Platte River Channel Becomes a Focus for Platte River Cooperative Program Studies2001

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a Brown, Rick From: Wendy Weiss [wendy.weiss @state.co.us] Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 4:12 PM To: rick. brown @ state.co.us Cc: don.ament @ag.state.co.us; david.little @denverwater.org; hbpropst @home.com; aberryman @ ncwcd.org; ewilkinson @ ncwcd.org; jaltenhofen @ ncwcd.org; dick.stenzeI @state.co.us; hal.simpson @state.co.us; Kent.Holsinger @state.co.us; braley @troutraley.com; dfreeman @troutraley.com Subject: Re: Suggested Comments for DOI press release; Platte River Rick, thanks for doing such a good job in a short time. I don't know if it's inadvertent or deliberate, but the FWS is very adept at creating a tempest in a teapot by taking a needlessly clumsy and high- handed approach. This was reminiscent of Ralph's letter letting us know about the species recovery goals workshop. >>> <rick.brown @state.co.us> 01/30/01 02:05PM >>> Hello Team, Another short timeframe. Please take a look at the following comments regarding the proposed DOI press release. Please give comments to Kent and I before close of buisness today. Sorry! Here are my suggested comments: Colorado strongly urges the DOI to delay or cancel the proposed press release. If the DOI feels compelled to respond to the newspaper article Colorado requests that DOI work closely with the outreach committee and develop a consensus response. The current press release is unacceptable for a number of reasons. First, much of the information in the press release is presented as statements of fact which are not agreed upon by many of the species experts and CA participants. Presenting the information as fact sets the CA process back and appears to be simply reverting to positions taken in past biological opinions. Second, the information as presented is likely to elevate concerns and create further disagreements with the local community. This will make the CA process even more challenging. Third, the information in the press release creates a polarizing atmosphere among the CA participants and the local community. This is especially true in regard to the "possible solutions ". Colorado has important questions and significant concerns that need to be fully explored and evaluated in regard to many of the issues in the press release. Colorado opposes using the press to "debate" these important issues. In summary, Colorado requests that the DOI not issue any press release at this time because we find that this effort will be counter productive and not in the best interest of the CA participants.