I, too, recall those many meetings in early 2011 when it was made abundantly clear to all in the room that excluding power boats from the Lake was not an option. A few days ago, I spoke with Russ Howard, general manager for the Animas-La Plata Project. He confirmed the tie-in between “gifted” money, the boat ramps and power boats. He confirmed that power boats on the lake must be allowed under the current regime.

Are there any possible options that might get power boats off the lake and preserve tranquility within Ridges Basin? My guess is letters directed to the Southern Ute director of the Department of Natural Resources and the other Native American governing councils asking them to step in and apply pressure might prove beneficial. The basin has a vast number of archaeological sites important to the tribes and the treaties that created momentum to create a reservoir in the first place was all about settling Native American water claims. If the tribes decide “no gas” on the water, that’s it. Discussion over.

Another idea: Could a portion of every Lake Nighthorse entry fee be earmarked as a refund to the state of Colorado for construction of the boat ramp? As my neighbor says, “The public was never given the opportunity to choose if they wanted that ramp or not. Getting rid of powerboats and the cleaning station should lower the costs, making the recreation plan more financially attractive.”

If all else fails, we can still fall back on the Ed Abby option. Abby had a recipe for damning the damn damers. Could the same approach be adopted in quiet, law-abiding Durango? Who knows?

Bob Rosenberg

Durango