Over the River Project I / Christo and Jeanne-Claude

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Interview orginally aired February 2, 2006.

A famed artist’s controversial quest to suspend miles of fabric over the Arkansas River got a big boost from federal officials Thursday. Artist Christo has planned his “Over the River” project for years. He wants to hang a silvery material over stretches of the river between Salida and Canon City. In a new report, the Bureau of Land Management says the project could work -- if Christo meets certain conditions. The BLM wants Christo to protect bighorn sheep habitat, install equipment to keep birds safe and limit traffic delays during construction. The agency will make a final decision in the next few months, but Christo’s battles aren’t over. Critics are suing to stop him. Ryan Warner spoke to Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude, in 2006. Jeanne-Claude has since passed away.

[Design: Christo and Jeanne-Claude]