HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting Minutes
Pitkin County 123 Emma Road Suite 202 Aspen CO Oct 20, 2016– 4:00 p.m.
River Board members present: Bill Jochems, Ruthie Brown, Lisa Tasker, Elle Taylor
Catherine Berg, Andre Wille
River Board members absent: Dave Nixa
Others present:

Lisa MacDonald, Laura Makar, John Ely

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Site Visit White Water Park 131 Emma Road Basalt, CO
The Board toured the construction site at the White Water Park. Hattie Johnson of River Restoration and Brian
Barackman of Diggin It River Works, updated the Board on the progress of the work.
Board Comment - None
Public Comment – None
Additions/Deletions to Agenda – None
Fourmile Creek Flow Restoration Project
Mely Whiting Trout Unlimited (via phone) & Brendon Langenhuizen – SGM
Ms. Whiting and Mr. Langenhuizen discussed the possibilities for restoration work on FourMile Creek.
Engaging Ag Community in Water Projects
Mr. Langenhuizen continued on and presented to the Board a review of the Eagle County Conservation Districts asset
irrigation inventory program.
Executive Session
Ms. Tasker moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(b) to discuss stream protection
strategies. Ms. Brown seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0.
In executive session the Healthy Rivers and Streams Board had discussion regarding City of Aspen’s
imminent diligence filing of conditional storage water rights, on Castle and Maroon Creeks and the Board
considered the applications of the City, the location of the proposed reservoir sights and the potential
impacts of the reservoirs and its own policy regarding storage water use.
The Board moved in furtherance of that discussion, staff will offer a proposed recommendation for
consideration by the Board to direct a letter be sent to the BOCC advocating that the county engage in
opposition of the two diligence applications.
That there does not appear to be a need for the two reservoir sites to meet the City’s present and future
water needs as those needs have been defined by the city.
That there does not appear to be any willingness on the part of the city to actually follow through and
construct these dams, that the continued existence of the water rights only presents the potential for a
highly impactive event to occur on Castle and Maroon Creeks.
Minutes –Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board
Oct 20, 2016
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 The Board would like to determine if the City’s needs, such as they exist, can be met by alternative water
supply strategies other than these two proposed reservoirs. The Board recommends that our opposition
be vigorous and that we be willing to work with the City to explore alternatives for their municipal water
supply.
This recommendation is consistent with our previous policies adopted with regard to reservoirs. The letter
will be reviewed by the Board before delivery to the Board of County Commissioners.
Ms. Brown moved the motion. Ms. Tasker seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0.
Ms. Brown left the meeting at approximately 6:50 p.m.
Approval of the Minutes
Chair Tasker moved to approve the minutes of May 19, July 21 and August 18, 2016. The minutes of August were amended
to correctly reflect Ms. Brown seconding the Executive Session motion. Mr. Wille seconded the motion. The motion passed
5/0.
2017 Budget Approval
The Board discussed changes to the prior version of the 2017 drafted budget. The budget was amended to add
Wild & Scenic Consultants reduce to $50,000
Additional items included:
Local high school collaborations/education $20,000
Habitat Improvements & River Safety Projects $150,000
Basalt White Water Park Safety requirements & management $ 400,000
Digital Water Library $55,000
Chair Tasker moved to approved the 2017 budget with the additions and amendments. Ms. Taylor 2nd the motion. The
motion passed 5/0.
Open Discussion - None
Chair Tasker moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Taylor seconded the motion. The motion passed 4/0. Mr. Jochems stepped
out of the meeting.
Adjourn: The Board adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Approved:

Attest:

______________________________________________
Lisa Tasker

_________________________________________________
Lisa MacDonald

Minutes –Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board
Oct 20, 2016
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