BFC Rogers Park Project Meeting

November 6, 2006

ATTENDEES: Al Permut, Roger Svendsen, Dave Blauch (via phone), Hillary Browning (ERC Rep for Dave), Paul Prentiss, Dave Clark, Bob Bush, Mark Riley

Old Business:

• DOW Habitat Stamp Grants: At the 7/24 project meeting it was agreed that we should apply for grant money from this source. The schedule was very tight … application deadline 7/31. The BFC board approved an expenditure of $5000 on 7/26 to fund ERC for the project design work described in the ERC proposal dated 6/27/06. ERC performed a stream survey on 7/27 and prepared a conceptual design suitable for the grant application. Input was provided to Dave Nickum, Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited, CTU, who completed the application and associated documentation. (Thanks Dave!) The project is currently estimated to cost $215K. We requested $160K from grant funds with the balance to be obtained through "in-kind" funding and/or additional grant funds. The Habitat Stamp funds will be made available in 2007. The awarding of grants was scheduled for late October, however just prior to this meeting, Dave Nickum informed Paul Prentiss that the award schedule has slipped until mid-November. At this meeting, there was some discussion about the probability of winning this grant. Though 60% of Habitat Stamp funds come from anglers vs. 40% from hunters, it is suspected that most grant money will be used for hunting habitat improvements. It was speculated that state income is greater from the hunting community vs. anglers, hence the skew of awards in their direction. Dave Nickum, according to Paul, has said he will request an explanation if most of the grant money is directed toward hunting organizations.
• Conceptual Design Discussion: Note: Dave Blauch was planning to attend this meeting, however he was called away to a project in Montrose, CO and had one of his employees, Hillary Browning, represent him at this meeting. Dave called in at 7:45 P.M. to field questions that Hillary had not answered earlier. Hillary distributed an 11” X 17” color view of the suggested changes to the project area. This document shows a project length of 2000 feet and recommended areas for low flow channel improvements, riffle-pool sequences, major and minor bank stabilization, in-stream habitat features, and areas for improved public access points. The following is a summary of discussion topics and suggestions:
  • Al suggested that minimal stream access improvements were necessary in his opinion. It was generally agreed that this was the case. Hillary will carry that message to Dave for further discussion. Adding one access point in the approximate middle of the project might be good.
  • Parking was discussed briefly. Conversation with both CDOT and the County Sheriff’s Dept. is important. The CDOT discussion can be initiated when a meeting with Mark G. from CDOT takes place. Design and funding for parking improvements has not yet been addressed. It was suggested that CDOT had the expertise in this area, as well as ownership, and therefore should be asked to perform this work.
  • With Dave on the phone, a question was asked for a definition of “in-stream habitat features”. Dave said they are usually boulder clusters.
  • Dave explained that boulders would be buried upstream where channels are re-graded in order to maintain stream characteristics.
  • Al asked if the “straight” portion of the stream could be changed to meander away from the road. This was viewed positively by the group and Dave will consider this change. There will probably be a cost impact, however such a change might be worth the extra expense.
  • Dave explained the difference between major and minor bank stabilization. Major stabilization includes boulders as well as vegetation. Minor stabilization only requires vegetation.

New Business:

• Additional Grant Funding: Paul mentioned that funds may be available from the TU "Embrace a Stream" program. Up to $10,000 is available. The deadline for a letter stating the intent of submitting an application is November 20. The actual application is due by December 18. These funds are made available in 2007 if awarded. The committee elected to submit a letter of intent and file an application. Paul will write the letter and Al will assist with the completion of an application.

The next meeting will be scheduled after we learn the status of our Habitat Stamp funding request.
The meeting concluded about 8:30 PM.

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