Desert Rivers Collaborative – Winter Meeting 12/14/2015
Objectives Learn about status of ongoing
projects DRC funding update
Determine add. 2016/2017 funding needs
Learn about changes in geomorphology along river
Openly discuss weed management opportunities and concerns
Develop approach to signage
Project Overview
1 for the Valley Voluntary Surcharge Program
Small charge that a business adds to a customer’s bill; amt then given to support a cause
Opt-in vs. opt-out; other approaches
1 for the Valley Create reliable funding
stream for river restoration and trail building & maintenance
Create increased awareness about the value of the river, the Riverfront Trail, and the need for ongoing restoration
Establish a community of river and trail advocates and stewards
Tap into the tourism as a means for funding river restoration and trail maintenance
1 for the Valley CO Riverfront Commission led effort CO Riverfront Foundation approved
funding for Feasibility Study CMU effort to assess likelihood of project
success in the Grand Valley
Regional Watershed Partnership Fund Raising $2 million for
SW watersheds by Sept. 2017
Includes DRC and neighboring partnerships
TC hiring fundraising expert to implement in Jan.
DRC Outreach Successful 2nd Annual Raft the
River 60 participants
Ditch & Reservoir Company Alliance mtg and float trip
Numerous presentations throughout community Ute Water Festival, Rotary,
Alpine Bank, CMU Press releases, articles Added US Bureau of
Reclamation as MOU signatory
Photo: RRAFT
Monument Road Project Mesa County spraying for resprouts and
secondary weeds Working with Mesa County Jail Crew &
City of GJ to continue maintenance Holding off on revegetation at this time to
see how system responds
Indian Wash Completed removal
along approx. half of the wash utilizing Western CO Conservation Corps and I & E Young, Inc.
Applied for additional funding to finish project City just received
GOCO/CYCA grant Largely successful reveg
Riverfront Trail Planting Riverfront Commission received grant
from Junior Service League Partners & RFC committed funds Planning on meeting today to plan to
determine timeline
Pending & Received Grants for 2016
Received Goodwin Family Fdn Colorado Riverfront Fdn Xcel Energy
Pending Invasive Phreatophyte Control
Program Bacon Family Fdn American Rivers National Fish & Wildlife Federation –
Next Generation Approached by FWS re. habitat
mitigation funding
Environmental Stewards Program
Summer and Short Term Internships Young adults complete a variety of projects in terms of service that range generally from 10-12 weeks. These individuals are placed with a local site supervisor and mentor to complete a variety of conservation and/or environmental resource management projects.
Reassess older projects; help determine where maintenance/revegetation work is needed
Potentially help spray weeds
TC Grant Applications
Capacity/ Planning /Education Project Work
Application Status Notes
Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program - DRC Application 20,000.00$ $ 181,710.00 Pending
Capacity, Connected Lakes, 29 Rd, Mesa County Wetland Mitigation Bank, Indian Wash, Private Lands (2 years)
Bacon Family 30,000.00$ -$ Pending $30k a year for 2years American Rivers 10,000.00$ -$ Pending Capacity for 2016National Fish & Wildlife Federation - Next Generation 3,351.38$ 41,700.00$ Pending Grand Junction Wildlife AreaUS Fish & Wildlife Service/Whitewater Sand & Gravel Mitigation Funding 20,000.00$ Pending Submitted letter of interestGoodwin Family Foundation 7,500.00$ Secured $7500 a year for three years (2014-2016)Riverfront Foundation 2,000.00$ 3,000.00$ Secured Support for tree planting along RiverfrontXcel Energy 8,500.00$ Secured Second year of grant
TOTAL 81,351.38$ $ 246,410.00
Other Partners' Grant Applications
Capacity/ Planning /Education Project Work
Application Status Notes
Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program - Colorado Canyons Association 149,420.00$ Pending
TRO removal on BLM in McInnis Canyons NCA (2 years)
Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program - Uncompahgre Partnership 200,213.00$ Pending
Russian olive control on GGNCA and DENCA (2 years)
American Rivers - Colorado Canyons Association, Delta School District, Western Slope Conservation Center 24,990.00$ Pending Education/outreach/gearCO Dept. Ag - Noxious Weed Fund 25,000.00$ Pending Mesa CountyJunior Service League (RFF) 2,500.00$ Secured Support for tree planting along RiverfrontGreat Outdoors Colorado - Inspire Initiative (City/MLT/CYCA) 75,000.00$ Secured
Develop plan to "get kids off couch" and outside
GOCO/CYCA (City) 15,000.00$ Secured Indian WashTOTAL 99,990.00$ 392,133.00$
2016/2017 - DRC grants (grant obtained by Tamarisk Coalition & Partner Organizations)
Partner & Partnership Updates River Restoration Adventures
for Tomorrow Colorado Parks & Wildlife Natural Resources
Conservation Service City of Grand Junction Mesa County Middle CO River Watershed
CWMA Uncompahgre Partnership Middle CO Watershed Council Others
RRAFT - 2015 DARCA trip
DARCA developing phreatophyte mitigation plans with partners
Two cottonwood planting trips on Gunnison in GGNCA; 200 cottonwoods planted CCA and BLM 17 Delta HS students
One Russian olive removal float with BLM in GGNCA; helped get idea for future projects
RRAFT - 2016 Education/stewardship float with at-risk youth from Riverside
Education Center, Grand Junction Multi-day float with Adaptive Sports Center and local
population with disabilities in D-ENCA Cottonwood maintenance float with Delta High School AP
Environmental Studies students 1-2 Russian Olive removal/restoration trips with volunteers
from American Canoe Association (GGNCA or D-ENCA) Rig to Flip Documentary Film on Gunnison River - help to
document the collaboration among Federal agencies, friends groups, DRC, private contractors, etc. to maintain the health of the important river system. Would like to gauge interest of DRC members who would be interested in participating in the video (either providing info or being interviewed).
Possible Russian Olive treatment trips in support of CWCB grant (UP Group). Would target areas of low-medium density and difficult accessibility.
Other 2016 Needs/Opportunities?
How can DRC help partners achieve their project goals?
Colorado River District Photo: RRAFT
Geomorphic Monitoring Update
Weed Mgmt Opportunities & Concerns Consistent messaging to landowners Prioritize List B weeds
Schedule Volunteers
Blitz day Online calendar
Phragmites Issues in the Grand
Valley Mapping efforts Approaches? Resource Center
Best Mgmt Practices Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources Utah Lake
Signage Needs & Approaches
Top sites Consistent
messaging Funding
opportunities
Next Meeting Tentative Date
April 21, 2016 Meeting with SE
Utah Riparian Partnership See draft agenda
Tamarisk Coalition Conference
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