ESSAY: ‘Caveat lector’… Let the Reader Beware, Part Two

Read Part One

It’s one thing to have your own opinion about an issue — say, about the propriety of developing a private helipad in the midst of a quiet rural neighborhood in Pagosa Springs.  It’s just an opinion.

But let’s say there’s strength in numbers.

One of my favorite sayings is this: “It doesn’t take just one; it always takes just one more.”

Ok. I made that saying up. That’s why it’s one of my favorites. But really, when an issue affects more than one person, shouldn’t the community at large have a say? Isn’t that what living in community means? As population growth continues at alarming rates, shouldn’t we make an attempt to figure out the best way to live within a community?

As I told a reader who didn’t like my article and was critical of my perspective: “This issue has all the earmarks of what I think is important for any community to address, that is, how do we resolve differences that inevitably come up when people live with each other? I’m taking more of an observer position in order to see where this one issue — which is fraught with many deeper issues concerning personal rights versus the wishes/desires/laws of a collective — is headed. It’s not the first time, nor probably the last, the Pagosa Springs community has had to wrestle with emotionally-charged, underlying issues, which is why I think it’s relevant to everyone who lives here.”

But the truth is, I really don’t know where most people land on this issue.

So I asked Joseph Yoklavich, one of the many residents who would be affected by the County’s and the FAA’s permission to allow a private heliport/helipad to be built within Echo Creek Valley, what others thought about the issue.

Here is what he sent me… “a few of the public comments from a Change.org page called ‘Stop the Heliport’. The online platform offers a way for interested people to sign a petition and state their opinion about the proposed helipad/heliport controversy on upper Terry Robinson Road…”

“As a retired wildlife biologist, I know that disturbance of wildlife at critical times of the year, eg. breeding, parturition, winter range, etc., can result in reduced production, increased mortality
rates and increased stress levels at critical times of the year.” – PW

“That canyon is a major wintering sanctuary for hundreds of elk. They don’t need to be disturbed by the sound of a helicopter! In addition, the only reason for this would be the owner’s convenience and at the expense of many homeowners and wildlife. Because it takes 15 minutes to drive home from the airport……I think not!” – MG

“I’m a neighbor on Terry Robinson and I’m very concerned about the impact on the surrounding wildlife and the noise for neighbors that purchased land here to have quiet and undisturbed atmosphere.” – KR

“Because there is environmental considerations, this is an elk migration route — there is also already an airport here. This is a national forest first and foremost.” – KA

“Thorough environmental impact studies are integral to any project that affects the environment and local residents.” – KK

“My community has an airport. I do not need to teleport in this location therefore I am against it.” – RS

“Disruptive to the environment.” – LM

“All the reasons listed in the petition.” – LP, CM, LB

“I had the same thing happen where I live. It was so disruptive to everyone, including horses. A crash with a resulting fire and toxic fuel was of major concern. We were successful in shutting this down.” – SM

“Helicopters in residential areas are completely inappropriate. The noise is overwhelming. I know because I live where the Durango Flight for Life helicopter flies over my home going to PSMC to pick up someone too sick or injured to be treated here. The owner of this nightmare made it very clear in the newspaper that he doesn’t care …” – BC

“I trust who recommended this.” – DG

“I have lived on Terry Robinson Road for 30 years. I chose to live here for the quiet and beauty of landscape which includes the wild life. This is called Echo Valley because sound travels and the sound of a helicopter will echo through this valley. …” – KS

“This is ridiculous. Don’t let this be ruined anymore, please.” – NT

Here are some of the comments from the Facebook page set up by the Terry Robinson Road coalition:

“The idea that one person’s convenience supersedes all of their neighbor’s rights, property values, safety, the environment and THE LAW is utterly preposterous! How has this even gone this far? The Planning Commission, and its commissioners are begging for a class action lawsuit. The county needs to end this nonsense right now.” – BS

“Unfortunately, decisions seem to be made that will profit the [government’s] pockets with little to no care about the damage to the wildlife and the nuisance to the residences.” – BC

“Why does Pagosa need a private heliport? So more richies can come push the remaining locals out? Yuck.” – PSC

“I lived in that area — so much wildlife — as well as all the residents – will be affected by the noise and activity. There’s zero reason why there should be a helipad in a residential area – esp. when the hospital and the airfield are within reasonable distance from the area he wants to put the pad in at. I could see a helipad being placed at the fairgrounds – plenty of room around there with minimal close residents, but not in a residential area.” – SG

“In a neighborhood of 40 acre parcels five miles south of Fairplay, they went through this. a few years back. A big money guy with no ties to the land or the community wanted to come roaring in on a whim; nature and neighbors be damned. Ultimately it was shot down as people realized they wanted to preserve the character and quiet that were the reasons people moved there to begin with. This is a slippery slope that could redefine the natural experience in Archuleta.” – MC

“How come more people are not talking about this?” – TF

We’re trying, TF. We’re trying.