[Awclist] Colorado river conservation letter to the Editor

[Cliff Loucks]

This, at least to me, seems a good way to get a politicians attention; in this case it's in advance of President Obama's visit to Grand Juncion CO tomorrow.  I can't vouch for the $$ numbers here, but they are interesting.

--Cliff


Begin forwarded message:

From: Herm Hoops
Subject: Letter - re: Colorado River
Date: August 7, 2012 10:44:26 AM MDT
To: <undisclosed recipients>

I want to share an excellent letter from Adventure Bound’s Tom Kleinschnitz to the Grand junction Sentinel.  Note the reference to the fortune 500 companies.  Too often private boaters especially do not become proactive in protecting and preserving rivers.  I hope that others may use this template to take up the cause, like so many of us have done, and help protect OUR river resources.
 
Herm

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Email letters, August 6, 2012
By Staff
Monday, August 6, 2012
 
President asked to remember importance of Colorado River
 
My job depends on the Colorado River, so when President Obama arrives in Grand Junction this week, I’ll be listening closely to see what the president’s plans are to protect this economic lifeline for the Grand Valley, our state and the entire Southwest.
 
Every year a population 2.2 times greater than the entire Denver metropolitan area descends upon the river and its tributaries in Colorado to recreate, leaving a trail of $6.4 billion behind in exchange for hotel stays, meals, souvenirs, rafting trips and countless other products and services.
 
In fact, if the Colorado River were a company, it would be the 19th largest employer on the Fortune 500 and rank ahead of companies such as General Mills, US Airways and Progressive Insurance.
 
But without the leadership of President Obama and the adoption of conservation measures, we won’t always be able to rely on the river to create jobs and support our tax base. Years of drought paired with large population increases across the West have taken a severe toll on the river, and now more water leaves the Colorado River than enters it each year.
 
If we stay on our current course, the Colorado River will slow to a trickle. And so, too, will the tourism dollars flowing into our state, the profitability of our outdoor recreation economy, our jobs and our current way of life.
 
Mr. President, if you remember one thing from your visit it should be: The Colorado River is good business for Colorado.
 
TOM KLEINSCHNITZ
President/Owner
Adventure Bound River Expeditions
Grand Junction

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