Category: News (Older posts)

From Keystone Center (facilitators) on behalf of Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

Across the West, state wildlife agencies are seeing declines in mule deer populations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is embarking on a process to bring together sportsmen, landowners, outfitters, biologists, wildlife managers, otherstate agencies, federal agencies, local elected officials and any other interested members of the public to discuss the issues facing the West Slope mule deer and discuss solutions. While many ideas exist, a focused effort by all groups can make adifference. CPW seeks public input on a Colorado West Slope Mule Deer Strategy to guide agency efforts to work towards increasing deer populations.

Meeting dates and locations appear below. All meetings will be held from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Public meetings are an opportunity for people to meet with agency staff, learn more about
the history of mule deer in Colorado, and provide input to be considered in developing a mule deer strategy.

Public meeting dates and locations
* April 16, 2014 -Loveland, The Ranch at Loveland, McKee Building, 5280
Arena Cir
* April 23, 2014 -Durango, La Plata County Fairgrounds, Extension Building,
2500 Main Ave
* April 30, 2014 – Pueblo, Lake Pueblo State Park Auditorium, 640 Pueblo
Reservoir Dr.
* May 5, 2014 – Gunnison, Western State University, Aspinall-Wilson Center,
909 Escalante Dr.
* May 6, 2014 – Eagle, Eagle County Fair Grounds, Eagle County Room, 426
Fairgrounds Rd
* May 13, 2014 – Grand Junction, Country Inns of America, 718 Horizon Drive
* May 20, 2014 – Craig, Moffat County Fairgrounds, 640 E Victory Way

For more information or any questions, please do not hesitate to contact The
Keystone Center at:
muledeer@keystone.org<mailto:muledeer@keystone.org> or 1-866-276-3074

The South Park basin, consisting of nearly 1000 square miles, is unparalleled in Colorado and perhaps in the country.  It thrives through a unique combination of natural treasures: its watershed, outdoor recreation including its prized gold medal stream fisheries, wildlife, viewsheds, paleontological artifacts, and ranching heritage.  The headwaters of the South Platte River in South Park are the source of a substantial amount of the Denver metro area’s drinking water.  Its underground aquifers that connect to surface waters are fragile with extensive fractures in the geological formations.

South Park is an immensely popular destination for US and international tourists and metro area recreationists as it is located just two hours from the metro area. A cluster of heavily used state parks and wildlife areas are Spinney Mountain State Park, Charlie Meyers Dream Stream and State Wildlife Area, Elevenmile, Badger Basin, James Mark Jones, Knight-Imler, 63 Ranch, Tarryall Reservoir, Teter, Tomahawk, and the Cline Ranch.

BLM intends to begin the master leasing planning process for South Park in late summer or early fall 2014.  Master leasing planning is a tool for making an assessment and land use decisions and resource protections that are specific to South Park for BLM lands. Decisions include determinations of where oil and gas leasing is appropriate, conditions under which the leasing may occur and best management practices. Resource protections also may include determinations of areas that will not be open to future leasing. CWF’s hope is that the process will result in a collaborative outcome that balances the diverse interests and protects important wildlife habitat, South Park’s watershed, its streams, playa lakes and its vistas.  CWF will participate actively in the process.  CWF had filed the application for master leasing planning in November 2011.

Earlier (as background)–

BLM had recommitted to the Park County Board of Commissioners at its January 2014 meeting to undertake a master leasing planning process for South Park later this year.  In addition, the Colorado Board of Land Commissioners decided at its February 6 meeting to defer offering a parcel in South Park for lease at its February 20 oil and gas lease auction. Both CWF and adjacent landowner Eddie Kochman made public comment urging deferral. Park County also wrote a letter

Enviros cheer BLM decision to craft oil and gas plan for pristine Colo. area Scott Streater, E&E reporter Published: Monday, February 10, 2014 The Bureau of Land Management has agreed to conduct a long-term plan for managing oil and natural gas development in a pristine area of south-central Colorado, drawing cheers from sporting and conservation groups that have long championed such an effort. BLM officials say they have committed to develop a master leasing plan (MLP) for the South Park region, which is renowned among outdoors groups for its world-class fisheries and pronghorn, mule deer and elk herds. But the area also sits atop a portion of the booming Niobrara Shale formation, which stretches along Colorado’s Front Range into parts of eastern Wyoming and northern New Mexico. MLPs, which are designed to guide oil and gas development away from the most environmentally sensitive landscapes, were a key component of sweeping federal leasing reforms announced in 2010 by former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The agency in the past has proposed opening up sections of the South Park region to oil and gas leasing, including six parcels that were eventually deferred from a February 2013 sale after widespread complaints. Environmental groups including the Colorado Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation, along with leaders in Park County, argued that offering the parcels in the February lease sale would likely harm sensitive wildlife habitat in the region. They also said it could risk contamination of the Upper South Platte River, which provides drinking water to the Denver metropolitan area. The Colorado Wildlife Federation nominated the South Park region for an MLP back in 2011, and the group along with officials in Park County asked BLM to hold off on new oil and gas leasing until such a plan was conducted. South Park was one of five regions in the state that BLM identified in 2011 as meriting development of an MLP. But BLM decided in February 2012 not to craft one for South Park because it said at the time that there were no producing oil and gas wells on federal land in the region and thus there was no reason to spend the time and effort to develop an MLP. Ironically, some of the reasons BLM cited in 2012 for not conducting an MLP for South Park are being used today by the agency to justify the need for a plan. “The area is largely unleased and contains a rich variety of natural resources,” Steven Hall, a BLM spokesman in Denver, said in an emailed response to questions. “Taking a closer look at oil and gas leasing makes sense for the area, which is one of several MLPs BLM Colorado is preparing.” Hall, who said it will take several years to complete the MLP for South Park, also mentioned that “wildlife and conservation groups as well as the local community” have made it clear to the agency that they want to see an MLP for the region. The MLP will be conducted as part of the agency’s planned update to BLM’s Royal Gorge resource management plan, which covers not only the South Park region but also the San Luis Valley and the Front Range, Hall said. BLM is currently working on three MLPs in the state, he said, including north-central Colorado’s North Park, a region that includes a pristine, glacier-carved valley amid towering mountain peaks that is so biologically diverse that some have christened it the “American Serengeti.” Conservation groups hailed BLM’s decision as an important step toward balancing energy development with the need to preserve the pristine region. “Park County has a unique opportunity to develop a master leasing plan for South Park with the BLM that will become a model for balancing world-class fish and wildlife resources and recreation with future energy development, while preserving the unique watershed that supplies more than 40 percent of drinking water to the Denver metro area,” said Suzanne O’Neill, the Colorado Wildlife Federation’s executive director. Bob Meulengracht, Colorado energy coordinator for Trout Unlimited, said the South Park MLP along with ongoing analysis of future oil and gas leasing at Pike-San Isabel National Forest “presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a look at the South Platte drainage as a whole and come up with a comprehensive plan — from the valley to the peaks — to protect this iconic trout fishery.”

The South Park basin, consisting of nearly 1000 square miles, is unparalleled in Colorado and perhaps in the country.  It thrives through a unique combination of natural treasures: its watershed, outdoor recreation including its prized gold medal stream fisheries, wildlife, viewsheds, paleontological artifacts, and ranching heritage.  The headwaters of the South Platte River in South Park are the source of a substantial amount of the Denver metro area’s drinking water.  Its underground aquifers that connect to surface waters are fragile with extensive fractures in the geological formations.

South Park is an immensely popular destination for US and international tourists and metro area recreationists as it is located just two hours from the metro area. A cluster of heavily used state parks and wildlife areas are Spinney Mountain State Park, Charlie Meyers Dream Stream and State Wildlife Area, Elevenmile, Badger Basin, James Mark Jones, Knight-Imler, 63 Ranch, Tarryall Reservoir, Teter, Tomahawk, and the Cline Ranch.

BLM intends to begin the master leasing planning process for South Park in late summer or early fall 2014.  Master leasing planning is a tool for making an assessment and land use decisions and resource protections that are specific to South Park for BLM lands. Decisions include determinations of where oil and gas leasing is appropriate, conditions under which the leasing may occur and best management practices. Resource protections also may include determinations of areas that will not be open to future leasing. CWF’s hope is that the process will result in a collaborative outcome that balances the diverse interests and protects important wildlife habitat, South Park’s watershed, its streams, playa lakes and its vistas.  CWF will participate actively in the process.  CWF had filed the application for master leasing planning in November 2011.

Earlier (as background)–

BLM had recommitted to the Park County Board of Commissioners at its January 2014 meeting to undertake a master leasing planning process for South Park later this year.  In addition, the Colorado Board of Land Commissioners decided at its February 6 meeting to defer offering a parcel in South Park for lease at its February 20 oil and gas lease auction. Both CWF and adjacent landowner Eddie Kochman made public comment urging deferral. Park County also wrote a letter

Enviros cheer BLM decision to craft oil and gas plan for pristine Colo. area Scott Streater, E&E reporter Published: Monday, February 10, 2014 The Bureau of Land Management has agreed to conduct a long-term plan for managing oil and natural gas development in a pristine area of south-central Colorado, drawing cheers from sporting and conservation groups that have long championed such an effort. BLM officials say they have committed to develop a master leasing plan (MLP) for the South Park region, which is renowned among outdoors groups for its world-class fisheries and pronghorn, mule deer and elk herds. But the area also sits atop a portion of the booming Niobrara Shale formation, which stretches along Colorado’s Front Range into parts of eastern Wyoming and northern New Mexico. MLPs, which are designed to guide oil and gas development away from the most environmentally sensitive landscapes, were a key component of sweeping federal leasing reforms announced in 2010 by former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The agency in the past has proposed opening up sections of the South Park region to oil and gas leasing, including six parcels that were eventually deferred from a February 2013 sale after widespread complaints. Environmental groups including the Colorado Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation, along with leaders in Park County, argued that offering the parcels in the February lease sale would likely harm sensitive wildlife habitat in the region. They also said it could risk contamination of the Upper South Platte River, which provides drinking water to the Denver metropolitan area. The Colorado Wildlife Federation nominated the South Park region for an MLP back in 2011, and the group along with officials in Park County asked BLM to hold off on new oil and gas leasing until such a plan was conducted. South Park was one of five regions in the state that BLM identified in 2011 as meriting development of an MLP. But BLM decided in February 2012 not to craft one for South Park because it said at the time that there were no producing oil and gas wells on federal land in the region and thus there was no reason to spend the time and effort to develop an MLP. Ironically, some of the reasons BLM cited in 2012 for not conducting an MLP for South Park are being used today by the agency to justify the need for a plan. “The area is largely unleased and contains a rich variety of natural resources,” Steven Hall, a BLM spokesman in Denver, said in an emailed response to questions. “Taking a closer look at oil and gas leasing makes sense for the area, which is one of several MLPs BLM Colorado is preparing.” Hall, who said it will take several years to complete the MLP for South Park, also mentioned that “wildlife and conservation groups as well as the local community” have made it clear to the agency that they want to see an MLP for the region. The MLP will be conducted as part of the agency’s planned update to BLM’s Royal Gorge resource management plan, which covers not only the South Park region but also the San Luis Valley and the Front Range, Hall said. BLM is currently working on three MLPs in the state, he said, including north-central Colorado’s North Park, a region that includes a pristine, glacier-carved valley amid towering mountain peaks that is so biologically diverse that some have christened it the “American Serengeti.” Conservation groups hailed BLM’s decision as an important step toward balancing energy development with the need to preserve the pristine region. “Park County has a unique opportunity to develop a master leasing plan for South Park with the BLM that will become a model for balancing world-class fish and wildlife resources and recreation with future energy development, while preserving the unique watershed that supplies more than 40 percent of drinking water to the Denver metro area,” said Suzanne O’Neill, the Colorado Wildlife Federation’s executive director. Bob Meulengracht, Colorado energy coordinator for Trout Unlimited, said the South Park MLP along with ongoing analysis of future oil and gas leasing at Pike-San Isabel National Forest “presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a look at the South Platte drainage as a whole and come up with a comprehensive plan — from the valley to the peaks — to protect this iconic trout fishery.”

On January 10, 2014 the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission designagted the upper Arkansas River as a Gold Medal Trout Water, doubling the state’s miles of gold medal waters. Hats off to the CPW aquatic biologists and public support !

Here is the CPW press release:

COLORADO DOUBLES GOLD MEDAL STREAM MILES

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is pleased to announce the upper Arkansas River as the newest addition to the statewide list of
Gold Medal Trout Waters.

The Gold Medal reach is 102 miles long from the confluence with the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River, near Leadville, downstream to Parkdale at
the Highway 50 bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge.

The designation has been 20 years in the making, and although anglers have enjoyed the improved conditions for years, it is an official acknowledgement of the myriad efforts undertaken by state and federal agencies to turn an impaired river into one of the most popular fishing destinations in Colorado.

œThe upper Arkansas River fishery is the best it has been in over a century thanks to the efforts and hard work of many agencies and individuals that have recognized its great potential, said Greg Policky, CPW Aquatic Biologist. œI am very pleased that this outstanding river has received the Gold Medal designation and is now ranked among the elite trout fisheries in Colorado.

In order to receive a Gold Medal listing, a body of water must consistently support a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre, as well as consistently support a minimum average of 12 quality trout – trout larger than 14 inches – per acre.

In the last 20 years, the upper Arkansas River has undergone a habitat transformation. Fish populations in the area were impacted by heavy metal pollution from mining in the Leadville area. Because of the pollution, trout could not live in the area, and they did not live beyond three years old further downstream.

Today, trout are living up to ten years old due to habitat restoration, improved water quality and creative fishery management. The present-day fish population has benefited from these habitat efforts and has met the Gold Medal designation since 1999 for both the quality of trout per acre and the standing crop.

The Arkansas River ranked as the favorite fishing destination for residents of Colorado, according to a 2012 angler survey. Angler use reached a significant milestone in 2012 when an estimated 100,000 anglers fished the river throughout the year between Leadville and Parkdale. More than 65 percent of the river stretch is open to the angling public via federal and state-owned land and numerous state-controlled fishing leases and easements.

With the addition of the Arkansas River, total Gold Medal stream miles in Colorado increases by 50% to 322 total miles. It will also be the longest reach of Gold Medal water in the State.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, all of Colorado’s wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreation. For more information go to www.cpw.state.co.us

On January 10, 2014 the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission designagted the upper Arkansas River as a Gold Medal Trout Water, doubling the state’s miles of gold medal waters. Hats off to the CPW aquatic biologists and public support !

Here is the CPW press release:

COLORADO DOUBLES GOLD MEDAL STREAM MILES

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is pleased to announce the upper Arkansas River as the newest addition to the statewide list of
Gold Medal Trout Waters.

The Gold Medal reach is 102 miles long from the confluence with the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River, near Leadville, downstream to Parkdale at
the Highway 50 bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge.

The designation has been 20 years in the making, and although anglers have enjoyed the improved conditions for years, it is an official acknowledgement of the myriad efforts undertaken by state and federal agencies to turn an impaired river into one of the most popular fishing destinations in Colorado.

œThe upper Arkansas River fishery is the best it has been in over a century thanks to the efforts and hard work of many agencies and individuals that have recognized its great potential, said Greg Policky, CPW Aquatic Biologist. œI am very pleased that this outstanding river has received the Gold Medal designation and is now ranked among the elite trout fisheries in Colorado.

In order to receive a Gold Medal listing, a body of water must consistently support a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre, as well as consistently support a minimum average of 12 quality trout – trout larger than 14 inches – per acre.

In the last 20 years, the upper Arkansas River has undergone a habitat transformation. Fish populations in the area were impacted by heavy metal pollution from mining in the Leadville area. Because of the pollution, trout could not live in the area, and they did not live beyond three years old further downstream.

Today, trout are living up to ten years old due to habitat restoration, improved water quality and creative fishery management. The present-day fish population has benefited from these habitat efforts and has met the Gold Medal designation since 1999 for both the quality of trout per acre and the standing crop.

The Arkansas River ranked as the favorite fishing destination for residents of Colorado, according to a 2012 angler survey. Angler use reached a significant milestone in 2012 when an estimated 100,000 anglers fished the river throughout the year between Leadville and Parkdale. More than 65 percent of the river stretch is open to the angling public via federal and state-owned land and numerous state-controlled fishing leases and easements.

With the addition of the Arkansas River, total Gold Medal stream miles in Colorado increases by 50% to 322 total miles. It will also be the longest reach of Gold Medal water in the State.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, all of Colorado’s wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreation. For more information go to www.cpw.state.co.us

National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (SFRED) are sponsoring a contest for students 15-19 year of age. The topic is “What Public Lands Mean to You.”// SFRED invites students ages 15-19 to write about what public lands mean to them and qualify to receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. Entry deadline is January 31 – see the announcement below.

Here is the SFRED announcement:

Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development is a coalition led by the National Wildlife Federation, the Theodore Roosevelt
Conservation Partnership and Trout Unlimited, and is dedicated to balancing energy development with conservation on public lands.
The SFRED coalition wants to encourage the next generation of conservation leaders and would like to invite students to tell us what public lands have meant in their lives in the first ever SFRED Youth Essay Contest. We are soliciting essays/blogs on the theme “The importance of public lands to me.” The five winners selected by a panel of representatives from the three SFRED partner organizations will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of each winner’s congressional delegation as well as leaders from the administration and
national conservation groups.

The deadline is approaching soon and essays must be submitted to Brad Powell, Senior Policy Director of the Sportsmen’s Conservation Project at Trout Unlimited, bpowell@tu.org, no later than 11:59 PM EDT on Jan. 31, 2014.

For details about the contest and rules go to the website link below: http://sfred.org/media-center/news/sfred-invites-students-to-submit-essays-on-public-lands

Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition has launched a fundraising campaign. CWF is represented on the Steering Committee by our Issues Co-Chair Walt Graul. It deserves your support! Here is the message from the Coalition:
Hello and Happy New Year,

On behalf of the Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition, we ask for your help to restore the Big Thompson River after the devastating flood of 2013. We are a diverse coalition of riverfront property owners, community members, outdoor enthusiasts, non-profit organizations, businesses, and public agencies working together to restore The Big Thompson River.

If you love rivers and would like to help restore one of Colorado’s most iconic rivers, please make a tax-deductible contribution here: www.youcaring.com/btrrc. Any amount you give will help us reach our $50,000 fundraising target by January 31, 2014.

Your tax deductible donation will be put directly to work to restore riverside vegetation, enhance fish habitat, remove debris, rebuild vital structures, and put tools and food in the hands of hundreds of volunteers. Contributions go directly to the Big Thompson River Restoration account, managed by our Fiscal Sponsor, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV), a non-profit charitable organization with an impressive track record in restoring landscapes affected by disasters, such as the High Park Fire.

Our restoration efforts are being supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Rotary, and local companies. But we need the help and participation of citizens like you to tackle the massive job ahead. Please donate today!

If you cannot make an on-line donation, please send a check, payable to œWildlands Restoration Volunteers to:

Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition

c/o: Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

418 So. Howes St, #115

Fort Collins, CO 80521

Together we can make a difference for œThe Big T.

Description: S:\Staff Docs\John’s Docs\Administration\signature.jpgThank you,

Description: signature

Description: signature

Description: signature

____________________

John Giordanengo

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

Coordinator of the Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition

Big Thompson River Restoration Steering Committee Members:

David Jessup (Sylvan Dale Ranch), Dan Stubbs (Big Thompson School District), Ralph Trenary (Land Owner), Chris Carlson (City of Loveland), Brian Chavet (Elkhorn Fly, Rod, and Reel), David Piske (Trout Unlimited), Katie Jagt (Walsh Environmental), Greg Dewey (City of Loveland), Matt Lafferty (Larimer County), Walt Graul (Colorado Wildlife Federation), Gordon Gilstrap (Big Thompson Conservation District), Jeremy Sueltenfuss (Colorado Natural Heritage Program), Casey Cisneros (Larimer County Natural Resources).

MORE INFORMATION about the Coalition

The Big Thompson River flood that occurred September 12, 2013 changed œThe Big T from a beautiful and iconic landscape to a raging torrent, destroying roads, homes, bridges, farms and ranches. Recognized as one of Colorado’s premier trout fisheries and wildlife corridors, and home to so many people, the Big Thompson River has been reduced to cobble and rock beds in many places. Unstable river banks and channels have left roads, bridges and homes at further risk from normal spring floods, requiring immediate action. While the floodwaters have receded, the work to restore the river has just begun.

The Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition was formed to assist in the recovery of the degraded river and ensure œThe Big T remains a vital and essential element of life in Northern Colorado for generations to come. We have assembled an impressive team of biologists, hydrologists, community members, public agencies, and university specialists to help us achieve our goals:

· Short term protection of infrastructure such as ditch diversions, roads, bridges and access points, in ways that complement and enhance other long-term, comprehensive river restoration goals.

· Restoration and enhancement of riverbed function and structure to optimize wildlife habitat.

· Restore riparian and wetland plant communities along river banks to enhance water quality, encourage species diversity, and improve aesthetic values.

· Incorporate designs that reduce the risk to life and property during future flood events.

· Encourage responsible river use and floodplain management.

For more information, please visit our website at The Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition. Friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Read about us here: http://www.reporterherald.com/news/colorado-flood/ci_24496849/big-t-river-landowners-begin-looking-at-restoration, and about the flood here: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24198622/big-thompson-canyon-struck-again-by-tragic-flooding

Please make a donation on You Caring here. www.youcaring.com/btrrc. And don’t forget to share this opportunity with your friends, family and neighbors.

Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition has launched a fundraising campaign. CWF is represented on the Steering Committee by our Issues Co-Chair Walt Graul. It deserves your support! Here is the message from the Coalition:
Hello and Happy New Year,

On behalf of the Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition, we ask for your help to restore the Big Thompson River after the devastating flood of 2013. We are a diverse coalition of riverfront property owners, community members, outdoor enthusiasts, non-profit organizations, businesses, and public agencies working together to restore The Big Thompson River.

If you love rivers and would like to help restore one of Colorado’s most iconic rivers, please make a tax-deductible contribution here: www.youcaring.com/btrrc. Any amount you give will help us reach our $50,000 fundraising target by January 31, 2014.

Your tax deductible donation will be put directly to work to restore riverside vegetation, enhance fish habitat, remove debris, rebuild vital structures, and put tools and food in the hands of hundreds of volunteers. Contributions go directly to the Big Thompson River Restoration account, managed by our Fiscal Sponsor, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV), a non-profit charitable organization with an impressive track record in restoring landscapes affected by disasters, such as the High Park Fire.

Our restoration efforts are being supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Rotary, and local companies. But we need the help and participation of citizens like you to tackle the massive job ahead. Please donate today!

If you cannot make an on-line donation, please send a check, payable to œWildlands Restoration Volunteers to:

Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition

c/o: Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

418 So. Howes St, #115

Fort Collins, CO 80521

Together we can make a difference for œThe Big T.

Description: S:Staff DocsJohn’s DocsAdministrationsignature.jpgThank you,

Description: signature

Description: signature

Description: signature

____________________

John Giordanengo

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

Coordinator of the Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition

Big Thompson River Restoration Steering Committee Members:

David Jessup (Sylvan Dale Ranch), Dan Stubbs (Big Thompson School District), Ralph Trenary (Land Owner), Chris Carlson (City of Loveland), Brian Chavet (Elkhorn Fly, Rod, and Reel), David Piske (Trout Unlimited), Katie Jagt (Walsh Environmental), Greg Dewey (City of Loveland), Matt Lafferty (Larimer County), Walt Graul (Colorado Wildlife Federation), Gordon Gilstrap (Big Thompson Conservation District), Jeremy Sueltenfuss (Colorado Natural Heritage Program), Casey Cisneros (Larimer County Natural Resources).

MORE INFORMATION about the Coalition

The Big Thompson River flood that occurred September 12, 2013 changed œThe Big T from a beautiful and iconic landscape to a raging torrent, destroying roads, homes, bridges, farms and ranches. Recognized as one of Colorado’s premier trout fisheries and wildlife corridors, and home to so many people, the Big Thompson River has been reduced to cobble and rock beds in many places. Unstable river banks and channels have left roads, bridges and homes at further risk from normal spring floods, requiring immediate action. While the floodwaters have receded, the work to restore the river has just begun.

The Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition was formed to assist in the recovery of the degraded river and ensure œThe Big T remains a vital and essential element of life in Northern Colorado for generations to come. We have assembled an impressive team of biologists, hydrologists, community members, public agencies, and university specialists to help us achieve our goals:

· Short term protection of infrastructure such as ditch diversions, roads, bridges and access points, in ways that complement and enhance other long-term, comprehensive river restoration goals.

· Restoration and enhancement of riverbed function and structure to optimize wildlife habitat.

· Restore riparian and wetland plant communities along river banks to enhance water quality, encourage species diversity, and improve aesthetic values.

· Incorporate designs that reduce the risk to life and property during future flood events.

· Encourage responsible river use and floodplain management.

For more information, please visit our website at The Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition. Friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Read about us here: http://www.reporterherald.com/news/colorado-flood/ci_24496849/big-t-river-landowners-begin-looking-at-restoration, and about the flood here: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24198622/big-thompson-canyon-struck-again-by-tragic-flooding

Please make a donation on You Caring here. www.youcaring.com/btrrc. And don’t forget to share this opportunity with your friends, family and neighbors.

National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (SFRED) are sponsoring a contest for students 15-19 year of age. The topic is “What Public Lands Mean to You.”// SFRED invites students ages 15-19 to write about what public lands mean to them and qualify to receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. Entry deadline is January 31 – see the announcement below.

Here is the SFRED announcement:

Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development is a coalition led by the National Wildlife Federation, the Theodore Roosevelt
Conservation Partnership and Trout Unlimited, and is dedicated to balancing energy development with conservation on public lands.
The SFRED coalition wants to encourage the next generation of conservation leaders and would like to invite students to tell us what public lands have meant in their lives in the first ever SFRED Youth Essay Contest. We are soliciting essays/blogs on the theme “The importance of public lands to me.” The five winners selected by a panel of representatives from the three SFRED partner organizations will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of each winner’s congressional delegation as well as leaders from the administration and
national conservation groups.

The deadline is approaching soon and essays must be submitted to Brad Powell, Senior Policy Director of the Sportsmen’s Conservation Project at Trout Unlimited, bpowell@tu.org, no later than 11:59 PM EDT on Jan. 31, 2014.

For details about the contest and rules go to the website link below: http://sfred.org/media-center/news/sfred-invites-students-to-submit-essays-on-public-lands

On December 3, 2013, Senator Mark Udall introduced a bill to protect Browns Canyon (S. 1794, Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Act of 2013). This legislation would safeguard one of Colorado’s most treasured landscapes. CWF has actively supported protection for Browns Canyon for many years. The bill is the result of almost two years of discussions and work for the purpose of preserving outdoor recreation along the 22,000-acre Arkansas River canyon and backcountry. The whitewater kayaking, fishing, hunting, birding and other outdoor recreation activities there produce a significant contribution to Colorado’s economy. The regional whitewater boating industry alone accounts for more than $23 million in direct expenditures, yielding an economic impact of $60 million to the Arkansas River valley.

As of the end of May, 2014, the bill has not been heard by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Here is the press release from December 3:

Nathrop, Colo. — After 18 months of collaboration with sportsmen, Chaffee County leaders, businesses and residents, Sen. Mark Udall introduced legislation today that would designate Browns Canyon as a national monument.

The bill would establish protections over 22,000 acres that would help maintain the quality of hunting and fishing habitat around the canyon as well as the always popular Arkansas River. Given the flexible nature of monuments, undeveloped portions of the monument would be designated as wilderness and less stringent protections would be placed on the rest of the area, encouraging public use and recreation.

œThe Arkansas is the most popular rafting river in the country. I’ve spent many years guiding raft and fishing trips on the Arkansas and spending time in Browns Canyon is a highlight of any trip, said Bill Dvorak, a longtime outfitter and organizer for Sportsmen for Brown’s Canyon. œProtecting Browns Canyon would maintain an important, sustainable part of the area economy. Just as important is protecting air and water quality and fish and wildlife habitat at a time when increasing population and development are creating more demands on public lands.

Browns Canyon, located just south of Buena Vista, has long been known for it’s stunning fishery, but it’s value to big game is equally important. Mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and other large predators such as black bear make good use of this lower elevation territory.

On average, hunter and anglers spend about 36 million dollars in Chaffee County alone each year, contributing their fair share to Colorado’s 2 billion dollar hunting and fishing economy. œWhether hunting with a bow, muzzleloader or rifle, Browns is easily accessible from a number of points a few miles from the towns of Salida or Buena Vista and a short two hour drive from Colorado’s Front Range, said Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Co-Chair David Lien. œEither by foot or horseback, sportsmen have enjoyed a high quality hunt in this wilderness setting.

As one of the most treasured landscapes in Colorado, Browns Canyon is also one of the least protected said Suzanne O’Neill of the Colorado Wildlife Federation. “Colorado Wildlife Federation appreciates Senator Udall’s steadfast approach during the past year for ascertaining and embracing local community views on how to conserve this jewel for future generations,” she said.