Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Aug. 13, the selection of Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration projects in nine states that will promote healthier, safer and more productive public lands. The projects include partnership efforts on forest restoration treatments that reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish and wildlife habitats and maintain and improve water quality.

A few National Forests in Colorado will be able to tackle some long-needed restoration projects with $1.4 million in federal grant funding for collaborative partnerships announced last week. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the selection of Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration projects in nine states that promote healthier, safer and more productive public lands.

The Southwestern Water Conservation District has contributed $3,600 to help fund the second phase of a study to determine the source of periodic sediment in Lightner Creek. Initial results of the study point to the Perins Canyon watershed and a stormwater retention basin as possible sources.

A proposal to drill nearly 500 wells on 90,000 acres along the western base of western Colorado's Grand Mesa is getting a lot of attention from area residents, environmental groups and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The area where Colorado Springs-based Fram Operating LLC has proposed drilling for natural gas would stretch from around Palisade to the Delta area, about 45 miles away.

The Southwestern Water Conservation District has announced that conservationist and world renowned photographer John Fielder will be the keynote speaker at its 28th annual Water Seminar on Friday, April 2, at the Doubletree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio, Durango.

We toss more than 20 million tons of sodium chloride on our roadways every winter. That's about 13 times more salt than is used by the entire food processing industry. Salt lowers the freezing temperature of water and thus melts street-clogging snow and ice.

For more information and/or to register visit the American Water Works Association website.

The Hermosa Creek watershed - 155,000 acres stretching from the north Animas Valley to just beyond Purgatory - deserves protection because of its sterling water quality and corresponding natural resources, including diverse flora and fauna and recreation, the River Protection Workgroup says. A report outlining protective measures will be available to the public Feb. 8.