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Ken Tiegs of Salida, vice president of Rags Over the Arkansas River, writes:

The issues of Safety-Environment-Economics as related to the ‘OverTheRiver’ art project are obvious to anyone who learns of the proposal . . . . . . or are they? In view of the fact that artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude have only recently submitted ‘a plan’- over 2,000 pages worth- perhaps it’s not so cut and dried after all.
Numerous signs are posted in Big Horn Sheep Canyon (the site for OTR) by the BLM, Colorado Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks. Various other groups take an active role in protecting the river environment for their own specific causes.
Statements on these signs are all meaningful, but none more concise than the following: The Arkansas River is a nice mix of ‘wild’ areas and sights, as well as residential and even town sites. In other words, people and wildlife all make the river their home.
Please recognize wildlife and homeowners privacy by not invading their space, whether on public lands or private property.
Respect their space and don’t chase the wildlife or the people out of their own habitat.
Remember, excess noise is a form of trespassing if it disturbs wildlife and homeowners’ environments.
Many folks may have thought that the old fashioned ideas of caring for the environment and the rights of privacy for wildlife (and people) and respecting their space etc., came from the mouths of some rabid environmentalist group. It’s gratifying to see that our own local, state and national government agencies have found it important to continue to post and, in some cases, enforce these ideas for visitors and residents alike. These guidelines apply to everyone.
Let’s face it, a 2,000 page ‘plan’ that means 3 years of disruption to peoples’ lives, involves hundreds of tons of concrete, steel rods and cable, flies in the face of reasonable use of the Big Horn Sheep Canyon.
We’re proud to speak out when faced with threatening issues, we’re eager to be the voice for those who cannot or will not do it for themselves and we’re eager to show the world that our Western Hospitality is there for anyone adhering to the ‘cowboy way’ . . . respecting our people and our land. Please, Just Say No To Christo.(roarcolorado.org)

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS

This is all about money for Christo and some local politicians. Common sense says it’s ridiculous to tear up the banks of a wild river to plant cement blocks then string tarps over the river frightening off the wildlife and reducing the insects for the fish. The traffic nightmare this is going to cause on that 2 line road will be staggering. Christo says about a million people might show up. Right, one million people on a narrow 2 line road to see a tarp over a river. This is the biggest con going. And it’s all about making a buck. Since when can a private individual tear up the wilderness, the environment, and have a huge negative impact on wildlife just to make buck?

Christo submitted a 2,000 page document for his plan. If you can't convince them with common sense, then baffle them with BS.

Christo=Wasted money in the name of totally senseless art.

This isn't art, this is raping the environment for profit. Art is painting hanging in a museum. A million people on 2 line hwy 50 is insane. The politicians for Freemont county should have flat out rejected this years ago. But their greed is showing too.

Christos ridiculous ongoing destruction "in the name of art" of pristine natural wilderness parallels that of the "speak truth to power" progressives currently wrecking this country .

While it is easily observed that Christos work lacks social significance , the not so subtle work of the dems goes unnoticed by the MSM and thus the general public.

CHRISTO=LIBERAL NONSENSE

Christo is a schmuck.

Aren't there covenants about hanging your laundry in public? Most jurisdictions would give him a ticket.

As a native Coloradan, I find The notion that the natural beauty of Colorado needs to be "enhanced" to be ridiculous. Send Christo packing!

As a native Coloradan I would like to tie a string of bright red bandanas to his 'nads and parade him up and down 16th street.

In the name of art........of course!

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