uncompahgre watershed partnership 2014 update
DESCRIPTION
The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership (UWP) is a 501(c)(3) located in Ouray County, Colorado. The group was formed in spring, 2007, when regional groups and concerned citizens applied for a watershed-planning grant. The UWP is a grassroots coalition of citizens, nonprofits, local and regional governments, and federal and state agencies dedicated to understanding, restoring and protecting land and natural resources within the Uncompahgre Watershed. This Power Point gives an overview of the activities the UWP has been involved in over the past year and what our future projects will be. For more information visit our webpage at www.uncompahgrewatershed.org Thanks for watching!TRANSCRIPT
Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership
We strive for healthy rivers in a thriving community!
Who Are We?
501(C)3NON-PROFIT
WATERSHEDGROUP
Water Availability
Water Quality
Consensus Basis
Diverse Stakeholders
Who Are We?US Bureau of Reclamation: Sec. 6001 Cooperative Watershed Management Act
Watershed group: a self sustaining, cooperative watershed-wide group that: 1. Is comprised of representatives of the affected
stakeholders of the relevant watershed2. Incorporates the perspectives of a diverse array of
stakeholders3. Is a grassroots, non-regulatory entity that
addresses water availability and water quality issues within the relevant watershed
Who Are We?4. Is capable of promoting sustainable use of water
resources of the relevant watershed and improving the functioning condition of rivers and streams through: water conservation, improved water quality, ecological resiliency, and the reduction of water conflicts
5. Makes decisions on a consensus basis.
Why Important?• > 80 watershed groups in Colorado• Recognized by state & federal programs to safeguard
community’s water through grass-roots initiatives• Gatherers of historic & current water data• Local stewards• Stakeholders:
- production agr.- mining- recreation/tourism- municipal & industrial water users
UWP MissionTo help protect the economic, natural, and scenic values of the
Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed. The Partnership works to inform and engage all stakeholders and solicits input from diverse
interests to ensure collaborative restoration efforts in the watershed.
PartnersLOCAL
• City of Ouray• Ouray County Commissioners• Ouray County Weed Control• Ouray County Historical Society• Ouray Library• Ouray School District• Ridgway-Ouray Community Council • Ridgway School District• Town of Ridgway
STATE & FEDERAL
• CO Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety
• CDPHE – Nonpoint Source Program• Colorado River Watch• Colorado Watershed Assembly• Colorado Watershed Conservation Board• Ridgway State Park• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Forest Service• Western Hardrock Watershed Team
NON-PROFIT
• Black Canyon Regional Land Trust• Friends of the River Uncompahgre• Mountain Studies Institute • Selenium Task Force• Transition OurWay• Trout Unlimited• Trust for Land Restoration
PRIVATE
• Local business sponsors• Star Mine Operations• Western Stream Works
SPECIAL DISTRICTS
• CO River Water Conservation District• Gunnison Basin Roundtable• Shavano Conservation District• Tri-County Water Conservancy District
Ken Lipton – ChairJerry Roberts – Vice ChairScott Williams – TreasurerJudi Chamberlin – Secretary
Anthony RamseyBob LarsonDennis Murphy
Board of Directors
• US Bureau of Reclamation grant- UWP Expansion & Incorporation
• Colorado Water Conservation Board grants- restoration projects- outreach & education
• Foundation Grants • Other
- donations- local fundraisers - memberships- non-profit organizations- Town of Ridgway
UWP Funding
FOCUS ON:Upper
UncompahgreWatershed
UWP GoalsUncompahgre Watershed Plan
1. Improve water quality2. Improve riverine ecosystems3. Improve water quantity4. Improve recreation opportunities5. Create a stable stakeholder group
Improve Water Quality
Michael Breen Atlas Mill
River Watch Tire Clean-up
• Promote water conservation• Collaborate with water
users & water managers on water conservation strategies• Participate in developing
long-term strategies to augment water supplies and flows
Improve Water Quantity
Streambank stabilization Weeds Eradication
Improve Riverine Functioning
River Assessment Rollans Park Stewardship
Crystal Lake
Improve Recreation Opportunities
Ridgway River Festival
Field Tours
Sharing Water Activity
Watershed Model
Mining Conference
Outreach & Education
Upper Uncompahgre Mine Remediation Project
Main TasksAtlas MillMichael Breen MineVernon MinePre & Post samplingHeadwaters samplingOutreach
2014 2015 2016 2017
TIMELINE & SITES
Atlas Mill Sneffels Cr. Michael Breen
Uncompahgre River
VernonGray Copper Gulch
PARTNERSHIP
CLEAN WATER
UWP
Local Contractors
& Land- owners
State & Federal Funding
Mining Company
PROJECT FUNDING$163,123 Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment – Nonpoint Source Program(pursuant to Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act)
$67,884 Water Quality Improvement Fund
$361,075 Match and In-Kind
$524,200 TOTAL
IMPLEMENTATION- removal of tailings- seeding- streambank stabilization- small wetland creation- 2 interpretive signs installed
PARTNERS- DRMS- Star Mine Operations- Western Stream Works- Ouray County Historical Society
ATLAS MILLSneffels Creek
2014
ATLAS MILL – TAILINGS EXTENT
ATLAS MILL – TAILINGS ON SNEFFELS CREEK STREAMBANK
IMPLEMENTATION OUTCOMES- diversion of adit discharge- waste rock removal- hillslope vegetation- improved county road drainage- stabilized loadout structure- interpretive sign
PARTNERS- DRMS- Trust for Land Restoration- Ouray County Road & Bridge- Ouray County Historical Society
MICHAEL BREENUncompahgre River
Engineer Pass Rd2015
VERNON MINEGray Copper Gulch
2015
IMPLEMENTATION OUTCOMES- diversion of adit discharge- waste rock removal- streambank revegetation
PARTNERS- DRMS- Trust for Land Restoration- Private landowner
Please visit our website to join, participate or donate:www.uncompahgrewatershed.org