Editor:

My name is Hamilton Pevec. I am a filmmaker and resident of Carbondale. My family has been in the valley since the 1950s. Even though I have lived all over the world, I keep coming back to this unique and amazing place. A former employee of a large gas drilling company in Garfield County recently approached me about making a film. He wants to speak out against fracking, a practice that jeopardized his family and personal well being. 

As a filmmaker, I need to choose my battles wisely, but the issues of fracking, water use, and domestic energy development versus renewable energy development are very important to me. I’m afraid for our water. We need to bring more awareness to our relationship with water. I’m terrified that if we turn a blind eye to the industrial practices happening just downstream from us, it’s only a matter of time before the problem is upstream from us. Eventually there will be no stream. What is our health worth? At what point do we say “enough!”?

The fact that the Colorado River doesn’t reach the ocean is our canary in the coal mine. Out in Silt, Rifle and Parachute I have seen wells literally dug right next to our Colorado River. I have learned about the various methods of the disposal for “frac water”: Evaporation ponds, injection wells and “land farming” where they dump the contaminated water on rented soil then mix in more earth until the parts per million reach acceptable levels. But, what happens when it rains, where does that runoff go?

After working for the past month with people on the inside of this issue (who are afraid their involvement against fracking puts them at physical risk), I know I have a responsibility to act. I have already uncovered negligent safety practices, outdated water laws, and documented proof that there is illegal activity. I’ve decided to make a documentary to tell this important story. I can’t cover everything; it would take an entire series and a few features to be as comprehensive as this issue warrants. However, I want to do my small part. Please help me make my movie by reading about it and contributing even a small amount to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/358880437/the-water-handler [1]

If anyone who reads this wants to speak out against fracking but doesn’t know how or is afraid, please contact me at thewaterhandler@gmail.com [2].