Collection M 060: Four Corners Environmental Research Institute (FOCERI, Durango, Colo.) records DRAFT inventory

Links to contents

Preface	Introduction/  Scope and contents	Administrative information	Historical note
		Series descriptions	Info for doing research at the Center of Southwest Studies
Contents list	Center of Southwest Studies collection inventories		Center of Southwest Studies

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Introduction/ Scope and contents

Years this material was created: circa 1972-1992 (bulk years: - )

Quantity: 5 linear shelf feet (in 42 document cases)

The records of the Four Corners Environmental Research Institute (FOCERI), circa 1972-1992, includes minutes, correspondence and memos, financial records, contract labor records, maps, project records (these constitute the bulk of the collection), publications and articles, and engineering/environmental assessment reports regarding various projects in the Four Corners region, including the Durango uranium mill tailings site, La Plata County coal mining, Colorado River tributaries, electric transmission power lines in southern and southwestern Colorado, and other topics researched by FOCERI. 

The first few series of this collection pertain to information of UMTRA [Durango (Colo.) Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action, collection M 008].  For more information on that collection click here.

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Administrative information

Acquisition of this collection:  These materials were donated by the Four Corners Research Institute, c/o J. Bowden, CDS Labs, Bodo Industrial Park, Durango, Colorado, in June of 1997; accession numbers 1997:06009 (received 6/23/97 in two records storage boxes and immediately processed into six document cases) and 1997:06011 (received 6/27/97 in 12 records storage boxes, the contents for four filing cabinets).

This material was collected and gathered from various sources by Rob Blair, FLC professor of geology.  The material had been stored in the garage of Ann Butler, whose father-in-law had been involved in the FOCERI work.  The Center's receipt was acknowledged by a deed of gift signed by Dr. Blair on June 23, 1997.

About the organization of this collection:  The series and boxes are numbered consecutively.  Because we do not expect to add to this collection, the boxes are numbered in one single numbering scheme starting with 1.

Processing information:  This collection was arranged and described by volunteer Bruce Howard in January-February, 2008.  The collection content was produced by Professional Archive Intern Renee Morgan.  The inventory was prepared by Fort Lewis College archivist Todd Ellison (last updated February, 2008). 

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Historical note

Four Corners Environmental Research Institute was a pioneer in environmental research -- possibly the first such organization in the Southwest.  On November 16, 1978, the State Board of Agriculture gave approval for the President of Fort Lewis College to sign an agreement allowing FOCERI to use College facilities; this authorization was repeated on June 11, 1986.  The "E" (Environmental) was dropped at some point in the organization's latter days.

FOCERI terminated when the leader of the organization, Fort Lewis College Professor Dr. Charles Butler, resigned after his wife was killed in an auto accident. Although FOCERI had been associated with Fort Lewis College, FOCERI did not prove to be a substantial income generator for the FLC faculty.  After the organization dissolved, Dr. Butler's step-daughter, Ann Butler, received possession of the organizational records and placed them in a storage locker, which is where water damage occurred. Dr. Rob Blair (Geology Professor at Fort Lewis College) took the records from the storage locker and brought them to the Center.  Blair retained some of the records pertaining to geology.  Dr. Blair is a member of the Mountain Studies Institute, an organization that may assume a role similar to that of FOCERI.

(Sources include an interview with Dr. Rob Blair by Dr. Bruce Howard, January 24, 2008, and comments from Ann Butler to Todd Ellison on January 27, 2008.)

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Series descriptions

Note regarding the organization of this collection:  Materials in this collection are arranged by series.  The series are numbered consecutively.  Because we do not expect to add to this collection, the boxes are numbered in one single numbering scheme starting with 1.

The series are organized from highest hierarchical level to lowest; from most general to most specific.

Series 1:   Durango UMTRA records, circa 1899-1984.  66 folders, in 6 document cases.  Arrangement is chronological.

Series 2:   Naturita UMTRA records, circa 1972-1978. 13 folders, in 2 document cases.  Arrangement is chronological.

Series 3:   Grand Junction records, circa1981-1982.  12 folders, in 3 document cases.  Arrangement is chronological.

Series 4:   Southern Ute air quality, circa 1976-1988.  22 folders in 3 document cases.  Arrangement is chronological according to subject.

Series 5:   FOCERI meeting minutes, circa 1972-1992.  22 folders in 1 document case.  Arrangement is chronological according to subject.

Series 6:   Project proposals.  Arrangement is alphabetical.

Series 7:   Financial records,

Series 8:   Organization, promotion and correspondence
Series 8.1:  Business records

Series 9:   Miscellaneous forms
Series 9.1  Accounts receivable
Series 9.2: Financial statements
Series 9.3: Payroll records
Series 9.4: Accounts payable

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Contents list:

Search tip: Do a keyword search of this file by using the Edit-> Find in Page (Ctrl+F) feature on your Web browser.

Series 1:

Box 1:  Durango UMTRA miscellaneous documents.

Box 2:  Durango UMTRA miscellaneous documents.

Box 3:  Durango UMTRA printed materials and miscellaneous documents.

Box 4:  Durango UMTRA reports on miscellaneous documents, printed materials, mill site evaluations, tailing sites selection, geotechnical evaluation, EPA hearings, geological maps, and environmental drafts.

Box 5:  Durango UMTRA reports on citizen input, design, government, leases, licensing, maps, mill sit evaluations (photos and maps), proposals, rancher news and site selection.

Box. 6:  Durango UMTRA reports on citizen input, design, government, leases, licensing, maps, proposals, site selection and mill site evaluation.

Series 2:  

Box 7:  Naturita materials concerning environmental reports, leaching process, material investigations, miscellaneous documents, and radiation monitoring.

Box 8: Naturita records and reports on radiation monitoring and water quality.

Series 3:  

Box 9:  Grand Junction UMTRA materials disposal site selections, land ownership in Garfield and Mesa counties, and topographic maps of the surrounding areas.

Box 10:  Grand Junction UMTRA materials include uranium mill disposal site, site selection and disposal site screening report.

Box 11:  Grand Junction and surrounding area topographic maps.

Series 4:

Box 12:  Southern Ute air quality contracts and documents.

Box 13:  Southern Ute air quality documents, time sheets and miscellaneous reports.

Box 14:  Southern Ute air quality chemical parameter audit.

Series 5:

Box 15:  Minutes, records and correspondence.

Series 6-9:   Due to the size and content of these series a folder listing of the boxes is available below.

List of folder titles of M 060:
FOCERI records arranged and sorted by volunteer Bruce Howard and folder listing website addition by Renee Morgan beginning on 2/25/08

Series	Box	Folder	Folder title	Date(s)
6	16	Book	The Animas La Plata Irrigation Project: A Re-examination of regional benefits and costs for The Animas La Plata Water Conservancy District	Undated
6	16	1	Animas Valley limestone survey	Undated
6	16	2	Animas La Plata project	Undated
6	16	3	Archaeology	1979/1981
6	16	4	Arizona Public Service Company- limestone study	1973
6	16	Book	Bayfield-Pagosa Applicant’s environmental analysis	1973-11
6	16	5	Bureau of mines: environmental impact statement	1972
6	17	1	Colorado land use commission	1972
6	17	2	State of Colorado environmental legislation	1972
6	17	3	Coal gasification	1973/1974
6	17	4	Colorado energy project	1975
6	17	5	Colorado humanities program	1977
6	17	6	Colorado survey- climate and air quality	1980
6	17	7	Colorado topographic maps index	1980
6	17	8	Chevron project: Creede	1980
6	17	9	Carbon junction coal mine vegetation, La Plata County	1981
6	17	10	Crow canyon	1983
6	17	11	Carbon junction coal mine	1984
6	17	12	Canyon lands N.P. Glen Canyon N.R.A.	1984
6	17	13	Civil works projects southern California	1985
6	17	14	Chimney Rock archaeological area	1986
6	17	15	Chimney Rock stabilization project	1987
6	18	1	Comanche to calumet transmission line Environmental analysis	1981
6	18	2	Comanche to calumet transmission line Environmental analysis	1979, 1983
6	18	3	Comanche to calumet transmission line Environmental analysis	1982
6	18	4	Comanche to calumet transmission line environmental analysis	1981
6	18	5	Comanche to calumet transmission line macro corridor study	1981
6	18	6	Comanche to calumet transmission line	1983
6	18	7	Comanche to calumet transmission line environmental analysis	1981
6	19	1	Comanche-Boone to Walsenberg transmission line	1981
6	19	2	Comanche to calumet transmission line environmental analysis	1981
6	19	3	Comanche to calumet transmission line environmental analysis	1981
6	19	4	Walsenberg transmission line	Undated
6	20	1	Colorado river salinity control	1972
6	20	2	Colorado river health project	1976
6	20	3	Colorado river water quality	1976
6	20	4	Colorado river water quality	1981
6	20	5	Colorado plateau rendez-vous II	1977
6	20	6	Colorado plateau rendez-vous II	1976
6	20	7	Colorado plateau rendez-vous II	1977
6	20	8	Colorado senate bill 35	1972
6	20	9	Colorado school of mines	Undated
6	21	1	Durango ski corporation	1973
6	21	2	Dolores wild river project	1975
6	21	3	Durango solid waste recycling.	1975
6	21	4	Durango recycling project	1975/1976
6	21	5	Durango sewage treatment plant	1979
6	21	6	Environmental protection agency trace element study	1972
6	21	7	Environmental policy act	1972
6	21	8	Environmental protection agency	1973
6	21	9	EROS data center	1973
6	21	10	Aerial photography system geological survey, EROS data system	Undated
6	21	11	Environmental protection agency- environmental impact statements	1974
6	21	12	Electra sporting club	1976
6	22	1	East fork ski resort (wolf creek)	1980
6	22	2	East fork ski area	1985
6	22	3	East fork ski resort (wolf creek)	1985
6	22	4	East fork ski area	1985
6	22	5	Eastern Navajo arable trust lands	1983
6	22	6	Eastern Navajo land and water history	1983
6	22	7	Eastern Navajo arable land	1983
6	23	1	Federal project coordination	1972
6	23	2	Federal grant assistance programs	1971
6	23	3	Foundation for environmental education	1975
6	23	4	Four corners forum	1976
6	23	5	Fremont and lake counties geologic hazards and mineral resources	1977
6	23	6	Fish and wildlife service quick response support	1979
6	23	7	Four corners power plants	1982
6	23	8	Forest history	1982
6	23	9	Four corners geology society book sales	1986
6	23	10	Four corners regional commission	Undated
6	24	1	Geological survey	1971
6	24	2	Geologic maps	1973, 1978
6	24	3	Arrow motel, Cortez, CO	1976
6	24	4	Gunnison basin	1981
6	24	Book	"Groundwater" Four Corners research institute	1982-07
6	24	5	Glen Canyon environmental proposal	1986
6	24	6	Glen Canyon	1986
6	25	1	Department of housing and urban development	1973
6	25	2	Hay gulch no. 1 mine	1979
6	25	3	Hesperus tract	1981
6	25	4	The institute of ecology	1973
6	25	5	Iowa State University- High voltage transmission lines research, animals and objects	1981
6	25	6	Indian forest history	1982
6	25	7	Injurious wildlife importation regulations	Undated
6	25	8	Keystone ski area expansion	1984
6	25	9	Kirkland Air Force Base cultural resource investigation	1991
6	26	1	Large scale coal mining in La Plata County	1975
6	26	2	Geologic hazards map, La Plata County- proposal contract	1976/1977
6	26	3	Geologic hazards map, La Plata County- financial statements	1976/1977
6	26	4	Geologic Hazard maps, La Plata County	1976/1977
6	26	5	Lake city to Creede transmission line	1975
6	26	6	Lake City to Creede Transmission Line	1976
6	26	Book	Lake City to Creede transmission line Poncha to San Luis Valley transmission line Environmental analysis and supplement	1978-03-21
6	26	Book	Colorado-Ute Electric Association, Inc. (2 copies)	1978-03
6	26	7	La Plata Electric Association	1987
6	26	8	La Plata Electric Association	1987
6	27	1	Molybdenum proposal, Carson National Forest	1974
6	27	2	Mobil Oil Company, uranium exploration Ute Mountain Reservation, environmental impacts	1974
6	27	3	Mining reclamation	1975/1976
6	27	4	MIT southwest US experimental station	1979
6	27	5	Mineral creek macro invertebrates-proposal	1980
6	27	6	Mineral creek micro invertebrates- contracts	1980
6	27	7	Mineral creek macro invertebrates- accounting files	1980
6	27	8	Mineral creek macro invertebrates	1980
6	27	9	Mountain Uncompahgre butterfly survey U.S. forest service	1981
6	27	10	Mule canyon ruin	1987
6	27	11	Mule canyon stabilization	1987
6	28	1	National environmental policy act	1970/1974
6	28	2	Navajo mine Utah international	1974
6	28	3	Navajo water project	1983
6	28	4	Air quality (Navajo)	1981
6	28	5	Navajo Psychological testing proposal	1983
6	28	6	National science foundation small business guide	1980
6	28	7	Office of environmental education	1974
6	28	8	Ouray geothermal project- deed proposal	1981
6	28	9	OXYMIN project- copper mine environmental impact	1973
6	29	1	Pole log study proposal	1976
6	29	2	Public service company transmission corridors study deed proposal	1980
6	29	3	Rico Argentine Mining Company	1974
6	29	4	Plains electric	1980
6	29	5	Peacock coal mine vegetation, La Plata County	1981
6	29	6	Purgatory Ski Area- cultural resource survey and geologic hazard survey	1984
6	29	7	Purgatory ski area- cultural resource survey geologic hazard study	1984
6	29	8	Purgatory ski area	1984
6	29	9	Purgatory ski area addition- financial statements	1978
6	29	10	Purgatory ski area addition- geologic hazards and cultural resources	1978
6	29	11	Purgatory ski area- cultural resource survey	1984
6	29	12	Purgatory North cascade creek geology hazard study	Undated
6	29	13	Pinto bean processing proposal	1986
6	29	14	Pinon canyon maneuver site erosion control cultural resource inventory	1986
6	29	15	Pinon canyon maneuver- financial records	1986/1987
6	29	16	Pine river water quality	1987
6	30	1	Small business administration	1976
6	30	2	Small business innovation research	1991/1992
6	30	3	Solar research energy institute	1976
6	30	4	Southwest Colorado public service science center- deed proposal	1980
6	30	5	Southern Ute mineral study proposal	1973
6	30	6	Southern Ute community improvement project biological assessment	1980
6	30	7	Southern Ute natural resources inventory proposal	1987
6	30	8	Southern Ute water quality	1987/1988
6	30	9	Suppliers- air quality	Undated
6	31	1	Rifle ski area proposal	1981
6	31	2	Sacred Mountain archaeology site proposal	1979
6	31	3	San Juan River Proposal	1979
6	31	4	Rocky Mountain environmental research	1974
6	31	5	Rio Blanco water samples	1972
6	31	6	Rifle to San Juan transmission line biological assessment	Undated
6	31	7	San Juan national forest range reanalysis- proposal	1979/1981
6	31	8	San Juan National Forest cultural resources survey	1978
6	31	9	San Juan National Forest geologic inventory	1978
6	31	10	San Juan Regional commission	1979
6	31	11	San Juan national forest water testing	1980
6	31	12	Shell Oil Company CO2 wells	1977
6	31	13	San Juan National Forest range re-analysis	1982
6	31	14	San Juan National Forest Range re-analysis	1983
6	31	15	Proposal for environmental studies BLM oil and gas leasing San Juan area	Undated
6	31	16	San Miguel mill project- social and economic impacts	1980
6	31	17	Shonto wash environmental impact	1987
6	32	1	Thorne ecological institute	1972/1973
6	32	Book	Trans Colorado gas transmission project	1992-07
6	32	Book	Trans Colorado gas transmission project	1991-08
6	33	1	Underground storage tank remediation	1991
6	33	2	University of La Verne energy report	1983
6	33	3	University of New Mexico space photography NASA	Undated
6	33	4	Uranium leach heap, project	1975
6	33	5	Uranium search	1976/1978
6	33	6	Upper Colorado river basin	1975
6	33	7	US Forest Service	1974/1980
6	33	8	Vallecito reservoir right of way basement	1986
6	33	9	Vallecito reservoir archaeology survey	1987
6	33	10	Vernal, Utah water quality analysis	1979
6	34	1	Waste water treatment works	1973
6	34	2	Water quality analysis	1978
6	34	3	West Dolores drainage	1978
6	34	4	Western Colorado rural community connections	1980
6	34	5	Western sun	1980
6	34	6	Westinghouse electric corporation	1974
6	34	7	Wheeler Haul Road	1984
6	34	8	Wheeler Haul road environmental impact	1987
6	34	9	Water pollution control	1975
6	34	10	White River electric transmission lines marketing	1978
6	34	11	Wildlife values symposium	1985
7	35	1	Project account summaries	1978/1981
7	35	2	Financial statements	1974/1984
7	35	3	Financial summary	1981
7	35	4	End of the month statement	1982-06
7	35	5	Financial accounts analysis records	1989
7	35	6	Financial statements	1989
7	35	7	Rent	1979/1981
7	35	8	Liability insurance	1980/1982
7	35	9	Bank agreement	1986
7	35	10	Miscellaneous contracts	1974/1976
7	35	11	Consultant agreements	1982
8	36	1	Organizational information	1973/1987
8	36	2	Executive committee minutes	1972/1979
8	36	3	Newspaper clippings	1972/1979
8	36	4	Promotional materials	1974/1975
8	36	5	Press releases	1982
8	36	6	FOCERI news	1981/1986
8	36	7	Miscellaneous newsletters	1991/1992
8	36	8	Miscellaneous correspondence	1978/1980
8	36	9	Miscellaneous correspondence	1974/1979
8	36	10	correspondence	1983/1984
8	36	11	Miscellaneous correspondence	1985
8	36	12	Miscellaneous correspondence	1986/1991
8.1	37	1	Co-contractors (potential)	1979/1982
8.1	37	2	Employment applications and resumes	1981
8.1	37	3	Letters of recommendation	1985/1986
8.1	37	4	Membership applications	1981/1987
8.1	37	5	Resumes	Undated
9	38	1	Database search	Undated
9	38	2	Employment application forms	Undated
9	38	3	Environmental impact statements	Undated
9	38	4	Expense vouchers (blank)	Undated
9	38	5	Financial records	1991/1992
9	38	6	Membership application forms	Undated
9	38	7	Miscellaneous receivable records	1982
9	38	8	National Park Service	1973
9	38	9	Prospect profiles (blank)	Undated
9	38	10	State of Colorado environmental report forms (blank)	Undated
9	38	11	Tax returns- federal	1972/1985
9	38	12	Telephone logs	1986
9	38	13	Time sheets (blank)	Undated
9	38	14	Unemployment insurance	1975/1988
9.1	38	Book	Accounts receivable	1980-06-30
9.2	39	Book	Financial statements	1972/1980
9.2	39	Book	Financial statements	1983-06/1987
9.3	40	1-10	Payroll records	1976/1986
9.4	41	1-6	Accounts payable	1979/1983
9.4	42	1-10	Accounts payable	1983/1988

 

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Chemtrails are a topic of environmental discussion and concern for some residents of southwestern Colorado and elsewhere.  Visit  http://swcenter.fortlewis.edu/Chemtrails.htm for a page related to systematic, high-altitude dumping in the skies of La Plata County of unknown substances for undisclosed purposes.

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