The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
LIC calls off protest
A decision by the High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) to host a fundraising event at Eleven’s Scarp Ridge Lodge this Sunday has alienated some of its longtime members. In fact, a protest was scheduled to coincide with the event but that has been called off in deference to the speaker, renowned nature photographer John Fielder.
A flurry of emails crossed the Internet this past week as members of the Lake Irwin Coalition who are also members of HCCA were upset at the environmental organization’s choice of venue. The LIC is engaged in a battle over Eleven’s plans for the Lake Irwin area, including the popular Scarp Ridge trail. Several members insinuated that HCCA was being co-opted by Eleven through donations to HCCA.
“Out of respect for Mr. Fielder and the wonderful work he has done to preserve the environment, the Lake Irwin Coalition will not disrupt the HCCA-sponsored event on Sunday evening,” the LIC said in a statement. “The Lake Irwin Coalition regrets that HCCA continues to uniquely ignore the environmental and public access impacts to the pristine areas impacted by Eleven Experience’s Scarp Ridge development project.”
HCCA board member Peggy Moore wrote to those people copied on the email chain that centered on HCCA’s choice of venue. “I am so sorry you have been pulled into a discussion over a disagreement with HCCA’s choice of venue for an event that is designed to highlight and support Wilderness—something we all love. We never imagined it would stir up such feelings and accusations,” she wrote. “As we continue the thus-far successful 37-year effort to keep a mine from opening on Mt. Emmons, High Country Conservation Advocates will continue to work to find common ground with all who have a stake in this valley. We all know the severe impacts a molybdenum mine would have on our lives and on the natural environment in Gunnison County. In order to continue our mine fight, and for Wilderness to survive another 50 years, we need to bring diverse interests into the mix. It will only be through broad and united community support that we can succeed in finding a permanent solution to the mine debacle.”
“Despite HCCA’s best efforts to represent the community’s interest in protecting the reason we all love calling this place home, it seems there will always be some who find fault with our endeavors,” added board president Rob Burnett. “I can only hope that dissidence can be redirected to helping us keep Red Lady mine-free. That will happen if we work together as a community even if we disagree on other issues.”
Fielder will speak at the Scarp Ridge Lodge Sunday evening at 5 o’clock.
