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Sunday, March 18, 2007
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Iraq
Times Online: "Despite sectarian slaughter, ethnic cleansing and suicide bombs, an opinion poll conducted on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq has found a striking resilience and optimism among the inhabitants. The poll, the biggest since coalition troops entered Iraq on March 20, 2003, shows that by a majority of two to one, Iraqis prefer the current leadership to Saddam Hussein's regime, regardless of the security crisis and a lack of public services. The survey, published today, also reveals that contrary to the views of many western analysts, most Iraqis do not believe they are embroiled in a civil war. Officials in Washington and London are likely to be buoyed by the poll conducted by Opinion Research Business (ORB), a respected British market research company that funded its own survey of 5,019 Iraqis over the age of 18."
Thanks to Don Surber for the link.
Whitehouse: "Fact Sheet: Four Years Later: New Strategy Requires Patience and Determination."
Thanks to beSpacific: for the link.
Iraq the Model: "With this series of dirty chemical bombings a war between al-Qaeda and the tribes in Anbar is no longer a possibility. It just became a fact. I've read at least two very optimistic reports from al-Almada in the last week about purported victories of the tribes and police over al-Qaeda in Ramadi and Fallujah. I was reluctant to trust the accuracy of the reports which sited unnamed sources but now seeing the reaction of al-Qaeda suggests that the action of the tribes was so painful that al-Qaeda retaliated in the way we see today. Al-Qaeda's terrorists-whom AP insists on calling insurgents-expended three suicide bombers and precious resources against their supposedly sympathetic civilian Sunni hosts instead of American and Iraqi soldiers and Shia civilians; their usual enemies. If this indicates anything it indicates that al-Qaeda's is reprioritizing the targets on the hit list. The reason: al-Qaeda is sensing a serious threat in the change of attitude of the tribes toward them and perhaps the apparently successful meeting of the sheiks with Maliki and the agreements that were made then was the point at which open war had to be declared."
Captain's Quarters: "Moqtada al-Sadr has played his hole card in his high-stakes game against the US and Iraqi forces in Baghdad. Sadr skipped town as the Coalition gathered its strength for the new surge stratgey to secure Baghdad, taking a powder east to Iran to consult with his sponsors. His whereabouts still unknown, he ended his silence by issuing a statement to fuel an anti-American rally in Sadr City."
"2008 pres"
8:58:23 AM 
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? for President?
The Telegraph: "John McCain, formerly the leading Republican presidential contender, has told The Sunday Telegraph that restoring America's sullied reputation abroad will be 'a top priority' if he wins the White House. Sen McCain has criticised the handling of the war by the Bush administration The Arizona senator, an Iraq war hawk, was talking aboard the revived Straight Talk Express - the vehicle that made his name during the 2000 presidential election and that he hopes will revive his faltering fortunes this time round. The bus ferried the senator, his aides, and journalists, to a series of public meetings throughout the flat, snow-covered farmland of rural Iowa, where voters will be the first to express their preferences for the party nominations next January. Of America's poor image abroad, even with long-time allies, Sen McCain acknowledged candidly: 'It is a very dispiriting situation and I know we will have to work hard to improve it.'"
Thanks to Captain's Quarters for the link.
"2008 pres"
8:45:33 AM
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Spill for McPhee Reservoir?
According to the Cortez Journal there won't be any rafting on the Dolores River again this year. From the article, "If the warm, windy weather continues, people who like to raft the Lower Dolores River won't be happy. Winds are drying up this year's snowpack, and the Lower Dolores River's level will be too low for rafting. 'We won't fill the reservoir,' said Vernon Harrell, a civil engineering technician with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoir won't fill this year if the current weather conditions continue, Harrell said. That means there will be no spills and rafting won't be possible. But there will be enough water to satisfy all the irrigation and drinking water needs, he said, adding that flow levels likely will be below 400 cubic feet per second. 'You just won't be able to run the river,' he said. As of Thursday, the lake level was at an elevation of 6,900 feet, 24 feet below capacity, or at 285,000 acre-feet, which is 96,000 acre-feet below capacity...
"So far March has seen little, if anything, in the way of moisture. Don Schwindt, president of the Dolores Water Conservancy District, spoke about the McPhee spill forecast Wednesday during the Dolores River Dialogue meeting. 'We still have two storms coming that could give us a spill,' Schwindt said. 'It's too early to tell right now; it could go in either direction.' In 2006, the reservoir did not fill, so there wasn't a spill. In 2005 there was a spill and the four years before that -- no spill."
"colorado water"
8:16:31 AM
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Whitewater park for Canon City?
Here's an article about a proposed whitewater park for Cañon City from the Cañon City Daily Record. They write, "Preliminary plans are in place to examine the possibility of a whitewater park being established in Cañon City, complete with kayaking, canoing and rafting recreational enhancements. However, those spearheading the potential project hope funding concerns don't leave them without a paddle. A Tuesday City Council Public Works Committee meeting featured a consultant's presentation that essentially opened the door toward further examination into a park and whitewater course in the area. If modeled after typical courses, the course would provide an area for water enthusiasts looking to play-boat, where a paddler performs technical moves while staying in one place on the river. The ability to 'park and play' close to the course area would also be available to park-goers. But, those interested in seeing the project go further also point to other recreational possibilities, such as area hiking, and the prospect of economic development for Fremont County that could be beneficial to the community...
"If development is undertaken, the park and course might be incorporated into the area of Centennial Park, because of its proximity to the Arkansas Riverwalk and the existing amenities of the park, such as bridges for park access and public restroom areas. Special construction is required for whitewater courses for the necessary water enhancements they require. 'You build structures in the river,' [City Councilman Dennis Wied] said. 'Boulders and other things are put in the river that creates water to flow over and around it. It forces waves to develop and creates hydraulics.'"
"colorado water"
8:09:11 AM
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Updated water quality model from the USDA
From freshinfo.com, "The USDA's water quality model has been updated, promising to give even more accurate predictions of the way in which plants respond to environmental stimuli. The model, officially known as Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM), was originally developed in the early 1990s, at the Agricultural Systems Research Unit at Fort Collins, Colorado. By entering information about their systems, growers can estimate the environmental and economic impacts of a variety of management decisions, including tillage, crop residue management, crop rotations and the timing and rate of chemical applications. Now, RZWQM2 enhances the original water quality model, with one designed to serve a larger audience in a more user-friendly manner. A new interface allows input on more components, such as novel crop-modelling technology and subsurface drainage. The team also extended the model's application and improved the parameters involved in modelling the flow of shallow groundwater to tile drains, increasing the model's accuracy. The model is available for download from the Agricultural Research Service site. It is used by researchers and organisations around the world, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey and the pesticide company Bayer CropScience."
"colorado water"
8:02:51 AM
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CDOT to fund the 'Basin of Last Resort'
Here's an update on the cleanup effort for sand on Black Gore Creek from the Vail Daily News "reg". From the article, "Traction sand from Interstate 70, through nature's strange conveyor belt, is polluting Gore Creek, Vail's once pristine destination for fisherman, sightseers and kayakers. Construction should begin this fall though on a large sand trap called the 'Basin of Last Resort' that is designed to catch much of that insect smothering muck before it ever reaches Gore Creek. The Colorado Department of Transportation announced Thursday that it would fully fund the project. The basin already exists -- it just isn't effective anymore, said Brian Healy, a forest service biologist. The basin is a deep and flat 3-acre stretch of Black Gore Creek around mile marker 183 that's been trapping sand and slowing downstream pollution ever since I-70 was built. But more than 61,000 tons of sand have piled to the top of the basin pool and can more easily wash away and settle on the bottom of nearby Gore Creek. The sand, used to keep icy and snow-packed roads safe in the winter, is now covering insect habitats and harming our trout. Members of the Eagle River Watershed Council, an environmental watchdog group, have been asking the department of transportation for years to clean out the basin and have often been critical of their efforts in clearing traction sand off of I-70."
"colorado water"
7:58:20 AM
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Roundtables to determine non-consumptive needs
Here's an update on the activities on the statewide river basin roundtables from the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. They write, "River basin roundtables statewide will soon begin studying what their water needs are, and some on the Western Slope are trying to figure out what new water storage projects may be needed to meet water demands. Colorado Interbasin Compact Negotiations Office Manager Eric Hecox issued an update Friday on how each river basin roundtable in Colorado is studying its water needs and availability. The Colorado River Basin Roundtable is expected to develop a work plan that will address the basin's nonconsumptive water needs, possible future water storage projects, and the water needs of the energy industry in northwest Colorado. A draft plan for the basin's nonconsumptive needs should be ready by April 30, according to Hecox's report. A plan that will address the basin's consumptive water needs will be developed after June 30. Hecox's report said the Gunnison Basin Roundtable wishes to address similar issues, but it wants to focus partially on estimating the water demands of small towns, water districts and domestic water companies, conducting an independent review of water shortages for agriculture and estimating water needs for snowmaking at ski resorts."
"colorado water"
7:47:56 AM
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$ 7 million federal grant sought for Tamarisk control
Fighting Tamarisk in the Arkansas River Basin this year will take a $7 million federal grant, according to the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District is applying for a $7 million federal grant to help battle invasive species like salt cedar in the Arkansas Valley. This week, the district applied for the grant though the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act, which Congress passed last year, through Sen. Wayne Allard's office. The district received the Colorado Water Conservation Board's approval earlier in the week for $50,000 toward a project to finish mapping infestations of tamarisk, also called salt cedar, in the Arkansas Valley. The project also will improve communications through the Internet and develop a management plan for tamarisk, Russian olives and Chinese elms. The CWCB money would be added to more than $83,000 in funds or in-kind services pledged from sources within the Arkansas Valley toward a possible $50,000 grant from the Department of Local Affairs. The $7 million federal grant would be used to implement and manage the plan...
"In Colorado, the Tamarisk Coalition has identified the Arkansas River watershed as the most heavily infested area of the state for salt cedar, particularly its lower reaches...
"The $7 million in federal funds may not be enough to remove the entire problem. The Tamarisk Coalition estimates control of tamarisk could cost between $64 million and $86 million. Tamarisk can be controlled chemically, mechanically, manually or through burning, but usually with a combination of methods. Experiments with tamarisk-eating beetles imported from Kazakhstan have been promising, as well. On a small scale, goats can help control their spread.
"The grant also proposes using $875,000 in state funding and another $875,000 in local funding to begin to address the problem. Cooperating with the Southeastern district in funding a management plan so far are the Bent Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service Las Animas and Southeastern Colorado offices, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service Southeast Region, Southeastern Colorado Resources Conservation and Development Council, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, Purgatoire River Conservation District, Bent County Dike Board, and Prowers, Pueblo, Bent, Otero, Crowley and possibly Fremont counties."
"colorado water"
7:41:47 AM
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Groundwater and El Paso County
Here's a nice summary of groundwater uses and problems down in El Paso County from the Colorado Springs Gazette. From the article, "Coloradans have long exploited -- and taken comfort in -- the bounty of water beneath the Front Range. More than a hundred years of drilling wells into layers of water shallow and deep helped create a vibrant, modern state. The water seemed limitless, a wellspring for the good life. Few other counties embraced the use of groundwater like El Paso, which has more than 22,000 wells, more than all but one other county in Colorado. That well water has spawned McMansions in Black Forest and urban growth in Falcon, once just a convenience store on the bend of a two-lane highway. But clear indications point to a limit to nature's bounty, that the water beneath our feet eventually won't wet every mouth. The layers of water sandwiched between sand and rock, so hidden and mysterious we could pretend we didn't know better, will play out...
"But for most, it's enough to know that residents in El Paso County who rely on groundwater get it from two sources. Those in the northern portion of the county, including Black Forest, generally tap into the shallowest aquifer in the Denver Basin, a vast geologic formation that extends to Greeley. The Denver Basin, made up of four aquifers overlying one another, recharges so slowly it's considered a nonrenewable supply. And the basin's water levels are showing signs of decline, particularly on the edges of the formation and where significant pumping has taken place. As many as 300,000 to 400,000 people rely on Denver Basin water along the Front Range, and water levels are declining at rates of 20 to 30 feet per year, the consulting firm of John Halepaska and Associates has estimated.
"Similar declines are showing up in the shallow, renewable alluvial aquifers county residents to the east and south generally tap into, especially the critically important Upper Black Squirrel Groundwater Basin. But it's fully appropriated -- there is no water available to new users -- so anyone who wants some of the water must buy existing rights. Under Colorado's water rules, some groundwater users must replace, at least to some degree, the water they pull from the ground. Even so, shallow and deep sources of groundwater show signs of depletion."
Read the whole article there is a lot of good detail especially if you live in the area.
"colorado water"
7:23:10 AM
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Trout Unlimited: Denver Fundraiser
According to the Denver Post Trout Unlimited will hold their principle fundraiser Wednesday night at the Denver Convention Center. From the article, "Trout and walleye generally don't make a match. But they'll join this week in holding the attention of Colorado angling enthusiasts. Colorado Trout Unlimited, the group most active in protecting cold water resources, will host its principal fundraising event Wednesday at the Donald Seawell Grand Ballroom of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The 5:30 p.m. event features a buffet and the opportunity to bid on equipment, trips and art. The cost is $35, which includes a one-year TU membership; 303-440-2937 ext. 101 or www.cotrout.org for tickets."
"colorado water"
7:12:21 AM
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Denver area welcomes American Bison
The Ol' Coyote welcomes the American Bison herd out at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. From the Denver Post article, "Wild bison have not roamed Colorado's prairie for more than a century. Their release Saturday at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge marked both a beginning and an end. Twenty years ago, the arsenal 11 miles north of Denver was listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the nation's most- polluted sites. Beginning in 1942, the Army manufactured chemical weapons at the arsenal, including mustard gas and nerve gas. Later, pesticides and herbicides were produced on the site by the Shell Chemical Co. Chemicals contaminated the soil of the one-time farmland, and the site ended up on the EPA's Superfund list in 1987. About $1.3 billion has been spent on a cleanup. As the property is cleared of contaminants, it is being turned over to the Fish and Wildlife Service as a wildlife refuge. 'How often can we say we have gone from weapons to wildlife, bullets to bison?' asked Randall Luthi, deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. More than 12,000 acres have been transferred - including 7,200 acres in October. 'It is a bellwether to how far we have come with this site,' Kales said. 'Here we are with one of the nation's premier urban wildlife refuges that is in such good health that we can re-establish bison here.' Releasing bison will be the greatest accomplishment so far for the preserve, said Dean Rundle, supervisor for national wildlife refuges in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming...
"The three bulls and 13 cows, four of whom are pregnant, were selected because of their age, gender and bloodlines -- which show no detectable domestic cow DNA.
Researchers suspect that bison in private herds have over the years been bred with domestic cattle. Scientists are trying to disperse the bovine-free bison throughout the country in an effort called 'genetics conservation.' The idea is to spread the gene pool across the country so one disease or calamity won't wipe out the species, said Roffe, chief of wildlife health for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Bison being released at the arsenal also have been screened to make sure they are disease-free, said Steve Kallin, project leader of the National Bison Range."
7:04:35 AM
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World Water Day: Thursday March 22nd
Thursday is World Water Day. They write, "World Water Day is an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people world wide that lack access to clean, safe drinking water. Celebrated since 1993, World Water Day was designated in 1992 when the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed a resolution. With each passing year, the observance has grown larger and stronger.
"In many ways though, World Water Day is still a relatively unknown event. Even with the support of the UN and efforts by leading non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and committed individuals, World Water Day is today at a similar stage as Earth Day was in the early 1970's -- important but relatively unknown.
"Beginning in 2005 this began to change. Ethos Water and leading NGOs began an effort to bring even greater attention to the world water crisis on World Water Day. Then in 2006 with the strong backing of the Starbucks Coffee Company and other leading corporate and non-profit allies, we began a major effort to establish March 22 as a day where everyone, regardless of their involvement in water issues, pauses to reflect on the impact of the world water crisis and takes small but meaningful ACTION to make a difference.
"You can help. Sign up to participate in a live event, and/or the Virtual Walk for Water -- a strong, symbolic act to demonstrate your support for Action on the world water crisis. We hope you'll help spread the word and take a moment to lend your voice to this important issue. Join us. Get involved today."
Thanks to PRLog.com for the link. They write, "March 22nd is World Water Day (WWD) and the theme for 2007 is Coping with Water Scarcity. This theme seems appropriate given that the United Nations (UN) predicts that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will live in regions or countries with 'absolute water scarcity.' Many around the globe are actively working to improve this outlook and WWD serves to focus discussions on this issue and publicize worldwide efforts and successes.
"This year, the UN has tied the need to address water scarcity issues to tangible policy goals. Specifically, the UN notes that the poverty and hunger in rural areas cannot be addresses without simultaneously addressing fair and equitable access to water . Drinking water, agriculture, sanitation and sustainable industry -- none are possible without access to water and all are required to lift regions out of poverty. As an outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, in 2002, a multi-tiered action plan has emerged that calls for action at all levels (international, national, regional and local) to address water resource protection and management, worldwide.
"Only regional and national leaders can truly address larger issues such as groundwater rights and regional watershed diversions and use. That being said, small, well-focused groups coupled with inventive technical solutions can often make significant progress toward addressing local water issues. These local projects are far from being band-aids; in fact, if these projects were replicated and similar successes were enjoyed, the world might begin to close the gap between water needs and water availability.
"International Development Enterprises, a research and development group based in Colorado, is demonstrating how low-cost, simple, household-level irrigation technologies can realistically address water access in the developing world. One technique that they promote is drip irrigation; frequently used by large, commercial farms, the technology has been adapted and scaled for use by individual farmers in the developing world. Conservative estimates show that drip irrigation cuts water use by up to 50% -- this is especially significant when one considers that over 70% of global water use is devoted to agriculture and that the percentage jumps to almost 95% in some developing nations."
"colorado water"
6:48:56 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 9:07:41 PM.
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