by Kirk Deeter

Rio Blanco County in northwestern Colorado is just far enough removed from the Interstate highways, the ski resorts, the National Parks, that there’s still a palpable “Old West” authenticity here. There are few majestic granite peaks to lure tourists; the landscape is a more rolling, meandering array of sage, pine and aspen covered benches and bluffs. Nonetheless, beautiful for its lack of billboards, strip malls and hillside condos.

This region around the town of Meeker is deeply rooted in ranching, hunting and fishing. Each year the area records 64,000 hunter days; 75 percent of them focused on big game hunting (the largest elk herd in North America is in this region).

As for fishing, the White River runs unencumbered from headwaters in the high alpine Flattops Wilderness into a brushy coulee zone, and it’s filled with wild trout throughout this stretch (It eventually turns warmer and muddy, and flows into the Green River in Utah). The White may indeed be the most underrated fishery in Colorado. Together, hunting and fishing add $30 million in annual revenue and more than 300 jobs to the region.

But that merely scratches the surface (literally) compared to the real economic boom that’s happening here. There’s been a three-fold increase in oil and gas drilling in the White River drainage since 1997. And given America’s appetite for domestic energy, that promises to grow even more. For example, between 550 and 2,500 well pads might be developed within the next 15 to 20 years within the Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office area alone.

With the increased drilling activity also comes increased trucking and heavy-equipment operations— pipelines that intersect big-game migration corridors, as well as erosion and other threats to habitat for native trout.

The White River Valley is also seeing more real estate development, as working ranches are sold to investors and developers, some of whom are making riverfront trophy homes that destroy riparian habitat. Public access to fishing is therefore a prominent concern (As it is on any trout river in Colorado, where stream-access laws allow landowners to fence off their sections of the river to the public).

I recently spent a few days exploring the many facets of the White River drainage with Chris Herrman and Aaron Kindle, of Trout Unlimited. Together, we saw firsthand the raw, sheer natural beauty that earns this region a ranking as one of America’s Best Wild Places. But we also saw the evolving environmental and commercial issues that could pose a threat to the fishing and hunting heritage of the region. And we spoke with a number of outfitters, elected officials, and average hunters and anglers who are wrestling with ways to balance economic opportunity and protect the natural resources and outdoor culture that depends on them.

Comments (9)

from Sayfu wrote 28 weeks 6 days ago

So who didn't close the gate?

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from Sayfu wrote 28 weeks 5 days ago

No one knows...Who left the dawgs out?!

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from Randy Long wrote 28 weeks 4 days ago

The struggle between the environment and development is an eternal struggle... But damn it we are Americans and there is no question in my mind that we cant balance the two safely and responsibly.

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from Sayfu wrote 28 weeks 3 days ago

Here's a fact that I read the other day. Africa is 27% undeveloped land. The USA is 38% undeveloped. Our society has become very, very polarized. I won't get into the politics as to why, but it has, and it is getting worse. Like folks lock themselves in neighborhoods...that's the mentality, and when land is developed the stay out signs come up...virtually everywhere.

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from upacreek333 wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

Great work, Kirk... we need keep the special places intact for future generations, and your insight into this special place is greatly appreciated.

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from libbymorton wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

I have lived in Meeker since 1975. My children and I used to roam about and fish the White River on almost a daily basis. The thing that saddens me most is since the ranches have been divided into high dollar subdivisons, most of the river is closed off to anyone that is not a land owner. All that wonderful fishing and I can no longer get to it.

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from libbymorton wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

I have lived in Meeker since 1975. My children and I used to roam about and fish the White River on almost a daily basis. The thing that saddens me most is since the ranches have been divided into high dollar subdivisons, most of the river is closed off to anyone that is not a land owner. All that wonderful fishing and I can no longer get to it.

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from montanaspotteddog wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

Great story! Here's hoping TU can make a difference in keeping Meeker and the White River Valley the way it is; this is what Colorado used to be: great hunting and fishing and a place for families. Thanks TU and Kirk!

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from garwhal wrote 28 weeks 1 day ago

Thanks for getting out to the White and bringing exposure to the area. We need to see increased activism from all hunters and anglers to ensure that development in the White River basin is carried out responsibly and that it protects the incredible fish and wildlife found there.

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from Randy Long wrote 28 weeks 4 days ago

The struggle between the environment and development is an eternal struggle... But damn it we are Americans and there is no question in my mind that we cant balance the two safely and responsibly.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from montanaspotteddog wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

Great story! Here's hoping TU can make a difference in keeping Meeker and the White River Valley the way it is; this is what Colorado used to be: great hunting and fishing and a place for families. Thanks TU and Kirk!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 28 weeks 6 days ago

So who didn't close the gate?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 28 weeks 5 days ago

No one knows...Who left the dawgs out?!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 28 weeks 3 days ago

Here's a fact that I read the other day. Africa is 27% undeveloped land. The USA is 38% undeveloped. Our society has become very, very polarized. I won't get into the politics as to why, but it has, and it is getting worse. Like folks lock themselves in neighborhoods...that's the mentality, and when land is developed the stay out signs come up...virtually everywhere.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from upacreek333 wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

Great work, Kirk... we need keep the special places intact for future generations, and your insight into this special place is greatly appreciated.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from libbymorton wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

I have lived in Meeker since 1975. My children and I used to roam about and fish the White River on almost a daily basis. The thing that saddens me most is since the ranches have been divided into high dollar subdivisons, most of the river is closed off to anyone that is not a land owner. All that wonderful fishing and I can no longer get to it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from libbymorton wrote 28 weeks 2 days ago

I have lived in Meeker since 1975. My children and I used to roam about and fish the White River on almost a daily basis. The thing that saddens me most is since the ranches have been divided into high dollar subdivisons, most of the river is closed off to anyone that is not a land owner. All that wonderful fishing and I can no longer get to it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from garwhal wrote 28 weeks 1 day ago

Thanks for getting out to the White and bringing exposure to the area. We need to see increased activism from all hunters and anglers to ensure that development in the White River basin is carried out responsibly and that it protects the incredible fish and wildlife found there.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.