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US approves Christo project; still needs local OK

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has issued its final decision approving Christo's art proposal to suspend 5.9 miles (9.5 kilometers) worth of fabric over the Arkansas River, with provisions for protecting bighorn sheep and other wildlife.
/ Source: The Associated Press

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has issued its final decision approving Christo's art proposal to suspend 5.9 miles (9.5 kilometers) worth of fabric over the Arkansas River, with provisions for protecting bighorn sheep and other wildlife.

Christo's team still needs permits from two counties, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the State Patrol.

But construction of the $50 million Over the River project on eight sections along a 42-mile (68-kilometer) stretch is expected to start next year. It would be displayed for two weeks in August 2014 before being dismantled.

The BLM had said in July its preferred alternative for the project stuck close to what Christo and his late wife, Jeanne-Claude, envisioned.

Opponents have said it would disrupt wildlife, traffic on a highway along the river, and rafting and fishing businesses.