Hi Poudre River Lovers! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE. We're aggressively working to protect and restore the Cache la Poudre River by suing in court, fighting for better regulations, and countering the lies and propaganda. First, we are actively in the 'briefing' schedule in our state district court case against the proposed, massive, river-destroying reservoir called the "Northern Integrated Supply Project" (NISP). Recall, the former Larimer County Commissioners, Steve Johnson and Tom Donnelly, gave a permit to NISP over 2 years ago and we immediately sued the County. That case is playing out in court and we may have a decision by the district court judge in the next 6 months. We're arguing tenaciously that NISP would irreparably damage the Poudre River by diverting so much water out of the river through Fort Collins. Win, lose, or draw, we will keep fighting and take the case all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court if we have to! We're also continuing to prepare our lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for giving a permit to NISP. That case will play out in federal court in Denver, and who knows, the Poudre River may get its day in court with the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington D.C. as well. Second, the Fort Collins City Council recently considered new "1041 regulations" that would be required of NISP, and we testified to the Council to make sure the regulations are as strong as possible. Recall, the City has voted to "OPPOSE NISP", which was great news two years ago, and we are keeping the river's health front and center in the minds and eyes of the City Council. NISP would further degrade the Poudre River through Fort Collins as well as partially ruin the new $20 million Whitewater Park by removing so much water out of the river. We will do everything we can to protect the river in Fort Collins and get as strong of regulations from the City as possible. Finally, at that same Fort Collins City Council meeting on Feb. 8th, proponents of NISP stood up and told their tired, false story about how they think NISP would "improve the health of the Poudre River". This propaganda is ridiculous, and we continue to confront it at every turn. Take a look here on our Facebook page (click here to read it) for our rebuttal to this propaganda. NISP has one single purpose -- to drain the river before it reaches Fort Collins and send the Poudre's precious water out to sprawling towns mostly in Weld County. We will counter the lies and propaganda at every turn. Thank you for your support! It's your support that keeps us in court, keeps us testifying, and keeps us rebutting the propaganda. You can donate online by clicking here. Gary Wockner and Mark Easter, Save The Poudre
PRESS RELEASE: Fort Collins Planning Commission “DISAPPROVES” NISP Pipeline
July 1, 2021
For Immediate Release
Contact: Gary Wockner, Save The Poudre, 970-218-8310
Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Commission “DISAPPROVES” NISP Pipeline
Fort Collins: Last night, after three hours of testimony and deliberation, the Fort Collins Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3 – 2 to “Disapprove” the Northern Integrated Supply Project’s (NISP) Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) application. NISP proposes to build a massive pipeline across city-owned and protected Natural Areas, and divert over 4 billion gallons of water per year out of the Poudre River, both on the eastern side of Fort Collins.
“We’re pleased with the Planning Commission’s vote,” said Gary Wockner of Save The Poudre. “NISP has no right to march into Fort Collins and cause huge damage to much-loved Natural Areas along the Poudre River that were bought and protected by and for the people of Fort Collins.”
With the Commission’s disapproval now hanging over NISP, the entire project and its convoluted 18-year history is increasingly in limbo. The Commission’s disapproval adds to the City’s formal “opposition” to NISP that was codified by the City Council in a resolution on Aug. 4, 2020. Further, Save The Poudre has multiple active lawsuits against NISP, including challenging the use of SPAR in the City of Fort Collins. At this point, it’s unclear what the NISP directors will do about the disapproval, and it’s unclear how the courts will rule on Save The Poudre’s lawsuit.
“We will fight to stop NISP as long as it takes,” said Wockner. “The people of Fort Collins have been extremely supportive and generous — they’ve given us their marching orders to protect the Poudre River and we are fighting on every front.”
Save The Poudre put comments into the SPAR process and testified at last night’s hearing.
(This press release is posted here.)
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