HEALTHY LOCAL SNOWPACK
Glenwood Springs—Spring runoff should be abundant in Colorado. Locally, the snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed is 151 percent of normal. A year ago, it was a paltry 87 percent. According to this week’s measurements from the Roaring Fork Conservancy, the snow water equivalent (SWE) at Schofield Pass is a robust 46 percent compared to just 22 percent last March. Officials say the runoff and summer water supply is mostly dependent on weather through the rest of winter and spring.
ST. PATTY’S DAY HEAT IS ON STARTS TONIGHT
Denver—Saint Patrick’s Day is one week away but 88 Colorado law enforcement agencies across Colorado plan to get an early start. Tonight through March 20th, extra officers will be patrolling the highways and streets looking for drunk or stoned drivers. Officials with C-DOT and the State Patrol say with big drinking holidays like Saint Patrick’s Day, people tend to start partying well before the official day. In the tri-county area, a saturation patrol is being conducted by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the Basalt Police Department. Increased patrols are in the works for the Colorado State Patrol, the Pitkin County and Garfield County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the police departments of Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Rifle and Silt.
BUFORD NEW CASTLE PROJECT
New Castle—The Buford New Castle Road is well on it’s way to becoming wider, safer and more beautiful. The White River National Forest released a final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Buford New Castle project. The chosen alternative for the project on the Rifle and Blanco Ranger Districts calls for growing and cultivating trees on over 600 acres. In addition, 10 stock ponds will be developed, interpretive signs will be installed and the road will be more uniform for hikers and motorists. Rifle District Ranger Sarah Hankens says, “the Buford New Castle project demonstrates how recreation management and vegetation management can work together for long term benefits.”
