Update: Here’s the release from Ritter’s office:
Gov. Bill Ritter’s office is now accepting applications through Aug. 6 for a new River Access Dispute Resolution Task Force, a working group of up to 17 members that will present the Governor and lawmakers with recommendations by the end of the year.
The Governor created the task force to help craft a dispute-resolution process to resolve future conflicts between river users and private landowners on Colorado waterways. The task force follows heated debate that occurred earlier this year over proposed legislation, a specific dispute along the Taylor River and the introduction of several ballot measures which have since been withdrawn.
“The charge of this new task force is not to resolve the longstanding legal and policy dispute over whether there exists or ought to exist a ‘right to float’ in Colorado,” Gov. Ritter said. “Instead, the task force’s charge is to establish a framework for landowners and boaters to efficiently and fairly resolve disputes over the use of rivers as they arise.
“Private landowners invest untold sums into maintaining and enhancing the waterways that run through their lands,” the Governor added. “And more tourists come to Colorado to raft than in any other state; this activity alone generates $132 million per year in revenue. It is in the interest of the entire state that landowners and rafters have a means of resolving their disputes in a manner that keeps waterways open to rafting while respecting the interests and investments of private landowners.”
The charge of the task force is to develop a framework for resolving conflicts among landowners, anglers, commercial rafters, and the boating public on a stretch-by-stretch basis as disputes arise. The group will:
Hold two public meetings in different parts of the state to gather stakeholder input.
Hold at least four other open meetings to evaluate the public input and consider options for a dispute-resolution process.
Prepare a final report with recommendations for the Governor and legislature by Dec. 31.Those interested in serving on the task force should fill out and submit the application via fax (303.866.6368), email (boards@state.co.us) or U.S. Postal Service mail (Office of Boards and Commissions, 136 State Capitol, Denver, CO 80203). The deadline to submit applications is Aug. 6.
For more information, call 303.866.6380.
From The Pueblo Chieftain (Patrick Malone):
Ritter is seating the 17-member River Access Dispute Resolution Task Force to present recommendations to his office and lawmakers by the end of the year. Applications to serve on the task force are being accepted through Aug. 6. The conflict between rafters and landowners began with a dispute along the Taylor River on the Western Slope, when a developer threatened to close the river to passage through his property. After the Legislature failed to act on the issue, threats of up to two dozen ballot measures were averted when interested parties on both sides agreed to let the task force study solutions. “The charge of this new task force is not to resolve the longstanding legal and policy dispute over whether there exists or ought to exist a ‘right to float’ in Colorado,” Ritter said. “Instead, the task force’s charge is to establish a framework for landowners and boaters to efficiently and fairly resolve disputes over the use of rivers as they arise.”
The task force is designed to set up a system for settling those conflicts (including potential snarls between property owners and anglers, commercial rafters and the boating public) on a stretch-by-stretch basis as disputes emerge…
The group will hold two public meetings in different parts of the state to gather stakeholder input and hold at least four more open meetings to evaluate the public input and consider options for a dispute-resolution process. Its report containing recommendations to the governor and the Legislature is due Dec. 31. Anyone interested in serving on the task force can print an application from the state Boards and Commissions website, or call 303-866-6380 for more information. Completed applications can be faxed to 303-866-6368 or submitted by e-mail to boards@state.co.us.