LR Currents V1, N4, December 2001
On a warm, sunny day 150 river activists gathered at noon in Durango, Colorado on November 9th alongside the endangered Animas River. Confidently the protestors marched downtown carrying colorful signs and banners while chanting slogans demanding the Animas remain wild and free.
The jubilant crowd, representing 35 groups, then gathered before the offices of the Bureau of Reclamation, calling for termination of the Animas-La Plata Project. Speakers included leaders of social justice, taxpayer and environmental groups from each of the Four Corners states. Citing violations of federal laws, the groups demanded an investigation of the project by the General Accounting Office (GAO).
The urgent nature of the group's complaints were heightened by the imminent excavation of ancient Native American gravesites that would occur in advance of construction. Prior to the rally, members of the Southern Ute and Navajo nations gathered at the proposed reservoir site and offered prayers for the preservation of these sacred grounds.
These concerns were listed in letters addressed to every member of Congress and deposited in the mailbox before the BuRec office. "We want accountability, not more corporate subsidies," exclaimed Owen Lammers, executive director of LIVING RIVERS. "The real estate developers want to declare victory in this struggle, but we're here to tell them they're going to lose." The rally also signified the first public event in LIVING RIVERS' campaign to reform of the Bureau of Reclamation in its centennial year, 2002.
The march continued back to the shores of the Animas River where refreshments were presented and local musicians entertained till sunset.
