Ken Tiegs, and a number of other ROAR members spoke to the Chaffee County Commissioners today at their regular meeting.  Ken gave the commissioners new data regarding the number of predicted visitors that was projected when Christo first proposed the project in the late '90's, which was 600,000 to one million.  The current figure has been somehow reduced to 250,000.  Ken's concern is that the safety and environmental impact of the project is totally dependent on these figures.  The commissioners were urged to consider this discrepancy.  Ken also presented new data regarding a noxious weed that has made its debut in Chaffee County and could spread like wildfire with the help of the project.  This weed is in the mustard family and has already been spotted at the Chaffee county line, growing in sheer rock.  Weeds thrive in areas of disturbed soil, which is what would be created if this project is allowed.  Ken then presented enlarged photos of the cement, I beams and other detritus left by Christo at the Rifle Gap project.  Despite claims that none of this can be seen from the road, all photos were taken from the road.  Other members of ROAR presented concerns regarding ability to get to medical care, (chemo treatment), effects of the project on river front private property, the National Geographic article noting that their art is not to please anyone but themselves, and the question of whether the project required the commissioner's consideration at all.  The commissioners assured the audience that their number one concern would be safety, but were awaiting the EIS and a formal application from Christo.

 

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