For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2010

Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Contact: (202) 536-6190
Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary

Congressman Salazar announces a $205,000 federal grant for the Southwest Conservation Corps of Durango

Giving disadvantaged youth life experience while helping to conserve the land

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar announced that a $205,000 Summer of Service grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service has been awarded to Southwest Conservation Corps of Durango.

The Southwest Conservation Corps will build on its existing community-based programs to implement a Summer of Service program in rural and urban areas across the Intermountain West. A coalition of organizations, comprised of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Weld County Youth Conservation Corps, and Western Colorado Conservation Corps, will involve 410 youth from disadvantaged circumstances in summer service-learning activities. These activities will address environmental needs of the region, including restoring land near rivers and lakes, noxious weed removal and habitat improvement. Working in crews of ten youth participants supported by two adult leaders, youth will be provided with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and become actively involved in improving their community by addressing and solving a tangible and pressing local need.

“Programs like Durango’s Southwest Conservation Corps have an impact not only on the communities they serve, but also on the lives of the students who participate,” said Congressman Salazar “I congratulate Southwest Youth Corps for receiving this grant and for continuing to help young people to become engaged, active citizens.”

Harry Bruell, CEO of Southwest Conservation Corps offered this comment on the funding:

“The funding will allow us to provide service opportunities for 410 middle school students to complete environmental projects over the summer. In Colorado we’ll have folks in Durango, Ignacio, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Steamboat Springs, Lake City, Grand Junction and Salida. With this kind of funding you have dual benefits; communities will get tangible results on environmental and conservation projects and middle school kids will be engaged as resources and will be trained on how to hold a job and work as a team.”

The Summer of Service grants were awarded by Learn and Serve America, a national service program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The agency awarded grants totaling $2 million to 17 nonprofit organizations, universities and schools that oversee summer service-learning programs for low-income students in grades 6 through 9.

The grants will support innovative projects like Southwest Conservation Corps that engage young people in addressing local environmental or disaster preparedness issues. More than 4,000 students across the country will participate in a myriad of activities including assessing local environmental issues, planting gardens, “greening” homes, preparing and distributing disaster preparedness kits, and undertaking service projects in local and national parks. In addition to the grant funding, participants in the Summer of Service program who complete at least 100 hours of service will be eligible to receive a $500 education award that can be used to pay for post-secondary education expenses.

Learn and Serve America is the nation’s leading provider of service-learning grant funding. Service-learning is a method of teaching and learning that connects classroom lessons with meaningful service to the community. Students build academic skills while strengthening communities through service.

For information on this funding contact Southwest Conservation Corps CEO Harry Bruell at (970) 259-8607 x 3.

###

Partly in response to abuses of the popular tax credit program, the Colorado Legislature in 2008 passed House Bill 1353, increasing the amount of oversight for conservation easements. The bill established the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission and requires any land trust in Colorado to be certified if they hold conservation easements using state tax credits.

Land Trust Executive Director Andrew Mackie was gratified that the State of Colorado recognized the quality of the conservation work being done in the Upper Arkansas Valley. “Now land owners have one more measure of the professionalism of the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas”, he said.

The Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas is a non-profit, membership based organization that protects important natural, agricultural, and historical lands and water resources in Chaffee, Lake and Fremont counties to enhance the quality of life for people in the Valley. The Land Trust currently protects over 2,000 acres in the Upper Arkansas by working with land owners in the establishment of conservation easements.

The Land Trust completed its application for certification in September 2009 and was certified in December by the Oversight Commission, a nine-member panel.

Hollis Glenn, Conservation Easement Program Manager for the Division of Real Estate, said that he was impressed by the level of professionalism exhibited by LTUA. “It is encouraging to see qualified land trusts that reside in a local community continue to bring important conservation efforts to their part of the state.”

The State Certification program was designed to use no tax money. As part of the comprehensive application, the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas paid a $7,600 application fee.

“This is just another confirmation of all the hard work carried out by the board of directors, staff, and volunteers of the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas. We continue to make great strides in the Valley to protect important natural, agricultural, scenic, and historical lands for all the area residents and visitors,” said Mackie in a prepared statement.

The Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas is currently negotiating with land owners on several projects that they hope to complete in 2010. If you are interested in learning more about conservation easements or making a donation, contact the Land Trust at 719-539-7700.

Chubb Park Ranch State Wildlife Area is located approximately nine miles northeast of Buena Vista on Highway 24/285. Joseph and Arlene Cogan, whose family has been ranching in Chaffee County since 1889, own the 507-acre ranch. They have agreed to open their ranch to public hunting as part of a perpetual conservation easement.

The conservation easement was jointly financed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Trust for Public Lands, Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas, Great Outdoors Colorado, Chaffee County, and a donation from the Cogan family.

Chubb Park Ranch SWA is comprised of a blend of mountain grassland habitat, creeks, and forest habitat. It provides critical elk winter range.

“The purpose of this project is to protect the conservation values of Chubb Park Ranch in perpetuity and allow public access for hunting,” said Division of Wildlife Regional Manager Dan Prenzlow. “It will protect 84 acres of riparian habitat, 12 acres of forested habitat, over 400 acres of sagebrush/grassland habitat, as well as important winter range for elk.”

The conservation easement also protects nearly 2.8 acres of stream frontage, including portions of Trout Creek, as well as some of the smaller tributaries to both Trout and Chubb Creeks, although the access easement is for hunting only.

Prenzlow said the agreement would also preserve historic ranching practices, habitat for non-game wildlife, and invaluable scenic vistas including a fantastic viewscape from Hwy. 9 to Buffalo Peaks.

The conservation easement preserves valuable habitat as a wildlife corridor between surrounding State Land Board land and the San Isabel National Forest.

The perpetual access easement allows the public to hunt the Chubb Park Ranch. Access to the 507 acre ranch also enhances access to the existing 3,640 acre Chubb Park State Land Board parcel which is open to hunting as part of the State Trust Lands Program.

The DOW is a co-grantee on this perpetual conservation easement with the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas.

The property is located in Game Management Unit 49.

Note: This is a press release from the Division of Wildlife.

The first thing to realize is that a conservation easement starts with a willing land owner. The landowner gives up the development rights to the subject property, and in return receives state tax credits and federal income tax deductions based on the appraised value of the development rights they have donated. A rancher, for example, can sell these tax credits for cash, enabling them to make capital improvements or pay off a mortgage, thereby being able to stay on the land. The associated reduction in the value of the land with the development rights removed also lessens the burden of estate taxes, making it easier to pass the ranch on to the next generation. Others land owners consider an easement as a way to protect wildlife habitat, open space or view corridors, thereby leaving a legacy for the enjoyment of future generations.

The economic and social benefits for communities that place a high value on protecting these natural resources are well documented. In a tourist driven economy such as ours, this value cannot be underestimated. People come here to recreate, enjoy the view sheds and the rural character, not to see how many houses we can build on two acre plots. A recent study commissioned by the Ranchlands Group found that an overwhelming number of residents and visitors alike placed significant value on protecting these resources. Visitors stated they would visit less, and stay for shorter periods of time were they to diminish.

So how does the process play out? Usually it begins with a land owner contacting an organization such as a land trust, to explore their options and the suitability of their land for consideration. Organizations that can negotiate and hold conservation easements range from large national bodies like The Nature Conservancy and Trust For Public Lands, to smaller locally based non-profit organizations like this valley’s Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas. In order to qualify for the tax credits associated with an easement, the subject property must meet at least one on the nine criteria laid down by the IRS.

Once an initial study of the land has been conducted to verify its suitability, an appraisal is completed to ascertain the value of the development rights being donated. A baseline survey is also made, which gives an in-depth study of the property in its current natural  state, including a  full catalog of flora and fauna, soil conditions etc. Within the basic conservation easement document, there is room for the land owner to customize the agreement to suit their vision. For example, they can specify a building envelope or two, depending on the size of the acreage, for a family member to build a home in the future. They are free to live on and continue to use the land as they have done in the past, provided their activities do not negatively impact the conservation values laid out in the deed of easement. Once agreement has been reached, a closing takes place where the owner signs over the development rights of the subject property to the land trust. This takes the form of a deed restriction that stays with the property in perpetuity. It is the duty of the land trust to monitor the future use and condition of the property to ensure the donor’s wishes and intent are met now and in the future. Given that an easement is in perpetuity, it requires careful consideration on behalf of the donor. Once the deed is signed, there is no going back. One popular misconception about conservation easements is that the land owner must now allow public access on the subject property. This is incorrect. While they can allow public access if they wish, it is by no means mandatory, and most land owners choose not to do so.

So the advantages to the land owner come in the form of the tax credits, a lowering of the value of their land, and thereby the tax burden, continued use and enjoyment of the land, and the feeling of having given up something for the benefit of the greater good. The disadvantages are that once the development rights have been signed over, they are severed from the land forever, so there is no going back. Also, for some, the lowering of the value of their land once the  development rights are removed lessens their ability to raise money using their land as collateral. This all means that landowners must think carefully before they proceed, taking advice from family members, attorneys and accountants before committing.

Hayden is the vice president of the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas.

The Chaffee County Heritage Area Advisory Board (CCHAAB) will be holding two public meetings to gather input on the Heritage Area Management Plan. The CCHAAB has been developing the Heritage Area Management Plan over the last year, with the assistance of Mundus-Bishop Design, to help document and preserve our county’s historic, natural and cultural treasures. The purpose of the plan is to assist in setting priorities and raising the visibility of projects that impact the historic, natural and cultural features of Chaffee County. Such preservation and management activities can range from restoring historic buildings and finding ways to support ranchland production to enhancing visitor centers and adding interpretive signs along the Collegiate Peaks Scenic and Historic Byway, which follows Highways 24/285, 291 and 50.

Developing this plan has involved oral history interviews, GIS mapping and collaboration with several individuals and agencies in the county. Public input in this process is invaluable and will be considered in the final version of the plan.

The meetings will be held Wednesday, August 27 in Salida and Thursday, August 28 in Buena Vista. The Salida meeting will be at the Salida Senior Center, 305 F Street, and in Buena Vista at the Community Center, Aspen Room, 715 E. Main St. Both meetings will be from 5:00 pm until about 6:30 pm. At these meetings, the CCHAAB will present the vision and specific goals of the Heritage Area Management Plan. For more information, please contact GARNA at 719-539-5106.

Salida has the potential to improve energy self-sufficiency that keeps dollars and resources circulating through the local economy. But will it?

Recently, BBI International presented to City Council members a roadmap aimed at reducing the City of Salida’s greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable energy self-reliance and local economic development.

BBI’s program is known as CITIES, which stands for Community Initiative to Improve Energy Sustainability. The CITIES program uses the company’s expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency to provide communities with a solution-based approach to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable energy self-reliance and local economic development.

The CITIES comprehensive five-part action plan involves the following steps.

1. Conduct a baseline emissions inventory and forecast.
   The city first calculates base level greenhouse gas emissions. The calculations capture emissions levels from all municipal operations (e.g., city owned and/or operated buildings, streetlights, transit systems, wastewater treatment facilities) and from all community-related activities (e.g., residential and commercial buildings, motor vehicles, waste streams, industry). This inventory provides a benchmark for planning and monitoring progress.
2. Adopt an emissions reduction target for a forecast year.
   The city passes a resolution establishing an emission reduction target for the city. The target is essential. It both fosters political will and creates a framework that guides the planning and implementation of measures.
3. Develop a local climate action plan.
   The local government then develops a Local Climate Action Plan, ideally with robust public input from all stakeholders. The plan details the policies and measures that the local government will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve its emissions reduction target. Most plans include a timeline, a description of financing mechanisms, and an assignment of responsibility to departments and staff. In addition to direct greenhouse gas reduction measures, most plans also incorporate public awareness and education efforts.
4. Implement policies and measures.
   The city implements the policies and measures contained in their Local Climate Action Plan. Typical policies and measures include energy efficiency improvements to municipal buildings and water treatment facilities, streetlight retrofits, public transit improvements, installation of renewable power applications, and methane recovery from waste management.
5. Monitor and verify results.
   Monitoring and verifying progress on the implementation of measures to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions is an ongoing process. Monitoring begins once measures are implemented and continues for the life of the measures, providing important feedback that can be use to improve the measures over time.

As with any project the city council members contemplate these days, the bottom line comes down to money. BBI International is willing to develop initial information that will facilitate application for funding from Federal and State Agencies, and Private Sources.

Salida City Councilman Scott Damman said his fellow councilmen and Mayor Chuck Rose view BBI’s CITIES program as an opportunity to work with a local company to do some good for future generations and the planet. “We hope to develop an action plan, and with a little luck, secure grants to fund our efforts to become greener without dipping into the city’s coffers,” Damman said. “I would like to continue discussions toward building a solar farm here in Salida and sell energy back to the utility companies as a revenue generator to help the city improve its bottom line.”

Elsewhere throughout Colorado other communities grappling with the same issues are coming up with innovative solutions:

• Grass roots. The town of Central City is using energy-efficient lightbulbs in all city building and encouraging residents and businesses to do the same by offering each household free lightbulbs.
• Comprehensive plan. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s administration has created a comprehensive multi-pronged program called Greenprint.
• The town of Carbondale implemented an Energy and Climate Protection Plan. Carbondale voters passed a $1.8 million Clean Renewable Energy Bond resolution to fund construction and operation of town-owned renewable energy facilities. Town Hall is powered in part by solar photovoltaic panles on the roof.
• The town of Frisco launched the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability program to encourage visitors, businesses and residents to be better earth stewards.

Meanwhile, BBI is offering its office greening efforts, based around the Four Rs of sustainability -  rethink, reduce, reuse and recycle – as a template for other businesses, governments and private individuals to begin their own greening efforts.

BBI is a globally recognized leader in energy research and education specializing in biofuels and ethanol. BBI’s corporate office, including its conference and events division, is located in downtown Salida.

What are you doing to green your business or home? Add your tips in the comments.