Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Over The River

Exhibit tracks flow of river project

source: Copyright © 2006 Rocky Mountain News

Exhibit tracks flow of river project

By Mary Voelz Chandler, Rocky Mountain News
August 12, 2006

Christo and Jeanne-Claude chose two types of images for "Over the River, a Work in Progress" on view at the Fremont Center in Cañon City.

They selected posters of many of their earlier projects (as well as Over the River) and 11 original pieces that interpret the artists' vision for panels of fabric that read as platinum from above and are translucent from below.

Several of the works are from 2006 and indicate increased articulation of the panels, show a better defined site, and include a swatch of silvery fabric that has been considered for the project.

The earliest piece on view dates from 1992, when the concept was merely called The River.

"This shows how the project has changed," said Christo. "From a clumsy way to very precise and elaborate."

Added Jeanne-Claude: "Then, we didn't have a river."

They had 89, in six Western states, a number culled to six rivers, and then one in late 1996, when the project was gaining its first round of steam.

Christo designed the Fremont Center exhibition from a floor plan of the center's main gallery. They also required a security guard be on duty, but in return offered to pick up the shipping cost of items that range from an unsigned poster for $40, to a signed poster for $250, to a large original piece on Over the River for $180,000.

Proceeds from poster sales go to the Fremont Center, and from originals to expenses associated with Over the River.

Christo & Jeanne-Claude

Over the River, a Work in Progress

• What: Eleven original preparatory works by Christo related to the proposed "Over the River" project, plus works of other large-scale installations by Christo and Jeanne-Claude

• Where and when: Fremont Center for the Arts, 505 Macon St., Cañon City; through Aug. 27

• Cost: $10 adults, $7 seniors and students with ID, $5 ages 13 through 18, free to members and children 12 and under

• Information: 1-719-275-2790

Artists proudly discuss work at FCA event

source: Copyright © 2006 The Cañon City Daily Record

Artists proudly discuss work at FCA event

David Young
The Daily Record

Surrounded by photographs and drawings of their works of art, Christo and Jeanne-Claude gushed to a room full of fans like a pair of proud parents.

In a way, the world-renowned artist’s work is like a child to them. Each is a labor of love that takes nearly a lifetime to complete.

On Saturday night at the Fremont Center for the Arts, Christo and Jeanne-Claude made a special appear-ance in honor of an “Over the River” exhibit, featuring preparatory drawings of the proposed plan to drape cloth over the Arkansas River between Cañon City and Salida.

As vibrant as Jeanne-Claude’s bright hair, the artist’s excitedly discussed some of the works on display in the Center’s gallery and answered a handful of questions from audience members.

“A lot of these (works) are our past, but a lot of them are our future,” Christo said. “These 11 original works are unique pieces done by my own hand.”

Christo explained this processes when it comes to creating preparatory works for a project are much like that of an architect. After studying the site in person and taking photographs, Christo draws the images of what he expects the project to look like when it is finished.

“Because it is not your typical type of art exhibit you are used to when you stare at a beautiful painting, you really have to read (the drawings),” Jeanne-Claude said.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude passed the microphone back and forth, each eagerly trying to say as much as they could about their future project to the packed room.

“The Gates” in New York City, “Valley Curtain” in Rifle, “The Wall” in German and “Running Fences” in California are all among the artists’ other projects currently on display at the center for the arts.

All of the 11 “Over The River” drawings by Christo are for sale, starting at $25,000. His works have his-torically gone up in value over time. Jeanne-Claude said a preparatory work in 1980 that sold for $98 is worth $140,000 today.

“They are all unique works because they have market value,” Christo said. “Their value goes up as we get more and more wrinkles,” added Jeanne-Claude.

All money raised from the sales of their works goes toward funding the artist’s next project.

“I could be covered in diamonds, or I could buy the materials for works of art,” Jeanne-Claude said.

The event, which featured wine, beer and food for guests, was well attended by visitors from across the country.

Nona Powers, an art history teacher from San Diego, Calif., made the drive with her husband, Joe.

“I admire them as artists, but I also admire their integrity because they have not sold out,” Powers said. “They’re not in it for the money. They’re in it for the art.”

Powers has seen Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s “Gates” and “Umbrella’s” projects and is planning on com-ing back to see the “Over the River” if it occurs, which would be at the earliest 2010.

One of the aspects of the style of art that Christo and Jeanne-Claude create is the all-encompassing aspect of it.

“ In (‘Over the River’), you can be over it, beside it and under it. You’re going to be able to float down the river and look through it. It’s like looking through nature in a new way,” Powers said. “ It is all encompass-ing. You’re using all your senses, but what I like most is you’re in it.”

Even those not familiar with “Over the River,” such as Gabrielle Woodbury of Blue Lake, Calif., were intrigued by the presentation.

Woodbury, familiar with the artists through college, was curious about the faces behind the large-scale works of art.

“I think that they are wonderful together, almost like one individual with two separate bodies,” Woodbury said. “Which I really get because of the entire process.”

Christo and Jeanne-Claude said the outpouring of support from the community “warms their hearts” and thanked everyone on hand.

Jeanne-Claude also took time to address the opposition to the project saying, “There is opposition to any project, not just ‘Over the River.’ But afterwards it’s hard to find people who admit to having been opposed to the project.”

After the formal presentation and question-and-answer session Christo and Jeanne-Claude retired to the parking lot where they mingled with fans, something that Powers adores about the artists.

“Most artists (wouldn’t interact with fans), but Christo and Jeanne-Claude are unique,” Powers said. “They are warm and great people.”

Christo to visit, talk about river art plan

source: Copyright © 2006 The Pueblo Chieftain

Christo to visit, talk about river art plan

By TRACY HARMON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/TRACY HARMON
Several original pieces of Christo's conceptual artwork of the proposed Over the River project - this one from the Parkdale side of the Arkansas River - are on display at the Fremont Center for the Arts in Canon City.

CANON CITY - New York-based Christo and Jeanne-Claude will share their vision and sense of humor when they talk about their unusual, grand-scale works of art - including the proposed Over the River work in progress - when they visit Colorado Aug. 5.

A world-class exhibit of international artwork provides a unique view of how Christo and Jeanne-Claude's proposed Over the River creation will look.

The artists have provided 11 original Over the River-based works of art and several other pieces related to their other projects - from the wrapping of the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris, France, to The Gates of Central Park, New York - for the show, which will run through Aug. 27 at Fremont Center for the Arts, 505 Macon Ave.

As part of the exhibition, Christo and Jeanne-Claude will present a 45-minute slide show and accept questions during a 1-3 p.m. Aug. 5 event at Canon City High School, 1313 College Ave. Admission to the slide show is $15 for adults or $5 for students.

An artists' reception will kick off with a 6 p.m. happy hour Aug. 5 at the Fremont Center for the Arts, followed at 7 p.m. by an appearance by Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

"The artists will speak briefly and visit with guests. Under the canopy at the Fremont Center for the Arts, there will be a beer and wine tasting and an assortment of tasty treats from restaurants in our area," said Terri Holloway, an organizer.

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/TRACY HARMON
Fremont Center for the Arts docent Ina Finch (left) talks to a visitor about a Christo artwork.

The reception will cost $35 for arts center members or $50 for non-members. Proceeds from both events will benefit the Fremont Center for the Arts, and the artists themselves will not derive any income from the sale of the tickets, Holloway said. Art lovers also will have an opportunity to help the arts center raise funds by purchasing signed, unframed posters of previous Christo and Jeanne-Claude projects for $250 each; a limited number of Over the River prints also can be purchased for $40 each.

The art exhibition, which already has drawn visitors from California to Connecticut as well as Japan, will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Aug. 27 at the Fremont Center for the Arts. Cost is $10 but free to arts center members.

Bulgarian-born artist Christo and his partner-wife Jeanne-Claude, both 71, propose to hang about seven miles of translucent fabric panels over eight segments of the Arkansas River between Canon City and Salida. The artwork would hang for 14 days, sometime between mid-July and mid-August, probably in 2010.

Fabric panels would be attached to about 1,000 steel cables and anchored before they are stretched across the river, covering the water surface, but not the side slopes. The panels would hang from between 8 and 25 feet above the water.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management currently is overseeing an environmental impact statement to gauge the effects of the proposed artwork. The artists also will be required to get several state and federal permits before the proposal is given the green light.

Additional information about Over The River can be viewed at www.christojeanneclaude.net.

Over the River finds task force opposition

source: Copyright © 2006 Arkansas Valley Publishing

Over the River finds task force opposition

by Jason Starr
Mail Staff Writer

An informal declaration of opposition to the “Over the River” project surfaced Tuesday from the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Citizens Task Force.

Members of the opposition group, Rags Over the River, solicited the statement during the regular task force meeting in Salida in an attempt to influence federal land managers studying the project.

The Bureau of Land Management is in early stages of an environmental impact statement for the plan by Christo and Jeanne-Claude to stretch fabric across the river as a public art display.

ROAR wanted to get the task force on record before the initial public comment deadline Wednesday. Roy Masinton, bureau field manager in Cañon City, said public comment will be accepted throughout the process, especially after the environmental impact statement is released next year.

During the meeting, Rags Over the River secretary Cathey Young quoted citizens who submitted negative comments to the bureau. Rags president Dan Ainsworth and board member Ken Teigs also spoke.

They raised concerns about emergency vehicle access, traffic snarls and effects on wildlife during construction, viewing and cleanup of the project.

“(Residents in Bighorn Sheep Canyon) have the right to conduct their lives without disturbance,” Teigs said. “And they also have the right to police and ambulance protection.”

Masinton recommended the task force refrain from commenting on the proposal until the impact study is complete.

“Many of the impacts ... described here are real and we will assess those in the environmental impact statement,” he said. “The (task force) has a right to get involved in this, but I would wait until we have a document that discusses the impacts.”

Task force members said they are already well versed in the pros and cons of the project. After chairman Marshall Nichols initially indicated the group would hold off making a statement, he took an informal poll and one of the 14 members said they favor of the project.

“We have informally taken a stance against it, but will not make a formal statement until we see the EIS,” Nichols said.

California couple takes in Christo FCA exhibit

source: Copyright © 2006 The Cañon City Daily Record

California couple takes in Christo FCA exhibit

Debbie Bell
The Daily Record

A California couple planned their summer vacation around a visit to the Christo and Jeanne-Claude exhibit that opened Wednesday at Fremont Center for the Arts featuring 11 pieces of original artwork.

Paul Aplin said the entire Fremont County community should be honored to host not only the exhibit, but the “Over the River” project, as well.

“This is a huge opportunity,” Aplin said Wednesday as he viewed the exhibit with his wife, Linda. “This county does not realize the magnitude of what it is being offered.”

The Aplins are residents of Palo Alto, Calif., and said they have traveled extensively to view other interactive exhibits by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The couple has viewed the artists’ work “The Gates” in New York City, The Umbrellas north of Los Angeles, and Running Fence in Sonoma and Marin counties of California.

They plan to attend Over the River if it wins final approval with a group of 12 or 14 family and friends. The Aplins usually stay at each exhibit four or five days.

“I think their artwork is fun,” Linda said. “I think it’s nice to watch people interact with the exhibits.”

Aplin said he enjoys watching how each different piece of art interacts with its environment and how the people relate to the art.

“The magnitude of this is very compelling,” Aplin said.

The Aplins’ time spent in New York City gave them the perfect opportunity to see the relationships between art, environment and humanity.

“The fabrics would wave all at different times, so you could see the environment interact with the art,” Aplin said. “This brought people into the park and into portions of the park they had never before been in. It actually changed the way people interacted with their city.”

He said he was most excited to see how the Colorado weather would interact with shimmering fabric panels the artists propose to drape over the Arkansas River in August, 2010.

“I will be really interesting to see rain coming through the fabric,” Aplin said. “How fascinating that will be.”

The Aplins drove through the Arkansas River Canyon Tuesday on their way to Cañon City but said their view could not do justice to the scenery because it was pouring rain at the time. They were heading back up Wednesday afternoon to visit the proposed site for the project.

“Your city needs to address this opportunity,” Aplin said. “This is a huge financial opportunity. You have everything you need here; all you have to do is weave it together.”

Aplin said he was not surprised to find some local resistance to Over the River.

“Every other community had the same kind of opposition,” Aplin said. “Simply address the issues and move on.”

He said the project would attract higher-income professional people who would pour money into the area.

“My guess is this would attract two to three hundred thousand people from all over the world,” Aplin said.

Mary Hammer, executive director of FCA, said the Aplins were a classic case to prove what a draw the project would be to the area.

“This is an unbelievable opportunity for our community,” Hammer said. “Many in this county do not realize the magnitude of this.”

The Aplins were excited to be in on the ground floor of the project and were considering volunteering for the event itself, although it would take weeks away from their work as advertising executives.

“It’s one of those things we would love to do,” Aplin said, “but the time commitment is difficult.”

The couple was so excited about Over the River, they worked Wednesday to make reservations at both a local bed and breakfast and an Arkansas River rafting company for the time frame the project would be on display.

“This will be up and then gone. It just disappears,” Aplin said, “never to be seen again.”

‘Over the River’ artists request EIS

source: Copyright © 2006 The Cañon City Daily Record

‘Over the River’ artists request EIS

Debbie Bell
The Daily Record

The artists proposing the “Over the River” project to drape part of the Arkansas River with fabric panels have requested a more in-depth investigation into the potential impacts the venture could have.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office has already begun work on an Environmental Impact Statement at the request of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The survey is expected to take at least another year.

Already working on an Environmental Assessment for the project, the BLM is simply transitioning that information into the more extensive EIS.

“This is being done at the request of the artists themselves,” said Roy Masinton, local BLM manager. “They realize we may have to go into an EIS ultimately anyway, and getting into this earlier rather than later would probably save them both money and time.”

All expenses of the investigation are being paid for by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. A BLM-approved contractor, J.F. Sato of Denver, has worked on the proposed project for several years and is now working on the EIS.

“To date, we’ve been working on this for a number of years and it is in the neighborhood of $50,000,” Masinton said. “I expect the total cost to be several hundred thousand dollars, but this is a 100 percent reimbursable project.”

Masinton emphasized all comments received by the BLM during previous public scoping meetings have been incorporated into the new effort. New comments will be accepted until the end of the public comment period on July 19.

“If they have comments they believe to be substantial in nature, relative to the impact, they need to get us to them as soon as they can,” Masinton said. He asked the public to not wait until the deadline to submit comments.

Masinton said the BLM has already identified several issues and concerns with the project, including impacts on the environment, wildlife, traffic, public safety and emergency services response time.

The proposal and maps are available to view in the BLM office lobby, 3170 E. Main St., through July 21.

“The public will still have other opportunities to participate in the process as we get into impact analysis,” Masinton said.

The proposed “Over the River” project would hang fabric panels over segments totaling about 6.9 miles of a 40-mile stretch of the Arkansas River west of Cañon City. At the earliest, “Over the River” could be completed in August 2010.

Debbie Bell may be reached at dbell@ccdailyrecord.com

Environmental review on way for river draping

source: Copyright © 2006 The Gazette

Environmental review on way for river draping

By DEEDEE CORRELL THE GAZETTE

Federal officials have agreed to conduct a thorough environmental review of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s proposal to drape the Arkansas River with seven miles of fabric.

The husband-and-wife team asked for the more rigorous, complicated review of the “Over the River” project after realizing they probably wouldn’t get federal approval through a simpler process.

They weren’t the only ones who wanted a more stringent review, known as an environmental impact statement, said Ken Smith, spokesman for the federal Bureau of Land Management.

“The complexity of the project and the public controversy had increased, and we got comments requesting an EIS,” he said.

It could take a year to complete the new review.

The BLM is the first in a series of agencies that must grant permission for the proposal to hang fabric over the Arkansas between Cañon City and Salida. The translucent, porous fabric would be attached to about 1,000 cables and stretch 8 to 25 feet above the river. Officials estimate 250,000 people would visit the artwork during the two-week span of the project.

If approved, the earliest the project could be exhibited would be 2010.

Earlier this year, the BLM began an assessment to gauge potential effects on the environment.

But it became apparent the project was so problematic that the agency would not give the conditional green light that the artists sought, officials said.

Without that, the artists had three options: drop the project, modify their proposal to address the concerns or pursue the environmental impact statement. The artists chose the latter.

It’s unknown how much the review will cost, but the artists are paying all associated costs, Smith said.

Public comments already received will be incorporated into the EIS, Smith said, and residents who’ve already sent comments don’t need to resubmit them.

However, the public can continue to send comments through July 19.

Comments can be sent to: Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Over The River, 3170 E. Main St., Cañon City, CO 81212. Comments can also be sent by fax to 719-269-8599, or by e-mail to rgfo_comments@blm.gov.

Anyone wishing that their name and address remain confidential should state that in their comments. Anonymous comments will not be considered.

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the "Over The River'' Art Project in Colorado

source: Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the "Over The River'' Art Project in Colorado

[Federal Register: June 19, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 117)]
[Notices]
[Page 35289-35290]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19jn06-79]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CO-200-7122-EA]

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the "Over The River'' Art Project in Colorado

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and notice of public scoping.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and in response to an application filed by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Royal Gorge Field Office, announces its intention to prepare an EIS and conduct public scoping. The artists propose to hang fabric panels over a portion of the Arkansas River as an artistic exhibition. The reason for preparing an EIS is based upon several factors, including a specific request from the applicants; the increasing complexity of the project; the level of controversy related to the project; and the level of involvement during the scoping process.

DATES: Public scoping is ongoing due to an Environmental Assessment that was started on the proposed art project. The BLM hosted three public meetings in January in Canon City, Cotopaxi, and Salida, with over 700 people attending. The meetings were in an ``open house'' format and allowed the BLM, the artists, and other agencies with management interests to answer questions, explain project details, and gather information from interested individuals and groups. Over 1,100 public scoping comments have already been submitted. The scoping period will be extended for 30 days after publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments to the Bureau of Land Management, Royal Gorge Field Office, Attn: Over The River, 3170 East Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212. Comments can also be submitted by blm.gov. Please write ``Over The River'' in the subject line. Your responses are important and will be considered in the environmental analysis process. If you do respond, we will keep you informed of the decision resulting from this analysis. Public comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the Bureau of Land Management, Royal Gorge Field Office, 3170 East Main Street, Canon City, CO during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m). Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name, e-mail address, or street address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this plainly at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. We will not, however, consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, are available for public inspection in their entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy L. Masinton, Field Manager, at the Royal Gorge Field Office address listed above, or Pete Zwaneveld, Environmental Coordinator. Both can be reached by calling (719) 269-8500. Mr. Zwaneveld can also be reached via e-mail at

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude have submitted an application for an art project on the Arkansas River entitled ``Over The River'' (OTR). They propose to hang fabric panels over about 7 miles of a 45 mile stretch of the river, west of Canon City, Colorado. The translucent fabric panels would be attached to approximately 1,000 cables stretched across the river; they would cover the river but not the side slopes; hang from 10 to 24 feet above the water; be strong enough to withstand high winds; be porous enough to let rainwater pass through; and be displayed for a two-week period in early August. The earliest that the project would be exhibited is in 2010. During the two-week project, an estimated 250,000 visitors are expected to visit the Arkansas River to view the art. All recoverable materials would be recycled after the project.

On August 2, 2005, following several years of inactivity, the BLM, Royal Gorge Field Office and Colorado State Parks representatives met with Christo and Jeanne-Claude, to determine where the proposal is in the NEPA/approval process and to establish a logical timeline. BLM will review the contractor prepared EIS. If the proposal is approved, Colorado State Parks will issue a permit under the Cooperative Management Agreement between the agencies for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. The artists have and will continue to cover all of BLM's costs associated with this project (100% cost recovery). Oversight of the project is through a Permit Planning Team, consisting of Federal, state and local agencies that will review the permit request. Other agencies and entities participating in the project review include: CO State Parks, CO Dept. of Transportation, CO State Patrol, CO Division of Wildlife, Army Corps of Engineers, Fremont County Commissioners and Sheriff, Chaffee County Commissioners and Sheriff, and the cities of Canon City and Salida.

Through public scoping, the BLM expects to identify various issues and concerns, potential impacts and mitigation measures, and alternatives to the proposed action. At present, the BLM has identified the following issues and concerns: Impacts on the environment, particularly on wildlife, including but not limited to bighorn sheep, bald eagles and waterfowl; socio-economic impacts on local citizen's travel and commercial trucks from restrictions as a result of heavy tourist traffic; safety of those people traveling Highway 50 and using the Arkansas River for boating, fishing and viewing the project; and the response time of emergency service vehicles such as police, fire, search and rescue and ambulance due to heavy traffic.

The BLM will analyze the proposed action and no action alternatives, as well as other possible alternatives. Your comments concerning the OTR project as proposed and feasible alternatives, possible mitigation measures, and any other information relevant to the project are encouraged.

Sally Wisely,
Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. E6-9529 Filed 6-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P

Artists change tack, request environmental impact statement

source: Copyright © 2006 Arkansas Valley Publishing

Artists change tack, request environmental impact statement

by Jason Starr
Mail Staff Writer

Sensing negative results from the Bureau of Land Management environmental assessment of their proposed “Over the River” project, Christo and Jeanne- Claude requested a more extensive environmental impact statement.

The BLM received more than 1,100 written comments about the artists’ plan to stretch fabric across the Arkansas River in Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

The comments came in February as part of the early stages of the environmental assessment of the project by the bureau.

About 60 percent of the comments were negative, Pete Zwaneveld, environmental coordinator for the bureau, said. Some raised worries about wildlife impact and traffic congestion raising doubts about the ability of the bureau to issue a “finding of no significant impact” for the project.

BLM officials told Christo this spring the direction public comment was headed and the artist responded by requesting an environmental impact statement.

If the environmental assessment had come back negative, Christo would have had to request an environmental impact statement to continue with the application process.

The environmental assessment would not have been complete until early winter, Zwaneveld said. In filing the request for the environmental impact statement, Christo decided not to wait until then for a possibly negative decision.

“We weren’t certain we could work out all of the (issues) and we wanted to be up front with Christo and let him know so he wasn’t surprised at the end of the year,” Zwaneveld said.

The BLM is expected to make a decision about whether to grant the environmental impact statement review this month.

An environmental impact statement is a 14-16 month process involving public comment and two drafts.

Zwaneveld said the BLM would likely carry over comments received as part of the environmental assessment to use in the impact statement review.

“It takes more time,” he said. “It’s a more involved document.”

He said most opposing comments came from residents of Chaffee and Fremont counties while most comments favoring the project were from Denver residents and those of other major cities.

Zwaneveld, who retires today, will be replaced in his Christo duties by Joe Vieira.

BLM says Christo project faces hurdles

source: Copyright © 2006 The Gazette

BLM says Christo project faces hurdles

By DEEDEE CORRELL - THE GAZETTE

Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s dream of draping the Arkansas River with 7 miles of fabric is so problematic that federal officials already know they probably won’t give the artists the quick go-ahead they seek.

The Bureau of Land Management — the first in a series of agencies that must approve the contentious “Over the River” — has warned the artists their proposal was in trouble.

“We were telling them it wasn’t looking good,” said BLM planning and environmental coordinator Pete Zwaneveld. “We know we have problems with the bighorn sheep, bald eagles, with congestion on the highway.”

The husband-and-wife team has asked to halt the environmental assessment now underway and instead pursue approval through a more rigorous, complicated review known as an environmental impact statement that could delay the project by at least a year — longer if there are appeals.

“Christo and Jeanne-Claude are very patient people,” said “Over the River” project director Jonita Davenport said.

Although the review would take longer and cost more money, the artists decided it’s to their advantage to seek it.

“This is a project very important to them. We will do whatever it takes,” Davenport said.

The artists propose to hang the fabric over eight segments of the Arkansas between Cañon City and Salida. The translucent, porous fabric would be attached to cables and stretch 10 to 24 feet above the river. Officials estimate that 250,000 people would visit the artwork during the two-week span of the project, planned for 2009.

The artists selected the river a decade ago for a project that was controversial from the start. Some residents see “Over the River” as an artistic and economic boon for the region; others feel the traffic congestion and effects on the wildlife outweigh any benefits.

The BLM began its review in 1996, but Christo asked to halt it so he could pursue other projects, including “The Gates” in New York City. When he resumed his efforts here last year, the BLM began an assessment to gauge the potential effects on the environment.

Officials are concerned about the potential effects on bighorn sheep in the area, particularly a herd on the north side of the river. If the notoriously skittish sheep avoid the river because of the fabric, “they could die of thirst,” Zwaneveld said.

Numerous concerns have led officials to conclude that Christo and Jeanne-Claude won’t get the “finding of no significant impact” necessary to continue with the project.

Without that finding, the artists have three options: dropping the project, modifying their proposal to address the concerns or pursuing the environmental impact statement.

Zwaneveld said Christo has asked for the EIS, a more complex, detailed and expensive review that developers generally prefer to avoid.

Ultimately, that route could be advantageous for the artists, Zwaneveld said. If they can make it through the review and come up with solutions for any identified problems, they can move forward. However, the agency also still could deny the project, or only approve portions of it.

Federal officials are expected to decide in June whether to proceed with the EIS, Zwaneveld said.

So far, the agency has received about 1,140 letters from residents about the project. Zwaneveld said there “were more in opposition than in favor,” but the BLM won’t release more information until officials know how the review will proceed.

Meanwhile, “Rags Over The River,” a group opposing the project, is continuing its efforts to block it.

The group has collected more than 3,000 signatures of residents who don’t want “Over the River,” said spokesman Dan Ainsworth.

He said the artists ought to consider other venues:

“Hang your curtains from the Royal Gorge. It’s 1,000 feet to the bottom,” Ainsworth suggested. “Or put it over the river from Cañon City to Florence. Right down through town.” But the canyon, he said, is the wrong place for it.

“Friends of Over the River” remains equally adamant in its support for the project.

“There are so many people that do want to see this thing happen,” spokesman Steve Reese said. “I think this will be something beautiful and wonderful that we’ll all be able to share.”