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Waylaid wildlife comments no surprise

Randy Cote

Dear Editor,

I read with great interest the articles concerning the Division of Wildlife’s comments about road closures in the White River Forest Plan. The fact that there is serious conflict between DOW personnel and Governor Bill Owens and Department of Natural Resources director Greg Walcher is not new to me nor any other past DOW employee.

I was the district wildlife manager for over 20 years in the Aspen area. During the majority of that time, we professional wildlifers were given the freedom to comment to the public about the protection of wildlife and resources.



This changed immediately when Gov. Owens was elected. The appointment of Walcher as head of the Department of Natural Resources was more to be a watchdog over the DOW than it was of leading the state of Colorado’s use of its resources.

Walcher immediately became the watchdog over the Wildlife Commission, and we field personnel were told that all comments from us needed to be cleared through Walcher’s office before being released to the public. No, it is no surprise to me that field comments about the road closure issue never reached the Forest Service.



Gov. Owens’ appointments are all clearly money-oriented and the hell with the natural world. Not only has he interrupted the DOW’s comments on roads, but also on the oil and gas drilling that has so drastically impacted the Colorado Basin.

You voted him in, it’s time to vote out!

Randy Cote

Sedona, Ariz.


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