For Immediate Release
April 22, 2010
Save The Poudre: Poudre Waterkeeper
Contact: Gary Wockner, Save the Poudre, 970-218-8310
www.SaveThePoudre.org

Save The Poudre Welcomes Jim Martin to the EPA

Fort Collins, CO - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) appointed Jim Martin to be the Regional Director for the Denver office (Region 8) of the EPA. Mr. Martin most recently held the position of Director of the Department of Natural Resources for the State of Colorado. Mr. Martin has had a long and distinctive career as an exceptional conservationist for non-profit and public organizations.

"We welcome Jim Martin to his position at the Environmental Protection Agency," said Gary Wockner of Save The Poudre. "The Regional Director plays a pivotal role in protecting Colorado's environment. We are very excited to start working with Mr. Martin towards protecting the Cache la Poudre River of northern Colorado."

The EPA's role in the multiple federal Environmental Impact Statements for proposed dam and reservoir projects on the Poudre River is a key element of the permitting process. Currently, projects that will greatly impact the Poudre are the Northern Integrated Supply Project, the Windy Gap Firming Project, the Seaman Reservoir Project, and the Halligan Reservoir Project.

Save the Poudre is promoting water conservation and efficiency as a first line of attack for creating water supply security for northern Colorado. Save the Poudre has created a "Healthy Rivers Alternative" that was inserted into EIS processes that both accelerates water conservation programs and protects the Poudre River.

"Water conservation is the key ingredient of our Healthy Rivers Alternative," said Wockner. "The EPA's has recently shown extraordinary leadership towards promoting water conservation."

Save The Poudre: Poudre Waterkeeper is made up of 19 national, state, and regional groups including: Waterkeeper Alliance, National Wildlife Federation, Clean Water Action, Wild Earth Guardians, the Xerces Society, Defenders of Wildlife, American Rivers, American Whitewater Association, Western Resource Advocates, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Lighthawk, Environment Colorado, Sierra Club – Rocky Mountain Chapter, Fort Collins Audubon Society, Citizen Planners, Wolverine Farm Publishing, Poudre Paddlers, Friends of the Poudre, and the Cache la Poudre River Foundation. Membership in these groups totals over 3 million American citizens.