild Works 5 most people express support or FROM PAGE 1 PEOPLE POWER are interested in learning more. “It actually can be fun,” he says, adding that he enjoys speak- her freshman year at delegation of students in deliver- ing face to face to people and ex- Colorado Rocky Moun- ing over 1,000 “Let the Leases plaining the situation beyond the tain School. By the time Expire” letters to the BLM’s office headlines. “If you give me three of she entered her senior in Silt. four minutes, I can explain more year, last fall, two com- “We hear that we can be or less what’s going on.” panies had announced whatever we want to be, and our plans to drill, and Lea’s voices will be heard, and we have LINDSAY GURLEY concern blossomed a government that’s of, by and for Yoga instructor brings a higher into action. the people,” Lea says. “So I want- consciousness

Renee Ramge Renee “I just felt like I ed to see if that was really true. It couldn’t be OK with was a big experiment: ‘Let’s see For Lindsay Gurley, it was just sitting back if we can make a difference; let’s Bidder 70, which WW showed and letting it hap- see if the government will listen.’” at several locations this spring, pen, and as a high that turned her into a Thompson school student, I saw RICHARD VOTTERO Divide activist. A yoga instruc- Fearless activist doesn’t mind I had a unique op- tor, she was already looking for going door to door portunity to make a a way to use her passion and her difference,” she says. Like many citizens involved network to help; the film about She sent out a school- in the Thompson Divide cam- Tim DeChristopher’s peaceful wide email announc- paign, Richard Vottero got lit up action to thwart the sale of oil and ing the launch of the in stages. It started with watching gas leases near Canyonlands gave Thompson Divide the documentary Gasland, which her an idea. Action Club; within WW screened in 2011, and hear- With the help of fellow instruc- a week she had 30 ing first-person accounts of the tor Emily Hightower and their

Melanie Finan members. energy boom’s miseries in the Silt friends at the Carbondale Yoga It’s been a whirl- area. That led to attending meet- Society, Lindsay organized Yoga wind year. Lea has ings of the Garfield County Energy for the Thompson Divide in May. learned through trial Advisory Board as a citizen gadfly At least 50 people came for a free and error about organiz- (“I tell them it’s unconscionable, yoga class, receiving a dose of ing supporters, gathering it’s immoral to be poisoning the Thompson Divide awareness in ideas and maintaining water the way they’re doing”) and the bargain. excitement – “I was sort then, this spring, fired up by the Lindsay’s goal is to help people of just making it up as Parachute Creek pipeline spill, avoid responding to the drilling I went along” – and in volunteering to go door to door threat with anger or fear, and the process has found for the Thompson Divide. instead to bring positive energy to her voice as a youth Richard and a small band of their efforts. “Whether you believe leader. She delivered volunteers are applying political- in energy or not, we’re putting

an electrifying speech campaign-style canvassing our minds and hearts together to Corie Spruill Corie at the Carbondale techniques to help raise aware- support the Thompson Divide,” Town Hall meeting on ness about the drilling threat in she says. “It’s really all about this the Thompson Divide Glenwood Springs. He says he’s connected, conscious movement in February, and in March led a had mainly good experiences – together for the land.”

6 Wild Works | June JUNE 2013 2012 SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF

hen the BLM announced in failed to develop them when natural WApril that it was “suspend- gas prices were high, then waited it ing” the leases held by two compa- out while prices were low, and final- nies in the Thompson Divide, some ly, when it couldn’t possibly develop people probably thought, Awe- them before they expired, it asked some, we won! The leases had been for more time. Ursa Resources, the suspended – wasn’t that like getting other company requesting suspen- kicked out of school or something? sion, bought its leases from another To others who knew that sus- company, knowing that they hadn’t pension was not a good thing, the been developed and were about to In the wake of an ambiguous decision, we’re facing another year of hard labor to

protect the Thompson Divide. John Fielder The Thompson Divide in its glory. decision sounded more like defeat: expire. We told the BLM to “let the leases On behalf of American taxpayers, Significantly, the BLM has reserved expire,” but instead they’re giving the BLM sold the exclusive rights to the right to void or modify the leases the companies more time to drill. It’s develop these leases for a period of if warranted by the analysis. over, we lost. 10 years. Leaseholders aren’t entitled Fact is, the BLM is in a bit of a Actually, the truth lies somewhere to more time unless they’ve made bind with these leases. It’s dealing in between. While the precise im- diligent efforts to develop. These with a legacy of slapdash practices plications of the suspension deci- companies elected not to develop from the early and mid 2000’s, and sion are far from clear, the top-line their leases in the allotted time, and these leases were all but robo-signed message is that it hasn’t significantly only want to extend them now in without the due process of an envi- altered the chances of drilling occur- the hope that they’ll become more ronmental review (the suspension ring in the Thompson Divide, but it valuable when the price of gas goes decision itself acknowledges this has prolonged the process by at least up. That’s not the way the process is “defect”), making them vulnerable a year. supposed to work. If you don’t use it, to challenge. The agency is looking So, be neither discouraged nor you lose it. It’s not in the public in- to clean up the defective leases with complacent. terest for companies to speculate on a belated review process, but what public assets in this way, and those it would really like to happen is for Coulda, woulda, shoulda who do so shouldn’t be rewarded the Thompson Divide Coalition buy Yes, it was a crappy decision with more time. out the leases and make the problem to give the companies a one-year That said, the BLM hasn’t given go away. extension on their leases. The BLM SG and Ursa all they wanted. Their could have – should have – simply suspensions only last until next Taking the harder line let the leases expire, as thousands of April, and in that time the agency There are reasons to believe we’re us had demanded. will undertake the environmental headed for a buyout. It’s a strategy SG Interests, the company that analysis of the leases that was sup- that has been used successfully to owns the crucial block of leases in posed to have been done before the heart of the Thompson Divide, they were issued 10 years ago. CONTINUED ON next page

June 2013 | Wild Works 7 to play out. In FROM PAGE 7 SUSPENSION 2004 we appealed the BLM’s sale retire oil and gas leases in Montana’s the verge of of three similarly Rocky Mountain Front and, most expiring. “defective” leases; recently, in the Wyoming Range. Therefore it took until 2007 to Sen. Michael Bennet’s bill (see be- the Wilder- get a decision, and the low) envisions and indeed encour- ness Work- leases weren’t actually ages a negotiated buyout, and the shop must The canceled until 2009. BLM would presumably rather that take the harder Thompson Divide has We’re in this one for the TDC work something out with the line, starting received national attention, long haul, too – we’re leaseholders than having to make with challeng- with a New York Times not giving up and we’re not hard decisions about the validity of ing the BLM’s feature in March. going away. the leases, drilling permits, and unit suspension deci- Meanwhile, we’ll lead agreements. sion. In early May, with the help of the charge on whatever environ- We wish TDC well in its nego- Earthjustice, we asked the state BLM mental review process the BLM tiations, but we don’t think our director to reverse it. (Pitkin County comes up with for these leases. community should have to cough and the towns of Carbondale and We’ll also continue advocating for up millions of dollars to retire leases Glenwood Springs filed a separate protection of the Thompson Divide that never should have been issued but similar request.) in the first place, and that were on These things can take a long time CONTINUED ON page 10

BENNET INTRODUCES BILL And you can be a citizen co-sponsor.

en. Michael Bennet introduced on as citizen co-sponsors of the bill. already have over the transient in- Shis Thompson Divide Withdrawal And you should too, if you haven’t dustrial boom (and bust) that drilling and Protection Act on the floor of already. would bring. It supports the tradi- the Senate on March 22. Since then, While Sen. Bennet’s bill would tional activities (like ranching and more than 1,400 people have signed prevent any future leasing in the farming) and protects the long-term Thompson Divide, it leaves existing assets (scenery, wildlife, recreational leases intact. In other words, those opportunities, clean water and air) leases will stay on the books until that are the foundation of our pros- they’re invalidated, bought out or al- perous local economy. lowed to expire. Still, this is a huge Given the prevailing “drill, baby, step toward protecting the Thomp- drill” mentality in Washington, it son Divide in the long term. takes real courage to wade into this It’s also good policy. This is a bill issue and propose protection of the that promotes sustainable economic Thompson Divide. We applaud Sen. development by valuing the good Bennet for taking this stand. jobs and quality of life that we To add your name as a citizen co- sponsor of the bill, go to our action Sen. Bennet praised the Thompson page at wildernessworkshop.org/

TDC Divide effort during a recent visit. action.

8 Wild Works | June JUNE 2013 2012 DO YOUR THING FOR THE THOMPSON DIVIDE

A manifesto for citizen action. Will Roush and Steve Novy show off the ot knowing what you’ve got till Or how about organizing a group fab new Unified for Nit’s gone – that’s sad. Realizing event or gathering in the Thompson Thompson Divide what you’ve got while there’s still Divide? There are many ideas float- bike spoke cards, time to save it – that can be a beauti- ing around – an organized bike ride which are being ful thing. along the proposed haul route, a given away by In recent years, our community rally, a performance, a sweat lodge local bike shops. has been unified by a landscape. – that only need a volunteer to bring We’ve rallied to the defense of the them into being. Join the conversa- get creative, write Thompson Divide, but the Thomp- tion at the Unified for Thompson a song or a poem son Divide has given us the greater Divide Facebook group, or contact and record it on gift: it’s brought us together as a Alex Bethel in our office. video. community and opened our hearts Of course there are so many ways Again, the Uni- to a special place. we can deepen our relationship fied for Thompson So now that summer’s here, let’s with the Thompson Divide, and they Divide Facebook Dave Reed return the favor. Let’s get out into don’t all have to involve physically page is great for the Divide and love the heck out of going there. We eat meat raised in sharing your creations. But we’d it – let’s savor its scenery, learn its the Thompson Divide and crops also like to see folks posting about moods, and share its bounty. grown with water from it. We delight the Thompson Divide on Instagram, in seeing wildlife that rely on the Tumblr and other social media. Go forth Thompson Divide for a refuge. The We also believe there’s a greater Are you a hiker or horseback very air that we breathe is filtered need than ever to share our stories rider? There are lots of trails to and oxygenated by the trees and face to face. We’re hoping that by explore; come by the WW office for plants of the Thompson Divide. Sim- the end of the summer there will maps and advice, or join one of our ply meditating on these ways that be enough material for a Thompson scheduled hikes (see page 5). Do we depend on the Thompson Divide Divide community slide show/video you mountain bike? The Thompson can make us better defenders of it. night. Writers, poets and performers, Divide has some great terrain – al- how about an open-mic night? Or a Share your story though not all of the trails are legally street-corner storytelling slam or a open to bikes, so feel free to check We want to encourage storytell- full-moon campfire gathering? with us if you’re in doubt. If you ing about the Thompson Divide, The Thompson Divide is calling hunt, fish or climb, collect mush- and probably the easiest way to – can you hear it? Go, enjoy, and rooms or watch birds, the Thompson share your story is via photos and share. Divide is great for all of that. videos. Posting pics from your latest And if you’re already a Thompson adventure in Facebook will always Divide expert, perhaps you’d be get a conversation going. Better yet, willing to guide others. Any equestri- include a Thompson Divide-related Join the Unified for ans out there who’d like to organize sign or slogan in the frame, or speak Thompson Divide a trail ride, or fishing guides who’d to camera about what the Thompson Facebook group! be up for taking someone else out? Divide means to you. If you want to

June 2013 | Wild Works 9 elevated the Thompson Divide to SUSPENSION FROM PAGE 8 a national stage. We now have an influential audience. Agency in several other ongoing agency stamping unit requests (an almost decision-makers, our members of processes – for example, the White unprecedented act of restraint) and Congress, the leaseholders – all are River National Forest’s revision of its elicited the grudging admission of a watching to see what this communi- oil and gas leasing plan – because “defect” in the leases in the recent ty does next. To a great extent, we’re those processes will dictate what suspension decision. This counts for dictating the terms of the debate and management direction the agencies major progress within the bureau- guiding the process toward the right take moving forward. We’ll ask you cratic realm of public land manage- decision. But we’ve got a long way to join our comments on all of these ment, so keep it up! to go yet. We need to maintain our at the appropriate time. Finally, we encourage all of you resolve, and double the noise and Some of our supporters have to find creative ways to make a (po- passion. (See page 9 for ideas.) asked whether we can trust BLM lite) ruckus and show that the public We’re pleased to acknowledge to listen to us now, given how deaf is unified in its opposition to drilling the Aspen Skiing Company Environ- they’ve been to public concerns so in the Thompson Divide. Citizen ment Foundation and an anonymous far. Actually, they have listened, even activism is the fulcrum that leverages donor for recent major grants to sup- while pretending not to. Your uproar all the other strategies. port WW’s defense of the Thompson helped spook them from rubber- Through our efforts to date, we’ve Divide.

SKYTRUTH OR DARE

ur partners at Skytruth recently created a series of present a full buildout scenario at this point, and in fact Osimulations to show what buildout of SG Interests’ it would be bad business to do so, since the company leases in the Thompson Divide could look like. Predict- doesn't yet know if there’s enough gas there to justify it. ably, industry has responded by challenging the assump- No, standard operating procedure is to apply for only a tions about pad density and placement, noting that SG handful of test wells to begin with; if those wells prove hasn’t proposed anything like this scenario. out, the company can then put in for the full develop- Well, that’s precisely the problem. SG doesn’t need to ment, and at that point the agency won’t be in a position to say no. So it’s no use waiting politely until SG lays down all its cards – by then it will be too late. Coal Basin Skytruth’s simulations are based on pad densities in SG’s Bull Moun- tain Unit, a project on the other side of McClure Pass, because the company has said repeatedly that it Spring Gulch Nordic Area intends to undertake development in the Thompson Divide like what it’s doing there. If SG has any better information to share, they ought to disclose it publicly. In the mean- time, we think the public deserves to see what could be in store for the Thompson Divide. Skytruth

10 10 Wild Works | June JUNE 2013 2012 REMEMBER THE ROAN The defense of the plateau continues in the bureaucracy and in court.

new planning process for the also advocated for a full A Roan Plateau appears to be analysis of the air pollu- heading in a good direction, but the tion that may result from forces of conservation continue to development, including face legal challenges. the cumulative effects The long-running tug of war over from other natural gas the Roan – the mountainous wave fields throughout the that crests over Rifle and the I-70 region. corridor – took a sharp turn for the Meanwhile, one of better a year ago, when U.S. District the oil and gas compa- Judge Marcia Krieger sent the BLM nies seeking to drill the back to the drawing board on its Roan has spent most of 2007 leasing plan. That reversal the past year trying to came as the result of a lawsuit filed turn back the clock. Last by Earthjustice on behalf of ten con- August, Bill Barrett Corp. servation groups, including WW. appealed Judge Krieger’s Aerial Support LightHawk © Dave Showalter, The Roan Plateau is considered one of the most biologically One of the most biologically rich ruling to the 10th Circuit rich areas in Colorado. areas in Colorado, the 73,000-acre Court of Appeals, claim- plateau is an island of unspoiled ing that Congress ordered federal land in a sea of oil and gas BLM to manage the Roan development. The Bush-era plan Plateau for energy development EXPIRED would have turned it into an indus- above all other values. ith all the upset about the BLM deci- trial zone with more than 3,000 So it was that WW’s attorneys sion to suspend the Thompson Divide natural gas wells. found themselves filing yet more W leases, little note was made of the fact that two Complying with the judge’s order, legal briefs in April defending the leases were actually allowed to expire on May the BLM began work earlier this year lower court’s ruling. We’re indebted 31. on a new environmental review to to Earthjustice and Western Re- While SG Interests requested – and received address “deficiencies” in the original source Advocates for their hard work – suspension the 18 leases in its proposed Lake analysis by considering more protec- preparing the 82-page brief. Ridge Unit, it opted not to pursue development tive management alternatives and WW staff attorney Peter Hart of two other leases it held in the Thompson Di- taking a hard look at the air pollu- summed up the situation thusly: vide. One was in Coal Basin, west of Redstone; tion that would result from drilling. “BLM’s plan, which was adopted the other was in the East Willow Roadless Area. The agency invited initial public during the waning days of the Bush The good news is that the threat of drilling comments on the scope of the plan administration, would have sac- has now been lifted from almost 3,200 acres in in March. Kudos to all of you who rificed one of Colorado’s natural the Thompson Divide. This is what’s supposed sent emails to the agency and at- gems to the oil and gas industry. The to happen to leases when a company sits on tended the open house in Silt. district court recognized that there them for 10 years without developing them – In our comments, we urged is a better way, and sent the plan they expire. the BLM to cancel the oil and gas back to BLM to reconsider. We hope What’s disappointing and inexplicable is leases sold under the Bush plan and the Court of Appeals will affirm that that the same thing didn’t happen to SG’s other forbid drilling on the surface in any ruling. leases. It will be our work of the next year to future leases atop the plateau. We change that.

June 2013 | Wild Works 11 GOODBYE, LONE RANGER Comings and goings at WW.

n July, WW’s wilderness monitor, David climate change on IRichie, will hang up his hiking boots lake chemistry, he – at least for the purposes of hoofing to notes – “an advance collect samples of water from remote in knowledge [that] mountain lakes. has international Since 2005, David has been our “lone significance.” Alex Bethel ranger,” responsible for monitoring air, The wilderness water and invasive weeds in the Maroon monitoring program is funded primarily Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The water- Deborah Richie by the Aspen-Sopris monitoring protocol is where he really Clockwise from above: David Richie, earns his stars: three times each summer, Ranger District, Pit- Alex Bethel, Sue Edelstein. he makes a circuit of five high-elevation kin County and the lakes, typically logging over 20 miles a City of Aspen. Given the federal bud- ayusa and, for day. “I call it extreme hiking,” he says, get sequester, however, David wonders the nonprofit describing the routes he’s found to en- whether the Forest Service will be able to BARK, instigat- Dave Reed able him to visit, for example, Tabor and keep contributing to it. ing action to Brooklyn lakes in a single day. David and his family are moving to stop a Nestle water bottling plant from In addition, every Tuesday throughout Tucson, where the children have been being built in Mt. Hood National Forest. the year he rides the lift, skins or four- admitted into a competitive swimming Finally, please welcome the newest wheels to the top of Aspen Mountain to program. We'll be seeking a replacement member of the WW board, Sue Edelstein. log air-quality readings. And wherever he for David, stay tuned for the job A Carbondale resident, Sue has been a goes, he plots invasive weeds and reports announcement. WW supporter since 2005. She worked their coordinates to Pitkin County. Another new face on our staff is Alex for the Forest Service for 11 years, includ- David has helped build what is now a Bethel, who has joined the WW team ing stints as a park superintendent and on 22-year record of data, providing us with to mobilize civic engagement for the the teams that wrote the first master plans a baseline for detecting any increases Thompson Divide. Alex’s background in for the new national parks in Alaska, and in pollution from oil and gas or other community organizing includes work- later worked as a real estate broker in activities. The data have also contributed ing with local farmers in the Amazon of Denver. Welcome, Sue! to our understanding of the effects of Ecuador to create a global market for gu-

WATCH NATURALIST NIGHTS ONLINE

e hope you caught some of this tions: Alpine Bank, Aspen Skiing Company, Wwinter's Naturalist Nights presenta- Bristlecone Mountain Sports, Jim and Con- tions at ACES and the Third Street Center. nie Calaway, Reese Henry & Co., St. Moritz But if you missed any, you can still watch Lodge, Carl's Pharmacy, Days Inn Carbon- them online at our website. dale, Main Street Gallery & the Framer, Thanks to the following businesses and Pyramid Bistro, Tyrolean Lodge and the Ute individuals who made it possible for us to Mountaineer have GrassRoots TV video the presenta-

12 Wild Works | June JUNE 2013 2012 DONOR HALL OF FAME

St. Moritz Lodge John and Ingrid Seidel The Wilderness Workshop wishes to thank the follow- Richard Voorhees* Katie Soden ing generous people who have made donations since Jay Webster Diane and John Stine the previous newsletter. New members are indicated Paula Zurcher Bill Stirling, in memory of Katharine Thalberg by an asterisk (*). $250-499 Annie Ware Anonymous $100-249 $10,000-25,000 Lucy Hahn / Humphreys Randy and Althy Brimm Foundation Phil and Sunny Brodsky Diana Alcantara* Anonymous Joe Henry Linda Bush* Barbara and Robert Andre Aspen Skiing Company Felicity Huffman Carl's Pharmacy John Baird Environment Foundation Gesine Crandall Michael Behrendt Jim Bonesteel and Caroline Fred and Elli Iselin Foundation Cochener Johno and Sunni McBride Kristine Crandall Donna Fisher and Skip Behrhorst The Cohen Family Fund of the David Newberger Lynn and Judy Hancock Neal and Amy Beidleman, in Community Foundation for Lynn Nichols and Jim Gilchrist Ann Harvey and Mike Campbell memory of Keith Beidleman Richard Beresford Southeast Michigan Wendy Paulson Casady Henry Leslie Bethel* Peter Looram Marj Perry and Bill Fales Kristen Henry Cynthia and George Mitchell Diana Beuttas Rob Pew Gail and Phil Holstein Foundation HC and Dee Blakewell Carol Racine Sandy Jackson Cheryl and Sam Wyly Jay Blong* Ford and Susan Schumann Warren Kanders* Beth Cashdan and Paul D'Amato $5,000-9,999 Isa Catto Shaw and Daniel Shaw Tita and Dan McCarty Advised Fund at the Aspen Community Steve and Molly Child Ruth Brown Foundation Advised Fund at the Aspen Foundation Sally Cole Henry Lord* Community Foundation Martha and Mike McCoy Gesine Crandall Marcie and Robert Musser Sierra Club, Roaring Fork Group Greg McKennis Advised Fund at the Aspen Dale and Pam Darnell $500-999 Community Foundation Kent and Elizabeth Meager Douglas and Lynne DeNio Anonymous (2) Oak Lodge Foundation Pyramid Bistro Angora Ridge Foundation Aron Ralston Anne Rickenbaugh* continued on next page Garry and Sharon Snook Bruce Berger John and Adelaide Zabriskie Barbara Bush Jim and Connie Calaway $1,000-4,999 The Craig Family Donor Advised There must be limits, somewhere, to the Alpengow Foundation Fund of the Jewish Commu- human footprint on this earth. When the Anonymous nity Foundation of Greater Arches Foundation MetroWest New Jersey whole of the world is reduced to nothing James Aresty Crystal Valley Environmental but human product, we will have lost the Protection Association T.A. Barron Days Inn map that can show us how we got here, Chelsea Congdon and James Brundige Shane Evans and can offer our spirits an answer when Annie Cooke Kay Hagman we ask why. Surely we are capable of Christin Cooper and Mark Taché Jane and Dick Hart Mary Dominick and Sven Ann and Sam Johnson declaring sacred some quarters that we Coomer Henry and Nancy Lowe dare not enter or possess. Barbara Dunaway Blanca and Cavanaugh O'Leary Sue Edelstein and Bill Spence Frank Peters and Marjory – Barbara Kingsolver Floreat Foundation Musgrave Marty and Sarah Flug Roaring Fork Rotary Foundation*

June 2013 | Wild Works 13 Lisa Wuerker Shelley Kaup* DONORS FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Thelma and Garret Zabel* Mary Jo Kimbrough and Jim Ted Zukoski Harrison Pamela Kling and Michael $50-99 Annie Denver Darrell Munsell Rausch George and Frances Alderson Jeff and Priscilla Dickinson Jim Nester Steve Knous Hilary Back* Doris and Chuck Downey Werner and Judith Neuman* Mary and Paul Kobey* Nancy Berry Buck and Holly Elliott Kerry and Vicki Newman* Jim and Jamie Kravitz Judy Byrns and Joe Bergquist Paul David Ellis George Newman Robert Leavitt* Kay Callison Scott Ely Lynda Palevsky Scottie Leddy and Tom Cooper, Lee Cassin in honor of Leslie Cooper Olivia Emery Ginny Parker Trish Chew Rachel Light-Muller Anne Esson Bruce Parlette John Clark Martha Madsen John Fielder Jacquelyn Powers Powers, in Ned and Jan Cochran Renee Maggert* Connie and Ted Finan honor of Karin and Harry Teague Janet Coursey Joanie Matranga Jim Finch Bob Purvis Ken Crouse* Eliza McCutchen* Mark Fox, in memory of Dottie Fox Maggie Rerucha Barbara D'Autrechy Matthew McKenna Mark Fuller Jim Risser* Don Davidson and Sandy Ray Meyer* Simpson Catherine Porter and James Fuller Kathy and Bill Rodman Cathy Montgomery* Rachel Dayton and Chip Kristen and Wally Graham Michael and Gayleen Rothrock* Johanna Mueller* McCrory Donna and Bernard Grauer Will Roush Ann Mullins* David Eberhardt* Joyce and Bill Gruenberg Beth Schaefer Virginia and Rick Newton The Ellsperman family* Angela Hanley* Tara and Casey Sheahan Anders Norstebon* Kyle Ferrell Carolyn and Dick Shohet Tom Oken and Janie Lowe Sue Helm Don Fleisher Carlie Siemel Judy Olesen* Ann Hopkinson* Lynelle Fowler* Sandra Smith Connie Overton and James Judy Hutchins Ruth and Peter Frey Pat Spitzmiller Gilliam David Hyman and Barbara Reid Elizabeth Fulton Deidre Stancioff Fonda and Charlie Paterson Christie Interlante Walter Gallacher, in memory of Lily and Todd Patrick Albert Kern Sandy and Stephen Stay Mary Frost Kenneth and Diane Payne* Junee Kirk Lelia Stege Jon Gibans Fred and Sandra Peirce Carole Kirschner Karen Stokes and Yves Delepine Andy Githens*, in honor of Jim Ruth and Mike Podmore Reiner and Mary Klawiter* David Stonington, in honor of Githens Anne Stonington Susan Pollack John Korrie Randy Gold and Dawn Shepard David Swersky Sanford Pooler* Tom and Carol Kurt Anne Goldberg John Swomley* Irma Prodinger Bill and Carol Lightstone Les Gray Tom and Roz Turnbull Glenn Randall Laurel Loeb Doug and Peggy Graybeal Ute Mountaineer Redstone Art Center* Patricia Maddalone Jonathon Greenberg* Denny and Linda Vaughn Ty and Terry Reed Howie Mallory Debra Grove Linda and Chuck Vidal Pauline Reetz* Alex Marks Mary and Shep Harris Craig and Becky Ward Gerry Roehm Donna and Tim McFlynn Richard and Sheryl Herrington Margot and Norman Welch Greg Russi Andrew McGregor Ann Hodges Gayle and Richard Wells Paula Sahr* Michael McVoy and Michal Jeffrey Hoffman* Brimm Trudi Wilkes Katherine Hubbard Marius and Clare Sanger Maggie Pedersen and Bob Dexter Williams Janis and George Huggins Terry Schaefer Millette Marilyn Wilmerding Virginia Ikeda* Renata Scheder-Bieschin Mary Beth Minion Laurie Wilson Sarah Johnson Jill and Michael Scher Charles Moore Hugh and Mary Wise / Suzanne Jones Tim and Max Schlumberger Martha Moran and Jim Kirschvink Flunison Fund Deborah Jones and John Judith Schramm Barney and Dot Mulligan King Woodward Katzenberger Jen Seal and David Cramer Dave Munk* Jeffrey Wuerker* Stephen and C.P. Kanipe Rosalina Shearwood

14 14 Wild Works | June JUNE 2013 2012 Mark And Suzanne Silverthorn*, Sharon DeQuine* Maciej Mrotek in memory of William Mounsey Mary Doerr* Mt. Daly Enterprises Skye and Steve Skinner*, in honor Kerry Donovan, in memory of Colin Mukellips* of Thompson Divide, Sloan and William Bird Mounsey Sandy, Mary Lynn and AJ Munro Dave! Mary and Bill Dorais Shari Nova and Tim Myers Karn Stiegelmeier A.D. Fielder Gracie Oliphant Shelley Supplee and Hawk P.O. Box 1442 Gregory Fitzpatrick* Greenway Marta Parker Carbondale, CO 81623 Renee Fleisher and Greg Smith Chris Taché Shana Parker* Offices in the Third Street Center, Paul and Barbara Freeman Mimi Teschner Julie and Tom Paxton 520 S. 3rd St., Carbondale Jose Fuentes* Tel (970) 963-3977 Dr. Diana Tomback Liz and Tom Penzel Bruce Gabow and Deborah www.wildernessworkshop.org Margaret Truman* Lorna and Bert Peterson* Murphey [email protected] Rein Van West* Zuleika Pevec Catherine Garland The Wilderness Workshop’s mis- Tom and Donna Ward Doc Philip Sara Garton sion is to protect and conserve the Sylvia Wendrow and JD Sturgill Melanie Poole* John Gasperetti* wilderness and natural resources Sara Wille Bob and Gabriella Rafelson of the Roaring Fork Watershed, the Joco Gomes Neves* Marion, Jean and Hayden Jim Rahman* White River National Forest, and Bogdarick Goywa Camiler* Winkler Jolie and John Ramo adjacent lands. Doug and Peggy Graybeal Robert and Linda Zaparanick Emily Reid* Allen Griffiths* Board of Directors Toni Zurcher Rosine Ribelin Mary Lou Haflinger* Steve Smith, President Carolyn Richard* Up to $49 Bryce Hayes* Karin Teague, Rachel Richards Marty Ames and Steve Hach Benjamin Hellerstein* Vice President Suzanne Richman Anonymous (3) Robin and Kendall Henry Peter Van Domelen, Peter Rispori* Treasurer Becky Anslyn Sue Hess, in honor of Karen Beard Polly Ross Beth Cashdan Alan Apt Ron Hochfield* Joanne and Richard Rubinoff Cailey Arensman* Lindsey Huddleston*, in honor of Mary Dominick Annie Sanders* Kelly Baker Erin Erickson Sue Edelstein Cam Scott Cici Fox Connie and Buddy Bates John Isaacs Michael Soulé Charles Hopton Roger and Debbie Bath Sandy Ives Nick Stahlin* Peter Looram Eric Baumheier* Kenneth Jones John McBride, Jr. Eric Stoctamire* John Bender and family Ann Keller Tim McFlynn Kevin Studley* Robert and Tracy Bennett Jocelyn Kelso* Michael McVoy Laura Sugaski Maralyn Bloomer* Diane Kenney Aron Ralston George and Jenny Tempest Mike Stranahan Mary Sue Bonetti* Pat Kiernan Charles Torinus Andy Wiessner Dakota Bostic* Erin King Robinson* Aaron Treeson* David and Janet Boyle Laura Kirk and Dave Carpenter Founders Megan Vanzandt* Richard Burchell* Kathleen Kopf* Joy Caudill Kevin Ward Deborah Burek* James Kosmicki* Dottie Fox Catherine Ward* Connie Harvey Bob Burgos* Priscila Lambert* Debby Webster and Steve Robert Leavitt Helen and Roger Carlsen Blanchard Staff Kimberly Levin Kim Chang and Jim Condit Jim Wessely Sloan Shoemaker, Tricia Louthis Kate Cocchiarella Gail Westerman* Executive Director Deborah Luscomb* Jade Colin Polly Whitcomb Alex Bethel Megan Malone* Melanie Finan Barbara Collins William Lukes + Associates Peter Hart Andrew Cook* Marissa McKinney* Architecture Dave Reed John Cornely* Luke Meiers* Daniel Yuhascik* David Richie The Crawford-Arensman Family Patricia Merritt Michele Zebrowitz Will Roush Kelli Cupp* Maria Minick* Desmond Dennis Zachary Monteith*

June 2013 | Wild Works 15 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NUMBER 62 CARBONDALE, CO P.O. BOX 1442 81623 CARBONDALE, CO 81623

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Save the date rally for thompson EcoFlight sat, jul. 13 divide 4 pm - 8 pm 2 rivers park, glenwood springs all the pretty horses def iance string band

river f lotilla kids activities yoga additional bands and speakers to be announced soon*

*citizen suggestions welcome