Rags Over Arkansas River (ROAR), a Cañon City, Colo.-based grassroots group in opposition of Christo’s Over the River, filed a notice of intent to appeal the federal court judgment made on Jan. 8 that upheld the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of the installation. This concluded that the encompassing art project did not violate the National Environmental Policy Act, which was determined by a three-year environmental analysis. Over the River, an installation proposed by artist duo Christo and the late Jeanne-Claude, takes form as 5.9-miles of incandescent, silver fabric over a 42-mile stretch within eight segments over the Arkansas River between Salida and Cañon City.
According to the Denver Post, ROAR filed the notice in the U.S. District Court in Denver in the belief that the project would bring unwanted traffic to nearby highway US 50 with increased tourism, and be destructive to the natural environment.
“This notice of intent to appeal is nothing more than another attempt to delay the installation of this two-week temporary work of art,” Over the River said in a statement issued last night. “Christo will determine next steps after he has had the opportunity to review the appeal brief when it is filed, [and] after the Colorado State Court of Appeals has ruled on the outstanding challenge against Colorado State Parks.”
