Eagle water report draws questions from one resident

The state-mandated water quality report mailed to all Eagle residents last month drew a series of questions from at least one of them.

The Eagle resident, who requested anonymity, asked several specific questions regarding the water quality report, concluding with an inquiry about water safety in the community. “Is the Eagle drinking water safe and being monitored properly according to federal law?” the resident asked.

Eagle's Public Works Director Dusty Walls responded with an unequivocal “yes.”

“The town of Eagle complies with all testing required by the Colorado Department of Health, the government authority for water quality issues,” said Walls. “The town of Eagle provides high quality and safe drinking water.”

The resident's two other questions dealt with specifics contained in the water quality report. “Under radio nuclides, beta and alpha emitters have not been tested in 10 years. This seems unreasonable,” the resident questioned.

“The town of Eagle is in compliant with Colorado Department of Health regulations regarding radio nuclides. The 2004 test for combined radium indicated that further testing for the alpha and beta emitters (indicators) would not be necessary until 2011 as no health threat was present. The town of Eagle will be testing for radio nuclides in 2011,” said Walls.

“Under organic and inorganics, chromium tested at 1.5 parts per billion where the limit is .1 parts per billion. This shows that during the 2008 test, there were 15 times the amount of contaminant as the maximum allowed,” the resident questioned.

“The chromium result in the water report is a typographic error. The actual result is below detectable limit. This will be corrected on the next water bill statement,” said Walls. Additionally, he presented a copy of the lab results showing the chromium results listed at “below detectable limits.”

“We thank the resident for pointing out this typographic error to us,” Walls said.

Eagle Planning Commission reviews open space changes

The Eagle Planning Commission will review proposed amendments to the town of Eagle's Open Space Travel Management Plan on Tuesday, June 19. The public hearing will take place at the Eagle Town Hall at 6 p.m.

Explanation of proposed amendments will be made during a 90-minute presentation. Because of agenda constraints, no public comment will be taken at this first meeting. However, subsequent meeting, will specifically include public input.

The proposed amendments are as follows:

• Hernage Trail Addition: This proposal calls for a non-motorized addition to the Hernage trail as proposed by the Hardscrabble Trails Coalition. The trail will be open to bike, pedestrian and equestrian use. If the bike trail is approved in the Hernage Creek drainage, the town staff is proposing that bicyclists be allowed to also access the new trail from the current Hernage Creek Trailhead, located at the locked green gate.

• Mayer Gulch Trail Connection: The town staff is proposing to open a bike and pedestrian trail from the south side of East Haystacker Drive (just east of Clover Lane) to the Mayer Gulch Trail. The new trail is proposed on the west side of Mayer Gulch.

• Riddle Trail Access: The town staff is proposing to open a bike and pedestrian trail accessing the Riddle Trail from East Haystacker Drive in the Highlands. The new trail would follow the road from the east side of East Haystacker Drive at the locked green gate accessing the Highlands water tank; and would be open only to the junction of the Riddle Trail, approximately 200 yards from the locked gate. The road past the Riddle Trail intersection leading to the water tank would remain closed to all public activity.

The Planning Commission will also be reviewing additional proposed changes (which are not part of the Travel Management Plan) that would allow limited vehicle parking at three existing trailheads. The limited parking is intended to serve trail users who are hiking or running. The limited parking would be located as follows:

• Abrams Creek Trailhead, located at the Silver Spur cul-de-sac off of Abrams Creek Road.

• Hernage Creek Trailhead, located at the locked green gate off of Hernage Creek Road

• Riddle Trail Trailhead, located at the end of Eagle Ranch Road in the cul-de-sac.

More information regarding the proposed amendments can be found on the town website, www.townofeagle.org, under the “Hernage Trail Review Process” heading or under the “Open Space Department.” The current Travel Management Plan can also be found under the Open Space Department tab.

Written comments can be submitted to the Town of Eagle, Attention: Open Space Changes, P.O. Box 609, Eagle, CO 81631. Comments may also be e-mailed to sarah@townofeagle.org. Please indicate Open Space Changes in the subject box.

Forest Service begins repairs on East Brush Creek Road

On Monday, July 18, a contractor working for the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) will begin work to repair damage to the East Brush Creek Road (NFSR 415) that resulted from a slump or land slide over a year ago. The project is expected to last two weeks and may result in minor traffic delays.

In the spring of 2010, as a result of heavy rains and unstable road material, a slump occurred along the East Brush Creek Road. Eagle County road crews were able to temporarily repair the road to its normal two lanes. The Forest Service sought and received funding to permanently repair the road under the FHWA's Emergency Relief for Federally Owned (ERFO) Roads Program. Runoff conditions this spring and early summer again damaged the road, reducing it to a narrow single lane.

The contractor, selected by FHWA, will move on to the job site beginning on Monday, July 18, and is expected to begin work on July 19. The project is expected to take two weeks to complete. The contractor is not planning to work over the weekend of July 23-24.

According to District Ranger Dave Neely, “We understand that the timing of this project is challenging for the public trying to access the Holy Cross Wilderness Area. I apologize for any inconvenience this activity may cause the public and hope that folks will understand that we cannot always control the timing of these kinds of things. I urge the public to drive with caution, to respect cautionary signing and to watch out for the workers on this project.”

The East Brush Creek Road (NFSR 415) provides access to the Yeoman Park and Fulford Cave campgrounds as well as several trails into the Holy Cross Wilderness on the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District as well as portions of Sylvan Lake State Park.

Delta Sonics will rock this week's ShowDown Town

A hard-driving, soulful wind will blow through Eagle Town Park tonight, July 14, as the Delta Sonics bring their harmonica infused brand of rhythm and blues to the American National Bank ShowDown Town free concert series.

Dubbed “the area's best harmonica-led band” by The Denver Post, The Delta Sonics have been playing around Colorado since 1992 and have established themselves as one of the finest blues acts in the area with their solid musicianship and exciting live performances.

With musical stylings that include Chicago blues, West Coast swing, New Orleans R&B, and some early rock ‘n' roll, the band has opened for many nationally known blues artists, including Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Taj Mahal, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, The Radiators, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

In addition to averaging 120 gigs a year, the group has been featured at notable regional festivals, such as the Mile High Blues Festival (2009), Blues From the Top (2006 and 2007), Greeley Blues Fest (2006 and 2009), Belvedere Blues Fest ( 2008), Pearl Street Brews and Blues Fest (2007 and 2009) and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival Main Stage (2009).

Presented by the town of Eagle, all American National Bank ShowDown Town concerts start at 6:30 p.m., with weekly kid's activities also highlighting the family-friendly evenings in the park.

Farmer's Moon Run benefits Sowing Seeds program

Local kids will literally and figuratively reap the fruits of participants' labor Friday, July 15, as runners and walkers converge at Eagle Ranch for the Farmer's Moon 5K Fun Run and 1 Mile Walk.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Vail Valley Foundation's Sowing Seeds program, which teaches children about how foods grow, as well as the accompanying nutritional message of eating healthy.

Scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, the Farmer's Moon Run and Walk will start at the Dusty Boot in Eagle before winding it's way along the recreation path along Brush Creek. The finish will be in Eagle Town Park at the Eagle Farmer's Market.

“This will be a great opportunity for people to come and have a great time, while also supporting our children,” explained Jean McSpadden, Director of Education for the Vail Valley Foundation. “You can truly race so that others may blossom.”

Pre-race registration for both run and walk events is $20 at the Eagle Ranch Fitness Club. Onsite registration the day of the event is priced at $25. Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers at the post party and all registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Participants are encouraged to either park at Eagle Town Park, and take a warm-up run to the Dusty Boot for the start, or at the Eagle Ranch Fitness Club. A limited shuttle service will be provided following the race to transport competitors from the park back to the fitness club.

Created in conjunction with Chef Kelly Liken of Restaurant Kelly Liken, the Sowing Seeds program has been integrated into Brush Creek Elementary School and Edwards Elementary School. The program not only connects children to their environment, but also fosters an understanding of the origin of food and teaches responsibility through stimulating hands-on activities.

The vegetables grown in the Sowing Seeds greenhouse and gardens have already been integrated into both schools' cafeterias and students are saving their lunch scraps to add to the composting stations. In addition, the Sowing Seeds students are frequent visitors to the Eagle Farmer's Market, selling their produce to the public.

For additional information on the Farmer's Moon 5K Fun Run and 1 Mile Walk, contact the Eagle Ranch Fitness Club at 328-5770.

— Special to the Enterprise