The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today (May 25th) to limit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to protect critical wetlands and the health of U.S. waterways. The ruling in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency directs the agency to use a restrictive standard for what kinds of waterways it can protect under the Clean Water Act against harmful uses like pollution discharge.
The decision will make it harder for the United States to meet the goal of the Clean Water Act, “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” The ruling comes just months after the agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restored federal protections for critical wetlands and small streams under the Waters of the United States rule.
The following is a statement by Jimmy Hague, Senior Water Policy Advisor at The Nature Conservancy:
“Today’s ruling (May 25th) is a major setback for the nation’s wetlands, rivers, streams, and lakes – all of which are vital for maintaining healthy habitats, flood control, clean, safe drinking water, and recreational opportunities.
Let us all come together to celebrate the Lower Blue River Valley at the FOLBR Annual Gathering on Sunday, August 6th at Slate Creek Hall from 11:00am to 2:00pm. This year you'll have a chance to hear from two key members of the Colorado Legislature, House Speaker Julie McCluskie and State Senator Dylan Roberts. Both have a keen interest in the Lower Blue and care about preserving the integrity of our beautiful valley.
Our event features music by Randall McKinnon and a buffet lunch provided by Timberline Craft Kitchen. This is a BYOB event, so please bring your beverage of choice. We will provide ice water.
The Annual Gathering is for you, our members, to come together, meet with your Board and learn what FOLBR has in store for the years ahead. We all have a common purpose...to preserve our wonderful Blue River Valley for future generations.
We want to recognize two dedicated members of the FOLBR Board of Directors. Jan Lowrey has served the FOLBR Board as our Secretary. Jan moved from Miami, Florida to Summit County 24 years ago. She is leaving the Board for family reasons and will be spending more time in Florida. Jan has been a terrific Secretary and her great work will be missed.
Sharon Sweet is a long time member of The FOLBR Board. Sharon is also a former FOLBR Board Secretary. We also want to thank Sharon for helping make our annual gatherings every year a tremendous success. Sharon and her husband Bob have managed Brush Creek Ranch for 24 years. The ranch is owned by FOLBR founders, Pam and George Beardsley. Bob served on the Board for two years focusing his energy on improvements to Slate Creek Hall. Sharon and Bob are retiring to their property in Idaho. We wish them happy trails and many thanks for all their contributions to Friends of the Lower Blue River. We will miss you all!!
This month the White River National Forest acquired two parcels totaling 90 acres at Green Mountain Reservoir using the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The Forest Service acquired a 66-acre parcel near Cow Creek South Campground and a 24-acre parcel near McDonald Flats Campground from Summit County.
“Summit County has a long-standing partnership with the White River National Forest to acquire private holdings in the county to improve access to National Forest System lands,” said Summit County Open Space Director Katherine King.
“This acquisition will help us resolve access and expansion opportunities at the campgrounds,” said Dillon District Ranger Adam Bianchi. “Public use at Green Mountain Reservoir continues to increase, and this acquisition will allow us to proactively plan for future needs.”
As the Monte Vista Crane Festival prepares for its 40th year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff and volunteers are once again eager to assist visitors to the event as it returns to a full in-person format.
The highlight of the three-day festival, to be held this year from March 10-12, is the spectacle of more than 20,000 greater sandhill cranes making their annual spring migration and stopping over in southern Colorado as they transition from winter habitat to breeding range in the north.
Those interested in attending official event sites to see the sandhill cranes and other bird species can reserve tickets using the link below. CPW staff and volunteers will support outdoor scope sites and be on hand to help answer questions.
CPW will also host a booth at the Ski Hi Complex in Monte Vista throughout the event to provide additional information and learning opportunities.
Attendees may also attend a talk from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, March 11 regarding elk on the San Luis Valley refuge complex. The $5 presentation will be led by Doug Ouren, the Elk Distribution and Dispersal Coordinator for CPW’s Habitat Partnership Program.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the Blue Valley Land Exchange, netting hundreds more acres of open space in Summit and Grand Counties for outdoor activities. The deal also provides for millions of dollars worth of recreation and ecological improvements, including development of two new recreation areas — the Confluence Recreation Area and the Green Mountain Recreation Area — with trails, walk-in fishing access, picnic tables, wheelchair accessible fishing platforms, and more. The BLM found the exchange is overwhelmingly in the public interest.
The Blue Valley Land Exchange allows 1,830 acres of private land owned by Blue Valley Ranch to be transferred for 1,489 acres of public land. Under the deal, both Green Mountain and San Toy Mountain are protected from any future development. As a result, there is a net gain of approximately 1,100 acres of public upland lands providing a variety of recreational opportunities like hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing.
Friends of the Lower Blue River is now enrolled into the City Market or King Soopers Community Rewards Program. The Kroger Company will donate to our organization based on the shopping you do every day.
We have been assigned a new NPO (Non-Profit Organization) number ND017. (an important number to remember)
Here's how to use the King Soopers or City Market Community Rewards Program: For King Soopers Stores - go to http://www.kingsoopers.com For City Market Stores - go to http://www.citymarket.com Log into your Loyalty Card account. Once logged in, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and look for "Community." Click the link that says "Community Rewards." You will then need to link your card to an organization. Search for Friends of the Lower Blue River either by name or the NPO #ND017 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a loyalty card.
Our Climate Resiliency Initiative is fostering natural climate solutions where you live and play, here in the Lower Blue River Valley. We need capital to sustain and fulfill this mission.
Traditionally, many have generously contributed to our organization allowing us to move forward on behalf of our dedicated members. Dynamically, you can also provide needed capital to FOLBR in the form of a stock, bond or mutual fund donation.
Fungi — a scientific goldmine? Well, that’s what a review published in the journal Trends in Biotechnology indicates. You may think mushrooms are a long chalk from the caped crusaders of sustainability. But think again.
Many of us have heard of fungi’s role in creating more sustainable leather substitutes. Amadou vegan leather, crafted from fungal-fruiting bodies, has been around for some 5,000 years.
More recently, mycelium leather substitutes have taken the stage. These are produced from the root-like structure mycelium, which snakes through dead wood or soil beneath mushrooms.
The FOLBR Board of Directors is seeking someone to be our next Treasurer. Our current Treasurer, Laura Fox, is leaving the Board, effective January 1, 2023. Laura has done a terrific job maintaining the financials of our organization. Laura has set up a great framework to help the next person succeed in this position. We are looking for someone who can continue her good work.
FOLBR Board members are all volunteers. The Board meets monthly to discuss FOLBR's progress to protect the integrity of the Blue River Valley. Our current focus is the Safe Soils/Climate Resiliency Initiative to address Climate Change.
After years of hard work by US Senator Michael Bennett and US Representative Joe Neguse, President Joe Biden has designated thousands of acres of federal land in Colorado as a national monument. Here’s everything you need to know about the President’s first National Monument designation.
As a national monument, Camp Hale can be set aside for conservation due to its historic or scientific significance. The President used the Antiquities Act of 1906 for the designation, which is something 18 other presidents have done
Camp Hale is just 15 miles from Leadville. Local residents know the area for its stunning hikes and rugged snowsport terrain. In addition to outdoor activity, elk, deer, bear, lynx and other animals rely on Camp Hale for habitat.
At this year's FOLBR Annual Gathering, Frank and Myra Isenhart received the 2022 FOLBR Founders Award.
Frank and Myra understood more than 20 years ago, that it was time for valley residents to organize to protect the values unique to the Lower Blue and to be ready for future threats. Together with the George and Pam Beardsley (2021 FOLBR Founders Award Recipients), they formed Friends of the Lower Blue River—our FOLBR.
The organization grew into what it is today. We owe a great debt of thanks to the Isenharts.
Congratulations to Myra and Frank Isenhart, this year's recipients of the 2022 FOLBR Founders Award.
In the early 2000’s, Lower Blue Valley residents were fighting commercial development proposals that would increase density, including a proposed golf course. Residents worked to ensure the Lower Blue Master Plan reflected our interests: to maintain the extraordinary natural open-space and agricultural character of our valley.
Frank and Myra Isenhart understood that it was time for valley residents to organize to protect these values unique to the Lower Blue and to be ready for future threats. Together with the George and Pam Beardsley (2021 FOLBR Founders Award Recipients), they formed Friends of the Lower Blue River—our FOLBR.
The organization grew into what it is today. We owe a great debt of thanks to the Isenharts.
Help Support FOLBR through our Online Auction. It benefits FOLBR's land stewardship, sustainability, and philanthropy efforts in the Lower Blue River Valley. Your participation will support our programs that include:
The Safe Soils/Climate Resiliency Initiative - A research and climate action project, underway now, that provides ranchers in the valley with tailored plans to help them maximize the climate resiliency of their lands. FOLBR is helping landowners in the valley improve soil health, carbon sequestration, and capability to improve the environment, support livestock and wildlife in a balanced way.
The Livestock Emergency Evacuation Plan - A comprehensive guide to livestock emergency preparedness. We provide landowners and stakeholders in the valley with a network of safe zones for livestock evacuation and emergency resources in the case of wildfire.
Our partnership with the Blue River Watershed Group and other environmentally and community-focused non-profits. These partners strengthen our community and protect the natural beauty of the Blue River Valley and its surrounding areas.
Our collaboration with Middle Park Conservation District, Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, Lake Dillon Fire District, and more.
To access the Auction, click the link below, create an account and you're good to go. The auction closes on 8-9-2022 at 2:00pm.
It's been a long time coming, but after a two year hiatus, the FOLBR Annual Gathering will be Sunday, August 7th between 11:00am and 3:00pm at Slate Creek Hall. It will be a great time to catch up with everyone and hear what FOLBR has been up too.
We will have a buffet lunch and music from the blue grass group Blue Valley Grass. We decided to make this a bring your own beverage event (BYOB) to reduce our carbon footprint in the environment.
We will also be presenting the 2022 FOLBR Founder's Award, to the recipient who has made a real impact to who we are and what we do.
You can buy tickets to the event using the Eventbrite link below. Tickets are $20/person in advance on Eventbrite and $30 at the door. We also encourage new members to join and existing members to renew. We will have that capability on site.
