July 30, 2020 For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Wockner, Save The Poudre, 970-218-8310 NATURE UNDER ATTACK? State of Colorado Argues That "Cache la Poudre River" Doesn't Legally Exist Cache la Poudre River, CO: Today, our local river-protection organization, Save The Poudre, which has about 1,000 members in and around Fort Collins, filed a stinging legal brief against the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) after CDPHE filed a brief two weeks ago trying to kick the "Cache la Poudre River" out of a legal challenge against a huge environmentally destructive dam project. The Cache la Poudre River begins in the pristine mountain peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park and flows down an 80-mile canyon before it reaches the town of Fort Collins in Colorado. The Cache la Poudre is the only "National Wild and Scenic River" in Colorado as designated by an Act of Congress. Just west of Fort Collins, a regional government dam-building agency has been trying to build a huge dam for the last 20 years that would further drain and deplete the river through Fort Collins. Our organization, Save The Poudre, has been in a bitter and long-term fight against the proposed dam -- called the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) -- as we try to protect the river's flow of water for the benefit of people and environment. Earlier in 2020, the CDPHE -- whose director is appointed by Governor Jared Polis -- gave a "401 water quality certification" to NISP arguing that the massive dam-and-diversion project would not impair the water quality in the Poudre River. We are challenging that permit through the legal process, and now we are fighting for the legal life itself of the Cache la Poudre River against this state agency. Our "administrative appeal" argues that both our group, "Save The Poudre", and the "Cache la Poudre River" are legally entitled to challenge the state 401 certification. Both legal entities are adversely affected by NISP. The river would be severely drained and depleted by NISP -- the list of negative impacts include the degradation of fish habitat, an increase in pollution including E coli bacteria, an increase in algae due to lower flows and warmer water, the drying up of water-cleansing wetlands, and others. Obviously it's the river's health and water quality that we are arguing about -- the State of Colorado and the U.S. government both have laws protecting the water quality in the river under the Clean Water Act -- and so it's clear that the river itself should be a named plaintiff in this legal action in addition to our organization, Save The Poudre. The State of Colorado, joining with the dam-building agency, is trying to "dismiss" the river out of the legal fight altogether. Using obscure internet definitions of the word "entity", the State argues in its Motion to Dismiss on July 16, 2020, that the Cache la Poudre River is a "watershed" but is not an "entity" and has no legal standing in the…
JUNE 22: John Fielder, 50th Anniversary, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
June 22, 7:00pm
Lincoln Center, Magnolia Room
Tickets $10 here: https://www.lctix.com/john-fielder
Please join legendary Colorado nature photographer, John Fielder, in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. John will showcase some of this wonderful photography on the big screen in the Magnolia Theater, including photos of the Dolores River, Yampa River, and our own
Cache la Poudre River. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was created by Congress in 1968 and now includes 208 sections of rivers across the U.S. The Cache la Poudre River is the only designated Wild and Scenic River in the state of Colorado. Save The Poudre is hosting John Fielder to celebrate the anniversary and the Cache la Poudre’s unique Wild and Scenic status.
John Fielder has worked tirelessly to promote the protection of Colorado’s environment during his 35-year career as a nature photographer and publisher. His photography has influenced people and legislation, earning him recognition including the Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award in 1993 and, in 2011, the Aldo Leopold Foundation’s first Achievement Award given to an individual. Over 40 books have been published depicting his Colorado photography. He teaches photography workshops to adults and children, and his latest books are and Wildflowers of Colorado and A Colorado Winter. He lives in Summit County, Colorado. 30% of proceeds to benefit Save the Poudre. Information about John and his work can be found at johnfielder.com.
