Saturday, March 10, 2007

Travel day Today is a travel day for Coyote Gulch. We're heading back home to Colorado. We'll be back online tomorrow. 7:49:16 AM

Wyoming cloud-seeding project update From today's Rocky Mountain News, "Bureaucratic hang-ups and unfavorable weather delayed the start of an experiment to see if cloud seeding can significantly boost snowfall in the Wyoming mountains and to help resolve the issue of whether the process really works. Seventeen ground-based silver iodide generators have been placed in three Wyoming mountain ranges for the five- year experiment. An airplane with wing-mounted silver iodide flares also is used. The research team had hoped to fire up the generators by Nov. 15, but the start date on the $8.8 million project was pushed back to Jan. 4, said Bruce Boe of Weather Modification Inc., the North Dakota company hired to seed storm clouds in the target areas. So far this season, 17 ground-based seeding applications have been performed, along with two airborne events - far fewer than researchers had hoped for, Boe said. 'We missed about six weeks, so we're obviously on the short side this year,' Boe said." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 7:40:45 AM

Global warming? Here's a report about the From Colorado to the Clouds: Agriculture and a Changing Global Climate forum held recently in Denver, from the High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal. From the article, "A host of mostly Colorado-based researchers offered their thoughts about climate change and ways agriculture can play a part mitigating it. William Cotton, professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University, delivered the keynote address... "Cotton took the forum attendees on a dizzying PowerPoint presentation of his own, one more suited for a seminar to scientific academe than the policy-oriented crowd. Cotton used words like 'anthropogenic aerosols' (that's pollution like sulfur dioxide from vehicle and power plant emissions) to describe things that may cloud the sky, keep the sky from doing its job of not just heating, but cooling the planet. 'Global warming is a fact.' Cotton estimated that because of pollution, there are less upslope conditions in the atmosphere to create rain clouds, creating as much as a 4 percent reduction in moisture in places across the northern hemisphere over the last 100 years. 'The presence of pollution removes precipitation,' from clouds, Cotton said... "Concurring with Cotton somewhat was Dr. Dennis Ojima, interim director and senior research scientist at CSU's Natural Resources Ecology Lab. Ojima also said warming is greatest at high latitudes 'The amplification of warming is due to the decrease of albedo, or the melting of snow and ice,' said Ojima. Ojima offered numerous studies showing the planet has warmed about 0.74 degrees Celsius over the last 100 years, with two-thirds to three-fourths of it caused by anthropogenic aerosols... "Ojima then began what became the tone for most of the rest of the day: Identifying coping strategies in light of climate change. Ojima believes: Citizens need better preparation for extreme events; There needs to be more diversification of land use practices to take advantage of opportunities and to reduce vulnerabilities; Water conservation strategies must be developed; Methods to increase soil organic matter to increase the soil's water holding capacity must be used more extensively; Regional strategies for adaptation to climate change must be developed; Develop better communication at all levels... "A way for agriculture to mitigate the problem, Paustain said, is through carbon sequestration in the soil as a way to reduce damage from nitrous oxide and methane discharges... "Paustain estimates the potential mitigation through carbon sequestration could sink anywhere from three to five million metric tonnes of carbon back into environment annually." "2008 pres" 7:22:27 AM

HB 1132 Governor Ritter will sign HB 07-1132 [pdf] on Monday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. From the article, "Water court judges, for the first time, will be able to consider environmental impacts and water quality along with water quantity as part of the determination on larger permanent transfers in a bill that Gov. Bill Ritter will sign Monday. 'This bill protects the lower Arkansas Valley, but more importantly, it establishes a legal precedent for protecting water quality statewide,' Ritter said. The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, and State Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village. The signing will take place at 9:30 a.m. Monday in El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 7:11:48 AM

New dryland crops? Farmers who've lost their rights to irrigate from wells in the South Platte alluvial aquifer are looking to new crops in order to stay in business, according to the Fort Morgan Times. From the article, "Canola and camelina may be the salvation of farmers who have lost well water. Not only can can these oilseed crops grow in dryland conditions, they also resist weeds fiercely, said Brian Starkebaum, director of the PATHWAYS Project, as he spoke to Optimist Club of Fort Morgan members Thursday evening at the Elks Club. However, the research for how successful a producer would be using these crops is still ongoing. There are limited varieties and they have not completely adapted to local conditions yet. In addition, there is a steep learning curve for those who want to learn to grow them, although they can use the equipment they already have, he said. The market for canola and camelina is mostly for biodiesel production, and Blue Sun Biodiesel is the only buyer in the area right now. Fortunately, 'if we get the acres the market will be there,' Starkebaum said. He's planted some of the crops himself, also working with Colorado State University researchers on the project, as a response to the Republican River Compact, which is limiting well use as levels of water in the Ogallala Aquifer decrease. It looks like the state reaction will have as much affect in terms of shutting down wells as has happened along the South Platte River recently, he said... "PATHWAYS is geared to help growers with a smooth transition to low water crops. Besides canola and camelina, the project is also working on using low water with sugar beets, at 12 inches of water compared to the usual 26 inches, he said. Irrigation is important to local economies because it helps keep production consistent. While the farmer makes money off the net profit, the community makes profits on the gross, since businesses sell the materials the grower needs, Starkebaum said. An example of just how much difference irrigation can make to an economy is the contrast between Yuma County and Washington County. Yuma County has much more irrigation than Washington County. That led to $108 million of crops sold in one year for Yuma compared to $33 million for Washington. The overall agricultural economy was $503 million for Yuma and $83 million for Washington, he said. No corporation moving into the area to create jobs in manufacturing or other goods and services is going to spend enough money to make up that kind of difference, Starkebaum said. With the loss of irrigation 'this economic engine disappears pretty quickly,' Starkebaum said. 'These towns are going to disappear (if nothing is done).'[...] "Camelina, a plant which produces a small oilseed about the size of a mustard seed, is high yield with high oil content. It is extremely low in water use, producing 1,200 pounds of seed an acre for nine inches of water, Starkebaum. Production is not measured in pounds of seed, though, but in pounds of oil which can be used for biodiesel production. Comparatively, soybeans will produce 480 pounds of oil per acre and canola seed 950 pounds of oil to camelina's 450, but soybeans and canola require irrigation while that figure for camelina is on dryland, he said. This leads to the question of how many acres of dryland are out there, many of which sit empty now, which can be used in fuel production, Starkebaum said. It is also possible camelina could sell for food oil since it is high in omega fats and low in transfat, he said. A big advantage is that once a stand gets started it will outcompete any local weeds. Both canola and camelina are broadleaf plants, so conventional herbicides cannot be used, but it does not make much difference, Starkebaum said. One challenge is camelina needs water in the early developmental period. That can be problematic in the spring, especially in recent years. However, CSU is working on an winter strain which could use the moisture from the fall, he said. Another advantage is insects which have attacked canola completely avoided camelina, Starkebaum said. In the past, planting seed for the crop was expensive at $6 a pound, but this year it is down to $1.25 a pound. Under the right circumstances camelina could be a $40-$50 an acre dryland crop without having to buy new equipment, he said." "colorado water" 7:01:45 AM

The goal is to make Black Gore Creek a happy place for fish and insects Here's a report about discussions on the management of Black Gore Creek, from the Vail Daily News "reg". From the article, "A rigorous plan is being developed to clean up Black Gore Creek, which has been filling with harmful traction sand ever since I-70 was built in the 1960s. The sand keeps icy and snow-packed roads safe, but when gravity eventually pulls it down to the water, it smothers the river bed and disrupts the entire ecosystem. Fish and insects are struggling to survive, and many stretches of Black Gore Creek just can't handle any more pollution, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Also, the sediment pollution in Black Gore Creek is already seeping into Gore Creek in Vail, which could eventually harm trout populations. Planners have set some big goals and hope to have Black Gore Creek clear and thriving within 15 years. Getting there though will be especially tough for the Colorado Department of Transportation, which is being asked to clean up at least 6,400 tons of sand a year... "Overall, the goal is to make Black Gore Creek a happy place for fish and insects, which it certainly isn't now, said Maria Pastore of the environmental group, Eagle River Watershed Council. Quantifying that goal though is a big, messy, complicated ordeal. In the worst case scenario, one section of Black Gore Creek has nearly 40 percent of its bottom covered with sand. Ideally, only about 14 percent should be covered, and that's one of the benchmark goals for the Forest Service, watershed council and the department of transportation. Some areas are much better off, but overall, there's already 150,000 tons of sand in the watershed and more being added every year. Clearing it won't be easy, especially since the department of transportation has drivers to protect. They dumped a record 30,000 tons of traction sand on the road in 2006... "Whipping Black Gore Creek into shape will require a lot of work near the highway. Sediment basins along I-70 catch sand before it seeps into the water, and they need to be routinely cleaned out before sand washes down to the creek. Paved shoulders help trucks sweep sand, and a new vacuum truck will make much of the cleanup easier. Then there will be big projects like the so-called 'Basin of Last Resort,' which will involve clearing out several tons of sediment piled in Black Gore Creek where there was once a thriving fishing hole. The Basin of Last Resort, when it's not filled up, will prevent sand from reaching Gore Creek... "Biologists will literally be counting bugs to determine if all these cleanup efforts are working. The forest service will collect aquatic insects, measure how much sediment is on the stream bed and measure water pool depths to determine the plan's success. All the measurements will be compared to several much healthier streams in Colorado, which are being used as guideposts in determining Black Gore Creek's quality standards. The goals will also be flexible, meaning if the quality changes in those other rivers, Black Gore Creek's standards will change with it. The basic idea won't change though. The more insects, the better. The deeper the pools, the better. The more Black Gore Creek starts looking like these other rivers, the better, Healy said." "colorado water" 6:46:48 AM

Stormwater managment Here's an article about stormwater runoff from the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "Stormwater is unpredictable, sometimes destructive and a source of pollution, but is regulated without firm guidelines. Using too much fertilizer, littering or not cleaning up after pets contributes to the contamination, but those who create the problem are largely unaware of the impact of their actions. Cities so far have depended on best management practices, effective design of new projects and community education to attempt to deal with stormwater, but in the future may be required to fix the problems created in the past. Those were some of the thoughts shared Friday at a meeting of the Fountain Creek Vision Committee's water quality committee as it looked at the potential impact of more impervious surfaces -- rooftops, driveways, parking lots and streets -- on the watershed... "In a related move, Pueblo County Commissioner Jeff Chostner asked the group to look at a potential change in Colorado Springs zoning rules that would ease environmental regulations on development along Fountain Creek and its tributaries. The Colorado Springs Planning Commission voted Thursday to delay a recommendation on the proposal for two months to allow more study and public comment. "Stormwater regulations look at goals rather than standards, speakers said. 'We don't have to develop the way we did in the past,' Pueblo Stormwater Utility Director Dennis Maroney told the group. Maroney explained how a new municipal parking garage will filter water before returning it to the aquifer and how drainage basins will help purify water around Lake Minnequa. Maroney said the emphasis in Pueblo now is on making new development mimic natural drainage conditions, but addressing existing development has not been a priority... "Meanwhile, Colorado Springs already has been forced to redesign some of its drainage structures under Environmental Protection Agency clean water standards, said Lisa Ross of the Colorado Springs stormwater department. Colorado Springs also has begun monitoring Fountain Creek for pollutants under its EPA stormwater permit, up for renewal in 2008. Stormwater permits are required for all cities and counties in Colorado, as well as construction sites larger than one acre, explained Matt Czahar, of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Division. The EPA delegates regulation of stormwater to states, with exceptions for federal installations like Fort Carson, and Colorado's regulations are more strict than federal laws, Czahar said... "Cynthia Peterson of AWARE Colorado, an education project of the League of Women Voters, explained how covering just 10 percent of a development with impervious surfaces can impact drainage. 'With over 25 percent, it becomes difficult or impossible to deal with the impact,' she said. Contaminants from stormwater can include sediment, metals, bacteria and viruses, she added." "colorado water" 6:27:29 AM

Ritter: We need to keep the West Slope from becoming Rock Springs, Wyoming Several conservation groups are urging changes in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, according to the Glenwood Springs Post Independent "reg". From the article, "The Western Energy Agenda calls on Congress to repeal parts of the act and provide for tighter rules for environmental protection and slowing down the pace of drilling on BLM lands. The groups, including the Aspen Wilderness Workshop, Western Colorado Congress and the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance, will take their case to legislators, said Steve Smith of Glenwood Springs, assistant regional director of The Wilderness Society... "The agenda's guidelines would also protect water supplies by lifting exemptions for the oil and gas industry from meeting rules set by the Clean Water Act... "Steve Smith said the next step for the conservation groups will be to lobby legislators for the changes, especially as oversight committees hold hearings in Washington to consider revisions to the Energy Policy Act. Colorado's Congressman John Salazar, for one, is in favor of the principles of the agenda. 'Rising gas prices and calls to achieve energy independence have forced our country to shift its attention to increasing alternative fuels. As we transition from using fossil fuel to renewable energy, it's important to use and encourage technologies that minimize damage to our land during the extraction of fossil fuels,' he said. 'More importantly, we have to be responsible and protect Colorado's treasured landscapes, such as the Roan Plateau.'" Meanwhile Governor Ritter was at the the American Bar Association's environmental law conference yesterday, touting clean energy development, according to the Summit Daily News "reg". From the article, "As Colorado is concerned, he said state government will lead by example. His administration is close to issuing an executive order that will address the conversion of the state's fleet of vehicles to biofuels, as well as set environmental standards for the construction of state buildings. Ritter also discussed legislation moving through the Colorado House and Senate that would set higher targets for the use of renewable sources as a percentage of total energy production in the state beyond the 10 percent established by voter approval in 2004. That goal will be met early, so Ritter's new target is to ensure that 20 percent of the energy supplied in the state by major utilities comes from renewable sources. Ritter said even the smaller rural electric co-ops are on board with the plan... "The focus on renewable resources won't come at the expense of traditional energy production, he said, acknowledging that coal and gas production will continue to be important. But he expressed concern about the rapid pace of new energy development on the West Slope. The number of permits issued for oil and gas drilling doubled between 2004 and 2006. 'We need to be thoughtful about how we extract those resources and balance it with protecting another important resource -- the environment,' Ritter said. 'We need to keep the West Slope from becoming Rock Springs, Wyoming,' Ritter said, referring to an area in the adjacent state that has been marred by energy development. 'We have to be careful not to undermine the landscape.' He specifically addressed the concerns of Garfield County residents, saying that, as he travels in that area, he hears again and again that clean water and clean air are the biggest concerns." "2008 pres" 6:12:25 AM

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