Christo and Jeanne-Claude
OVER THE RIVER,
Project for the Arkansas River,
State of Colorado

Fabric panels suspended horizontally clear of and high above the water level will follow the configuration and width of the changing course of the river, during a period of two consecutive weeks to be selected between mid-July and mid-August of any given year in the future, in 2012 at the earliest.

Steel wire cables, anchored on the upper part of the riverbanks, will cross the river and serve as attachment for the fabric panels. The woven fabric panels, sewn in advance, with rows of grommets at the edges perpendicular to the river, will create shimmering waves of fabric, 8 to 25 feet (2.4 to 7.6 meters) above the water. The 5.9 mile (9,4 kilometer) long stream of successive fabric panels will be interrupted by bridges, rocks, trees, and bushes and for esthetic reasons, creating abundant flows of light.

Wide clearance between the banks and the edges of the fabric panels will create a play of contrast allowing sunlight to illuminate the river on both sides. When seen from underneath, standing on the rocks, at the edge of the river, at water level or by rafting, the luminous and translucent fabric will highlight the contours of the clouds, the mountains and the vegetation.

As with all previous art projects, Over The River is entirely financed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, through the sale by their CVJ Corporation (Jeanne-Claude Christo-Javacheff, President) of Christo’s preparatory drawings, collages, scale models, lithographs and early works from the fifties and sixties.
The artists do not accept sponsorship of any kind. The materials will be recycled.

In the USA, most of the rivers are born in the Rocky Mountains, some flowing east to the Mississippi River or the Gulf of Mexico, some flowing west to the Pacific Ocean. For the project, a river had to be chosen. The river should have high banks so that steel cables could be suspended, a road running continuously along the river, as well as both white and tranquil waters used for rafting.

In August 1992, ‘93 and ‘94, in search of a site for the project, Christo and Jeanne-Claude traveled 22,530 kilometers  (14,000 miles) in the Rocky Mountains in the United States, with their collaborator-friends: Tom Golden, Richard Miller, Vince Davenport, Jonita Davenport, Simon Chaput, Anna-Maryke Havekes, Wolfgang and Sylvia Volz, Masa Yanagi, Harrison Rivera-Terreaux, Vladimir Yavachev and John Kaldor. On those trips, the team prospected eighty-nine rivers in the Rocky Mountains, in seven states, and six possible locations were found. After visiting the six sites again in the summer of 1996, the Arkansas River in Colorado was selected. In June and September 1997, June 1998 and June 1999, Vince and Jonita Davenport with Wolfgang Volz organized life-size prototype tests for Christo and Jeanne-Claude and their collaborators, Jonathan Henery, Vladimir Yavachev and Nicholas Domeyko.

Tests have been conducted by Scott L. Gamble and Mark A. Hunter of R.W.D.I. Inc., Consulting Engineers, in a wind tunnel in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and at the site of the 1999 life-size test in Colorado, organized by Over The River chief engineer/director of construction Vince Davenport and project director Jonita Davenport.

C. V. J. Corporation has retained the services of: Marca L. Hagenstad of J. F. Sato and Associates, Consulting Engineers, Littleton, Colorado, to prepare the Design and Planning Report for the Bureau of Land Management which the BLM will use for the Environmental Impact Statement; Francis E. Harrison and Clare H. Dunning, of Golder Associates, Inc., Lakewood, CO, to prepare the geometric design engineering; Jeremy Zeid and Thomas Stelmack of Parsons Transportation Group, Inc., Denver, CO, to prepare the cable and structural component designs; John Wolosick and Tom Szynakiewicz of Hayward Baker, Broomfield, CO, to prepare the anchor installation plan; Bryan Law and Richard Mariotti, of Law and Mariotti Consultants, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO, to prepare the topographic maps; David Ness and Donald Cleveland, of M. J. Harden, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, to prepare the aerial photographic maps; Steve Coffin of GBSM, Inc. and Ford Frick of BBC Research, Denver, CO to provide strategic  communications and economic analysis. To provide legal counsel: Scott Hodes and Margaret B. LaBianca of Bryan Cave LLP and Lori Potter of Kaplan, Kirsch & Rockwell LLP, Denver, CO.

The road running along the river, and the existing footpaths leading to the water will allow the project to be seen, approached and enjoyed from above by car or bus, and from underneath on foot or by raft or kayak. For a period of two weeks, the work of art Over The River will join the other recreational activities and the natural life of the river.                                                  July 2007.

 

OVER THE RIVER Timeline Update - September 2007

Based on the proposed Environmental Impact Statement preparation schedule prepared by the Bureau of Land Management, the following estimates are based on the assumption that the required permits will be issued in latter 2009.   Weather permitting conditions will determine the final schedule.

February 2010
• Detailed survey work beings

Spring-Fall 2010
• Anchor installation begins

Spring-Fall 2011
• Anchor installation complete

Spring 2012
• Cable installation

July/August 2012
• Fabric panel installation

July/August 2012 (14 days)
• Over The River (exhibition)

September 2012
• Fabric panel removal

September/October 2012
• Cable removal

October/December 2012
• Anchor removal begins

Spring 2013
• Anchor removal complete

OVER THE RIVER Update - May 10, 2007

Christo and Jeanne-Claude submitted the Over The River Design and Planning Report to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Manager, Roy Masinton, in Canon City, Colorado. This 2,029 page document prepared by J. F. Sato & Associates, Littleton, Colorado, includes the following data:

• Introduction to the artists' work
• The artists' vision for Over The River
• Proposed Alternatives and Complete Public Scoping Report
• Extensive Data on the Environment, Impact and Mitigation Issues
• Comprehensive Resource Maps
• Biological reports on fauna and flora
• Public Art Documents; Cultural Resource Maps and Documents
• OTR Operations Plan:  Engineering, Installation, Removal and Restoration
• OTR Event Management Plan: Visitation Analysis, Transportation Alternatives, Traffic Operations Analysis, Alternate Route Report

BLM will review and evaluate this data and will determine which other agencies may have access to the report. The Over The River Design and Planning Report will also be used by BLM to assist them in preparing the Request For Proposal (RFP). A third party contractor will then be selected by BLM to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The artists are hopeful that a Record of Decision (ROD) on the EIS will be submitted by the fall, 2008.

On May 3, 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Christo and Jeanne-Claude and BLM was signed. The purpose of this document is to establish an understanding between the parties regarding the respective responsibilities, conditions and procedures to be followed during the preparation of the Draft and Final EIS. BLM staff is currently preparing a schedule for completion of the EIS.

As with all of their previous works of art, Over The River, has been and will continue to be financed entirely by the artists.

Information available as of June 30, 2006:

Christo and Jeanne-Claude propose the installation of a temporary work of art, to be installed for a 14-day period over a section of the Arkansas River between Canon City and Salida, during summer 2011, the earliest possible date.

On March 4, 2006, Christo and Jeanne-Claude officially requested that the Environmental Assessment (EA) currently in process for Over The River, be upgraded to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The artists made this decision because they wish to provide the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), all other permitting agencies and the general public with the most detailed research possible. The artists are aware that an EIS provides the most thorough analysis available in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. This will ensure that when a decision is reached, all potential impacts, both positive and negative, will have undergone the most careful examination.

On June 19, 2006 the Notice of Intent was filed in the Federal Registry in Washington D. C. This document is formal notification that the EIS preparation process is underway. It is expected that the Environmental Impact Statement will be complete by August, 2007

The permit process continues and involves the following agencies:

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

• Colorado State Parks

• Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

• Colorado State Patrol

• Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW)

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Fremont County officials

• Chaffee County officials

• Canon City officials

• Salida officials

The Littleton, Colorado firm of J. F. Sato and Associates is preparing the Environmental Assessment (EA).

Engineering services are being provided by Golder Associates, Inc. of Lakewood, Colorado and the survey reports are prepared by Law and Mariotti Consultants, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Aerial photographic maps have been made by M. J. Harden, Inc., Kansas City.

All wind tunnel tests, both scale-model and life-size, have been conducted by RWDI Inc., Consulting Engineers of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Construction and Materials

Steel wire cables (3/8" to 5/8") will be anchored on the upper part of the riverbanks and serve as the attachments for 962 fabric panels. The fabric will cover only 6.9 to 7 miles of the 40.7-mile stretch of river from Canon City to Salida and will be divided into 8 areas, allowing for frequent interruptions.

Cable anchors will be installed using a variety of methods depending on the various surface conditions. The anchor bore hole may be as small as 3" where the anchor would be imbedded in solid rock; or it may be as large as 10" where the anchor must be secured in unconsolidated rock, such as previously blasted-fill rock. Where bedrock is not available (e.g., areas of loose fill material), caissons will be installed below ground for anchor attachment. The anchor holes will be drilled approximately 25' to 35' apart. Anchors will be removed and caissons will remain at least 12" below ground level.

The fabric panels will be suspended from 8' to 25' and only above the surface of the water; fabric will not extend over the riverbank. Panels will range in size from 25' to 35' in length (from cable to cable) and 40' to 120' in width, depending on the width of the river channel. Some fabric sections may be as short as 3 panels (105') and may be as long as 50 panels (1,750'). The fabric is translucent and porous, allowing both light transmittal and free flow of water through it.

During anchor installation, temporary lane closures for approximately 200' to 500' will be necessary to ensure public safety. A traffic control plan, designating the number and location of flaggers and signage, will be developed and approved by CDOT.

A Colorado engineering firm will test and provide certification for all components to ensure that the anchors, cables, and fabric design is structurally sound. Professional contractors will complete all installation work. All materials will be recycled.

Wildlife Protection

The BLM and DOW have provided detailed information, defined areas of concern and suggested appropriate mitigation measures, which may include:

All fabric panels have been located to minimize the impacts on wildlife to the extent practical and to allow both animal and human ingress and egress to the river. Additional mitigation measures are currently being evaluated.

If requested by the BLM and/or DOW, bighorn sheep monitoring will take place before, during and after the installation, including obtaining data from heart rate monitors.

Anchor installation done in sensitive bighorn sheep habitat will be scheduled outside of the lambing period.

If BLM/DOW deems this to be an appropriate mitigation measure, guzzlers will be placed away from the river to provide a watering alternative for wildlife.

In order to identify active nest sites, raptor monitoring will occur before installation begins.

Work done in areas sensitive to raptor nesting will be scheduled outside of the raptor nesting period.

The issue of a possible strike or entanglement in the cables by raptors and other birds has been addressed in a study by ornithologist, Dr. Owen A. Knorr. Results of this study and other information (BLM and DOW) will be used to assess potential impacts in the Environmental Impact Statement.

Guzzlers will be placed away from the river to provide a watering alternative to wildlife, if DOW deems this to be an appropriate mitigation measure.

All fabric panels have been strategically located to avoid frequent watering areas and to allow both animal and human ingress and egress to the river.

The Environment

All construction activities will be limited to the areas defined in the permits.

A cultural clearance study has been performed to identify historical areas and no such areas have been identified; no impacts would result from anchor installation.

Every effort will be made to minimize disturbance of rocks during the anchor installation phase.

Areas of vegetation and soil disturbed by the project will be reclaimed, as directed by the BLM.

All holes left in bedrock by rock anchors will be filled with matching-color mortar.

Traffic Control and Public Safety

Traffic control and public safety are two of the primary concerns for both the artists and the public. The current estimated visitor count over a 14-day period is approximately 250,000 people. The following mitigation measures are among those being considered; additional mitigating factors may still be identified:

Develop a CDOT-approved traffic control plan. This plan will designate the type of measures needed to facilitate traffic through the project area, and will be based on traffic analyses conducted by DEA, Inc. and recommendations made by CDOT. This will include a boating-retrieval traffic plan as well.

Develop an emergency medical evacuation plan.

Establish an on-site traffic operation center to be staffed by CDOT Traffic Engineer/Public Relations Officer.

Provide traffic control personnel to facilitate traffic flow and safety. Maintain on-site towing services for quick response.

Locate possible limited parking areas for tour buses, private cars, handicapped parking and official vehicles.

Place variable message boards throughout the river corridor between Canon City and Salida, as well as in more distant communities, as deemed appropriate by CDOT. Additional signage (for example: "NO PARKING", "NO STOPPING") to be included in the CDOT approved traffic control plan.

Provide informational brochures, containing data on viewing opportunities, limited public parking, locations of emergency and law enforcement staffing, and other public services, to be distributed by monitors throughout the project.

Provide alternate route information to help re-route oversized loads, hazardous materials and commercial traffic.

Notify the Department of Corrections and U. S. Post Office of project schedule and alternative routing.

Reduce speed limits along the U. S. Highway 50 corridor during times determined to be appropriate by CDOT. Signage and additional staffing will aid enforcement.

Additional mitigation measures currently being evaluated with area agencies include:

Control of bicycle and pedestrian traffic in specific areas of Highway 50 and other areas in the right-of-way.

Emergency response teams to be stationed at key points throughout the project area to provide a quick response to any emergency situation, including water rescue.

Fabric panels to bypass sections identified by Parks and BLM as possible danger/drowning zones.

Helicopter service will be available and/or located on-site to facilitate emergency response in a congested traffic setting.      

BLM fire response team will operate on a stand-by mode.

Fire and EMS staff will be hired from outside of the area, to the extent necessary, to be available for additional support of local resources.

The FAA may need to identify flight ceilings and traffic patterns during the Over The River exhibition.

Law Enforcement / Communications

Local law enforcement agency coordination is essential. Colorado State Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff, Chaffee County Sheriff, Canon City Police, Salida Police, Colorado State Parks and BLM services will be necessary.

Officers from other areas will be hired as necessary to supplement local staff.

Over The River workers will monitor the project site during daylight hours; private security will be hired to provide night monitoring. Security will be onsite during installation, exhibition and removal phases.

On both sides of the river corridor, law enforcement officers assisted by a limited number of Over The River monitors will be stationed in key locations to limit access by the viewing public. This staff will be crucial in ensuring public safety and reducing impacts from the public on wildlife and habitats of the riparian corridor and valley slopes.

Additional radio repeaters will be installed to facilitate two-way radio communication.

A mobile communication command center will be established to monitor all radio traffic.

Over The River staff will be provided with radios during all phases of the project and during all shifts.

Over The River management team will have satellite telephone access.

OVER THE RIVER Project Work Force

Over The River will employ both skilled and non-skilled workers.

During the installation and removal phases, professional local contractors will be hired to provide skilled, insured and bonded workers.

During the exhibition phase, the artists prefer to hire local people who will work as monitors during daylight hours only.

Monitor duties will include giving project information and free fabric samples to visitors, explaining where public services are available and directing visitors to appropriate viewing areas.

Employment opportunities will be available for people who will assist in the attachment of fabric panels to the cables and pulling the fabric panels across the river.

All workers will be paid and provided with worker's compensation insurance and an Over The River project uniform.

Each worker and monitor working during the 14-day exhibition phase will be provided with one meal and drinking water each day.

Over The River employment opportunities will be made available at the artists' web site, christojeanneclaude.net, when the permits are issued.

Sanitation and Garbage

The artists will provide for the collection and disposal of garbage from the Over The River site during installation, exhibition and removal.

This will include AHRA sites along the river corridor.

The artists will provide commercial portable toilets at the Over The River site during installation, exhibition and removal where necessary.

Garbage collection sites and sanitation facility sites will be identified on the viewing brochure.

Insurance and Bonding

The artists will provide a liability insurance policy in an amount to be determined by the permitting agencies.

The artists will provide a removal and restoration bond in an amount to be determined by the permitting agencies.

OVER THE RIVER Project Costs

The artists pay for ALL project costs. There will be no expense to any city, county, state or federal agency. There will be no monetary cost to taxpayers.

Each agency is responsible for determining the costs directly associated with their role in the project and to submit appropriate invoicing to the artists. All bills will be paid promptly.

The artists do not accept sponsorship of any kind. Over The River will be financed entirely through the sale of Christo's preparatory drawings, collages, scale models, early works of the 1950's and 1960's and lithographs.

Proposed Project Timeline (As it was in June 2006)

(Please note the information in this section is placed here to ensure the June 2006 proposal is a part of the Public Record. This section should NOT be cited as current. The information in this section is now obsolete.)

The timeline of the project continues to develop in conjunction with the EIS process. The following estimates are based on the assumption that the required permits will be issued in 2007:

February 2008
• Detailed survey work begins

Spring-Fall 2009
• Anchor installation begins

Spring-Fall 2010
• Anchor installation complete

Spring 2011
• Cable installation

July/August 2011
• Fabric panel installation

July/August 2011 (14 days)
• Over The River (exhibition)

September 2011
• Fabric panel removal

September-October 2011
• Cable removal

October-December 2011
• Anchor removal begins

Spring 2012
• Anchor removal complete