Despite wintry weather conditions, the Ice Lakes dam outlet repair project in Rice Twp. is underway and on schedule, according to the project engineer.
At their Nov. 4, 2020 meeting, township supervisors awarded a $427,695 contract to Fabcor Corp. of Jessup to make repairs to the dam.
Township engineer Andrew Pasonick of Penn Eastern Engineering told me Fabcor has begun the first step of the project, dewatering the lake. He explained the process will lower the water level around the spillway by about six feet. Once that is done, a coffer dam made of large rocks covered by a waterproof membrane will be constructed around the spillway.
Mineral Creek to be focus of extensive watershed study
Durango, Colorado Currently Tue 23% chance of precipitation 54% chance of precipitation 53% chance of precipitation 66% chance of precipitation
Facing extreme pressure in recent years, waterway near Silverton will be examined
Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 5:03 AM
Mineral Creek to be focus of extensive watershed study Mineral Creek, a popular place for outdoor recreation, will be the focal point of a watershed assessment conducted by the U.S. Forest Service this summer. Courtesy of Ray Dileo
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The U.S. Forest Service this summer will launch an extensive study of the Mineral Creek watershed west of Silverton, an area that has been bombarded in recent years with campers and hikers headed up the Ice Lakes Trail.
Despite the COVID-19 global pandemic, revenues from two tax sources were higher than expected last year in Rice Twp.
Township secretary/treasurer Jeffrey Beck told supervisors at their reorganization meeting that earned income tax and real estate transfer tax receipts were unexpectedly high in 2020.
Beck reported the real estate transfer tax was $18,798 over budget, while earned income tax receipts were $37,217 over budget. Those same categories were $9,570 and $32,470 respectively over anticipated budget receipts in 2019. Beck noted property tax revenue is volatile and difficult to predict.
As a result, Beck noted that the township recorded a surplus of about $9,000, compared to an expected $1,000 surplus.
Outdoornews
January 13, 2021
The good old days at Colorado state parks and the like, when campers could have a little slice of heaven all to themselves. That reportedly changed with the pandemic in 2020. (Photo by Brian Peterson)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Scott Fitzwilliams was supposed to be off work. But as supervisor of America’s most trafficked national forest, “you’re never off work,” he says.
So there he was Fourth of July weekend, supposed to be enjoying the serenity he had always known at a lake within White River National Forest. “Popular,” Fitzwilliams had always known it, “but usually kind of a local place.”
Increased recreation amid virus takes environmental toll
by Seth Boster, The Associated Press
Posted Jan 9, 2021 10:10 am EDT
Last Updated Jan 9, 2021 at 10:14 am EDT
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Scott Fitzwilliams was supposed to be off work. But as supervisor of America’s most trafficked national forest,“ you’re never off work,” he says.
So there he was Fourth of July weekend, supposed to be enjoying the serenity he had always known at a lake within White River National Forest. “Popular,” Fitzwilliams had always known it, “but usually kind of a local place.”
Not in 2020.
The shoreline was packed with people. Dogs ran off leash, their waste left unattended. All-terrain vehicles rumbled nearby, some off designated paths. Campfires were outlawed across Colorado at the time, including here. But that didn’t stop people with their brand-new tents.