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M235 Jeanne Englert papers

Collection Summary   

Title Jeanne Englert papers
Dates (Inclusive) 1975-2005
Dates (Bulk) 1978-2005
Creator Jeanne Englert (1944-2006)
Abstract This collection contains papers, photographs, legal documents, newspaper clippings, published and unpublished reports, and other printed materials. Documents and maps pertain to the Animas-La Plata Project and related topics. Also included are Jeanne Englert's work and reference material on her purposed book One Dam Thing After Another: A Narrative History of the Grassroots Struggle Against the Animas-La Plata Project.
Unique ID M235
Quantity 17 record boxes, 8 linear feet

Bibliographical and Historical Note   
Jeanne Willoughby Englert was born on March 1, 1944 in Denver, Colorado. She attended the University of Colorado and she later graduated from Fort Lewis College in 1980. She moved to Durango, Colorado with her husband, Timothy Englert, and their son, John, in 1974 and started working for the Southern Ute Tribe. She became Director of Public Relations, editing and publishing the tribal newspaper The Southern Ute Drum. Later she became a freelance writer and a predominate member of an opposition group to the Animas-La Plata Project, the Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum, later known as Taxpayers for the Animas River, but commonly referred to as TAR. She worked for years to have water conservancy district boards elected rather than appointed. In 1984, Jeanne and her family moved to Lafayette, Colorado; however, Jeanne continued to follow, and voice her protest of, the Animas-La Plata Project until the time of her death on October 25, 2006 at 62 years of age of heart failure. Until just weeks before her death, she continued in her campaign against the Animas-La Plata Project by looking for a publisher for her last written work One Dam Thing After Another.

For background on the Animas-La Plata Project click here.

As "the last dam project in the West" (animasriverkeeper.org, 2005), the Animas-La Plata Project was met with opposition by many groups. TAR was on such group. TAR was formed on January 15, 1979 as The Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum, later changed to Taxpayers for the Animas River. They fought the project in the Courts, in Congress, in State Legislature, and in local governments. Another group opposed to the Animas-La Plata project was the Electors Concerned about Animas Water , commonly referred to as CAW. CAW is a grassroots citizen’s watchdog organization with its headquarters in Farmington, New Mexico that focuses on government waste and environmental degradation in the Four Corners area. Another localized opposition group is Friends of the Animas River, also known as FOAR. "FOAR was created in response to the construction of a grocery store along the banks of the river and the Animas-La Plata Project" (animasriverkeeper.org, 2005). FOAR helped to establish guidelines and codes for the City of Durango’s construction within the river corridor. Finally Friends of the Earth, commonly known as FOE, also spoke out against the Animas-La Plata Project. Consisting of an international network of grassroots groups, FOE’s purpose is to "defend the environment and champion a more healthy and just world" (foe.org, 2010).

Bibliographical Note complied from articles and memorial tributes held in the collection.

Works cited in the Historical Sketch: (websites were accessed on 5/26/2010)
    Jeanne Englert papers, Fort Lewis College. Center of Southwest Studies.
    http://www.current.org/news/news0717waterhaulerssuit.pdf
    http://www.animasriverkeeper.org/
    http://www.foe.org/

Arrangement   
The series and boxes are numbered consecutively. Because we do not expect to add to this collection, the boxes are numbered in a single numbering scheme starting with "1." Arrangement of the materials into three Record Groups reflects the original arrangement established by the creator. The first record group is arranged chronologically by the date of the creation of the document; the second is by material relevance to the book she was writing, as determined by the creator; the third recod group consists of photographs collected by the creator.

Scope & Contents  
This collection contains family papers, photographs, personal correspondence, newspaper clippings, legal documents, published and unpublished reports, articles, and other printed materials, maps pertaining to the Animas-La Plata Project and related topics, and draft and reference material for Jeanne Englert's purposed book One Dam Thing After Another: A Narrative History of the Grassroots Struggle Against the Animas-La Plata Project.

Restrictions   
Access. There are no access restrictions on the use of these materials for research purposes. This collection is open to the public for use in the Delaney Southwest Research Library at the Center of Southwest Studies.

Use and Copyright. These materials are for use only in the Delaney Southwest Research Library; they are noncirculating. Limited duplication of print materials is allowed for research purposes. The user assumes full responsibility for observing all applicable laws regarding copyright, property rights, and libel.

Preferred Citation   
Jeanne Englert papers, Fort Lewis College. Center of Southwest Studies.

Processing Info   
Student intern Tia Flippin arranged, described, produced the folder list and record group descriptions, and created the online inventory in the Summer of 2010 under the supervision of the Archives Manager. One record box of personal family items that were duplicates or lacked long-term historical research value were returned to the Englert family.

Acquisition Info   
The family of Jeanne Englert donated the collection to the Center of Southwest Studies by deed of gift on February 2, 2008 (accession 2008:009).

Separated Materials 
None.

Related Materials   

M 219 Animas-La Plata citizens' opposition papers.
M 092 Animas-La Plata Project collection. This collection contains the historically significant records retained from several sources regarding federal water development projects in southwest Colorado. The materials (referring specifically to those that are united together in Series 6) are somewhat broader than the Animas-La Plata Project, and also pertain to related issues of water, especially in southwestern Colorado.
M 030 Ben Nighthorse Campbell papers. This collection comprises political papers created and maintained by Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Ignacio, Colorado, during his service as a Colorado state representative (1983-1987), as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1987-1992), and as a U.S. Senator (1993-2004).
U 003 Durango oral history collection. Interview with Fred Kroeger 438.
M 180 Four Corners printed materials and ephemera collection. An assemblage of recently produced brochures, leaflets, pamphlets, booklets, maps tickets, posters, and other printed materials pertaining events and businesses in Durango (Colorado) and the Four Corners region.
U 004 Southwest oral history collection. Interviews with Leonard Burch 50 and 439 and Frank "Sam" Maynes interview 545.
M 161 Southwestern Water Conservation District records. Minutes, correspondence, reports, newspaper clippings, maps, legal documents, and other records pertaining to water issues in the Four Corners region. Topics include Rainbow Bridge National Monument and the Animas-La Plata project.
M 008 Uranium mill tailings removal collection. This collection contains brochures, press releases, newspaper clippings, reports, statements, minutes, memoranda, correspondence, and other printed materials pertaining to the U.S. Department of Energy's cleanup of radioactive uranium waste at the site of a former uranium mill in Durango, Colorado.

Access Terms   

Animas-La Plata Project.
Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement.
Dolores River Project.
Englert, Jeanne.
United States. Bureau of Reclamation. Upper Colorado Region.
Water diversion--Colorado--La Plata County.
Water resources development--Environmental aspects--Colorado--La Plata County.
Water use--Colorado.

Container List  

Record Groups
RG 1: Chronology of Animas-La Plata Project
RG 2: One Dam Thing After Another: A Narrative History of the Grassroots Struggle Against the Animas-La Plata Project, by Jeanne Englert
RG 3: Photographs

RG 1: Chronology of Animas-La Plata Project    back to RG list

Box 1: Background information on Animas-La Plata Project (1975-1979); memorial tributes to Jeanne Englert; and background on Ute water rights. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
Bureau of Reclamation Animas-La Plata Information and Maps 1/1
Animas-La Plata Background 1/2
High Country News November 11, 1996 edition 1/3
Memorial tributes to Jeanne Englert 1/4
Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum Suite 1/5
Correspondence and information regarding qualification of Ute Water Rights 1/6
Municipal and Industrial Water Needs Colorado Portion of Animas-La Plata Project August 1975, original 1/7
Municipal and Industrial Water Needs Colorado Portion of Animas-La Plata Project August 1975, photocopy 1/8
1975 Newspaper clippings 1/9
1976 Newspaper clippings 1/10
1977 Legal documents 1/11
1978 Newspaper clippings 1/12
1978 Animas-La Plata Project 1/13
1979 Newspaper clippings 1/14
1979 Protest petition 1/15
1979 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 1/16

Box 2: Legal documents, correspondence, hearings, referendums, cases, etc. Date range 1980-1989. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
1980 Newspaper clippings       2/1
1980 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 2/2
1980 Legal documents 2/3
Environmental Protection Agency press and correspondence 2/4
1981 Newspaper clippings 2/5
1981 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 2/6
1981 Washington hearings 2/7
1981-1983 Law suit by Leonardo C. Burch against Jeanne Englert and Nancy Wood 2/8
1981-1993 Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District records 2/9
1982 Newspaper clippings 2/10
1982 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 2/11
1982 Records of law suit filed by Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum 2/12
1982 Letter to the president from John Englert 2/13
1982 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum vs. Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District, case number 82-Z-448 2/14
1982-1989 Petition documents 2/15
Letter from Helene C. Monberg to Western Resources Wrap Up, Subject: Water rights and Mormon Mafia 2/16
Northern Colorado Conservancy District involvement in case numbers 83-2218, 82-Z-448, and 82-W-448 2/17

Box 3: Legal cases, correspondence, newspaper clippings, etc. Date range 1983-1986. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
1983 Newspaper clippings         3/1
1983 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 3/2
1983 Correspondence with Jeff Pearson and David J. Turner regarding legal matters and letter head from Genesis Company Resource and Re-Creation Consultants 3/3
1984 Newspaper clippings 3/4
1984 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum personal correspondence between members 3/5
1984-1989 Lobbyists Activities 3/6
Jeanne Englert and Jean McCullouch vs. Southwestern Water Conservation District and Fred V. Kroeger in case number 84-CV-62 3/7
Jeanne Englert vs. Southwestern Water Conservation District and Fred V. Kroeger in case number 84-CA-1182 3/8
Case number 80-CW-237 Water Division Number 7: Findings of Fact and Decree Approving Application for Change of Water Right 3/9
Correspondence regarding Ridges Basin Geology 3/10
1985 Newspaper clippings 3/11
1985 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 3/12
1985 Legal correspondence concerning case number 84-CA-1182 3/13
1986 Newspaper clippings 3/14
1986 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 3/15

Box 4:  Joint statements, contracts, correspondence, newspaper clippings, campaigns, etc. Date range 1987-1993. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
1987 Newspaper clippings 4/1
1987 Taxpayers for Animas-La Plata Referendum records 4/2
Joint Statement of Department of Water Resources of Arizona, Colorado River Board of California, and Colorado River Commission of Nevada on S. 1415 before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Select Committee on Indian Affairs United Sates Senate December 3, 1987 4/3
The United States of America and Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District Colorado Repayment Contract 4/4
1987 Washington Campaign 4/5
1987-1988 Ute Water Rights 4/6
1988 Newspaper clippings 4/7
1988 Taxpayers for Animas River records 4/8
1988 Ute Indian Settlement Bills HR2642 and SR1415 4/9
National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Policy Institute, Friends of the Earth, national Audubon Society, American Rivers, National Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, Grand Canyon Trust letter. 4/10
1988 Animas-La Plata Participating Project Data Sheet 4/11
1988 Miscellaneous Documents 4/12
1989 Newspaper clippings 4/13
1990 Newspaper clippings 4/14
1990 Frank E. (Sam) Maynes Correspondence 4/15
1991 Newspaper clippings 4/16
1992 Newspaper clippings 4/17
1992 Comments Regarding SEIS Animas-La Plata 4/18
1993 Newspaper clippings 4/19
1993 General Accounting Office 4/20

Box 5:  Statements, correspondence, newspaper clippings, etc. Date range 1993-April 1998. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
1993 Political and media statements regarding Ute water rights 5/1
1993 Correspondence 5/2
1994 Newspaper clippings 5/3
1994 Correspondence 5/4
1995 Newspaper and magazine clippings 5/5
1995 Special Reports to the Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District Board of Directors 5/6
1995 Correspondence 5/7
1996 Powers Phillips, P.C. Attorney at Law Correspondence 5/8
1996 Newspaper clippings 5/9
1997 April 5/10
1997 May 5/11
1997 June 5/12
1997 July 5/13
1997 August 5/14
1997 September 5/15
1997 October 5/16
1997 November 5/17
1997 December 5/18
1998 January 5/19
1998 February 5/20
1998 March 5/21
1998 April 5/22

Box 6:  Records. May 1998-May 2000. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
1998 May 6/1
1998 June 6/2
1998 July 6/3
1998 August 6/4
1998 September 6/5
1998 November 6/6
1999 January 6/7
1999 February 6/8
1999 March 6/9
1999 April 6/10
1999 May 6/11
1999 June 6/12
1999 July 6/13
1999 August 6/14
1999 September 6/15
1999 October 6/16
1999 November 6/17
1999 December 6/18
2000 January 6/19
2000 February 6/20
2000 March 6/21
2000 April 6/22
2000 May 6/23

Box 7:  Records. June 2000-November 2003. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
2000 June 7/1
2000 July 7/2
2000 August 7/3
2000 September 7/4
2000 October 7/5
2001 7/6
2001-2005 Authority Contracts regarding Animas-La Plata water 7/7
2002 January through March 7/8
2002 June 7/9
2002 July 7/10
2002 August/ Southwestern Water Conservation District letter project 7/11
2002 September through December 7/12
2003 February through April 7/13
2003 May 7/14
2003 June through August 7/15
2003 September 7/16
2003 October 7/17
2003 November 7/18

Box 8: Records. December 2003-2005. Arrangement is chronological.

Description Box/Folder
2003 December             8/1
2003 December hearing on Animas-La Plata Project 8/2
2004 January 8/3
2004 February 8/4
2004 March 8/5
2004 April through July 8/6
2004 August 8/7
2004 September through December 8/8
2004 CPA Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Further Construction of Animas-La Plata 8/9
2005 January through April 8/10
2005 May through November 8/11
2005 Ute water rights 8/12
2005 City of Durango Charter 8/13

RG 2: One Dam Thing After Another: A Narrative History of the Grassroots Struggle Against the Animas-La Plata Project, by Jeanne Englert    back to RG list

Box 9: Early draft; early proposal and peddling of book; chapters of Part 1. Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Arrangement is by part/chapter of the book.

Description Box/Folder
One Dam Thing After Another: A Narrative History of the Grassroots Struggle Against the Animas-La Plata Project, by Jeanne Englert, early draft 9/1
Proposal of book chapters and illustrations 9/2
Letters and experts regarding book proposal 9/3
Letters regarding book proposal 9/4
Book peddling 9/5
Detailed chapter synopsis for selected chapters 9/6
Part 1: Draft of One Dam Thing After Another 9/7
Part 1: "Home" 9/8
Part 1: "Lenard C. Burch bucks Boon Doggles" 9/9
Part 1 Original: "Utopia" 9/10
Part 1: "The Country Lawyer" 9/11
Part 1: "Sam’s Chief Adversaries" 9/12
Part 1: "Utes Forced to Cede Land" 9/13
Part 1: "Indian Water Law Muddy Waters" 9/14
Part 1: "Aspenites Oppose Fry-Ark" 9/15

Box 10: Continuation of chapters of Part 1. Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Arrangement is by part/chapter of the book.

Description Box/Folder
Part 1: "Ute Tribe Saves Dolores" 10/1
Part 1: "Jerry and Ed (?) Joins the Ute Mafia" 10/2
Part 1: "Ute Mafia" 10/3
Part 1: "Utopia" footnotes 10/4
Part 1: "Frank E. "Sam" Maynes" 10/5
Part 1: "Gulf Oil Corporation" 10/6
Part 1: "Pockets of Resistance" 10/7
Part 1: "President Ellsworth: Animas-La Plata Gadfly" 10/8
Part 1: "County Planning Wars" 10/9
Part 1: "Fred Forms Steering Committee" 10/10
Part 1: "Jean McCulloch Profiled" 10/11
Part 1: "John Murphy Profiled" 10/12
Part 1: "Animas-La Plata History" 10/13
Part 1: "Utopia" outline 10/14
Part 1" "Senator Hart’s Visit" 10/15
Part 1: "Harmony Valley" 10/16
Part 1: "TAR is Organized" 10/17
Part 1: "TAR Babies" 10/18
Part 1: "Durango Economics" 10/19

Box 11: Remaining chapters of Part 1 and chapters from Part 2. Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Arrangement is by part/chapter of the book.

Description Box/Folder
Part 1: "Jackie Writes Herald Report" 11/1
Part 1: "TAR Adds Certified No-Growther" 11/2
Part 1: "Nichols Recounts Taos Dam Fight" 11/3
Part 1: "JE Invokes Law for IRR List" 11/4
Part 1: "Gather Ye Petitions While Ye May" 11/5
Part 1: "Ed Submits Minority Report" 11/6
Part 1: "Pres Gets Southwest Water Conservation District Report" 11/7
Part 1: "July Cataclysms Rock TAR" 11/8
Part 1: "Burec Holds EIS Hearing" 11/9
Part 1: "Dog and Pony Show I" 11/10
Part 1: "TAR meets with White House Aide" 11/11
Part 2: Filing Notes 11/12
Part 2: "Feuding Dams" 11/13
Part 2: "TAR Presents Six-Part Water Plan" 11/14
Part 2: "Fred Lambasts "Last Settlers"" 11/15

Box 12: Continuation of chapters from Part 2. Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Arrangement is by part/chapter of the book.

Description Box/Folder
Part 2: "Council Takes Weminuche Trip" 12/1
Part 2: "Ehlers Trounces Slade" 12/2
Part 2: "Jackie Dies" 12/3
Part 2: "Wood’s Book Furor" 12/4
Part 2: "EMIGH Forms District March Sixth" 12/5
Part 2: "Washington II" 12/6
Part 2: "Plotkin Wins" 12/7
Part 2: "Water Maynes" 12/8
Part 2: "WCC and TAR Disagree" 12/9
Part 2: "Indian Qualms Chase Skip Off Suit" 12/10
Part 2: "1981 Contract and Secret Meetings" 12/11
Part 2: "Maynes and Moses Clash at City" 12/12
Part 2: "The Libel Suit" 12/13
Part 2: "Evelyn’s Trial" 12/14

Box 13: Continuation of chapters from Part 2. Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Arrangement is by part/chapter of the book.

Description Box/Folder
Part 2: "Silver Linings" 13/1
Part 2: "Arrested" Liberal Defense Fund Party 13/2
Part 2: "Night in Jail" 13/3
Part 2: "Sam’s Bills" 13/4
Part 2: "Colorado Ute Power line and REA Election" 13/5
Part 2: "REA Election" 13/6
Part 2: "Dog and Pony Show II" 13/7
Part 2: "TAR Bites the Bullet" 13/8
Part 2: "The Interminable Wait" 13/9
Part 2: "The Shot Heard Around Colorado" 13/10
Part 2: "Sam and Friends Vow Revenge" 13/11
Part 2: "Cost-Sharing" 13/12
Part 2: "Washington III" 13/13
Part 2: "Quo Warranto" 13/14
Part 2: "The Water Establishment Reacts" 13/15
Part 2: "Intolerable Acts" 13/16
Part 2: "Tuesday" 13/17
Part 2: "Hearing in Denver" 13/18
Part 2: "Special Orders" 13/19

Box 14: Continuation of chapters from Part 2 and chapters from Part 3. Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Arrangement is by part/chapter of the book.

Description Box/Folder
Part 2: "Dolores Meeting in Denver" 14/1
Part 2: Chapter 27 footnotes 14/2
Part 2: "Steve Williams and COSC" 14/3
Part 2: "Ute Mafia Testifies" 14/4
Part 2: "Sore Winners" 14/5
Part 2: "TAR Suit Mooted" 14/6
Part 2: "Decision on Dolores" 14/7
Part 2: "Raid to Entebbe" 14/8
Part 2: "The Special City" 14/9
Part 2: "The Scratch for Funds" 14/10
Part 2: "Tides Formation" 14/11
Part 3: "HR3958 Passes House/Parting Shots" 14/12
Part 3: "Glenwood Reunion" 14/13
Part 3: "CVEPA Lunches with McInnis" 14/14
Part 3: "Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association" 14/15
Part 3: "Northwest River Alliance" 14/16
Part 3: "Ute Water Conservancy District" 14/17
Part 3: "Water Boys Convene in Denver" 14/18
Part 3: "Sportsmen Swell Ranks of Coalition" 14/19
Part 3: "The Water Boys" 14/20
Part 3: "Tea Time in the Rockies" 14/21
Part 3: "Animas-La Plata Project Negotiations Extend through Fall" 14/22
Part 3: "Pros Try to Sabotage Animas-La Plata Forum" 14/23

Box 15: Remaining chapters of Part 3, Part 4, and miscellaneous folders . Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Miscellaneous folders were folders waiting to be organized upon the death of Jeanne Englert. Arrangement is by part/chapter of the book.

Description Box/Folder
Part 3: "Tax Terrors and Tree Huggers Unite" 15/1
Part 3: "Garfield County Protests Budget" 15/2
Part 3: "Conditions Attached to Animas-La Plata Funding" 15/3
Part 3: "Animas-La Plata Poll Gives Pros Narrow Edge" 15/4
Part 3: "TAR’s "Hired Gun" Scores Coup" 15/5
Part 3: "TAR Dumps Tea in Animas River" 15/6
Part 3: "Speakers Assail Project" 15/7
Part 3: "CEL Organizes (?) Coalition to Fight Tax" 15/8
Part 3: "Coalition Stages Press Confrence" 15/9
Part 3: "Water Tax Fills Chambers" 15/10
Part 3: "Tax Bills Die in Finance Committee" 15/11
Part 3: "Dolores Memorandum Sent to GAO" 15/12
Part 3: "E-Team Amends HB1085" 15/13
Part 3: "Speakers attack Hydraulic Society" 15/14
Part 3: "Connie Finds Plot to Gut ESA" 15/15
Part 3: "Sam Forks Over the Bills" 15/16
Part 3: "Bircher Offers to Carry Bills" 15/17
Part 3: "Evelyn Knaub to Youngland" 15/18
Part 3: "Coalition Searches for a Sponcer" 15/19
Part 3: "HB3928 Dies Under Threat of Veto" 15/20
Part 3: Chapter 41 15/21
Part 4 15/22
Gertrude Exner 15/23
Don Spencer 15/24
"Southern (?) Ute Politics" 15/25
Jean McCulloch 15/26
Preston Ellsworth 15/27
Michael Black 15/28
Plotkins and Consitants Mired (?) 15/29
"Washington II" Chapter 55 and 27 15/30

Box 16: Continuing miscellaneous folders. Note: chapter titles in quotations are assumed based on existing documentation and original organization. Miscellaneous folders were folders waiting to be organized upon the death of Jeanne Englert.

Description Box/Folder
Water Conservancy District (?) Hearing 16/1
“Dam in Fighting (?)” 16/2
Chapters 58 16/3
Libel Suite 16/4
Letters 16/5
Chapter 59 16/6
Miscellaneous for Part 3 16/7
Jean Subs for Jeanne in Hearing/Parting Shots 16/8
Book notes October 1987 16/9
Illustrations 16/10
“Pockets of Resistance” rewrite 16/11
Gobbedegook 16/12
Louise Volker 16/13
Chapter 60 16/14
City Water 16/15
Testimony 16/16
Miscellaneous files 16/17

RG 3: Photographs for entire collection M235    back to RG list

Box 17: Photographs.

Description Box/Folder
Photographs from collection 17/1