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Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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The 'soft path' for flood control
Business Daily: "Flood damages soar when engineering projects reduce the capacity of river channels, block natural drainage, increase the speed of floods, and cause the subsidence of deltas and coastal erosion. In addition, 'hard path' flood control often ruins the ecological health of rivers and estuaries. There is a better way to deal with floods - the 'soft path' of flood risk management. Flood risk management assumes that all anti-flood infrastructure can fail and that this failure must be planned for. The 'soft path' is also based on an understanding that some flooding is essential for the health of riverine ecosystems."
Thanks to restoringrivers for the link.
"colorado water"
6:37:49 PM 
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Healthcare
Digby: "This is so loathesome I am literally sick to my stomach. These kids were hurt in a car accident. Their parents could not afford health insurance --- and sure as hell couldn't get it now with a severely handicapped daughter. And these shrieking wingnut jackasses are harassing their family for publicly supporting the program that allowed the kids to get health care. A program, by the way, which a large number of these Republicans support as well."
Thanks to NewMexiKen for the link.
"2008 pres"
6:14:49 PM
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? for President?
Jesus' General: "Answered Mitt: 'You sit down with your attorneys and (they) tell you what you have to do.' Yeah, he went on a bit after that about Iraq and blah, blah, blah, but his first swing was the one that hit it out of the park. You sit down with your attorneys..."
"2008 pres"
6:08:32 PM
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Environment
DOJ: "American Electric Power has agreed to cut 813,000 tons of air pollutants annually at an estimated cost of more than $4.6 billion, pay a $15 million penalty, and spend $60 million on projects to mitigate the adverse effects of its past excess emissions. The record settlement was announced today by the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency. This is the single largest environmental enforcement settlement in history by several measures. For example, it is the largest settlement in terms of the value of injunctive relief, and will result in the largest amount of emission reduction from stationary sources, such as power plants and factories.
Thanks to beSpacific for the link.
"2008 pres"
6:47:55 AM
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Iraq
Time: "Has the U.S. ceded south Iraq?" Thanks to Juan Cole for the link.
"2008 pres"
6:33:10 AM
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Denver: Tax increases and fall ballot issues
Here's a look at the fall ballot issues from Dave Harsanyi via The Denver Post. From the article:
A little here and a little there. You know how it is. A small price to pay for a World-Class City. This is what we're told each time Denver (or Colorado) comes begging for more money - which is now every year. Did you notice during Mayor John Hickenlooper's re-election campaign - or rather, coronation - all things Denver were hunky-dory? Well, by now most of you have, quite regrettably, witnessed a new commercial starring the mayor along with his merry band of Nickelodeon-style "big red letters" asking Denverites to save the city by voting "Yes on Issues A-I." More specifically, and less conveniently, they are "Issues A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I." The mayor and numerous City Council members, who so desperately worked to bundle together these issues in an effort to deny voters any choice, would have us believe all these questions are one. They are not...
First off, "the big red letters" are patently idiotic and offensive to anyone over 5 years of age. More importantly, these spots offer us a glimpse into how politicians perceive voters: as a bunch of children...
Though, clearly, a skeptic could find plenty to quibble over in A through I, the mayor has made a persuasive case for many issues on the docket. Infrastructure needs and so on. ... Yet what are we to make of the $40 million tax increase to expand Boettcher Hall, home of the Denver Symphony, and another $30 million to upgrade the Denver Museum of Nature & Science? Does a World-Class City need a world-class symphony? Sure. If citizens in said city actually supported the symphony. This city apparently doesn't. After all, since when are citizens expected to collectively provide entertainment for each other? That's what the symphony is ... entertainment for the well-off. So the well-off should open their pockets and raise $40 million. Then let's remember that it was only 2004 when metro Denver boosters came crying to us for tax dollars because attendance and private fundraising couldn't possibly keep the doors open at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and other science and "cultural facilities." We extended a sales tax to keep them afloat. Interesting then, that financial reports filed last week show the "Better Denver" campaign received donations from big-business names such as MDC Holdings Inc., Hensel Phelps Construction Co., Xcel Energy and Stapleton developer Forest City. All of these entities will reap tremendous financial benefits from these tax increases. Also on the list, though, were the Colorado Symphony Association, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, which gave to the tune of $100,000. You can't survive, but you can take money from attendees and members and turn around and use it to support an advertising campaign designed to coax more money from taxpayers?
Many folks will tell you that failing to support institutions like the Denver Museum of Nature & Science means you're an inferior member of "the community." But no other major city has used tax increases to keep similar facilities afloat. If a citizen is inclined to support the Museum of Nature & Science, please do so. Join. Donate - as many individuals and corporations already do - to help provide free days for those who are less fortunate. There are projects worthy of collective support. Then there projects and institutions perfectly capable of living off private funding. Let's not forget the distinction.
"denver n2007"
6:22:02 AM
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2008 Democratic National Convention
From The Denver Post, "Latino leaders in Colorado plan to use Denver's hosting of the 2008 Democratic National Convention as more than a business opportunity, and have started planning to win exposure for social and policy issues, several of the officials said at a gathering Tuesday. One of Denver's most respected Latino advocacy groups, Servicios de La Raza, has teamed with the Colorado Federation for Community Integration with a goal of assembling a state board of officials to lobby Democrats during the convention week and to challenge both parties to consider their social agenda in next year's election season.
"2008 pres"
6:14:59 AM
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Southern Delivery System trial next week
Pueblo County and Colorado Springs Utilities will be in court next week over Pueblo's attempt to use their 1041 authority to regulate land use around the proposed Southern Delivery System, according to The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
A three-day trial has been set next week in a lawsuit that contends Pueblo County cannot impose land-use regulations on a proposed Colorado Springs water pipeline. Pueblo District Judge Dennis Maes will consider several motions on the case and possibly proceed to trial Tuesday. Colorado Springs contends that Pueblo County land-use regulations, which were updated in 2005, don't apply to its proposed Southern Delivery System pipeline. Pueblo County counters that SDS will create new infrastructure, disrupt roadways, cross private property and increase flows on Fountain Creek...
Colorado Springs has not yet filed for a Pueblo County land-use permit, partly because the Bureau of Reclamation has not completed an environmental impact statement, which is looking at seven alternatives. The alignment of the pipeline's path differs among the alternatives, with some east of Pueblo. Two of the alternatives even consider approaches that would put the delivery pipeline in Fremont County, rather than Pueblo County. Colorado Springs filed its lawsuit in El Paso District Court on Nov. 22, 2005, about seven weeks after Pueblo County adopted its revised land-use rules. The regulations - loosely referred to as 1041 rules for the 1974 HB1041 - were updated from 1976 rules to include a new section on efficient use of water resources. Colorado Springs claims the pipeline would be allowed under zoning that was in effect in 1974 and should be exempt from the new rules. In its initial filing, the city claimed the county "expressed and demonstrated unequivocal hostility" toward SDS.
Pueblo County filed a motion to move the trial to Pueblo District Court in early 2006, and the Colorado Supreme Court upheld decisions in both El Paso and Pueblo district courts to move the trial to Pueblo in an October 2006 decision. Pueblo County claims Colorado Springs is subject to regulation under both HB1041 and another 1974 bill, HB1034, which give counties authority to regulate activities such as the proposed pipeline that create an impact in a local area while serving a larger part of the state...
The proposed SDS alternative would cost $127 million - out of a $1 billion budget - for work in Pueblo County. A 42-foot-high, 14,000-square-foot building with seven 3,000-horsepower pumps south of the Arkansas River could be built, with a pipeline under the Arkansas River, four propane tanks and an electrical substation. The pipeline, buried 10 feet deep, would cross 24 roads, 130 parcels (mostly in Pueblo West and one-fifth with homes on them) and 50 drainages. A 100-foot-wide easement over 20 miles would cover 238 acres, and 48 concrete "manways" - 8-foot by 8-foot by 7-foot concrete boxes - would be located every 2,000 feet along the line, according to the Pueblo County filing. There would be 15 additional 7-foot manholes and release valves along the way. Additional land would be required for construction easements. An alternative to take water at the Fountain Creek confluence would cost $142 million and affect 31 road crossings. Pueblo County also claims there would be additional land-use impacts on Fountain Creek from increased return flows of up to 66 million gallons per day by 2046. Colorado Springs owns none of the land in Pueblo County to be used in either alignment, the county added.
More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
"colorado water"
6:10:07 AM
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? for President?
Here's a recap of yesterday's Republican presidential debate from CBS. The write:
Republican presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani clashed over tax and spending cuts Tuesday, each claiming greater commitment than the other in a debate in the nation's struggling manufacturing heartland...
After months of polite debate sparring, Giuliani and Romney squared off without hesitation, a reflection of their struggle for primacy in the race for their party's presidential nomination. "I cut taxes 23 times. I believe in tax cuts," said Giuliani, former mayor of New York and leader in national Republican polls. Romney in turn criticized his rival for once filing a court challenge to a law that gave President Clinton the right to veto spending items line by line. "I'm in favor of the line item veto," he said, adding he exercised it 844 times while governor of Massachusetts...
The clash was among the most heated of the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, reflecting a quickening pace as the 2008 caucuses and primaries draw close. It also left Thompson and the other contenders as something of bystanders for the several moments that Romney and Giuliani went at one another.
More on the debate from The Moderate Voice.
"2008 pres"
5:54:30 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 9:40:48 PM.
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