March, 2009
U.S. congressman Doug Lamborn supports Christo’s "Over the River"
art project, which, if approved, would drape fabric over about nearly six
miles
of the Arkansas River between Canon City and Salida. Congressman Lamborn
said
he's sympathetic with area residents concerned about the impact of half a
million people descending on the valley for 2 weeks. Christo clearly forgot
to
tell congressman Lamborn that it will take 2 years to build and 1 year to
dismantle this project.
25,600 cars per day for 2 weeks. This does not include how many cars that
will
come before and after the 2 week period. 25,600 cars on narrow 2 line highway
50. People will be stopping and starting to gawk. 25,600 cars in one day
will
bring hwy 50 to a grinding halt. How in the world will ambulances or fire
trucks
get through 25,600 cars? They won’t. It will be simply impossible on
that
narrow road. With 25,600 cars a day there will be plenty of accidents. And
with
the high winds the canyon gets a helicopter rescue will be unlikely.
Do you really think with 25,600 cars a day rafting and fishing companies
will
even be able to operate? There is no way they will be able to drop off and
pick
up their clients with that kind of traffic. Fishermen will simply stay away
from
this area. The highway 50 canyon is notorious for high winds. With thousands
of
cables stretched across the river all it will take is high winds and these
cables will sag to head level if not break altogether. Think about what will
happen to you in your raft as you try to float under a drooping cable.
Did Christo explain to congressman Lamborn about the construction/destruction
of new roads on the opposite river banks to make thousands of anchor points
by
drilling into rocks, etc.? This area is one of the largest bighorn sheep
habitats in Colorado. There will be huge negative impacts to other animals
and
birds (Eagles) trying to get to their main water source only to find it covered
for 6 miles. 3 years of construction/destruction will no doubt drive them
off.
Congressman Lamborn should study Christo’s previous failed project
in Rifle,
Colorado in 1971. Christo's Curtain hung for twenty-eight hours before the
canyon gusts destroyed the project. There are still remnants of Christo’s
“
art” work in that area.
Why in the world should a private individual be allowed to destroy the banks
of
a river for 6 miles with no practical purpose? Heck, you can’t even
camp by
the river yet BLM is going to allow this kind of destruction so Christo can
make
some money selling pictures? This isn’t about art. As always this is
about
money and greed.
Joel Cline
Colorado Springs