Minutes from April 21 UWP Meeting
Rachel Boothby
Thanks for your interest in the April Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership Mtg!
Date: April 21, 2011 /// Location: Ridgway Community Center
Attendance (19 people)
Arlene Crawford, Tom Schillaci, Ty Churchwell, Tony Chelf, Karen Avery, Wayne Quade, Jeff Litteral, Rein van West, Denise Gendreau, Charles Heywood, Pat Willits, Elizabeth Roscoe, Kathy Graff, Mick Graff, Lynn Padgett, Bob Risch, Sarah Sauter, Rachel Boothby, Matthew Jurjonas
Minutes
3:30 – Introductions
Welcome Matthew Jurjonas
4:00 – Rapid River Assessment
Summary:
Why: fast, cheap, and easy scientific results. It is used by other watershed groups. First comprehensive evaluation of watershed wide conditions. 17 sites in 4 geological regions.
Community: 20 volunteer/ 10 new and 4 volunteer leaders all trained for the assessment and now have field experience. Raised over $5,000 of in-kind match for grant.
Data points:
- Riparian zone width directly related to riparian zone structural diversity, the higher the width the better the diversity.
- The highest habitat scores were seen from Colona to Ridgway at all sites including tributaries of the Uncompahgre. The lowest average scores on the Uncompahgre were above Ouray save the tributaries unaffected by the Red Mountain Mining District. Olathe to Colona saw some diminished water quality, possibly due to the increased flow from the Gunnison tunnel and the erosion that causes.
- UWP will work on data presentation charts and graphs.
4:30 – Water Quality Report draft is complete
Project update
Financial:
•NPS Grant Total = $49,500.00
•NPS Spent = $36,796.81
•NPS Remaining = $12,703.19
•Project Total = $89,500.00
•Project Spent = $53,949.41
•Project Remaining = $25,550.59
Major Accomplishments:
•Conducted the Uncompahgre River Assessment
•7 watershed education forums
•Regular stakeholder meetings in Ridgway
•2nd Mine XC Tour
•Developed Mining Committee
– Met with Bill Lyle of Idarado
– Reviewed DRAFT Upper WQ Report
•Hired 3rd VISTA Volunteer
Project Plan
•Complete River Assessment Report (May)
•Committee to review lower basin WQ Report (May?)
•Develop Upper and Lower Basin groups to set goals and project ideas for the watershed plan
•Draft Watershed Assessment that includes all data/research (June 2011)
•Upper and Lower Group meetings (July, August and September 2011)
•Draft Watershed Plan (October, 2011)
•Final Watershed Plan (December, 2011)
•Final Reports to WQCD (December, 2011)
5:00 – Upcoming Events
TUESDAY April 26 EVENING BOR-NEPA SCOPING MEETING FOR RIDGWAY RESERVOIR
TUESDAY April 26, GEO-PARK MEETING
Abandoned Mines & Water Quality Conference, Wednesday, April 27, 3 -8pm
Mining Committee Meeting, Thursday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Casino night fundraiser Friday April 29 at the Ouray Community Center
Pull for Colorado Float Trip, Friday, June 24
Ridgway River Festival, Saturday, June 25
Lake Appreciation Day, Weekend of July 17
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Matthew Jurjonas - Rachel Boothby
Outreach Coordinator
AmeriCorps OSM/VISTA
Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership
PO Box 1882, Ouray, CO 81427
http://uncompahgrewatershed.org
UWPV...@gmail.com
To contact Rachel after May 1, email: boot...@gmail.com