My scholastic aptitudes always tended toward the humanities. My high school offered “Humanistic Physics” for such dummies. In the textbook for this class was a quote by English poet Francis Thompson that I have never forgotten.
“All things by immortal power,
Near or far,
Hiddenly
To each other linked are,
That thou canst not stir a flower
Without troubling a star.”
—Francis Thompson
The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) is the only organization that seeks to watch over the health of the entire Crystal River watershed. Despite John Wesley Powell’s urging that political boundaries in the arid west be matched to watershed boundaries, our county lines seem indifferent to the flow of rivers. In its short 40-mile run to the confluence with the Roaring Fork, the Crystal River traverses three different counties — Gunnison, Pitkin and Garfield. The CVEPA board seeks to focus its energies within that watershed.
And yet, Thompson’s insight into the interconnectedness of things frequently leads our board into interesting discussions about which issues merit our concern. Our deliberations over the methane recapture proposal in Coal Basin were somewhat vexing as we all recognize that climate change is hurting our little watershed. To what extent should we accept some intrusion into our valley to help fight this battle on a larger front? The board remains somewhat perplexed by that question.
And now comes the proposed Harvest Roaring Fork development on the 283-acre Sanders Ranch property, long known as a critical winter elk habitat along the Roaring Fork River a couple miles below the Crystal River confluence. A Texas company, Reality Capital, proposes to build 1,500 residential units, 450 accessory dwelling units, 55,000 square feet of commercial space and a 120-room hotel. Two new traffic lights would be needed to handle an estimated additional 12,000 daily vehicle trips on Highway 82.
The potential impact of the Harvest Roaring Fork development on the Crystal Valley is palpable. This December, the West Divide Water Conservancy District filed an application in water court for storage ponds at Treasure Mountain Ranch and the Darien Ranch, both located along the Crystal River in Gunnison County. Questions remain as to whether these storage structures would render the Crystal River ineligible for Wild and Scenic status.
The West Divide application is intended as a backup supply for existing residential subdivisions whose water rights are at best tenuous in dry years. For excellent reporting on this topic by Heather Sackett, see Aspen Journalism’s Feb. 11 report “West Divide proposes backup water plan for Crystal River.” The clear upshot of the West Divide application is that the residential use of the watershed is already beyond its carrying capacity. And that capacity is likely diminishing with the ravages of climate change.
The Harvest Roaring Fork proposal ignores the limited capacity of both our environment and infrastructure. If we’re already short on water, will this development lead to more calls for dams? Does anyone think the existing traffic levels on Highway 82 or Highway 133 are acceptable? Reality Capital is claiming they will help provide affordable housing, and yet only 10% of the units will be deed capped for our workforce. The balance will be expensive escape housing for new residents, not existing workers. And the influx will increase the overall demand for services, at the expense of critical habitat. A significant net loss for our valley. For more information visit the Cattle Creek Coalition website, cattlecreekcc.com
Given the above, CVEPA is heartened that the Garfield County planning staff memo for the Feb. 25 planning commission meeting recommends denial of the Harvest Roaring Fork project due to its likely impact on water, habitat, affordability and traffic. Please see www.bit.ly/Harvest-GarCo-staff
We hope that the Garfield County commissioners heed their staff’s recommendation. Perhaps then, some realistic conversations about additional and permanent conservation of the Sanders Ranch property will be possible. All things near or far, by mighty powers connected are.
To support CVEPA and to learn more about our mission visit www.cvepa.org or follow us on facebook.