No official stance

source: Copyright © 2006 Arkansas Valley Publishing

No official stance
Chaffee County Commissioners tell Rags Over the Arkansas River they are not ready to make official stand

by Jason Starr
Mail Staff Writer

Chaffee County Commissioners reminded members of Rags Over the Arkansas River on Monday they are not ready to take an official stand for or against the Christo and Jeanne Claude "Over the River" project.

Six members of ROAR spoke against the proposed public art display in the Bighorn Sheep Canyon during Monday's work session in Salida. Commissioner Jerry Mallett and Jim Osborne said the board of commissioners could not make a decision about the project until the Bureau of Land Management releases a draft of its environmental impact statement.

Commission chairman Tim Glenn was absent from Monday's meeting.

Cathey Young, a member of ROAR, suggested commissioners publicly state opposition to the project before the impact statement is released. Ken Tiegs of ROAR pointed to a letter from county weed coordinator Larry Walker in which Walker said the project would contribute to the spread of the elongated mustard weed.

"Noxious weeds increase rapidly when soil and native vegetation is disturbed," Walker wrote.

Commissioners said they are aware of Walker's concerns and the concerns of ROAR members. They assured opposers that safety of residents of Chaffee County and that of residents of the canyon, which is mostly in Fremont County, would be their primary concern.

Tiegs attended a commissioners meeting last month describing ROAR's opposition.