Winter 2007 - Roaring Fork Conservancy

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2OPENING THOUGHTS Gail Schwartz (continued from pg. 1) that pose a threat to our water.” For Senator Schwartz this means staying informed and continually working to develop legislation that will protect water resources. Considering that, as she put it, “water is the most divisive issue in Colorado,” this is never a simple task. Even when the legislation involves a matter on which her colleagues can agree, amending water law is an incremental process. With House Bill 07-1012, for example, the Colorado Water Conservation Board had long been vocal about the need to allow farmers to make temporary loans of unused water to the State for instream flow purposes without risk of losing their right. Yet water issues that come before the General Assembly “always involve difficult conversations.” Accordingly, it took the drought of 2002 and several legislative sessions thereafter to devise a statutory scheme that would allow for such temporary loans. House Bill 07- 1012, which Senator Schwartz sponsored, was the culmination of this effort, and despite its significance, it represented only one of the half dozen water bills that Senator Schwartz was personally involved with during this last legislative session. As Vice-chair for the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy, Senator Schwartz wields significant influence over the water issues that come before the Senate. Yet when asked about the one thing that she does to protect water resources in the Roaring Fork Watershed, she immediately responded, “I stay informed of the issues and I stay in touch.” It is a simple approach, yet for Senator Schwartz, she knows it goes to the heart of her job. “My door is always open, if people have issues and concerns they can always approach me.” You may contact Senator Gail Schwartz at the State Capitol at 303-866-4871 or email her at: gail.schwartz.senate@state.co.us. - Moss Driscoll Read more River Protector Profiles and to post your profile visit www.roaringfork.org Chasing the Red Mud (continued from pg. 1) Excess debris caused the Fryingpan River to shift a hundred feet to the right in this photo and made local rivers red for several weeks. Tim O’Keefe the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), it was determined by CDOW and the public in attendance that a fall flush may not be the best thing after all. A spring flush seemed to make more sense to more people, especially since all of the surrounding rivers and streams would be charged with runoff, and would better be able to transport a large amount of sediment. Thanks to funding from the Town of Basalt, Eagle County, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Colorado Division of Wildlife and the US Bureau of Reclamation; Miller Ecological Consultatns, Inc. will perform further studies on the Fryingpan this fall and make recommendations for the spring of 2008 on the timing of a flushing flow, and other management recommendations to address this issue. To everyone’s surprise, the river recovered quickly. We learned that this mudslide was a natural event, and one that has occurred many, many times before. It did have some negative impacts, but it also had some positive impacts. The river received more woody debris which is good for the aquatic insects, and new habitat for young willow and cottonwood to sprout was created. The fish and the insects are recovering, and our fishery remains healthy. Roaring Fork Conservancy remains committed to the health and well being of all of our rivers and streams, and we will continue to lead the effort on the Fryingpan in the coming year to help figure out how to best manage our precious water resources for the future. We are here for the rivers and here for the people, and we are honored that so many of YOU turn to US as the “go-to” organization for rivers. River Education at Your Child’s School Each year, RFC works with thousands of students to help teachers integrate river field trips into their curriculum. Working with preschoolers through college students, RFC has a host of educational programs in schools and at over 25 field sites throughout the watershed. To have RFC educators work with your students visit www.roaringfork.org/education or call (970) 927-1290. Marina O’Keefe
RFC there with summer river issues by Moss Driscoll In one respect Roaring Fork Conservancy is a contradiction. Here is an organization dedicated to the protection of this valley’s most vital natural resource, water. Yet what Roaring Fork Conservancy’s efforts truly demonstrate is the value and potential of human resources. Through its seven staff members, dozens of volunteers, and countless supporters, RFC is realizing the full scope of “Bringing people together to protect our rivers.” This past summer I had the opportunity to serve as Roaring Fork Conservancy’s summer legal intern. As part of RFC’s ongoing contribution to the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan, I helped research the existing and potential legal influences on water management in the Valley. However, as much as I learned about the complexities of Colorado water law, it was my work outside the office that I now most value. Between representing RFC at Aspen’s Saturday Market, helping with restoration planting at the Jenny Adair Wetlands, or serving as a boat naturalist during the third annual River Float, I gained an insider’s perspective on the reach of this unique ECOS selected to design River Center exhibits Roaring Fork Conservancy selected ECOS Communications of Boulder, Colorado to design exhibits and assist with interpretive planning for the future River Center. The ECOS team brings with it dozens of years of experience working on projects big and small and has an extensive resume of international and Colorado projects. RFC staff will work closely with ECOS to create handson, engaging, and thought-provoking exhibits that focus on rivers and water. “The River Center will be unlike organization. Roaring Fork Conservancy is remarkable for both the significance of its work and the diversity of its staff and volunteers. Each day at the Basalt office seemed to bring a new development in water management in the valley: the accident at the Shoshone Power Plant, the drought and threat of fires at the beginning of the summer, Basalt’s update to its Master Plan, and the Seven Castles mudslide in mid-August. Through all this, Roaring Fork Conservancy was there, representing the interests of the Watershed. By bringing together everyone from educators, scientists, naturalists, river guides, anglers, public officials, politicians, and the public at large, Roaring Fork Conservancy holds the experience and the technical knowledge to address the difficult questions, as well as a mission that unites and inspires all to become involved. As this valley continues to grow and expand, Roaring Fork Conservancy is prepared to make sound, sustainable water management a reality. For that lesson alone I am eternally grateful, and I proudly include myself in that evergrowing group of individuals that have been influenced by Roaring Fork Conservancy to “protect our rivers.” anything in Colorado,” explains Executive Director Rick Lofaro. “Not just another nature center or simply office space for RFC, the River Center will be an innovative, state-of-the-art facility that excites and empowers our residents and visitors. ECOS Communications, along with Harry Teague Architects, will help us bring this concept into a reality.” Planning work on the River Center will continue this winter with the anticipated groundbreaking in 2009 or 2010. River Protector Heather Fox Science Teacher Glenwood Springs High School Heather moved to Carbondale three years ago from Denver to take a science teacher position with Glenwood Springs High School. This fall marks the beginning of her ninth year of teaching and her first teaching the River Watch class. A native of Aurora, Colorado, Heather has seen a great difference in her awareness of water issues moving to the west side of the Continental Divide. “I am definitely much more aware of the source of water and that water takes a lot of management. On the Front Range you just hear ‘there’s a drought, stop using so much water.’ On this side, I’m much more aware of water issues and what’s going on.” She appreciates RFC’s education in the community not just with schools but with adults. Most notably, she enjoyed last year’s Justice Hobbs lecture in Aspen. “I like that RFC makes water education accessible to the average person.” - Tim O’Keefe 3RIVER UPDATES
Page 1: RIVER CURRENTS A semi-annual newsle
Page 5 and 6: Giving River Guides River Tools by
Page 7 and 8: Watershed Plan Development Gaining
Page 9 and 10: 2007 High Mountain Masters Benefit
Page 11 and 12: Dave & Carol Schuller Jack Sebesta

Winter 2007 - Roaring Fork Conservancy

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