Group Suing To Block Christo’s “Over The River”

Opponents of the artist Christo’s plan to suspend giant fabric panels over parts of the scenic Arkansas River are filing a lawsuit in federal court to try to block it.

University of Denver student lawyers are filing the lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of the group Rags Over the River. The group contends Christo’s “Over the River” proposal is an industrial-scale project that poses threats to residents, visitors and wildlife.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management last year issued a record of decision allowing Christo to go forward with what he and his late wife, Jeanne-Claude, envisioned, with dozens of measures to mitigate impacts on traffic, safety and wildlife.

Some local approvals are still needed. Fremont County was holding public hearings Wednesday and Thursday on Christo’s permit request there.

Dozens of those in support and against the project packed into the Fremont County hearing room in Caon City.

Janice Yalch lives in the canyon where the display would be set up. She said she is concerned about her safety.

Yalch called Highway 50 her lifeline and said it is a narrow roadway. She and fellow residents voiced their worries about emergency crews being able to access the rural neighborhood.

She also said many residents will have difficulty getting to and from work even if there is a slight delay. Yalch also pointed out environmental questions that she said the federal impact study never truly addressed.

“I think that the canyon will be somewhat trashed,” said Yalch.

She pointed out that the project would have to drill nearly 10,000 holes to get the fabric hung up. Yalch said even though those holes would be filled with grout, she remains skeptical.

“It is upsetting for me and I am angry that it has gotten this far,” said Yalch. “I’m not objecting to the project. It’s just in the wrong place.”

Yalch said many have suggested the project be moved to the Royal Gorge where it would be easier to manage tourists.

But those who work with Christo has said he picked his location carefully.

Steve Coffin, Christo’s Communications Counsel, was at Wednesday’s meeting.

According to Coffin, Christo picked the spot because he needed the river to move east-west, so that the light would hit the fabric in the right way. He said Christo also wanted an area that was not desolate, but inhabited by people.

Coffin said Christo and his late wife traveled 15,000 miles and looked at 89 rivers in the Rocky Mountains for the project.

He said that controversy was expected, but that some of the potential gains were being overlooked.

Coffin said that the federal impact study estimated Christo’s project could generate about $121 million dollars in the state of Colorado.

Coffin also said that Christo is a world-renowned artist and his work will garner international attention for southern Colorado.

“They take a long time to get done, but when they’re done, they have a phenomenal footprint on the community, in a way that nothing else can,” said Coffin.

Another meeting is scheduled Thursday night in Cotapaxi. KRDO NewsChannel 13 will let you know if Fremont County Commissioners decide to grant Christo a special use permit.