The WATER club held an update meeting last night. The update is not great. The organizers are mighty frustrated with the Bureau of Rec./USFWS. Seems alot of misunderstanding and bad communication coupled with bureaucracy has created a situation where the park is possibly not going to be built.
Depends upon $$ of course. The project costs have continued to escalate over engineer disagreements about material costs/designs/etc. for the past year. (Bummer too since the club did an EXCELLENT job of raising $600K. - GOCO, local donations, Town of Palisade, grants, etc)
It is a complicated project involving endangered species and a fish ramp. But the major engineering fight is essentially over the costs of the 4 water park features vs. the costs of just dumping a bunch of rip rap into the river (both adjacent to the fish ladder). The cost difference is huge due to the fact the rip rap alternative requires nothing but rock and the water park requires concrete/mortar. The club is hopeing through a public safety arguement to say if the rip rap were required to be filled in to prevent foot entrapment it would cost more than the kayak park.
In an effort to save the park, the organizers did the politically saavy move and contacted the congressional delegation to intervene. The local congressional reps are faciliating a meeting between the WATER club, supporters, feds, and opposition on August 22nd. in GJ. I am not sure, but it might be a public meeting.
The club is asking for help in mobilizing letters/calls of support to the congressional delegation. They are asking letters to state:
- all alternative address the endangered species protection goal
- however the BoR rock ramp alternative would be a serious public safety hazard
- the whitewater park is the best option for safety, recreational value, and economic development.
Send to:
Sen Allard
400 Rood Ave #215
Grand Junction, CO 81501
fax 970 245 9553
phone 970 245 9553
Sen Salazar
225 N. 5th St. #511
Grand Junction, CO 81501
fax 970 241 6631
phone 970 241 6631
Rep Salazar
225 N 5th St. #702
Grand Junction, CO 81501
fax 970 245 2194
phone 970 245 7107
Also, if you live in Mesa County, Palisade, or GJ calls into your elected would be HUGE in mobilizing political support locally. The City of GJ is just about willing to say they support the project publically...although not provide financial support. Mesa Coutny is a supporter but really needs to have a commissioner at the meeting. Call/email Tillie Bishop!
Not to get political on you all, but just think how much fun mtn biking and Westie would be here if there was a park too?
Depends upon $$ of course. The project costs have continued to escalate over engineer disagreements about material costs/designs/etc. for the past year. (Bummer too since the club did an EXCELLENT job of raising $600K. - GOCO, local donations, Town of Palisade, grants, etc)
It is a complicated project involving endangered species and a fish ramp. But the major engineering fight is essentially over the costs of the 4 water park features vs. the costs of just dumping a bunch of rip rap into the river (both adjacent to the fish ladder). The cost difference is huge due to the fact the rip rap alternative requires nothing but rock and the water park requires concrete/mortar. The club is hopeing through a public safety arguement to say if the rip rap were required to be filled in to prevent foot entrapment it would cost more than the kayak park.
In an effort to save the park, the organizers did the politically saavy move and contacted the congressional delegation to intervene. The local congressional reps are faciliating a meeting between the WATER club, supporters, feds, and opposition on August 22nd. in GJ. I am not sure, but it might be a public meeting.
The club is asking for help in mobilizing letters/calls of support to the congressional delegation. They are asking letters to state:
- all alternative address the endangered species protection goal
- however the BoR rock ramp alternative would be a serious public safety hazard
- the whitewater park is the best option for safety, recreational value, and economic development.
Send to:
Sen Allard
400 Rood Ave #215
Grand Junction, CO 81501
fax 970 245 9553
phone 970 245 9553
Sen Salazar
225 N. 5th St. #511
Grand Junction, CO 81501
fax 970 241 6631
phone 970 241 6631
Rep Salazar
225 N 5th St. #702
Grand Junction, CO 81501
fax 970 245 2194
phone 970 245 7107
Also, if you live in Mesa County, Palisade, or GJ calls into your elected would be HUGE in mobilizing political support locally. The City of GJ is just about willing to say they support the project publically...although not provide financial support. Mesa Coutny is a supporter but really needs to have a commissioner at the meeting. Call/email Tillie Bishop!
Not to get political on you all, but just think how much fun mtn biking and Westie would be here if there was a park too?