Desert Rivers Collaborative – Winter Meeting 12/14/2015

Objectives Learn about status of ongoing

projects DRC funding update

Determine add. 2016/2017 funding needs

Learn about changes in geomorphology along river

Openly discuss weed management opportunities and concerns

Develop approach to signage

Project Overview

1 for the Valley Voluntary Surcharge Program

Small charge that a business adds to a customer’s bill; amt then given to support a cause

Opt-in vs. opt-out; other approaches

1 for the Valley Create reliable funding

stream for river restoration and trail building & maintenance

Create increased awareness about the value of the river, the Riverfront Trail, and the need for ongoing restoration

Establish a community of river and trail advocates and stewards

Tap into the tourism as a means for funding river restoration and trail maintenance

1 for the Valley CO Riverfront Commission led effort CO Riverfront Foundation approved

funding for Feasibility Study CMU effort to assess likelihood of project

success in the Grand Valley

Regional Watershed Partnership Fund Raising $2 million for

SW watersheds by Sept. 2017

Includes DRC and neighboring partnerships

TC hiring fundraising expert to implement in Jan.

DRC Outreach Successful 2nd Annual Raft the

River 60 participants

Ditch & Reservoir Company Alliance mtg and float trip

Numerous presentations throughout community Ute Water Festival, Rotary,

Alpine Bank, CMU Press releases, articles Added US Bureau of

Reclamation as MOU signatory

Photo: RRAFT

Monument Road Project Mesa County spraying for resprouts and

secondary weeds Working with Mesa County Jail Crew &

City of GJ to continue maintenance Holding off on revegetation at this time to

see how system responds

Indian Wash Completed removal

along approx. half of the wash utilizing Western CO Conservation Corps and I & E Young, Inc.

Applied for additional funding to finish project City just received

GOCO/CYCA grant Largely successful reveg

Riverfront Trail Planting Riverfront Commission received grant

from Junior Service League Partners & RFC committed funds Planning on meeting today to plan to

determine timeline

Pending & Received Grants for 2016

Received Goodwin Family Fdn Colorado Riverfront Fdn Xcel Energy

Pending Invasive Phreatophyte Control

Program Bacon Family Fdn American Rivers National Fish & Wildlife Federation –

Next Generation Approached by FWS re. habitat

mitigation funding

Environmental Stewards Program

Summer and Short Term Internships Young adults complete a variety of projects in terms of service that range generally from 10-12 weeks. These individuals are placed with a local site supervisor and mentor to complete a variety of conservation and/or environmental resource management projects.

Reassess older projects; help determine where maintenance/revegetation work is needed

Potentially help spray weeds

TC Grant Applications

Capacity/ Planning /Education Project Work

Application Status Notes

Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program - DRC Application 20,000.00$ $ 181,710.00 Pending

Capacity, Connected Lakes, 29 Rd, Mesa County Wetland Mitigation Bank, Indian Wash, Private Lands (2 years)

Bacon Family 30,000.00$ -$ Pending $30k a year for 2years American Rivers 10,000.00$ -$ Pending Capacity for 2016National Fish & Wildlife Federation - Next Generation 3,351.38$ 41,700.00$ Pending Grand Junction Wildlife AreaUS Fish & Wildlife Service/Whitewater Sand & Gravel Mitigation Funding 20,000.00$ Pending Submitted letter of interestGoodwin Family Foundation 7,500.00$ Secured $7500 a year for three years (2014-2016)Riverfront Foundation 2,000.00$ 3,000.00$ Secured Support for tree planting along RiverfrontXcel Energy 8,500.00$ Secured Second year of grant

TOTAL 81,351.38$ $ 246,410.00

Other Partners' Grant Applications

Capacity/ Planning /Education Project Work

Application Status Notes

Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program - Colorado Canyons Association 149,420.00$ Pending

TRO removal on BLM in McInnis Canyons NCA (2 years)

Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program - Uncompahgre Partnership 200,213.00$ Pending

Russian olive control on GGNCA and DENCA (2 years)

American Rivers - Colorado Canyons Association, Delta School District, Western Slope Conservation Center 24,990.00$ Pending Education/outreach/gearCO Dept. Ag - Noxious Weed Fund 25,000.00$ Pending Mesa CountyJunior Service League (RFF) 2,500.00$ Secured Support for tree planting along RiverfrontGreat Outdoors Colorado - Inspire Initiative (City/MLT/CYCA) 75,000.00$ Secured

Develop plan to "get kids off couch" and outside

GOCO/CYCA (City) 15,000.00$ Secured Indian WashTOTAL 99,990.00$ 392,133.00$

2016/2017 - DRC grants (grant obtained by Tamarisk Coalition & Partner Organizations)

Partner & Partnership Updates River Restoration Adventures

for Tomorrow Colorado Parks & Wildlife Natural Resources

Conservation Service City of Grand Junction Mesa County Middle CO River Watershed

CWMA Uncompahgre Partnership Middle CO Watershed Council Others

RRAFT - 2015 DARCA trip

DARCA developing phreatophyte mitigation plans with partners

Two cottonwood planting trips on Gunnison in GGNCA; 200 cottonwoods planted CCA and BLM 17 Delta HS students

One Russian olive removal float with BLM in GGNCA; helped get idea for future projects

RRAFT - 2016 Education/stewardship float with at-risk youth from Riverside

Education Center, Grand Junction Multi-day float with Adaptive Sports Center and local

population with disabilities in D-ENCA Cottonwood maintenance float with Delta High School AP

Environmental Studies students 1-2 Russian Olive removal/restoration trips with volunteers

from American Canoe Association (GGNCA or D-ENCA) Rig to Flip Documentary Film on Gunnison River - help to

document the collaboration among Federal agencies, friends groups, DRC, private contractors, etc. to maintain the health of the important river system. Would like to gauge interest of DRC members who would be interested in participating in the video (either providing info or being interviewed).

Possible Russian Olive treatment trips in support of CWCB grant (UP Group). Would target areas of low-medium density and difficult accessibility.

Other 2016 Needs/Opportunities?

How can DRC help partners achieve their project goals?

Colorado River District Photo: RRAFT

Geomorphic Monitoring Update

Weed Mgmt Opportunities & Concerns Consistent messaging to landowners Prioritize List B weeds

Schedule Volunteers

Blitz day Online calendar

Phragmites Issues in the Grand

Valley Mapping efforts Approaches? Resource Center

Best Mgmt Practices Utah Division of

Wildlife Resources Utah Lake

Signage Needs & Approaches

Top sites Consistent

messaging Funding

opportunities

Next Meeting Tentative Date

April 21, 2016 Meeting with SE

Utah Riparian Partnership See draft agenda

Tamarisk Coalition Conference