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BY R. SCOTT RAPPOLD
THE GAZETTE
Art aficionados from across the nation and world could converge on southern Colorado in the summer of 2014 when the artist Christo hopes to display his long-delayed project Over the River.
Nineteen years after Christo and his late wife Jeanne-Claude first proposed to drape the Arkansas River in fabric and five years after federal review began, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Monday it has given final approval for the controversial project. The agency issued a Record of Decision, the last step in federal approval and the largest hurdle faced by the artist.
“It means very much,” the Bulgarian-born artist said by phone from New York, noting that it was the first art project to go through an Environmental Impact Statement review. “This is a historical moment for the history of art in the United States.”
The final decision, unchanged from the Environmental Impact Statement released in July, allows Christo to suspend fabric panels over 5.9 miles of the river in a 42-mile stretch between Salida and Cañon City. While some have expressed concern that it would harm wildlife and the river landscape and cause traffic backups in the canyon, officials said mitigation measures will alleviate the impacts.
Christo would spend at least $500,000 on bighorn sheep habitat projects and limit work in certain areas during lambing season. Cables would be marked with avian flight diverters to prevent bird collisions. One lane of U.S. Highway 50 would remain open at all times during construction, and work zone delays would be limited to 15 minutes at a time.
“After careful consideration of the potential impact to the Arkansas River and the wildlife and plants that inhabit this beautiful area, we believe that steps have been taken to mitigate the environmental effects of this one-of-a-kind project,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in a news release. “Drawing visitors to Colorado to see this work will support jobs in the tourism industry and bring attention to the tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities in this area.”
Learn more about the project and watch a video of Christo as he explains his inspiration for Over the River during a visit to The Gazette newsroom.
Officials estimate 400,000 visitors will see the display, from initial construction next summer through the two-week display in August 2014, with a $121 million economic impact on the area.
The Colorado State Parks Board and Colorado State Land Board have approved the project. Christo needs permits from Fremont and Chaffee counties, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol.
Christo said his representatives will begin meeting with officials and supporters in the two counties in December. Public hearings are likely to follow on the permit requests. Asked about the likelihood of success there, he said, “For the moment I’d like to enjoy the project.”
“One of the only things missing here is Jeanne-Claude is not here,” said Christo, whose wife died in 2009. “She used to say we’re aging with our project, but we’re aging very lovely because it’s part of our life.”
Sam Gappmayer, president of the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, said he was “delighted” with the BLM’s approval.
“The Over the River project will be a phenomenal opportunity for Coloradans to experience a work by these two internationally known artists. It is bittersweet that Jeanne-Claude will not see the completed piece,” he said.
A representative of opposition group Rags Over the Arkansas River could not be reached for comment Monday.
Reporter T.D. Mobley-Martinez contributed to this report.
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Contact R. Scott Rappold: 476-1605
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