Cheyenne Mountain Trout Unlimited site syndication http://cmctu.org Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:53:03 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://cmctu.org/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://cmctu.org Cheyenne Mountain Trout Unlimited site syndication http://cmctu.org/content/view/59/ Chapter Identifies Major Problems with Flood Control and Mine Tailings Stabilization on Fountain Creek Board of Directors for the local Cheyenne Mountain Chapter Trout Unlimited have voted to withdraw support and oppose a proposed flood control and mine tailings stabilization project on Fountain Creek below Gold Hill Mesa. Cheyenne Mountain Chapter Trout Unlimited has partnered with the City of Colorado Springs, Storm Water Enterprise, Colorado Department of Transportation, Gold Hill Mesa Partners, LLC and other stakeholders and subcontractors on the Gold Hill Mesa Project. Through consultations, Cheyenne Mountain Chapter Trout Unlimited provided stream stabilization and restoration recommendations which they have successfully implemented during their Trees for Trout projects in the South Platte River drainage and Pikes Peak Region. “The goal of our participation in this partnership was to provide the design team with the proper techniques and methods to successfully restore a heavily damaged ecosystem and create a viable habitat and fishery on Fountain Creek”, said President, Jack Hunter, “Unfortunately, the major stakeholders, including the City of Colorado Springs, Storm Water Enterprise, have chosen not to implement these proven conservation and restoration methods.” The current budget for the Gold Hill Mesa Project is over $3.5 million dollars, and largely funded through public money. Cheyenne Mountain Chapter Trout Unlimited firmly believes these public dollars should be used to restore a functioning natural stream in the true spirit of Trout Unlimited’s national, state and locally stated mission, which is to: conserve, protect, and restore cold-water fisheries. Through their opposition the Board of Directors and Cheyenne Mountain Chapter Trout Unlimited members have noted the current project planned does not meet widely recognized standards necessary to meet the definition of “stream restoration”, and will actually do more harm than good to the existing biology and ecology of Fountain Creek. The Board of Directors unanimously agreed; the flood control project has little to no restoration or conservation benefits for Fountain Creek or the community. Cheyenne Mountain Chapter Trout Unlimited urges the public to contact the City of Colorado Springs, Storm Water Enterprise, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Gold Hill Mesa Partners, LLC and express their desire to have effective and sustainable restoration of this valuable resource and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Stakeholders can be contact at the following: City Of Colorado Springs, Storm Water Enterprise stormwater@springsgov.com (mailto:stormwater@springsgov.com) Colorado Department of Transportation daniel.hunt@dot.state.co.us (mailto:daniel.hunt@dot.state.co.us) Gold Hill Mesa Partners, LLC. Gold Hill Mesa Partners (http://goldhillmesa.com/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3) News - Latest Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:26:02 +0100