Feb. 1: ROAR files lawsuit in Federal Court against BLM.

• NY Times features Ellen & Cathey front and center, with Dan close-by!
• Follow the news stories and video links.
• View the entire news conference that followed the lawsuit filing.
• Read about the lawsuit.
• Colorado Springs Channel 13 online article features Janice Yalch, ROAR Board member.
• Read Denver Channel 4's online article and see their video report of Thursday's meetings. The video includes interview clips from our own VP, Ellen Bauder, and ROAR Spokeswoman, Joan Anzelmo.

Concurrently, Fremont County Commssioners held public hearings Feb. 1 & 2 as they consider OTR Corporation's permit application. Citizens both for and against the project had opportunity to comment. Several ROAR members and others opposed to this invasive project presented oral and written comments.

Revealed at the Fremont County hearings: New analysis exposes the traffic and safety hazards of OTR's latest construction plan.

To our members and supporters:

ROAR's Board of Directors would like to thank you for your continued support. This is NOT over yet! And please, keep in mind that we can still use your support. In addition to the new lawsuit against BLM, we continue with the lawsuit against Colorado's Department of Parks and Wildlife. Click on the Paypal logo at left, or contact ROAR to find out how you can help. We appreciate you!

Prior Info & News:
AHRA State Park Advisory Board vetoes OTR.
July 22, 2011 - Local Businesses and Citizen Group Sue State Parks, Demand Public Process in “Over the River” Decision. Read about it.

ROAR's official objections fall into two major categories:

1. Management Policy in the proposed project area.

These included such items as conflicts with current and historical management missions and directives, protection of specific wildlife and environment in the project area, restricted surface activities (such as drilling), visual intrusion, and other management directives.

2. Specific adverse affects that will result from all phases of the 3-year presence of OTR.

Our comments cited specific and significant impacts to area residents, such as safety and emergency response; major traffic delays; economic impacts to area businesses and jobs, particularly to recreation industries; environmental degradation to wildlife, habitat, air and water quality.

Find out more about OTR

Click through our website links to learn about:

• How the influx of the projected 344,000-400,000 tourists will create a traffic nightmare on the narrow 2-lane canyon highway (U.S. 50).
• How emergency and fire personnel will have great difficulty responding to accidents or fires in the canyon or surrounding area.
• Concerns as to the increase in visitors also bringing more litter and human waste to the canyon.
• Permanent defacement of the riverbanks.
• Bighorn sheep, elk, deer and other wildlife kept from accessing the river for water.
• Bald and golden eagles kept from fishing and hunting.
• Difficulty, or even impossibility, of fishing of these waters.
• Negative economic impact on commercial and recreation industries that travel the canyon daily.