New Winter 2008 Newsletter:Newsletter.qxd - Roaring Fork ...
New Winter 2008 Newsletter:Newsletter.qxd - Roaring Fork ...
New Winter 2008 Newsletter:Newsletter.qxd - Roaring Fork ...
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4RIVER PROTECTION<br />
Responding to Concerned Citizens<br />
by Chad Rudow<br />
As your local river protection<br />
organization, <strong>Roaring</strong> <strong>Fork</strong> Conservancy<br />
responds to calls from concerned citizens<br />
and to reports of code violations along<br />
the river. Many incidents this year have<br />
resulted in damage or alterations to our<br />
local rivers or riparian zone. The good<br />
news is, thanks to citizens, we have been<br />
informed of these<br />
incidents and<br />
responded. Although<br />
RFC does not have<br />
regulatory authority,<br />
we have connections<br />
with agencies that do.<br />
When calls come in,<br />
we gather information,<br />
often visiting the<br />
location to take<br />
pictures, and then pass the information<br />
along to the proper authorities.<br />
Following is a brief summary of some of<br />
the many concerns we have responded<br />
to in the past year.<br />
Vegetation Removal on<br />
<strong>Roaring</strong> <strong>Fork</strong><br />
Numerous calls came in regarding a new<br />
home project that had cut all vegetation<br />
in the riparian zone. RFC investigated<br />
and reported findings to Garfield<br />
County. The county responded,<br />
requiring the homeowner to re-vegetate<br />
the site. RFC staff also provided referral<br />
services including native plant lists and<br />
nurseries. This type of violation has been<br />
very common this year with RFC<br />
responding to incidents all over the<br />
valley including landowners in East<br />
County Set-Backs<br />
County set-backs help protect riparian habitat. If<br />
you intend to do work within this area, please<br />
contact your county for specific requirements.<br />
Pitkin<br />
Garfield<br />
Eagle<br />
Gunnison<br />
Permitted work at Carbondale<br />
Bridge last winter. Chad Rudow<br />
100 feet streams;<br />
25 feet - wetlands & riparian areas<br />
30 feet<br />
75 feet or 100-year flood-plain<br />
whichever is greater<br />
Voluntary use of buffer strip<br />
Basalt, Aspen Glen, Glenwood Springs,<br />
and near Ironbridge.<br />
Carbondale Bridge Project<br />
RFC received calls about the Highway<br />
133 bridge project near Carbondale and<br />
its potential impact on the river. After<br />
visiting the site and taking photos, RFC<br />
staff contacted the U.S.<br />
Army Corps of<br />
Engineers regarding<br />
proper permitting for<br />
work in the river. Upon<br />
investigation, the Corps<br />
determined that the<br />
construction company<br />
had obtained proper<br />
permits and used Best<br />
Management Practices to<br />
minimize impact to the river.<br />
Bank Alterations on Cattle Creek<br />
While investigating calls concerning<br />
Cattle Creek, RFC staff noticed major<br />
bank alterations along one section.<br />
Photos were taken and sent to the U.S.<br />
Army Corps of Engineers. Upon<br />
determining that the appropriate<br />
permits were not procured, the Corps<br />
sent staff to visit the site and meet with<br />
the landowner. Under the guidance of<br />
the Corps, the bank was restored to its<br />
original state and native vegetation was<br />
replanted.<br />
There are ways you can help. Contact us<br />
when you see concerns or potential code<br />
violations: clearing of riparian<br />
vegetation, major alterations to river<br />
beds or banks, dumping of<br />
anything in rivers, etc.<br />
You can also make a big<br />
impact by contacting city<br />
or county staff and<br />
representatives and<br />
encouraging them to<br />
adopt and enforce<br />
measures which better<br />
protect our rivers and<br />
riparian zone.<br />
River Protector<br />
Bruce<br />
Christensen<br />
Mayor<br />
Glenwood Springs,<br />
Colorado<br />
Nearby River: <strong>Roaring</strong> <strong>Fork</strong><br />
River<br />
Favorite Place in the<br />
<strong>Roaring</strong> <strong>Fork</strong> Watershed:<br />
One of my favorite places is the<br />
confluence of Threemile Creek<br />
and the <strong>Roaring</strong> <strong>Fork</strong> River.<br />
What is one thing you do to<br />
help protect our rivers?<br />
I try to promote public<br />
awareness of the importance of<br />
water and our rivers. As Mayor,<br />
I have the unique ability to act<br />
and make decisions regarding<br />
our impacts on local rivers. I try<br />
to be open to public comments<br />
and concerns as well as to think<br />
about our impacts as I make<br />
these decisions.<br />
What is the most important<br />
thing RFC does?<br />
Our valley has the privilege of a<br />
local organization (RFC) with<br />
two important qualities:<br />
competent staff who are very<br />
knowledgeable about rivers and<br />
water related issues, and the<br />
ability to focus and act<br />
primarily on these issues.