While a passionate group of environmental organizations have pushed this protection for the Crystal, the effort has thus far been stymied by paranoia of some local ranchers afraid of federal oversite of the river.

This political situation led to the formation of the Crystal River Collaborative Steering Committee, with representatives from Gunnison County, Pitkin County, Marble, Colorado River Water Conservation District and West Divide Water Conservancy District.  While the Committee has yet to reach consensus on Wild and Scenic, it recently approved an Intergovernmental Agreement whereby the five signatories agreed not to support any new reservoir or impoundment of water on the main stem of the Crystal and oppose any water rights application that would remove water from the Crystal River basin.

CVEPA lauds the commitment of these five agencies to respect the sanctity of our river. However, we are disappointed that a more durable protection has not yet been achieved.    Paragraph 3 of the agreement provides that each signatory may “terminate their participation” at any time.   David Brower once famously quipped that environmental protection means we have to win every battle because even a single loss is often permanent.  There is nothing in this agreement that would bar the River or Irrigation Districts from withdrawing and immediately again proposing dams and diversions.

 Late May was a busy week for CVEPA. We met with the skeleton USFS Aspen Sopris District, the Town of Marble (TOM) and the Gunnison County Commissioners to request review of the implementation of the Lead King Stakeholders Group recommendations on the Off Road Vehicle use from Marble to the Lead King Basin. A review was assured after 3 years and we are now entering the fourth year. Gunnison Commissioners said at their annual visit / meeting in Marble that they want to reconvene the stakeholders. CVEPA demands the promised Sheriff’s deputy enforcement of key OHV truck/trailer parking along County Road 3 and Town Park..

That same week, CVEPA met with AVLT and TOM hosted by the Trust for Land Restoration (TLR)  of Ridgway. TLR became the saviour of our beloved Marble Wetlands when they accepted the donated property when no one else would. TLR had their annual retreat at the Beaver Lake Lodge in Marble and conducted both a meeting at the firehouse and then a site visit with said entities at Marble Wetlands.TLR’s visit was a delightful exercise in co-operation and management of the Preserve. CVEPA also met with CPW on Wetlands access . TLR is on track to transfer ownership to TOM and CVEPA remains the local entity coordinating  interests at the Preserve.