Study Shows Colorado Benefits from DOI Operations

Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area
Photo Courtesy of DOI, Bureau of Land Management

The U.S. Department of the Interior released an Economic Report detailing the real economic benefits created by our public lands and protected spaces in 2012.  Since much of the land the department manages is in the west, Colorado receives many of the associated economic benefits.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell stated, “The missions of the Department of the Interior contribute to our nation’s economy in ways big and small. From the billions in revenues generated from oil and gas development, to the jobs created from tourism to our national parks and public lands, Interior’s activities are an important source of business development and employment for communities and families in all 50 states,”

The Economic Report has been prepared annually since 2009 by the Interior’s Office of Policy Analysis. This office estimates the economic contributions of the department, which include land and water management, energy and mineral development, outdoor recreation and tourism, conservation, hunting and fishing,  and scientific research and innovation.

The report outlines these economic benefits by state. In Colorado, the Department of the Interior contributed to approximately 60,600 jobs, and was the source of 17,823,508 recreational visits. The report concludes that the DOI had a $10.5 billion impact on Colorado’s economy in 2012.

To access the full report, click here.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Conservation Groups Challenge BLM in Court

Colorado BLM Field Offices
Photo courtesy of the BLM.

A coalition of seven conservation groups filed a lawsuit on Thursday in federal court in Denver. The groups are challenging the Bureau of Land Management's decision to allocate over 800,000 acres of federal land within the Rocky Mountains for oil shale and tar sands development.
 
The BLM had amended 10 resource management plans in March, which opened 687,600 acres open for oil shale leasing and 132,100 acres for tar sands leasing within the public lands of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. The agency did not undergo formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as required by the Endangered Species Act.

The lawsuit claims the the BLM's allocation of land violates the Endangered Species Act. The conservation groups claim that the BLM failed to fulfill its obligations by foregoing formal consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, the lawsuit claims that the BLM failed to consider the impacts that widespread development would have upon desert plants and threatened species.

The lawsuit was filed by the following conservation groups: Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, Living Rivers, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Rocky Mountain Wild, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity

To access the lawsuit, visit this website.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Colorado's Waters to Receive $14.7 million

Map shows Colorado River water delivery.
Photo Courtesy of DOI, Bureau of Reclamation

Colorado's Water Quality Control Commission recently issued new regulations reducing the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus allowed in the state's water. These new standards were designed to improve the health of Colorado's water, but have also created burdensome compliance costs for many small communities.

However, Governor Hickenlooper announced today that Colorado wastewater systems have been awarded $14.7 million in state grant money to assist in systematic improvements. The Nutrients Grant Program will help fund planning and construction of the improvements necessary to meet water quality standards.

Hickenlooper stated, “This grant funding will help communities offset the costs of bringing their systems into compliance. In addition, the grants announced today will help ensure safe and healthy water for wildlife, agriculture, recreation and drinking water purposes.”

The authority for the Nutrients Grant Program came from HB13-1191, “Nutrient Grant Domestic Waste-water Treatment Plant.” The grant is a one-time source of funds, but Hickenlooper shared his hopes that the state can continue to help municipalities comply with water quality standards.

Conservation Colorado has issued a statement together with San Juan Citizens Alliance, Colorado Trout Unlimited and others, stating, “We are excited to join Governor Hickenlooper today to announce the awarding of grants to help domestic wastewater treatment plants address the serious problem of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in our streams and rivers. By awarding these grants, Governor Hickenlooper and the Colorado State Legislature continue their commitment to protecting water quality and healthy flows."

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant 

Alternative Fuels Company to Move to Colorado

Cool Planet hopes to expand its biomass materials to include beetle kill pine.
Photo Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture

Cool Planet Energy Systems, a California based company, announced that it will move its headquarters to Greenwood Village, Colorado. The company has created an efficient process to to generate gasoline out of plant waste and biomass.

In addition to relocating its headquarters, the company is also looking to create a manufacturing plant in Aurora. The manufacturing plant is hoped to have the capacity to produce about 10 million gallons per year from organic waste.

The company's move will create new job opportunities for Colorado. Cool Planet applied for tax credits that equate to approximately 400 jobs. Cool Planet has financial backing from Google Ventures, BP, and ConocoPhillips among others.

Wesley Chan, a general partner at Google Ventures said, "Cool Planet is on the cutting edge of advancements in alternative fuels, and this expansion into Colorado brings them one step closer to making their fuel available to anyone who drives a car."

Cool Planet is also expanding their focus to use Colorado's beetle-kill trees as a fuel source. The char remnants from the process would be used to strengthen the forest soil and prevent erosion.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Professor K.K. DuVivier Writes for Solar Today

Professor K.K. DuVivier, professor at Sturm College of Law, was recently published in Solar Today. She teaches energy law and renewable energy law courses as part of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program. DuVivier has done considerable research into the field of solar energy while working on her book, The Renewable Energy Reader, (Carolina Academic Press 2011). DuVivier has focused her attention on the many legal impediments to the development of renewable energy resources.

She recently partnered with Dan Staley, a green infrastructure consultant in the Denver area to author an article in Solar Today. The article, "Managing the Dark Side of Trees," advocates for a more comprehensive planning strategy. This strategy involves evaluating the benefits of both trees and solar energy. With these considerations in mind, more effective planning can take place early in the process and avoid conflict.

To read the publication, follow this link:
http://www.omagdigital.com/publication/?i=164079&p=28

To access the article directly, follow this link:
http://www.omagdigital.com/display_article.php?id=1432533

President Obama Announces Plan to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Suncor power plant off of I-270 near Denver
Photo Courtesy of Ihana Photography

Earlier this week, President Obama announced a plan to reduce carbon emissions specifically from power plants focusing on coal-fired generators. The White House released a fact sheet for the plan on Tuesday, June 25th.

President Obama stated, "The question is not whether we need to act -- the overwhelming judgment of science, of chemistry and physics and millions of measurements, has put all that to rest," he said. "The question now is whether we will have the courage to act before it's too late."

However, not everyone is a fan of the President's new plan. John Boehner, R-Ohio, told USA Today, the plan will "limit low-cost energy options, hike costs for consumers, and destroy good-paying jobs."

The plan ultimately seeks to reduce carbon emissions, but also intends to help the country adapt to climate change, and trigger international efforts to address climate change. Colorado has seen the effects of climate change in its extended drought and fire seasons.

Colorado has been taking its own steps toward reducing carbon emissions including the Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act signed by former Governor Ritter in 2010 and approved by the EPA in 2012.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

MRLS Alum Authors Report Criticizing the BLM's Greater Sage Grouse Plan

Greater Sage Grouse
Photo Courtesy of the USFS

Megan Maxwell, MRLS'12, recently authored a report on the BLM's greater sage-grouse conservation recommendations as set forth in the BLM's December 2011 National Technical Team Report. The report is titled: BLM's NTT Report: Is it the best available science or a tool to support a predetermined outcome?

Maxwell's report was published by the Northwest Mining Association (NWMA). The NWMA is a 118 year old non-profit, non-partisan trade association. The NWMA focuses on hardrock mineral exploration processes including: prospecting, exploring, mining, and reclamation closure activities on BLM and USFS lands, and private and state lands in the west.

The NWMA has retained Maxwell, who is a biologist in addition to being trained in environmental law, to conduct further review of the NTT Report. She graduated with her Master of Resources Law Studies degree in December of 2012. Maxwell said, "The program [Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program] really did prepare me for the work I am doing now and I am very grateful for that."

Congratulations to Maxwell on her great work! We wish her all the best in her future endeavors!