It is interesting that The Cortez Journal (June 5) made an editorial decision to focus on the June 2 cable rafting accident on the Dolores River as an isolated incident. Actually, there have been frequent injuries to rafters floating the Dolores River, caused by man-made objects. It has been the long-standing practice of many private landowners to string wire fences and cables across the river. Rafters who have removed these man-made obstacles have been threatened with lawsuit and arrest for trespass by private landowners. Meanwhile, every year rafters have nearly drowned or been injured because of these obstacles, yet most do not report such incidents to the authorities. Until the discrepancies between Colorado law – which gives rights to the property owners to control use of the stream and deny rafters passage – and federal law, which provides river users easements and prohibits fences and cables across rivers, are resolved, our community will continue to see these incidents. It would behoove all river users to become educated about the laws, to respect private property and to work for safe legal river access. It would behoove all property owners to work with rafters instead of against them, and be aware of the dangerous repercussions of stringing wire fences and cables across fast-flowing rivers — in the name of safe enjoyable respectful recreation for all.
Janneli Miller
Durango
