Death of sow grizzlies concerns Banff officials
BANFF, Alberta—Sow grizzlies are dying in Banff National Park at a rate that is concerning wildlife biologists. The park has an estimated 60 female grizzlies, but a large number have died in the Lake Louise area, commonly as the result of interactions with people.
Parks Canada studied all known bear mortalities since 1990 in Banff as well as in six other national parks: Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier. The resort found that 46 of the 61 known grizzly bear mortalities were at the hands of people.
Some die when hit by trains. The trains often spill grain, attracting the bears to the tracks. But the Rocky Mountain Outlook also reports that hikers and bikers in Banff National Park are much more likely to have an aggressive, dangerous encounter with a grizzly bear than in any other mountain national park in Canada. There were 183 encounters in Banff and more than twice as many in Jasper. But of those 183 encounters, bears actually attacked people in only 10 instances.
"It's pretty clear that we're losing more grizzlies over the last six years to human causes than the estimated population can sustain," said Kevin Van Tighem, superintendent of Banff National Park. He said trails might need to be redesigned, to avoid interactions. "A lot of what we're doing is trying to figure out if we've got trails and facilities in the wrong places, and how we can get people to areas where they can still enjoy the park but not disturb bears," he said.
Defenders of Wildlife Canada said the report highlights the need for a formal grizzly bear management plan similar to one in Yellowstone National Park.
Aspen airport like a giant money funnel
ASPEN, Colo.—Passengers arriving on commercial aircraft at the Aspen/Pitkin County airport have the deepest pockets in Colorado.
A new study called the 2008 Colorado Airports Impact Study found that passengers spend an average $2,652, tops in Colorado. Second-highest were passengers into Eagle County Regional Airport, with $2,070 per passenger. The latter airport serves primarily Vail and Beaver Creek but, to a lesser extent, the Aspen-area resorts.
Bill Tomcich, president of Stay Aspen Snowmass, a central reservations group, said 80 percent of winter visitors to Aspen fly. The airport "is so critical to our economy," he said.
The study also found that, while Eagle County handles more passengers, Aspen's has more economic clout. It accounts for 11,950 jobs in Colorado, compared to 10,467 jobs initiated by Eagle County Regional.
With the economy struggling and oil prices rising, does the future look equally prosperous? Aviation consultant Mike Boyd told The Aspen Times that there won't be big changes, but discretionary spending will slow. Tomcich noted the airlines are in what he, and most businesses, would call a crisis, since many are on the brink of bankruptcy.
Mountain passes may be open by mid-June
CRESTED BUTTE, Colo.—With the threat of flooding diminishing, Gunnison County now has the staff to begin clearing the roads across passes in the Crested Butte area that remain clogged with snow. Both Kebler Pass to the north and Cottonwood Pass to the east are often open by Memorial Day, but this year both are targeted for June 15 openings. The giant Ride the Rockies parade of 2,000 bicycle riders is scheduled to cross Cottonwood Pass on the way to Buena Vista on June 20.
Jackson Hole awash in affordable housing talk
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo.—Housing, housing, housing—that's just about all that candidates are talking about in Jackson Hole this summer. The town council in Jackson has two spots up for election, and virtually all 10 candidates are talking about affordable housing. Ditto the Teton County commissioner wannabes, where two spots are up for grabs.
There don't appear to be clearly defined lines of debate similar to the U.S. should-we-stay-or-go discussion regarding Iraq. But it's easy to see why affordable housing is on the lips of candidates, says the Jackson Hole News&Guide.
"As real estate prices skyrocket in Jackson Hole and commercial development continues, a record number of people are turning to public and private affordable housing programs to find shelter. The odds of getting a house are becoming longer and longer. There are now more than 1,400 families who have signed up for affordable housing, a figure that is growing at a rate of about 200 families per year."
The newspaper goes on to explain that the median price of a single-family home reached almost $2 million this year. The mean, or average, home price has almost doubled since 2003.
The valley has been full of debate about development proposals, some of it specifically targeted for lower income workers, in pastoral areas near to the town of Jackson but outside of it as well. Jackson itself in recent years has at times been consumed about proposals to increase density, partly to provide more housing for people near where they work.
Most of the candidates seem to be arguing for expanded public efforts to shore up the lower-income housing, to avoid sprawl into exurban outposts in valleys 45 minutes to an hour away. One of the rarities is Rick Roth, a Republican for county commissioner. "People have to do things on their own," he said. "It's not up to government to try to find you an affordable home." Roth said he believes the county needs to find homes for only key employees. "Not everybody is going to be able to live in this valley," he said.
