For Immediate Release: July 19, 2010 Elaine Mariner, elaine.mariner@state.co.us, 303-892-3870 Over The River Comment Period Begins Draft of the Bureau of Land Management Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) available

DENVER (July 19, 2010). The draft of the BLM’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is now complete and available for public review and comment. During this 45-day comment period, the public can weigh in and let the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) know what they think about Over The River.

In addition to analyzing the potential impacts and benefits of the project, the Draft EIS also outlines several alternatives to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s original artistic vision, one of which reduces the miles of fabric panels from 5.9 to 1.4 miles. Public comment is one of the ways that the BLM decides which EIS alternative, if any, will be approved for realization.

There are several ways to review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The full document can be downloaded on the BLM’s website, or you can click here to download the executive summary. Hard copies are also available for review at several locations in Salida, Cañon City, and Denver (click here to view the exact locations). You can also request a compact disc with the document by calling the BLM at (719) 269-8500.

The Bureau of Land Management is accepting comments via email, online web form, fax and mail.

The BLM will also accept written and oral comments at four public meetings:
Cañon City - Monday, August 9, 2010
Harrison K-8 School: 920 Field Avenue, Cañon City, CO

Salida - Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Salida High School: 905 D Street, Salida, CO

Cotopaxi - Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Cotopaxi School: 345 County Road 12, Cotopaxi, CO

Denver - Thursday, August 12, 2010
Doubletree Hotel Denver: 3203 Quebec Street, Denver, CO
All public meetings will include an open house from 4-6 p.m. followed by a public comment session from 6 p.m. until the final comment has been made.

Christo Returning to Colorado

Christo is coming back to Colorado to give free lectures, including a slide presentation, in Colorado Springs and Pueblo on July 28th and 29th. The artist will share images and commentary from previous projects that he and Jeanne-Claude completed around the world. Christo and his team will also discuss Over The River and ways to participate during the ongoing permitting process. The audience will also have the chance to participate in a Q&A session with Christo and his team. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the project and hear from the artist himself. Details are as follows: