New Winter 2008 Newsletter:Newsletter.qxd - Roaring Fork ...

RIVER CURRENTS
A semi-annual newsletter of Roaring Fork Conservancy ~ Winter 2008-2009
River Protector
Kyle
Holt
Fly-fishing Guide
New Castle, Colorado
Nearby River: Colorado
Favorite Place in the
Roaring Fork Watershed:
The Roaring Fork River
from Basalt to Carbondale.
What is one thing you do
to help protect our
rivers?
I feel incredibly fortunate to
be a full-time fishing guide
in the Roaring Fork Valley.
My occupation allows me
the opportunity to spend
more than 180 days a year
on the Roaring Fork,
Fryingpan and Colorado
Rivers. I believe it is my
responsibility to be aware of
my surroundings and to
notice any degradation or
destruction of the riparian
habitat. In addition, I make
it a point to educate my
clients and friends about
what it takes to maintain a
healthy river.
(cont’d on page 6)
Caring for Riverfront Property
by Rick Lofaro
Riverfront property is some of the most prized
and most valuable of all land in many river
valleys in Colorado and across the country.
Whether it is public or private property, we
must all learn the
proper care of our
riparian areas. A
riparian area is the
green ribbon of life
associated with
creeks, streams,
brooks, wetlands
and rivers.
Riparian areas
comprise less than
1% of Colorado’s
entire land mass,
while more than
85% of all wildlife
uses this important
habitat at some life
stage. In the mountain west, this habitat is lush
and green in an otherwise arid landscape. It is
the lifeline for a host of plant and wildlife
species. Everything from mayflies and trout to
deer and elk relies on quality riparian habitat.
This includes humans, and it is our
responsibility to do the right thing when it
comes to preserving these special places.
However, many people are unaware of the
need to protect riparian habitat, or are not sure
where to begin. The best way to start is by
leaving existing vegetation intact. Everything
we love about rivers and streams goes away
when riparian habitat is removed. While a nice
view of the river and a manicured and
landscaped yard may be appealing to us, this is
not the ideal prescription for the natural
ecosystem. Leaving vegetation intact and
maintaining its “messy vitality” is what allows
the system to thrive. Large trees help to shade
the river and keep the coldwater ecosystem
cold. This in turn helps trout and insect
populations to thrive. Studies on the Eagle
River on a reach devoid of vegetation have
shown a dramatic increase in water
temperatures, and
a decline in the
trout population
downstream. Also
with root systems
left intact, soil
holds together and
remains in place
during high spring
flows and late
summer monsoon
rains. Erosion is a
major concern in
our watershed,
and, currently,
sedimentation is
the single largest
threat to water quality in Colorado.
As more and more riverfront property is
developed, the need becomes even greater to
preserve existing riparian habitat. During 2008,
Roaring Fork Conservancy responded to more
riparian land use violations than in any
previous year. This may be the result of
increased development along the rivers, or of a
more educated public contacting us when
violations are noticed. Whatever the reason,
the result is the loss of habitat that is difficult to
regain. However, a collaborative approach
works well to restore each and every project
with native vegetation and erosion control in
an effort to get back what has been lost. As we
look ahead, we hope that the lessons we have
learned about caring for riverfront property can
be shared. Please contact Roaring Fork
Conservancy with any questions about the care
of riverfront property.
Healthy riparian habitat, such as this area along Snowmass
Creek, is sometimes referred to as “messy vitality”.
Stacey Olsen

2SUB-WATERSHED SPOTLIGHT
Upper Middle Roaring Fork
by Sharon Clarke
The Upper Middle
Roaring Fork Subwatershed
covers the area
from the Roaring Fork
River’s confluence with
Hunter Creek to its
confluence with the
Fryingpan River. The
Roaring Fork River flows
through distinct, scenic
canyons in this subwatershed,
including Red
Butte and Shale Bluffs,
and Snowmass Canyon. State Highway
82 receives major use in this subwatershed
as people commute from
Basalt and further down valley to
Aspen. The highway affects the river
corridor through road improvement and
maintenance activities. The subwatershed
is subject to water quantity
issues, given transbasin diversion
influences in the headwaters and several
large agricultural diversions near Basalt.
In addition, the urbanized areas of
Aspen and Snowmass Village create
UPPER MIDDLE
ROARING FORK FACTS
Land: 128 square miles
(9% of Roaring Fork Watershed)
Elevation: 6,586 - 7,834 feet
Ecoregions: Crystalline Subalpine
Forests, Sedimentary Subalpine
Forests, Sedimentary Mid-Elevation
Forests and Shrublands, and Foothills
and Shrublands
Main Tributaries: Woody, Brush,
Owl, and Red Canyon Creeks
Riparian and instream species of
concern: Mountain Whitefish,
Northern Leopard Frog, Northern
Goshawk, Swainson’s hawk, Bald Eagle,
Olive-sided and Cordilleran flycatcher,
American dipper, Virginia’s and Wilson’s
warbler, Lazuli bunting, Brown-capped
rosy finch, pygmy and Preble’s shrew,
pine marten
water-quality issues for
the stretch of the Roaring
Fork River in this subwatershed.
Located fairly
high in the watershed,
this stream has less
dilution potential than
downstream reaches.
Some key findings from
the State of the
Watershed Report
include:
• Woody, Little Woody,
and Collins creeks are often dried up
downstream of large diversion structures
in the summer and fall, disconnecting
them from the Roaring Fork River.
• The sub-watershed contains local
permeable groundwater systems that can
be influenced by surface and/or other
groundwater sources.
• The Colorado Water Conservation
Board’s instream flow right on the
Roaring Fork River between the
confluence with Maroon Creek and the
Fryingpan River is met throughout the
year in the upper section.
• Although significant channel
alteration and riparian degradation
occurs in the Roaring Fork River from
urbanization and highway construction,
the river still maintains a robust
population of brown trout popular with
anglers.
• Brush Creek’s riparian corridor has
significant amounts of severely degraded
habitat (27% of right bank, 42% of left).
• Much of the Brush Creek segment’s
stream channel has been altered
through straightening, moving,
riprapping, and location into culverts.
As a result, instream habitat is severely
degraded in 51% of the segment.
• Beaver activity has improved instream
conditions in some areas of Brush
Creek.
The 2008 State of the Watershed
Report (at www.roaringfork.org) has
more information on water quantity,
water quality, and riparian and instream
areas in this and other sub-watersheds.
River Protector
Larry
Ballinger
Carbondale Public
Works Director
Carbondale, Colorado
Nearby River: Crystal River
Favorite Place in the
Roaring Fork Watershed:
For me, it’s the Crystal River
Basin. The whole thing is the
most scenic in the State of
Colorado.
What is one thing you do to
help protect our rivers?
Our Carbondale Public Works
Department is committed to
make sure that we engineer our
water treatment and waste
water treatment plants to make
certain that our drinking water
and waste treatment effluent
are as clean as we can make it.
What is the most important
thing RFC does?
It’s everything that the
organization does for the river
corridor. Its technical support
to the cities, towns and
counties, educational tours and
classroom programs, and the
collection of research data are
all important.

Healthy Poor Poor
Examples of healthy
and poor riparian
habitat. Planting
riparian vegetation
would improve the
river banks in the
center and right
photos. Roaring Fork
Conservancy offers
free consultations to
riverfront
homeowners.
Responsibility Along the River
Living along the river brings with it an
unparalleled lifestyle and experience.
From being lulled to sleep by moving
water to fly fishing from the back yard
or watching dippers work riffles, rivers
provide those who live near them with
both an incredible experience and an
important responsibility.
Benefits of the Riparian Zone
The area along the river, known as the
riparian zone, is critical to wildlife and
important to water quality. Plants in
the riparian zone take advantage of
ample water, which also provides
habitat for hundreds of species of
wildlife. Although 85% of wildlife in
Colorado need riparian habitat, only
about 1% of the land in Colorado is
riparian. This means that without
riparian habitat most wildlife species
fail to find food, shelter, or breeding
areas. The benefits of maintaining
healthy riparian habitat are many:
• Food & Cover for Birds - birds use
riparian zones as migratory rest stops,
breeding grounds, and feeding.
• Shade for Trout - trout have
difficulty breathing, spawning, and
feeding in warm water.
• Nutrients - to feed the bugs that
feed the fish.
• Flood Water Storage - riparian soils
and flood plains store flood waters and
release them slowly.
• Pollution Filtering - riparian plants
trap sediment before it enters the river
and some plants even absorb and
neutralize toxic chemicals.
• Bank Stabilization - riparian plants
are two to three times more effective
than rock and boulder banks at
stabilizing riverbanks during floods.
• Water Savings - planting riparian
species means little to no irrigation
use, thus saving money and water.
• All the Things You Love About
Rivers - scenery, wildlife, water
quality, fish habitat, and beauty!
Things You Can Do:
• Plant, maintain, and encourage
native vegetation growth - Native
riparian plants provide habitat, stop
soil erosion, protect against floods,
and may increase property values.
• Avoid manicured lawn up to river’s
edge - Lawns provide little habitat, no
flood control, and filter few pollutants
before they reach the river.
• Avoid the urge to “clean up” a
riparian zone by cutting dead trees or
removing woody debris from river’s
edge - Trees, shrubs and grasses, alive
and dead, provide habitat for wildlife.
• Choose and use fertilizers and
pesticides sparingly and cautiously -
Any chemicals that plants do not
absorb end up in the river.
• Contact Roaring Fork Conservancy
or another expert for information on
appropriate practices along a river -
RFC will conduct an on-site
consultation at no charge. Call us at
(970) 927-1290 or visit
www.roaringfork.org/riverfront
The graphs above show overall riparian and instream habitat health for Roaring Fork River and its tributaries. Stream Health Inititative
3CITIZEN’S GUIDE TO RIVERFRONT PROPERTY

4RIVER PROTECTION
Responding to Concerned Citizens
by Chad Rudow
As your local river protection
organization, Roaring Fork Conservancy
responds to calls from concerned citizens
and to reports of code violations along
the river. Many incidents this year have
resulted in damage or alterations to our
local rivers or riparian zone. The good
news is, thanks to citizens, we have been
informed of these
incidents and
responded. Although
RFC does not have
regulatory authority,
we have connections
with agencies that do.
When calls come in,
we gather information,
often visiting the
location to take
pictures, and then pass the information
along to the proper authorities.
Following is a brief summary of some of
the many concerns we have responded
to in the past year.
Vegetation Removal on
Roaring Fork
Numerous calls came in regarding a new
home project that had cut all vegetation
in the riparian zone. RFC investigated
and reported findings to Garfield
County. The county responded,
requiring the homeowner to re-vegetate
the site. RFC staff also provided referral
services including native plant lists and
nurseries. This type of violation has been
very common this year with RFC
responding to incidents all over the
valley including landowners in East
County Set-Backs
County set-backs help protect riparian habitat. If
you intend to do work within this area, please
contact your county for specific requirements.
Pitkin
Garfield
Eagle
Gunnison
Permitted work at Carbondale
Bridge last winter. Chad Rudow
100 feet streams;
25 feet - wetlands & riparian areas
30 feet
75 feet or 100-year flood-plain
whichever is greater
Voluntary use of buffer strip
Basalt, Aspen Glen, Glenwood Springs,
and near Ironbridge.
Carbondale Bridge Project
RFC received calls about the Highway
133 bridge project near Carbondale and
its potential impact on the river. After
visiting the site and taking photos, RFC
staff contacted the U.S.
Army Corps of
Engineers regarding
proper permitting for
work in the river. Upon
investigation, the Corps
determined that the
construction company
had obtained proper
permits and used Best
Management Practices to
minimize impact to the river.
Bank Alterations on Cattle Creek
While investigating calls concerning
Cattle Creek, RFC staff noticed major
bank alterations along one section.
Photos were taken and sent to the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. Upon
determining that the appropriate
permits were not procured, the Corps
sent staff to visit the site and meet with
the landowner. Under the guidance of
the Corps, the bank was restored to its
original state and native vegetation was
replanted.
There are ways you can help. Contact us
when you see concerns or potential code
violations: clearing of riparian
vegetation, major alterations to river
beds or banks, dumping of
anything in rivers, etc.
You can also make a big
impact by contacting city
or county staff and
representatives and
encouraging them to
adopt and enforce
measures which better
protect our rivers and
riparian zone.
River Protector
Bruce
Christensen
Mayor
Glenwood Springs,
Colorado
Nearby River: Roaring Fork
River
Favorite Place in the
Roaring Fork Watershed:
One of my favorite places is the
confluence of Threemile Creek
and the Roaring Fork River.
What is one thing you do to
help protect our rivers?
I try to promote public
awareness of the importance of
water and our rivers. As Mayor,
I have the unique ability to act
and make decisions regarding
our impacts on local rivers. I try
to be open to public comments
and concerns as well as to think
about our impacts as I make
these decisions.
What is the most important
thing RFC does?
Our valley has the privilege of a
local organization (RFC) with
two important qualities:
competent staff who are very
knowledgeable about rivers and
water related issues, and the
ability to focus and act
primarily on these issues.

Greening Riverfront Development
by Tim O’Keefe
“Opposing sprawl is apparently
not a primary concern of the
Roaring Fork Conservancy,
which is not a surprise,” wrote a
mis informed newspaper
columnist in 1998. The author
was referring to RFC’s work with
the controversial Sanders Ranch
development outside of
Glenwood Springs. “In the late
nineties,” recalls Executive
Director Rick Lofaro, “RFC was
heavily criticized for working
with developers to set aside
critical wildlife habitat in
easements before the development
received approval. People said we
were in bed with the developers
when, in reality, we were protecting
land from development.” The result of
the several years of negotiating with
the development team was a 54-acre
2008 Roaring Fork
Watershed Photo Contest
Calling All Photographers
Roaring Fork Conservancy invites all photographers to
enter the 2008 Roaring Fork Watershed Photography
Competition. There are amateur, professional and, new
this year, student categories. We are looking for striking
digital images of the rivers, streams, and wetlands of the
Roaring Fork Watershed. This area includes the
Fryingpan, Crystal, and Roaring Fork Rivers, and their
tributaries. Deadline for entries is December 31, 2008.
Please see our photo competition rules online at:
www.roaringfork.org/photo
An aerial view of TCI and Blue Creek Ranches where
conservation easements will protect 51 acres along the
Roaring Fork River. Jeanne Beaudry
conservation easement that forever
protects some of the most amazing
habitat along a mile and a half of the
Roaring Fork River in the lower valley.
While
Vicky Andreasen
development is
inevitable, responsible
development is not.
More and more, site
planners are
incorporating features
into their plans that
are not only benefiting
wildlife, but also
homeowners and rivers
as well. Blue Creek
Ranch outside of
Carbondale is one
such example of
protecting riverfront
habitat and creating
sustainable human
access. Originally a
cattle ranch, the Blue
Creek Ranch
development set aside
49 acres (60% of the
development) as open
space and 21 of those
acres along the river in
a conservation
easement with Roaring
Fork Conservancy.
The easement protects
riparian habitat while
maintaining public fishing
and boating access. By
moving houses away from the
river and clustering them,
planners created an amenity
at the river rather than
removing people from it. The
benefits to both wildlife and
people are tremendous.
Land planners have used
clustered development and
open spaces within
developments for decadesbut
the concept is relatively new
in parts of the west. “Garfield
County had not really seen the
cluster concept put into practice,” says
Jon Fredericks of Nobel Design Studio,
part of the company that developed
Blue Creek Ranch. “So when the Blue
Creek application came along it was
almost a breath of fresh air for [the
county commissioners].”
At TCI Lane Ranch, a new
development next to Blue Creek
Ranch, planners are working to put
another 32 acres of riverfront in
conservation easement. “The riparian
zone at TCI Lane Ranch is one of the
last intact pre-settlement riparian
landscapes in the valley,” says
Fredericks. “The vegetative
composition and river geomorphology
is very complex; there are cottonwoods
and Colorado blue spruce growing in
harmony with ponderosa pine and
Rocky Mountain juniper – where else
do you see that?” Once the agreement
between TCI and RFC is completed,
Roaring Fork Conservancy will hold 51
contiguous acres in conservation
easement between Catherine Store
bridge and the Waldorf School. This
will help protect wildlife and access to
the Roaring Fork River. “These
conservation easements,” adds Lofaro,
“truly demonstrate that responsible
development along our rivers can
benefit both nature and people.”
5PROTECTING RIPARIAN HABITAT

6WATERSHED PLANNING
Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Moves Ahead
by Mark Fuller
The State of the
Watershed Report
is the first step in
creating a
comprehensive,
practical, broadlyaccepted
Watershed Plan
for the Roaring Fork Watershed. The
report is based on the premise that we
need to know about existing
conditions before planning how best
to use, conserve, restore, and develop
those resources. It puts us, as a
community, in position to translate
the mass of its data and findings into
action in the form of a Watershed Plan
that will be the product of Phase II of
the watershed planning process.
Phase II will include a set of goals
and objectives developed through
citizen input and in consultation with
governments and water managers who
have an interest in the water resources
of the Roaring Fork Watershed. In
addition, Phase II of the Plan will
include recommendations to local
water planners, managers, and
governments regarding future water
management policies and activities.
Those recommendations will
contribute to the accomplishment of
the Plan’s goals and objectives.
Recommendations will be developed
in a cooperative, collaborative process.
The process for creating the
Watershed Plan will include the
following elements:
• A series of public meetings to
present the State of the Watershed
Report to the public and local
government officials and to solicit
discussion and debate on the report’s
findings;
Kyle Holt (cont’d from page 1)
• The convening of a Technical
Committee, made up of water resource
experts and professionals, that will
help to assess the practical, technical,
legal, and scientific validity of the
Plan’s goals, objectives and
recommendations;
• Meetings with local elected officials;
local, regional, state, and federal water
and land managers; and private water
managers to review, discuss, and reach
consensus on Plan recommendations
that are mutually supportive and
practical; and
• Composition of a narrative report
including goals and objectives,
recommended
actions,
implementation strategies, monitoring
programs, and future studies.
Phase II of the Roaring Fork
Watershed Plan will begin
immediately following the release of
the State of the Watershed Report.
Phase II will require an ongoing effort
by involved individuals, agencies,
governments, and organizations if it is
to succeed. The process will be
overseen by the Ruedi Water and
Power Authority, as was Phase I.
Primary project management will be
undertaken by Roaring Fork
Conservancy and its subcontractors.
We invite readers to check local media
outlets and relevant websites
(including Roaring Fork Conservancy:
www.roaringfork.org and Ruedi Water
and Power Authority: www.rwapa.org)
for further information and for
opportunities to participate in Phase
II.
Mark Fuller is the Executive Director
of Ruedi Water and Power Authority
What is the most important thing RFC does?
We should all be honored to have these great resources in our “backyard”.
Roaring Fork Conservancy helps us achieve our ultimate goal: to maintain the
health and well-being of these great rivers for generations to come.
River Protector
Rose Ann
Sullivan
Piktin County Environmental
Health Director
Basalt, Colorado
Nearby River: Roaring Fork
River
Favorite Place in the Roaring
Fork Watershed:
Independence Pass – because it
looks, feels and smells like some
of my favorite places in Canada!
What is one thing you do to
help protect our rivers?
During the last few years I have
worked with a variety of Western
Slope interests to identify and
seek technical, legislative and
legal solutions to Fryingpan-
Arkansas Project operational
issues affecting our ability to
maintain an adequate flow
regime in the Upper Roaring
Fork River. I have also been
fortunate to have played a role in
instituting and developing the
Roaring Fork Watershed Plan
which is addressing these and
other headwaters issues.
What is the most important
thing RFC does?
RFC’s ability to collect, analyze,
and provide an unbiased
assessment of scientific data from
a variety of sources is an asset to
water stakeholders in the Valley
that would be difficult to replace.

Why Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Matters – Part I
by Moss Driscoll, Legal Intern
Colorado faces significant water
management challenges as the state
enters the 21st Century. The dramatic
growth forecast for the next two
decades is expected to put new
pressures on the state’s alreadystrained
water supplies. In response to
such projections, in 2005, the General
Assembly passed the Colorado Water
for the 21st Century Act, establishing
what is now referred to as the
“Interbasin Compact Process.”
The state government recognized
that a new approach – one with a far
greater emphasis on public
involvement – was necessary to deal
with the issue of future water demand.
In particular, the state acknowledged
the need to “provide Colorado’s water
users with a means of addressing
potential conflicts among
themselves.” Thus, the Interbasin
Compact Process is intended as a
“locally-driven process where the
decision-making power rests with
those living in the state’s river basins.”
Understanding the Interbasin
Compact Process is essential to
understanding the future of Colorado’s
remaining unappropriated water
resources. The Interbasin Compact
Process incorporates nine “basin
roundtables,” one for each major river
basin in the state, plus one for the
Denver metro area. The roundtables
are comprised of members
representing a wide range of local and
regional interests. The General
Assembly delegated three
responsibilities to the roundtables:
• “Develop a basin-wide consumptive
and nonconsumptive water supply
needs assessment;
• conduct an analysis of available
unappropriated waters within the
basin;
• propose projects or methods, for
meeting consumptive and
nonconsumptive needs and utilizing
unappropriated waters.”
To help basin roundtables obtain
information for their assessments and
planning, the Water Supply Reserve
Account (WSRA) was created and is
Welcome River Stewards!
The River Stewards are a new group formed in 2008.
Targeting the 25-40 year old range, Roaring Fork
Conservancy wanted to reach out and involve a younger
group of local professionals in our charge of bringing people
together to protect our rivers. Our goal is to educate and
empower the Stewards to help them better understand the
watershed and serve as local emissaries to the Conservancy.
To learn more about the River Stewards, go to
www.roaringfork.org/stewards.
managed by the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB). From
this account, the Ruedi Water and
Power Authority was granted $40,000
for Phase I of the watershed plan and
another $40,000 for Phase II.
The Interbasin Compact Process
will generate data on water
availability and future demand, data
which will largely determine how the
state develops Colorado’s remaining
water resources. Thus, as the local
component of the Interbasin
Collaborative Process, the Roaring
Fork Watershed Plan represents an
opportunity for interested
stakeholders to help to decide how
local water resources will be
developed in the future.
More information on “Why the
Roaring Fork Watershed Plan
Matters” can be found in the Phase II
Guidance Document located on the
Roaring Fork Conservancy website:
www.roaringfork.org/watershedplan.
Gruenberg Serves 9 Years
as Rivers Council President
After nine years of
service, founding
Rivers Council
President Bill
Gruenberg has
stepped down.
Thanks in large part
to the dedication of
Bill and his wife
Joyce to the
planning of our
River Rendezvous
celebration, the
event has been a
huge success each year. Bill’s commitment to the
rivers and streams of the Roaring Fork Valley
continues as he takes on his new role as Rivers
Council Vice-President. Thank you, Bill, for all that
you do in support of Roaring Fork Conservancy.
7WATERSHED PLANNING

RIVER RENDEZVOUS
2008 River
Rendezvous
THANK YOU TO ALL OF
OUR SPONSORS
UNDERWRITERS
Dane and Carter Brooksher
Ken and Randy Kendrick
RIVER PROTECTOR
El Jebeverage
Meredith and Cornelia Long
RIVER GUARDIANS
Alpine Bank
Gary and Susan Blackie
Bob and Kathy Courson
Tom and Tim Danis
Bill and Marilyn Getz
Dave and Ruthie Hoff
Robert and Kay Watson
Keith and Marjory Weber
RIVER MONITORS
David and Judy Baum
Clay and Louise Bennett
Bighorn Toyota
David and Sandy Burden
Carol Dopkin Real Estate
Hal and Eleanor Davis
Bill and Joyce Gruenberg
Dick and Marianne Kipper
Stewart and Lynda Resnick
Syzygy and Riverside Grill
Schmueser Gordon Meyer
Taylor Creek Flyshop
Buddy and Ellen Temple
Valley View Hospital Foundation
Clockwise from top: Sunset Canyon greeting guests; dancing; River
Conservator Carter Brooksher and Executive Director Rick Lofaro; auctioneer
Jim Chaffin; guests outside of the Chaparral Aspen barn; Lindsay Wilson and
Patrick Wilhelm; Carter Brooksher, Carlyle Kyzer, Michelle Brown and Maria
Maniscalchi; Diane Schwener and Jim Light; Jill Gruenberg, Erick Vozick and
Bill Gruenberg. Scot Gerdes
8

Million Dollar River Center Matching Grant Offered
by Carlyle Kyzer
Recently, Roaring Fork
Club Partners David
Wilhelm, Jim Light, and
Jim Chaffin pumped up
the volume considerably
of the River Center
“quiet campaign” with
their announcement of a
one million dollar
leadership grant.
Offering to match
qualifying River Center
gifts dollar-for-dollar,
their announcement
came at the 2008 River
Rendezvous. Fully
David Wilhelm and Jim Light
(above), and Jim Chaffin (right),
offering their challenge match at
this year’s River Rendezvous. Scot
Gerdes
matched, their
leadership gift will provide two million
dollars and bring the River Center
Campaign above its half-way mark.
“Our intention is to inspire other
major donors to contribute $5,000 or more
to build and endow the Roaring Fork
Conservancy’s River Center,” said Jim
Light. River Center gifts may be pledged
over one to five years. The one million
dollar match boosts the River Center
Campaign into a greatly-advantaged
position for seeking foundation and other
major donor support.
In addition to the significance of the
gift itself, Wilhelm, Light, and Chaffin
have requested that the opportunity to
An artist’s rendering of the completed River Center. Charles Manus
name the
building go to
another lead
donor rather
than to
themselves.
This leaves open the top River Center
naming opportunity.
Wilhelm, Chaffin and Light’s gift will
go a long way toward giving Roaring Fork
Conservancy programs a permanent home.
We are very grateful to receive this
generous gift. For information about the
River Center Campaign, please contact
Carlyle Kyzer at 970-927-1290 or
carlyle@roaringfork.org.
River Center
Vision Takes
Shape
Envision a place where you
bring your children or
grandchildren to laugh and
play while learning about
rivers. Imagine largerthan-life-size
trout and
mayfly sculptures that
illustrate aquatic web of
life concepts in a fun
experiential manner.
Imagine a “sense of place”
interactive mapping station
that helps a visitor
understand his or her place
in a watershed. Imagine a
watershed institute where
leading river researchers
and river advocates can
come together to discuss
emerging western water
issues. Imagine a place
where people come away
invigorated about
protecting their rivers and
streams.
This place will be the
Roaring Fork Conservancy
River Center. Operating
out of various rented spaces
for more than eleven years,
Roaring Fork Conservancy
programs need a permanent
home. To truly fulfill our
mission, the River Center
will provide much-needed
classroom and laboratory
spaces, along with exciting
exhibits. The River Center
as the base of Roaring Fork
Conservancy programs
ensures the legacy of
Roaring Fork Conservancy
and a future of river
protection.
9RIVER CENTER

DONOR HONOR ROLL
10
Thank you to all of our supporters!
River Center Gold Medal Partners
($250,000 +)
Dane & Carter Brooksher
Ken & Randy Kendrick
River Center Cornerstone Partners
($100,000-$249,999)
David & Judy Baum
Jim & Betsy Chaffin
Hal & Eleanor Davis
Tom & Ann Korologos
Jim & Dianne Light
Meredith & Cornelia Long
The Roaring Fork Club
David Wilhelm
River Guardian
($10,000-$99,999)
David Finholm
David & Ruth Hoff
Michael & Carol Hundert
Hyde Family Foundation
Dick & Carolyn Shell
Bill & Anne Tobey
John & Mary Ann Virant
Robert & Kay Watson
The Estate of Otto Louis Wille
Greg & Terry Wolfner
Gold Medal Circle
($5,000-$9,999)
Alpine Bank
Sue Anschutz-Rodgers
Susan & Gary Blackie
Joaquin & Isabel Blaya
Robert & Grace Brod Family Foundation
Dick & Julie Bulkeley
Bob & Kathy Courson
Tom & Lucy Danis
Brian & Jana Dillard
Joseph Dockery
Eckert Family Foundation
Frederick W. Grover
Roger Hinds
David & Ruth Hoff
Kinder Foundation
The Richard E. & Marianne B. Kipper Fdn.
Larry LeBarre
Dan Moody
Bill Poss & Associates
Taylor Creek Fly Shop
James M. & Carol Trapp
Keith and Margie Weber
Patrick Wilhelm
Benefactor
($1,000-$4,999)
American National Bank
Elizabeth Anderson
Anonymous
Ryan & Bridgette Anslyn
Back Door Catering
Karen Baxter
Dan & Charlotte Blanks
Francis & Eileen Bresnan
Ronald & Michelle Brown
Rick & Lorrie Carlson
Chaffin Light Real Estate
Terry Claassen
Community Banks of Colorado
Mr. & Mrs. George Conrades
R.H. Crossland Foundation
Michael F Curran
Andy & Muffy DiSabatino
Jack Donovan
Carol Dopkin Real Estate
Bill & Martha Drake
Bruce & Pamela Earthman
Tom & Beth Eckert
Jonathan Feinberg
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Bill & Marilyn Getz
Richard & Holly Glasier
Richard Goldstein
J. Douglas & Karen Gray
Bill & Joyce Gruenberg
Larry Hansel
Walter Harris
Christopher & Stefani Heaphey
Joel & Michelle Hocknell
Joe Kercheville
Kuyper Foundation
Arthur & Jan Martin
Mason & Morse Real Estate
Louis Meyer
Norman M Morris Foundation, Inc
Richard & Barbara Nelson
Ann Nichols
Lynn Nichols & Jim Gilchrist
Raymond & Jan Peterson
Pella Rollscreen Foundation
Prehm Ranch
The Resnick Family Foundation, Inc.
The Ritz-Carlton Club Aspen Highlands
Roaring Fork Lodging Company
Margaret Robson
John & Nancy Schneider
Chris Severson
Snowmass Club
Specialty Sports Venture, LLC
Buddy & Ellen Temple
Town of Basalt
Wenert Trich
Valley View Hospital Foundation
Volvo Roaring Fork Centre of the Rockies
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Brit & Sherry White
William & Marie Wise Family Foundation
Robert & Sarah Woods
Larry & Phyllis Yaw
Conservation Partner
($500-$999)
Ainslie Foundation
Lisa & Andrew Ballard
Jack & Chris Bergstrum
Michael & Barbara Brickman
Randy & Althy Brimm
Molly M Brooks
James & Elizabeth Chandler
Clerk of Court, Eagle County Court Div. II
Rick Crandall & Pamela Levy Foundation
Bob & Marletta Darnall
Leon & Lynn Engel
Elyse Elliott & Jeremy Bernstein
David & Sheila Fuente
John & Barbara Gold
Jay Hamond
Snowmass Creek. Stacey Olsen
George Hartnett
William & Kathy Hegberg
Kristen Henry
Charles & Sandy Israel
Chris Keller
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Leslie
John Mascotte
Pat & Barbara McMahon
Werner E Neuman
Phil & Valeri Pinto
Bernard & Sidney Poncelet
Bill & Lynn Rafferty
Charlene Revoir
John Reyhons
Terry Rogers
Rotary Club-Aspen Glen
Andy & Cindy Russell
Schmueser Gordon Meyer
The Susan & Ford Schumann Foundation
St. Peter's Mission of Christ Episcopal Church
Chris Striefel
Dennis & Joanna Trescott
Stephanie Williams
Spawnsor
($200-$499)
20/20 Eye Care
Valerie Alexander
Aspen Glen Environmental Sanctuary
Robert & Carol Auld
George & Lisa Baker
Bank of America Matching Gifts
John K. & Louise Binswanger
Doug Bleiler
Carol L. Blomquist
Roberta Borchers
Mark Bradley
Stuart & Lotta Brafman
Kay Callison
Dennis & Dexter Cirillo
Michele Crawford
Crystal Valley Environmental
Protection Association
Robert Cross
Carl & Nan Eklund
Stephen & Jennifer Ellsperman
Clayton & Shel Erikson
Michael Jon Ernemann
Katie L Etienne
Michael Fain & Judith Barnard
Nicole Garren
John Madison Gilbert, III
Kakie H Grainger
Jim & Elle Gould
Bernie & Donna Grauer
Basil & Donna Griffin
Tim & Kay Hagman
Bo & Vicki Hale
Brian & Brigid Hazen
Eveline Hoffman
Hutch Hutchinson
Sam Jackson
R. L. (Sam) Johnson
Harold & Bonnie Kloosterman
Ramsey & Stephen Kropf
Dr. & Mrs. JM Landers
Dr. Tom & Melinda Lankering
Gary & Laura Lauder
Bill & Marianne Lederer
Carl Linnecke
Lloyd Consulting Group
Robert Magoon
Lynn & Frances Mayhan
Mike & Sally McLarry
Sandra Morgan
Robert Morrow
Bob & Pat Morrow
Staffan & Marci Nordqvist
George & Win Norman
Rick Neiley & Maria Maniscalchi
Steven & Nancy Nemerovski
Patrick, Miller & Kropf, PC
Norman & Melinda Payson
Henry Pitot & Kika Dudiak
Bill & Jane Poss
Doug Pruessing & Jeanie Fuller
Jeffrey Rhodes
Rachel Richards
Jim & Judy Rifkin
John & Louisa Ritsick
Philip & Marcia Rothblum
Schwener Design Group
Norbert Siegfried
The Noone Law Firm
Thomas & Martha Singleton
Trout Unlimited Ferdinand Hayden Chapter
Bill & Jessie van Lieshout
Michael & Rhonda Vess
Linda Vidal
Waste Solutions
Jerome Webster, Jr.
Betty Weiss
Kris & Sam Weller
Western Masonry Corporation
Tim & Jacque Whitsitt
Rick & Sue Wilhelm
King Woodward
Fletcher Yaw
Outfitter
($100-$199)
Margie & Marvin Amernick
John K. & Louise Binswanger
Carol L. Blomquist
Margie & Paul Broome
Mark Brown
Marsha Casey
Bob & Amy Daniel
Ian & Carol Dresner
Gerald & Zoe Eskin
Zetta F Feder
George & Susan Fesus
David & Jean Goldstein
GreenSpot, Inc.
Trautlinde Heater
Jeffery & Melinda Hildebrand
Gail Holstein
Scott M. Honour
Hutch Hutchinson
Jock Jacober & Lynette O'Kane
John & Hope Reese Foundation
Samuel & Ann Johnson
Alexander & Heather Starr Kallas
Jeffrey Kallenberg
Albert & Susan Kern
Darell & Deborah Kirch
Dr. Tom & Melinda Lankering
Denison Levy
Laurie Loeb
Richard & Verna Lofaro
Lance Luckett & Leslie Lamont
Jack & Betsy Mackey
Julia Marshall
Bruce & Kris McKinnon
Franklin L McSwain
Bill & Debbie Montgomery
Bob & Lesley Morse
Everett Peirce
James & Hensley Peterson
Paul Sanders & Roseann Sullivan
Robert & Barbara Sheldon
Mike & Margaret Simmons
Stephen & Sandy Stay
Mike & Kim Taets
Jonathan & Sandra Towne
William Waring & Nell Pape Waring
Janette Whitcomb
Matt Wildman
George & Edie Wombwell
Raymond & Shauna Young
Marsha Casey
Friend
($25-99)
Jim & Vanessa Biebl
Eric Bindseil
Deborah J. Block
Ernie & Betty Bradley
Rochelle Braunstein
Steve & Lynda Brent
Michelle Brune
Mrs. James Bulkley
Bill Burge
Sharon Clarke
R Barry Crook
Clifford Cerise Ranch Company
Lynn Churchill
Lance Clark & Susan Philp
Sharon Clarke
Ben & Nancee Dodge
Bill & Carol Efting
Gary Esary
Leslee Francis
Rhonda Fromm
Don Girard
Hugh & Rosemarr Greathouse
Elena & Dale Harris
Wayne & Judi Harris
Brent Hayes & Heather Fox
Lauren Hoffmann
Peter & Nancy Hoffmann
George & Janis Huggins
David Hyman & Barbara Reid
Ruth Johnston & O.B. Johnston lll
Sheryl & Andrew Kaplan
Mary Jo Kimbrough
Carlyle Kyzer
William Langley
Rick & Lindsay Lofaro
Shani Magosky
Brett and Sarah McKenzie
Sally Mehalek
Lori A Meraz
Gregory & Sue Mozian
Timothy Myers
Tricia & Andy Navran
Tim & Marina O'Keefe
Richard Parachini
Ed & Marian Perregaux
Susan Phillips
John R. Provine
Chad & Tiffanie Rudow
George Ryerson
Margaret L. Saulnier
Sue Schimmenti
Bill & Olga Sens
Walter Stoeckl
Jonathan E Wachtel
Kirk Webb & Catie Fleming
Suzanne Wolff & Gary Tennenbaum
Other Appreciated Donors
Anonymous
Ashby Baker
Larry R. Good
Sarah Johnson
Steve & Skye Skinner
Gette Pussa Vhrin
In Honor of Carter Brooksher
by Geoffrey S. Brooksher
by Bob & Marletta Darnall
by Mrs. Austin E. Zike
In Honor of Paula Derevenski
by Bobbi Carson
In Honor of Bill & Martha Drake
by Courtney Cole
In Honor of Andy Fromm & Laurie Bomba
by Diane & Steve Azorsky

y Jeff & Rhonda Fromm
In Honor of Tom Triplett
by Mike Triplett & siblings
In Memory of Joe Podolak
by Barbara McMahan
In Memory of Bob Waterman
by Gary Beach
Siberia Creek. Jeff Bier
by Glendon & Patsy Berry
by R.E. Peppy Blount
by Janet Cochran
by Joe & Betty Lyn Collier
by Dr. & Mrs. L.A. Colquitt
by E.H. Beamery Inc.
by Bill & Pat Fender
by Haycock, Sigler, and Tapp LLC
by Darba & Frank Jackson
by Richard & Monica Jefferies
by Jim Jensen
by Robert & Beth Mehall
by Harold & Sandra Palmer
by Ruth Perry
by Larry & Nancy Starr
by Tom & Roz Turnbull
by Venetia Wehmeir
Program Volunteers
Jane Clancy
Tony Derosier
Moss Driscoll
Patricia Ferres
Rosanna Griggs
Warren Griggs
Kendall Henry
Robin Henry
David Hiser
Andrea Holland-Sears
Mark Lacy
Peter Larrowe
Pete McBride
Marina O’Keefe
Marion Perregaux
Betsy Rosolack
Monica Schwaller
Kerry Sundeen
Rose Ann Sullivan
Kirk Webb
Kelly Wood
Gary Zabel
Stream Team Volunteers
Quinn Daily -
Carbondale Middle School
Mark Duff -
Basalt High School
Heather Fox -
Glenwood Springs High School
Jim Gaw -
Colorado Rocky Mountain School
Matthew Hamilton & ASC Staff
Jim, Clay & Sharill Hawkins
Dick Helmke
Jock Jacober & Lynette O'Kane
George Johnson
Michael & Barbara Larime
Patti Lecht-Bluefield
Jennifer & Greg Long
Charlie Lueders
Wendy Boland-
Marble Charter School
Bob Millette
& Maggie Pedersen
Bob & Lesley Morse
Julie Ross
Doug White
Andre Wille -
Aspen High School
Partners
Colorado Dept. of
Public Health & Environment
Garfield County
Pitkin County
Ruedi Water & Power Authority
City of Aspen
City of Glenwood Springs
Rotary Club-Aspen Glen
Rotary Club - Snowmass Village
Supporting Organizations
Alpine Christian Academy
Aspen Elks Lodge #224
Aspen Global Change Institute
Aspen Middle School
Aspen Skiing Company
Environment Foundation
Back Door Catering
Basalt Elementary School
Town of Basalt
Basalt Middle School
Basalt High School
Blue Creek Ranch
Homeowners Association
Buddy Program
Town of Carbondale
Carbondale Community
School
Carbondale Middle School
Carbondale Rotary Club
City of Aspen
City of Glenwood Springs
Colorado Nonpoint Source Program
Colorado River District
Colorado River Watch
Colorado Water
Conservation Board
Colorado Watershed Association
Coryell Homeowners
Association
Crystal River Elementary School
ESRI
Glenwood Springs
High School
Glenwood Springs
Middle School
Growing Years School
Gunnison County
Healthy River Fund
Midland Point
Homeowners Assoc.
Miller Ecological Inc.
Mount Sopris
Conservation District
National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation
National Safe Boating Council
Sopris Elementary School
Park East Homeowners Assoc.
Patrick, Miller & Kropf PC
Pitkin County Health &
Human Services
Pitkin County Open
Space & Trails
Ranch at Roaring Fork
Ross Montessori School
Ruedi Water
& Power Authority
Snowmass Village
Snowmass Water
and Sanitation
Sopris Elementary School
St. Stephens School
The Thrift Shop - Aspen
Trout Unlimited
U.S. Geological Survey
Whitewater Rafting
In-Kind Support
Aspen Historical Society
Blazing Adventures
Chapparal Aspen
Homeowners Association
Colorado Division of
Water Resources
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Colorado Dept. of Public
Health & Environment
Comfort Inn
Colorado Watershed Network
Colorado Wildlife Science LLC
E.M. Ecological LLC
El Jebeverage
Ellsperman Ecological LLC
John Emerick
Dr. Dylan Gibson, DMD
Gran Farnum Printing
Robin Henry
Hot Springs Lodge & Pool
Main Street Gallery
Delia Malone
Neiley & Alder Attorneys
Rock Gardens Rafting
Roaring Fork
Outdoor Volunteers
Roaring Fork Real Estate
Roaring Fork Club
Schwener Design Group
Signature Picture Framing
Twin Lakes Res. & Canal Co.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
White River National Forest
2008 River Rendezvous
Auction Donors
A Great Find
A Room Downtown, LLC
Ace Hardware of Carbondale and
Aspen
Ackerman Log & Timber
Ajax Bike and Sport
Alpen Antiks
Annabelle Inn
Anonymous
Aspen Floor Covering
Aspen Glen Club
Bighorn Toyota
Bistro Basalt
Bluegreen
Bristlecone Mountain Sports
Carter & Dane Brooksher
Anne Byard
Pixie Byrne
Canyon Bikes
Carbondale Car Care
Chaffin & Light
Claddaugh Irish Pub
David M Clark
Cloud Cover Hats
Cold Mountain Crafts
Colorado Candies
Colorado Mountain College
Cos Bar Aspen
Dede Cousamano
Shelli Craig
Carol Craven
Linda Criswell
Crystal Fly Shop
Crystal Glass Studio, Inc.
Crystal River Meats
Culligan Water
Curious George
Custom Log Ltd.
Cuvee
daVinci's Glass and Stoneworks, Inc.
William Wesson DDS
Desert Sky Catering
Dogeared Jewelry
Dolins
Doncaster
Bill & Martha Drake
Dream Dinners
Eco Goddess Edibles
Ed Hass
Elemental Healing
Epicurious
Express Yourself
Jonathan Feinberg
Fishpond
Flower Mart
Fly Cyclery
Foster & Son Fine Jewelry
Glenwood Canyon Kayak
Glenwood Post Independent
Good Night Mattress Co.
GreenSpot
Harmony Scott Jewelry Design
Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.
Kea Hause
Mary Cate Hayenstein
Pat Hayes
HighTails
Kyle Holt
Hot Springs Lodge and Pool
Hotel Colorado
Hotel Poseidon
Incline Ski
Isberian Rug Company
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
John Livingston, Kory Krahl,
Kevin Glenn
Kemo Sabe
Dick Kipper
Kitchenstore of Basalt
Konnyaku
Bruce Lamire
Lane Fine Art
Bill and Jessie Van Lieshout
Little Bear Antiques
The Little Nell
The Lodge on the Roaring Fork
Lowe Enterprises
Main Street Spirits
Rick Neiley &
Maria Maniscalchi
Joe & Sandra McMullen
Meridian Jewelers
Michael Hotchkiss and
Harrison's Guest House
Midland Clothing Company
Herb Molner
Jim Morris
Mountain Greenery
Nuages
Pan and Fork Supper Club
Personal Rehabilitation Center
Dexter Pettit
Pinons
Planted Earth
Ed Podolak
PostNet
David & Susan Powers
Ralph Lauren
Ramada Inn Glenwood
The Redstone Inn
The Resident Goldsmith
Garrett Reuss
Ride in Harmony
Roaring Fork Anglers/
Alpine Angling
Roaring Fork Club
Roaring Fork Club Fly Shop
Roaring Fork Liquors
Roaring Fork Lodging
Roaring Fork Valley CO-OP
Rock Creek Grill at
River Valley Ranch
Russets
Herb Seymour
Teena Shaw
Shirt Stop
Taylor Creek Fly Shop
Signature Picture Framing
Ski Country Antiques
Skyline Ranch and Kennels
Smoke Modern Barbecue
Sopris Chiropractic
Sopris Lighting
Sounds Easy Video
Sunrise Company
Sustainable Settings
Tempranillo
Sue Tatem THD
Thunder River Theater Company
Tight Loop
Town Center Book Seller
Town of Carbondale
Betsy Townsend
Traci Thomas
Trappers Lake Lodge
Twisted Tree Landscaping
Valley Vision Clinic
John & Mary Ann Virant
Wagner Rents
Serene-Marie Washburn
Wienerstube Restaurant
Mary Linda Wilhelm
WIN Health Institute
Kelly Wood
Woody Creek Tavern
Gifts represented above were
received between January and
October, 2008. We appreciate the
opportunity to recognize each and
every donor. If we have
inadvertently omitted your name,
please contact us so that we may
correct our error. Thank you.
RIVER CURRENTS
is published by Roaring Fork
Conservancy twice annually.
Roaring Fork Conservancy is
the watershed conservation
organization for the Roaring
Fork Valley. Our mission is to
bring people together to
protect our rivers. We are an
independent 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization based in
Basalt, Colorado, the
geographic center of the
Roaring Fork Watershed.
Roaring Fork Conservancy was
founded in December 1996 to
inspire people to explore,
value, and protect the Roaring
Fork Watershed. We appreciate
your support and comments.
ROARING FORK
CONSERVANCY
P.O. Box 3349
200 Basalt Center Circle #120
Basalt, Colorado 81621
Tel: (970) 927-1290
Fax: (970) 927-1264
Web: www.roaringfork.org
E-mail: info@roaringfork.org
Board of Directors:
Diane Schwener, President
Stephen Ellsperman, V.P.
Ramsey Kropf, Secretary
Patrick Wilhelm, Treasurer
Carter Brooksher
Andrew Light
Jim Light
Rick Lofaro
Louis Meyer
Rick Neiley
Chris Seldin
Larry Yaw
Program Staff:
Rick Lofaro
Executive Director
Sharon Clarke
Water Resource Specialist
Catie Fleming
Development Associate
Sarah Johnson
Education Coordinator
Carlyle Kyzer
Major Gifts Director
Tim O’Keefe
Education Director
Ed Perregaux
Development Director
Chad Rudow
Water Quality Coordinator
Printed on 100% postconsumer
recycled paper
using vegetable-based inks
DONOR HONOR ROLL
11

“Children of a culture born in a water-rich environment,
we have never really learned how important water is
to us. We understand it, but we do not respect it.
- William Ashworth
Michelle Masone
Yes, I want to help Roaring Fork Conservancy preserve and protect our Valley’s rivers.
Join our Rivers Council
Become a River Steward
River Guardian $10,000 or more Conservation Partner $500 - $999
Gold Medal Circle $5,000 - $9,999 Spawnsor $200 - $499
Benefactor $1,000 - $4,999 Outfitter $100 - $199
Annual donors of $1,000 or more become members of the Rivers
Council and are invited to the annual Rivers Council event.
Friend $25 - $99
Other
$ ______
My check payable to Roaring Fork Conservancy is enclosed.
Please charge my Visa Mastercard in the amount of $______________
Account #: _____________________________________________ Exp. Date____/____
Signature: __________________________________________________
Name(s) (to appear in print): __________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________
A letter confirming your donation for tax purposes will be sent to you upon receipt of your donation. Thank you!
Donate Online
www.roaringfork.org/donate
ROARING FORK CONSERVANCY
P.O. Box 3349 • Basalt, Colorado 81621
Not-for-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 65
Basalt, CO
81621