NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
WATER USERS CUT BACK Voluntary conservation efforts are working in Paonia, B1
SPORTS
ELIMINATING POLIO
GOLF SCRAMBLE
Cedaredge Rotarians join worldwide effort, C5
Hotchkiss Booster Club tourney draws all-time high of 19 teams, C6
DELTA COUNTY
JULY 18, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 29
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
DURA project lacks hotel developers BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The Delta Urban Renewal Authority received zero response to a request for proposals to develop an upper mid-scale hotel along the Gunnison River. The deadline for submission of proposals was July 2. The RFP was reissued after it was learned the parcel of land originally designated for the project was no longer available. At that time, DURA had one interested party. An adjoining parcel of land was identified as a more attractive alternative, and the concept of an indoor/outdoor water park was thrown into the mix. DURA commissioners agreed to throw the process “wide open” to whoever would be interested in developing the property. DURA meets Thursday, July 19. In a memo setting the stage for that meeting, city
manager David Torgler, who serves as DURA’s executive director, posed the question: “Respectfully, how does the DURA Board want to proceed with implementation of the project plan?” DURA has outlined other goals, in addition to the hotel development, but Torgler observed that without a catalyst project such as the hotel development, a major source of funding — tax increment financing — would be limited. His memo also refers to the private parties who have expressed interest in developing a water park and lodging. “Does the DURA board want to hold back for a defined period of time, such as six months, to see if other development occurs without public participation?” That will be the question DURA commissioners ponder at their meeting July 19.
Fire ban downgraded to Stage 1 restrictions STAFF REPORT
An increase in moisture levels and decrease in overall threat of wildfire has prompted Delta County Undersheriff Mark Taylor to request the county commissioners downgrade the county from Stage 2 to Stage 1 restrictions. A resolution adopted Monday by the Delta County Board of County Commissioners mirrors actions taken by the Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, as well as the BLM. Grand Mesa National Forest continues to remain
at Stage 1. Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit open burning of any kind to include agricultural burning, open campfires and fireworks. Smoking cigarettes outdoors is not allowed, unless in an enclosed vehicle or building or in a developed recreation site. Campfires in a developed campground or enclosed fire pits are okay. For more information on fire restrictions on national forests, call the fire information line at 970-874-6602 or visit http://bit. ly/GMUGFireRestrictions.
Delta Volunteer Fire Department photo
Pothole rescue
The Delta Volunteer Fire Dept. responded to a rescue call in Escalante Canyon Saturday, July 14, around 4:05 p.m. The call was reported as people trapped in a flash flood at the potholes. Firefighters responded by using ropes and life jackets to rescue three people from their location on the east side of the creek. Everyone was brought to safety without any incident. “We would like to remind the public that we live in an area where flash flooding can occur,” the fire department said in a press release issued July 16. “Please be mindful of the weather and your surroundings at all times.”
DHS teacher to embark on expedition STAFF REPORT
Delta High School science teacher Ben Graves has been selected as one of this year’s Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows in recognition of his commitment to geographic education. The 2018 Fellows, a group of 40 highly respected educators from the United States and Canada, will embark on global expeditions to Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic to explore the rapidly changing marine ecosystems of the Far North. He departs in early August. “The focus of this expedition for me personally as a science teacher is to help make the invisible visible for my students,” Graves said. “The Arctic and especially the polar atmospheric and marine systems play an incredibly large and complex role in global atmospheric circulation impacting everything from the winter storm systems we see in Colorado to intensifying summer drought
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Back Page ................... D6 Business .......................A10 Church ........................... A6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Health & Fitness ...... B4-6 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries .................. A7-8 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports .............................C6 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
conditions. Climate change is having a profound impact in the Arctic and the influx of freshwater and lack of sea ice is exacerbating increased sea surface temperatures across the North. My goal is to bring this experience home to my students in Delta so that I can make visible the invisible forces that drive our earth system.” Graves plans to make a series of videos for his classroom which can be viewed at youtube:@Mr GravesScience. He will also be bringing home ocean and glacial water samples and air quality data to help his students connect with the rapidly changing Arctic. Graves will travel aboard the Lindblad Expedition ships National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endeavour ll and National Geographic Sea Lion for his hands-on experience. This year marks the 12th year of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program, established to honor former National Geo-
graphic Society chairman Gilbert Grosvenor’s lifetime commitment to geographic education. The program began with two fellows in 2007 and has grown each year. The expeditions were donated in perpetuity to the National Geographic Society by Sven-Olof Lindblad and Lindblad Expeditions to mark Grosvenor’s 75th birthday in 2006 and honor his service to the enhancement and advancement of geographic education. Each year, pre-K–12 educators are encouraged to apply for this one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity. Fellows enhance their geographic learning through direct, hands-on field experience and bring that knowledge back to their classrooms and professional communities. Accompanied by Lindblad-National Geographic expedition experts, ranging from undersea specialists to National Geographic photographers, the fellows will experience landscapes, cultures and wildlife unique to their
regions of exploration. Before their 10- to 17-day voyages, the fellows traveled to National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., where they participated in a multiday, hands-on, preexpedition workshop covering
Ben Graves
everything from photography to outreach planning and had the opportunity to network with Lindblad Expeditions naturalists and past fellows. “Grosvenor Teacher Fellows are an integral part of National Geographic’s work to achieve a planet in balance,” said Mike Ulica, interim president and CEO of the National Geographic Society. “Educators like these fellows ensure that students are equipped with geographic knowledge and global awareness, empowering the next generation to create solutions for a healthier and more sustainable future.” “These are exemplary educators who play a vital role in shaping and inspiring the future stewards of our planet. We are committed to taking them to some of the world’s most remote and pristine places to help fuel their passion to share knowledge, and the world, with their students,” stated Sven Lindblad, CEO and president of Lindblad Expeditions.
Tipi raising party
Animal feed collected
Food help
Calling all volunteers! Fort Uncompahgre on the Old Spanish Trail has received six new tipis that will be used as outdoor classrooms in conjunction with the Nature Connection. John Hardy has volunteered to lead a group of folks who are willing to learn how to set up the tipis and pitch in where necessary. Hardy plans to get started early Saturday, July 21. Please plan to be at the fort around 8 a.m. Fort director Chris Miller promises to provide doughnuts and coffee, as well as lunch. Call 874-8349 or 874-6695 for more information.
CSU Extension Offices in Mesa, Montrose, San Miguel and Delta counties are conducting an animal feed drive to benefit the victims of the Spring Fire and their livestock. The evacuation site at the Huerfano County Fairgrounds is full of evacuated animals and more are still coming! To help, CSU Extension Office is collecting any and all types of feed — oats, corn, sweet mix, horse feed, chicken feed, alfalfa cubes, etc. Please, no dog or cat food. There will be drop-off areas at Mesa, Montrose, San Miguel and Delta County Fairs, or drop off donations at your local CSU Extension Office. Monetary donations are also accepted; please make checks payable to Montrose Extension Fund. For more information, call Nicole at 970-249-3935.
Adults aged 60 and over in Delta County may be eligible to receive a monthly nutritious food box consisting of non-perishable protein, milk, juice, cereal, canned or dried fruits and vegetables, and refrigerated cheese. Food Bank of the Rockies and partner agencies want to make sure no senior goes hungry. For details, contact Salvation Army Delta at 399-3584.