GW COUNCIL MAY BAN SMOKING DOWNTOWN
Glenwood Springs—Smoking in Glenwood Springs’ downtown commercial core may be banned soon. Last night the city council appeared to be reluctantly leaning in that direction. The issue was brought before the council in response to a flood of complaints from citizens and business owners concerned about second hand smoke and cigarette butts littering the streets. The council will vote on on the ban after city staff members draft an ordinance.
GLENWOOD SAYS NO ONCE AGAIN TO BIG RIG HAUL ROUTE
Glenwood Springs—The Glenwood Springs city council emphatically reaffirmed it’s staunch opposition to the downtown area being a haul route for oil and gas drilling trucks. The council unanimously approved a resolution addressed to the Bureau of Land Management stating that the downtown area and Four Mile Road should not be used as easy access for Houston-based SG Interests to get to drilling areas in the Thompson Divide. Last night’s vote was followed by wild applause from the audience.
FEDS SAY KEEP MOFFAT COUNTY COAL MINE OPEN
Craig—Federal officials support keeping a coal mine near Craig open over objections from environmentalists. Today the Interior Department signed off on a plan to keep the Colowyo mine operating. The federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced that Assistant Interior Secretary Janice Schneider approved the plan for the plan. The move follows a court-ordered environmental review which concluded that climate change impacts of the coal to be mined and burned was insignificant. It’s not clear if the approval is final or subject to the approval of the federal judge who ordered the new review because the old one didn’t involve public participation or take the greenhouse gases into account. Similar lawsuits challenging permits were also filed against a mine in New Mexico and another near the Montana-Wyoming border.
