Since the day of the spill, we have been focused on the Animas River. The land the Animas runs through is our home and we care deeply about this place.
At Fort Lewis College, we have the capability to help watch over our home and protect it. FLC faculty and students are out researching the impacts of the spill: collecting samples and looking for ways to integrate the knowledge they gather for the public good. Above, Geosciences Professor Gary Gianniny works with students on a long-term monitoring project of the Animas River several days after the spill.
When incidents like this occur, it is important to understand the science and use data to correct misinformation and dispel rumors. With the expertise we have among our professors and staff, the College is uniquely positioned to act as an honest broker of information and we stand ready to help in any way requested. Our own Dr. Ray Kenny, professor of Geosciences, responds to questions with his insights, the first in a series of Q&As that will be written by our faculty.
In addition, FLC’s Reed Library has created a where information such as media coverage and government releases about the spill, from both on- and off-campus sources, will be kept. This guide will be dynamic and can be used as a resource for all, now and in the future.
Thank you to those who kept campus safe from the effects of the spill. As a result of the quick actions of city officials and our own Physical Plant staff, the water used on campus, both potable and non-potable, was untouched by the spill. Campus operations continued more or less as usual during the incident and now we are looking forward to the first day of classes on August 31.
I know we all share the Animas’ pain and we all long for the river’s quick recovery. Today's reopening of the river shows that we are on our way.
Sincerely,
Dene Thomas
President, Fort Lewis College