UWP August Newsletter
Emily Galanto
August Newsletter
Greetings everyone! This newsletter contains exciting past and future events for the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, so please read below!
Upcoming events:
Good Samaritan Legislation: Please sign this online petition in support of the Good Samaritan Legislation. Current federal laws and policies do not allow a process for "Good Samaritans" to improve water quality through clean-up or mitigation of acid mine drainage from abandoned mines that involves the long-term discharge of water without fear of liability, becoming financially responsible, and subject to citizen lawsuits if improved water quality does not fully meet Clean Water Act/TMDL standards. By signing this petition, you can support our County Commissioners in developing a legal process for citizens to restore our watershed without certain liabilities. This legislation can make it more feasible for the UWP to complete remediation projects, so please consider supporting this petition.
Community Tap Night at Horsefly Brewery: Horsefly Brewery will be hosting a fundraiser for the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership on Tuesday, August 7. For each pint purchased between 6pm and closing time, $1 will be donated to the UWP. These funds will help support water education projects and general operation of our organization. We encourage anyone who is, has been, or hopes to be involved in the Uncompahrge Watershed Partnership to come out to this informal setting and meet with some of our Steering Committee members, our new coordinator, and our new OSM/VISTA. So come out, grab a beer, and help support our great organization!
Riparian Health Improvement Project: Thanks to a grant from the Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund, the Uncompahrge Watershed Partnership is partnering with Ouray County Weed Control and the Town of Ridgway to revegetate Rollans Park in Ridgway, CO. The UWP is currently seeking volunteers to help with this project. You can volunteer on August 8,9, or 10 for a half day, full day or all three days! Volunteers will be planting cottonwood trees (donated by Ridgway State Park) along the stream bank of the Uncompahgre River. You can also volunteer on August 13, 14 and 15 to stake willows and spread seeds throughout the streambank. This project is in an effort to stabilize the stream bank, and improve the health of the riparian area as a whole. "You can look back on this in 10 years and say, 'I did that!'" -Ron Mabry, County Weed Manager. If you'd like to volunteer, please click here to sign up online, or e-mail uwpv...@gmail.com.
Updates:
You can visit www.uncompahgrewatershed.org to stay informed between newsletters. We also post photos, links and other information there for you!
July 14: "Pulling for Colorado" was a huge success! Thanks to Ouray County Weedy Control, The Ouray Trails Group and the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, about 10 volunteers came out and pulled 10 bags of weeds. Volunteers walked along the Uncompahgre River Walk in Ouray, CO equipped with shovels, gloves and bright orange garbage bags and pulled Chinese clematis, myrtle spurge, mullein, absinth wormwood and Canada thistle. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by Ron Mabry, County Weed Manager.
July 21: Lake Appreciation Day was held again this year at Ridgway State Park. The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership put together the Watershed Education Tent for the attendees. We showed off the favorited Watershed Model, set up microscropes and magnifying glasses with macroinvertebrates from the river, and held a raffle for gifts provided by Friends of the Ridgway Reservior. We also had an appearance from H2O Joe!
Emily Galanto
Outreach Coordinator | OSM/VISTA
Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership
PO Box 1882, Ouray, CO 81427
http://uncompahgrewatershed.org