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Ranger combats mussel threat

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Contributed by: Crawford Clark/YourHub.com on 5/21/2008

Life at Standley Lake Regional Park has become decidedly more hectic with the start on the 2008 boating season.

"If I had hair, I'd pull it out," jokes senior park ranger Paul Heller.

The regional park boasts a lake, campground and a pair of bald eagles that have called the park home since 1992. Boating is allowed on the lake. Swimming and personal watercraft are not. The lake provides drinking water for the surrounding cities of Westminster, Thornton and Northglenn.

Heller has seen significant changes at the park over the years, but the biggest change is also the most recent.

The park launched a full-scale attempt to keep the notorious zebra mussel out of the lake in April.

The mussel, native to Europe, was discovered in the Pueblo Reservoir in January of 2008 and has parks officials across the state nervous.

The mussel propagates at a rapid rate and poses a threat not only to the ecosystem of the lake, but to the water inlet system that funnels water to the surrounding communities.

There is no way to eradicate the mussel, according to Heller. The only way to stop them is to keep them out of the water altogether.

To that end, the park has instituted a strict system of boat inspections. Boaters at Standley Lake must have their craft washed and inspected by a ranger who then place a seal on the boat's trailer. After a waiting period of five to 11 days, depending on weather, boaters will be allowed on the lake if they have not broken the seal.

The new measures have required an increased summer staff from 21 to 25 employees under Heller. "It's non-stop everything, it's been a blur," Heller said.

Heller, 38, a Colorado native and father of two pre-teens, has worked at the park since 1994, when he started as an assistant ranger in the summers. He received a degree in recreation, park and tourism sciences from Texas A&M in 1992. Heller was promoted to a full-time senior ranger position in 1999.

"I've known some of the guys (park visitors) since I started working here. It's like a family, I've known them for so long."

Heller's daily duties include staff scheduling and making sure various maintenance projects are kept on track.

Heller also routinely checks fishing and licenses and patrols the park for alcohol, which is not allowed in the park.

"I hate making that contact, but that's the job. People don't read signs," Heller said. "The big thing is education, that goes a lot farther than the gung-ho law-enforcement type."

Heller credits the park visitors with creating a safe atmosphere.

"Guests police themselves; it's a family atmosphere," Heller said.

The main entrance to Standley Lake Regional Park, open year-round, is at 100th Avenue and Simms Street. The park is open to boating and camping from May 1 to Sept. 30. To find out more information about Standley Lake Regional Park, visit www.ci.westminster.co.us.

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