March 21, 2018 To: Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams healthyrivers@pitkincounty.com From: Elise Osenga, Research and Education Coordinator Aspen Global Change Institute 104 Midland Ave., Suite 205, Basalt CO, 81621 Dear Members of the Healthy Rivers Board, The Aspen Global Change Institute wishes to be considered for a grant in the amount of $1,700 in support of expanding our outreach and education associated with the interactive Roaring Fork Observation Network (iRON), a project studying how mountain hydrology and ecosystems change in response to a warming climate. Climate change is already raising average temperatures in the Roaring Fork Valley, and warming is projected to continue. Understanding the ways that climate change influences mountain ecology and hydrology will be increasingly important in empowering residents and stakeholders to consider and plan for potential future conditions. Over the past 6 years, AGCI has worked with local partners to establish the 9 research stations of the iRON, which collect data on soil moisture and meteorological conditions across the Roaring Fork Watershed. In addition to the scientific utility of these data, we see the network as a valuable opportunity to engage with the community about climate impacts on our local water systems and ecosystems. This  year  AGCI  hopes  to  expand  on  our  prior  outreach  efforts  by  facilitating  community   members  in  engaging  directly  with  the  information  the  network  gathers.  Through  citizen   science  activities,  public  events,  and  classroom  visits  AGCI  will  work  with  the  local  community   to  conduct  observations,  interpret  data,  and  introduce  the  concept  of  soil  moisture  as  an   indicator  of  environmental  change.   The funds requested from Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams would be used in tandem with funding from other partners to help develop a new citizen science component of the iRON and to support ongoing educational efforts and general maintenance of the research network. A description of the project as it relates to Healthy Rivers grant criteria can be found on the following page. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Elise Osenga, Research and Education Coordinator Eliseo@agci.org (970) 925-7376 Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Grant Criteria: AGCI— interactive Roaring Fork Observation Network (iRON) A. Goals of the Healthy Rivers Board The Healthy Rivers Board works to protect water quality and quantity in the Roaring Fork Watershed and to secure flows that that protect human and natural river uses. The iRON project promotes these goals by providing data and outreach about an often forgotten but critical component of the water cycle: soil moisture. Soil moisture acts as the connector between precipitation, vegetation, water supplies, and air temperature. Outreach and education about soil moisture and its role in the water cycle have the capacity to help community members think about their water supply and how it might be impacted by climate change in a new way. B. Viability of the Project The iRON was established in 2012 with partnership from Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, City of Aspen, and ACES. Since then, the number of stations and outreach about them has grown based entirely on local support, including support from: Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams (2017), the Aspen Field Biology Laboratory, the Independence Pass Foundation, the Aspen Community Foundation, Colorado Mountain College, City of Glenwood Springs, and individuals who have committed time and expertise to the project. The project has been shared at multiple local events over the past year such as the GlenX Career Fair for local high school students, the Future Forest Roundtable, and the Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative, as well as being presented at the national conference of the Ecological Society of America. Moving forward, AGCI continues to foster existing local partnerships while reaching out to researchers at academic institutions who may be interested in partnering on multi-year project that would use data from and help support the iRON project. C. Public Need, Accessibility, and Appreciation The iRON offers an uncommon opportunity to engage local residents with ongoing research being conducted within their watershed. Prior presentations within the community, as well as a few initial classroom visits with CMC and Yampah Mountain High School, have revealed local interest in the project. Soil moisture is a little talked-about aspect of the hydrologic cycle, and learning about it offers a hands-on way to help introduce learners to concepts of local climate change impacts. D. History of the Requesting Party AGCI is a local 501c(3) non-profit, established in 1989. Our mission is to further understanding of Earth systems science in service of society. On a local level, we have done this through activities such as hosting CMC student interns, offering public scientific lectures, and partnering with other non-profits on projects such as the Forest Health Index. E. Budget, Measurements, and Accountability The $1,700 requested from the Healthy Rivers Board would be used as support for the iRON, with specific emphasis on development of a citizen science component of the project, as well as other outreach and education efforts. At the end of a 12 month period, a written report would be provided that details project findings from the previous year, including results from participant surveys taken by citizen scientists who engaged with the project. This request forms a limited portion of the overall costs of running the iRON, which is supported by grants from multiple partners. For further information, contact Elise Osenga at Eliseo@agci.org or 970-925-7376 Pitkin County Healthy Rivers & Streams Board 2018 Grant Request Partnership request benefitting: Colorado Watershed Assembly Water Education Colorado Colorado Riparian Association Funding for the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference October 9-11, 2018 Westin Riverfront Resort Avon, Colorado Program Funding Request Description Together, Colorado Watershed Assembly, Water Education Colorado, and Colorado Riparian Association are submitting a joint grant funding request for 2018 in the total amount of $8,000 to Pitkin County Healthy Rivers & Streams Board. This support will be used in helping to fund the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference, which will be held in Avon, Colorado from October 9-11, 2018 in Avon, Colorado. Conference History and Purpose The Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference is a highly popular event that has been held annually for the last 15 years, with the purpose of bringing together knowledgeable and engaged citizens, scientists, ecologists, water managers and regulators from across the state to discuss and collaborate on best practices in watershed management. After the success of the first few conferences, the strategic decision was made to establish a partnership collaboration to help share resources across non-profits, bring even more voices together from across Colorado amongst a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, and to further increase the deep reach of this annual event. For the past 7 years, the partnership collaboration has included the Colorado Watershed Assembly, Water Education Colorado (formerly known as Colorado Foundation for Water Education), and the Colorado Riparian Association. The Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference (SCW) expands cooperation and collaboration throughout our state for natural resource conservation, protection, and enhancement by informing citizens, agencies, non-profit organizations, consultants, and legislators about current issues. There is also a focus on networking opportunities during the event that helps to bring together prospective partnerships, strengthens relationships, and encourages much-needed conversation about water issues across Colorado and beyond. In 2018, the conference will focus on “The Color of Water: Exploring the Spectrum.” Our theme this year intends to tap into the creativity of our communities and investigate how diverse watershed interests interact. Water touches us all from forests to farms. We’ve branched out this year to delve into water for environment, agriculture, recreation, mining, energy, forest health, city water, rural water, source water, recycled and reuse water. Need for Support Over the last few years, conference attendance has continued to exceed the previous years’ attendance. With over 300+ individuals in attendance last year, we saw first-hand a record turnout. The need for community resources grows each year as the number of conference attendees continues to increase. There is no other conference like this in Colorado! We continue to get attendees from across the entire state and based on feedback from conference attendees and other partners, the demand for this conference continues to be great! Your support for the 2018 conference can help us attain some very specific and measurable goals: • Continue growing Colorado’s premiere watershed conference, educating attendees about the issues and best practices that pertain to specific river basins in Colorado, including the Colorado River. We reached capacity for conference attendance in 2017 much earlier than in previous years. We were able to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend and we anticipate we will have even more interest this year! • Target and grow attendance by younger participants to ensure learning and participation by multiple generations. Grant and sponsorship support helps us to provide scholarships and volunteer opportunities to students and young professionals and to bring individuals with various backgrounds together to learn from each other. In 2017, the percentage of attendees under the age of 45 increased to 68%. We continue to work to bring a diversity of interests, perspectives and backgrounds to the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference. Community support makes it possible to provide a number of scholarships to first time attendees; last year we were able to provide 20! • Increase the budget for speaker expenses to bring in the strongest and most relevant speakers, regardless of their state of residence. In 2017 we were able to able to provide accommodations for speakers from Oregon and Utah and to host our keynote speaker from American Rivers, Sinjin Eberle. Budget There are a variety of sources of revenue for this conference, including registration fees, vendor fees, partner support, organizational donations, individual donations and community grants and sponsorships. There is also a small silent auction held at the conference during one of the evening networking events. Net income is split amongst each of the 3 non-profit partnering host organizations: Colorado Watershed Assembly, Water Education Colorado, and Colorado Riparian Association. All partner time spent planning and implementing the conference is non-paid so the revenue dispersed also helps cover the non-profit organization’s costs for their staff time and labor, plus any additional direct expenses incurred by the partners. In 2017: Conference Revenue equaled $113,516 (includes community grants and sponsorships) Conference Expenses totaled $71,688 Net Income equaled $41,848 (split between the 3 non-profit partners) • • Please note that scholarships reduce registration revenue but are not considered an expense Each of the 3 non-profit partners also received a small amount of income from the silent auction, based on which items they had listed in the auction The detailed budget for actual figures from the 2017 SCW Conference and the plans and projections for the 2018 SCW Conference are below: Budget Details Actual 2017 Budget 2018 Ordinary Income/Expense Income Sponsorships Scholarship funds Field Workshop setup Registrations Vendor Contributions Contribution: Duggan Subtotal Silent Auction Partners Total Income 52,565 55,000 52,140 1,930 1,065 1,725 109,425 4,091 113,516 50,000 0 0 0 105,000 4,000 109,000 NOTE: Scholarships reduce registration revenue but are not considered an expense Complimentary rooms for speakers not considered an expense Expense Hotel Food & Beverage Tips & Gratuities Audio Visual Speaker Expenses Complimentary rooms Scholarships Field Workshop setup Administration Expense & Lodging Conf. Exp. - tabletops Supplies Printing/Registration Merchant cc charges Hospitality Giveaways Banner Duggan meeting Planning meeting-lunch Silent Auction Paid out to partners 49,740 3,434 1,093 50,000 165 4,095 1,311 7,115 5,500 362 1,908 2,040 184 1,495 500 1,400 2,021 250 1,600 206 500 4,091 4,000 Total Expense 71,668 71,342 NET INCOME 41,848 37,658 In 2017, the Conference Planning Committee successfully raised $52,565 in community grant and sponsorship support. We have increased this goal to $55,000 for the 2018 conference. We are approaching all grant supporters and sponsors from the 2017 conference as well as pursuing a number of additional opportunities. The following community partners were generous to provide grant & sponsorship support in 2017: Measurable Goals and Results Conference organizers are engaged, year-round, to plan an effective and enjoyable conference for Colorado’s existing and emerging river health, water management and riparian restoration professionals. The focus areas planned for this year’s 2018 SCW Conference are: • Red Tape – Improving policy/permitting processes locally or nationally to get good projects on the ground • Opportunities – Finding the funding and identifying new collaborators that can make projects possible • Yielding Results – Innovative design in watershed restoration that's proving effective on the ground • Green vs Gray – Advances in stormwater management practices that utilize natural infrastructure • Barrier Busting – Going beyond philosophical divides and building political will for good solutions • Industry Voices – Forest, agriculture, mining, and energy practices to meet multiple stakeholder priorities • Vulnerability – Addressing drought, floods, fire and climate change uncertainties to better inform planning Each year, the Conference Planning Committee designs surveys to distribute to conference attendees both during conference sessions and after the conference has ended. The committee gathers and analyzes the results of these surveys to determine such things as: the types of knowledge that have been gained by participants from the conference, satisfaction levels for topics covered and for all additional aspects of the conference, recommendations and suggestions for future conferences, and welcomes any additional open-ended feedback. The Conference Planning Committee analyzes these survey results in great detail and presents/discusses the data in very extensive debriefings among the large planning group. What we learn from participants helps to inform future conference planning. We are encouraged by the positive feedback we receive and we welcome all comments from attendees who take the time to identify areas where we can do better. In this way we can continue to identify varied and timely topics that challenge our attendees to explore a variety of perspectives and to make new connections. An extensive collection of survey results, conference data, and participant feedback will be delivered in a report in follow-up to Pitkin County as reportable outcome deliverables from our grant funding for 2018. A brief summary of the survey results from last year’s conference and a number of participant quotes is included below. The 2017 SCW Conference agenda is also attached for your convenience. • Overall Value: o 92% of respondents rated the overall conference value “Very High” or “High” o 96% are “Very Likely” or “Likely” to recommend the conference to others o 100% of respondents “Strongly Agree” or “Agree” that they increased their understanding of watershed issues • Pre-conference workshops: o 95% of respondents rated the pre-conference workshops “Very Satisfactory” or “Satisfactory” • Sessions: o 87% rated Tuesday’s plenary sessions “Very Satisfactory” or “Satisfactory” o 100% rated Wednesday’s panels and presentations “Very Satisfactory” or “Satisfactory” • Field Workshop o 100% rated the Post-Conference Workshop River Restoration Engineering and Geomorphology on the Eagle River as ‘Very Satisfactory” or “Satisfactory”. • Networking: o 97% of respondents rated the conference’s networking opportunities as “Very Satisfactory” or “Satisfactory” Below is a sample of Feedback from 2017 Conference Attendees, which distinctly illustrates the need for and the value in the Sustaining Watersheds Conference! • “Overall, one of the best conferences I've been to. A good balance of interesting presentations and valuable networking opportunities.” • “The stream management planning workshop taught me a lot about community engagement and prepared me to contribute to my organizations efforts in this area.” • “Nice to see such esteemed experts in the field come to our conference.” • “I like the diversity of these talks. I went to the farmers talk, oil and gas talk, restore the gore and a few more.” • “I enjoyed Peter Skidmore’s talk the most – his statement about the typical watershed having a thousand cuts and a dozen bandages will stick with me the most…” • “I learned about some specific river restoration techniques that could be useful moving into a planning phase for our watershed wildfire protection group.” • “Two things that caught my attention: hearing stories about farmers in the lower Arkansas Basin implementing more sustainable irrigation and soil management practices (awesome!!) and learning more about the degree to which dust on snow influences peak flow timing (yikes!).” • “I really appreciated that most presenters spoke on a general audience level, rather than just spouting off a bunch of academic jargon that nobody would understand.” • “I was able to meet with people face to face that I had only known through email or reports. It was great to make these connections.” • “I learned how important community collaboration is.” • “Everyone in this workshop... was knowledgeable, focused and helpful in guiding future stream management planning efforts.” • “I learned a lot at this conference. One thing that I learned was how difficult it is to balance what is best for the stream health versus what is best for human recreation/tourism.” • “I have a better perspective now on how complex improving water quality can be - so many different issues and also a better understanding of how to approach river restoration.” • “Learned quite a bit to bring back to the team about where we are and where we can go.” • “I gained some valuable pointers regarding public engagement as well as communicating the economic benefits of river restoration.” • "Got a lot of good ideas for projects, communications, and funding." • “Great demonstration of the importance of storytelling in conservation communications.” • “Great topics and talks to introduce the conference.” • “Great to see what students are working on…I appreciated their interdisciplinary aspects, specifically the Colorado River journey comparison (Powell vs. Modern Student Trip).” • “It was nice to hear about how the river was ‘fixed’ by people that were part of the original project and to hear the ‘experts’ weigh in on their thoughts.” Public Relations Between the 3 different non-profit partners, we have already reached tens of thousands of people across Colorado with information about the 2018 conference. News and information about this conference will continue to have a deep reach across a wide variety of audiences throughout Colorado and beyond. We will continue Marketing and Public Relations for the 2018 SCW Conference primarily including, but not limited to: • • • • • • • • • • Ongoing email communications to all supporters and members of the 3 non-profit partners, reaching thousands Posts on Social Media from all 3 non-profit partners (Facebook, Twitter, Blog Postings, Etc.), reaching thousands Digital Media outlets for all 3 non-profit partners (Including information displayed prominently on all 3 partner websites), reaching thousands Press Releases to a wide variety of media outlets Inclusion in e-mail newsletters distributed by the 3 non-profit partnering organizations, reaching thousands Print information distributed at all 3 non-profit partner-organization events, reaching thousands Print information distributed at industry conferences and events, reaching thousands Print information in partner materials and publications, reaching thousands Other supporting partners around the state will be promoting the conference within their own channels and networks, reaching thousands more! We will also take advantage of additional promotional opportunities as they develop between now and the launch of the conference! Impact of Support The Annual Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference is a trusted source of timely and useful information for watershed groups, restoration professionals, environmental scientists, interested citizens, land use planners, educators and more. The lineup of presenters, workshops and the field trip are intentionally designed to provide opportunities for partnership development and practical collaboration for the benefit of Colorado’s water resources. We need your support! Community support is vital for this conference and helps to keep registration costs significantly low making this exciting event accessible. Your support is fundamental to the conference’s growth and success. We always have a strong presence of attendees from the Roaring Fork Watershed and Pitkin County, and we receive great feedback year after year on the multiple sessions that teach attendees about conservation and other relevant topics within the Roaring Fork Watershed. You can see from last year’s agenda, how relevant the workshops and sessions at this conference are to the great work you are doing! Your continued support is crucial to the success of this conference! Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Board has been a wonderful supporter of this conference in years past, and we look forward to a continued partnership! We will work with the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Board and the BOCC to discuss what additional recognition for your grant support would be appropriate in addition to the following: • • • • • • • Conference registration for up to 4 attendees The invitation to have a prominent display place at the conference Your logo included on all partner websites and on conference advertising materials Your logo included on dedicated signage throughout the conference (at registration and both evening events) Recognition in a full-page ad in conference attendee materials Public recognition throughout the conference Your logo displayed on Power-Point before all plenary sessions and during conference breaks Thank you for the opportunity to request program support for the 2018 conference! Thank you for your support of expanding awareness, knowledge and understanding of water in Colorado! Grant Proposal Contact: Alicia Prescott Development Coordinator Water Education Colorado alicia@yourwatercolorado.org 601-941-9132 AGENDA-AT-A-GLANCE 2017 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference DETAILED AGENDA Monday, October 9 5:00pm-7:30pm AGENDA   A T-­‐A-­‐GLANCE   Early registration and Vendor Tabletop set-up in the Hotel Lobby Tuesday, October 10 8:00am-1:30pm 8:00am-5:00pm 8:00am-11:30am 11:30 - 12:45pm 1:00-2:30pm 2:30-3:00pm 3:00-4:30pm 5:00-6:15pm 6:16-7:30pm 7:30-8:30pm Vendor Tabletop set-up in Hotel Lobby Registration in the Hotel Lobby Concurrent Pre-Conference Workshop Options Conference Partner Organizational Meetings Conference opening and Plenary Session 1 in Riverside Ballrooms Break. Visit Tabletops (Riverside & Lobby) and Silent Auction in Rapids Room Plenary Session 2 in Riverside Ballrooms Cocktails in the Library and Lobby Terrace Evening Banquet Dinner - Riverside Ballroom followed by awards presentation Keynote Address TUESDAY   AGENDA   MONDAY, OCTOBER 9 5:00-7:30 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 8:00am-1:30pm Early registration and Vendor Tabletop set-up in the Hotel Lobby 8:00am-5:00pm 8:00-11:30am Registration in Hotel Lobby Concurrent Pre-Conference Workshop Options: • Reaching the Right People; How Targeted Outreach Creates Water-Informed Communities Hosted by Colorado Foundation for Water Education, supported by other presenters • Learn about how to conduct Stream Management Planning in your watershed Nicole Seltzer, Science and Policy Manager, River Network • Sediment Transport in Stream Assessment and Design Dr. Peter Wilcock, Fluvial Geomorphologist, Professor and Department Head, Watershed Sciences, Utah State University Wednesday, October 11 7:00-8:15am 8:00-8:15am 8:30-10:00am 10:00-10:30am 10:30am-12:00pm 12:00- 1:30pm 1:30-3:00pm 3:00-3:30pm 3:00pm 3:30-5:00pm 5:00 pm 5:30-8:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:00pm Breakfast in Maya Restaurant Yoga in Riverside I at 7:00 am Day 2 Overview & Logistics Presentation in Maya Restaurant Concurrent Tracks in the Gondola and Riverside Ballroom Salons Break in Riverside and Gondola and Silent Auction in Rapids Room Concurrent Tracks in the Gondola and Riverside Ballroom Salons Lunch at the Maya Restaurant Concurrent Tracks in the Gondola and Riverside Ballroom Salons Break in Riverside and Gondola, Silent Auction in Rapids Room Poster session set up in Riverside Salon I Concurrent Tracks in the Gondola and Riverside Ballroom Salons Poster session opens in Riverside Salon I Social Event in the Riverside Terrace and Ballroom Silent Auction Closes Vendor Tabletops and Posters Close Down Winners - Pick Up Your Silent Auction Bargains! 11:30am12:45pm 1:00-2:30pm Winners - Pick Up Your Silent Auction Bargains! Breakfast in Riverside Salons III & IV Day 3 Overview & Logistics Presentation in Riverside Salons III & IV FIELD WORKSHOP, Meet in Riverside Foyer for Field Workshop Don’t forget to fill out our on-line evaluation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2017SCW Brought  to  you  by:   Conference Partner Organizational Meetings Conference Opening, Riverside Ballroom: Rachel Williams, Colorado Riparian Association Plenary Introduction: Julie Ash, Colorado Riparian Association Plenary Session 1: Principals and Strategies for Effective Stream Restoration Dr. Peter Wilcock, Utah State University Vendor Tabletop set-up in Riverside Foyer Area and Silent Auction (Rapids Room) 2:30-3:00pm 3:00-4:30pm Thursday, October 12 7:00-8:15am 7:00-8:15am 8:00-8:15am 8:30am-1:00pm Early registration and Vendor Tabletop set-up in the Hotel Lobby Break. Visit Tabletops (Riverside & Lobby) and Silent Auction (Rapids Rooom) Plenary Session 2, Riverside Ballroom: River Community Conversation, “The Spirit of Restoration in Colorado” Dr. Peter Skidmore, Dr. Peter Wilcock, Dr. Sue Niezgoda Moderator: Julie Ash 5:00-6:15pm Cocktails in the Library and Lobby Terrace 6:15-7:30pm Evening Banquet Dinner in the Riverside Ballroom Salon followed by Awards Presentation 7:30-8:30pm Keynote Address, Riverside Ballroom: “Tapping the Heart to Tell the Story of Conservation” Sinjin Eberle, Intermountain West Communications Director with American Rivers 2017 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference WEDNESDAY  AGENDA    7AM–NOON   WEDNESDAY  AGENDA    NOON–8PM   WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 12:00-1:30pm 7:00-8:15am Breakfast in Maya Restaurant 8:00-8:15am Day 2 Overview & Logistics Presentation in Maya Restaurant Concurrent Tracks in the Gondola and Riverside Ballroom Salons Concurrent Tracks in the Gondola and Riverside Ballroom Salons GONDOLA B RIVERSIDE SALON III RIVERSIDE SALON IV Farmer and the River: Innovative Agriculture Moderator: Casey Davenhill Let’s Try That Again: Adaptive Management Moderator: Rachel Williams The Confluence of Policy, Regulations and Innovation Moderator: Stephanie DiBettito Grand Valley TMDL Development and Integrated Water Planning Initiative. Angie Fowler, SGM; Tim Ryan, Grand Valley Drainage District Sharing resources to restore endangered species habitat in the Platte River Basin. Kevin Werbylo, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Scalable Streamflow Restoration on the Poudre River. Zach Smith, Colorado Water Trust 8:30-10:00am The Impact of Soil Health on a Farmer and the River. Michael Weber, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservation District; Cindy Lair, Colorado Department of Ag; Kenan Diker, CDPHE; Ryan Hemphill, Arkansas Valley Farmer; Phillip Chavez, Arkansas Valley Farmer; Nick Rusler, Arkansas Valley Farmer 10:00-10:30am 10:30-12:00pm Using long-term monitoring to inform adaptive management for the Upper Arkansas River Habitat Restoration Project. Eric Richer, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP): Improving Risk Data to Better Inform Communities. Rigel Rucker, AECOM; Thuy Patton, Colorado Water Conservation Board A Unique Cooperative Partnership: Coordinated Operations for Multi-Use Benefits. Arista Shippy, DiNatale Water Consultants; Travis Smith, San Luis Valley Irrigation District Using Policy and Partnerships to Support Innovative Restoration in Transportation: Fish Creek Public Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Project. Brandon Parsons, THK Associates, Inc.; Chau Nguyen, HDR Engineering, Inc. 1:30-3:00pm Working Land: Energy & Natural Resources Moderator: Curtis Hartenstine Reachout for Buy-in Moderator: Stephanie Scott What’s in your watershed? Moderator: Gil Barth GIS Mapping of Fish Populations to Guide Legacy Mine Restoration Efforts. Lauren Duncan, Trout Unlimited The Adopt an Oxbow Program: How capping the lower Willow Creek floodplain energized new community stewards. Guinevere Nelson, Headwaters Alliance Colorado Stream Health Assessment Framework (COSHAF): Science to Support Stream and Watershed Management Planning. Brad Johnson, Johnson Environmental Consulting, LLC Protecting Source Waters in Colorado During Oil and Gas Development. Building Unity from Disaster: Lessons Learned from a Community Forum. Chara Ragland, Querencia Environmental State of the Poudre: An ecological assessment, communication and collaboration tool. Jen Shanahan, City of Fort Collins Implementing the Crystal River Management Plan: Bringing together Science and Stakeholders for Stream Health. Heather Lewin, Roaring Fork Conservancy Brought  to  you   by:   Public Outreach: the Do’s and Don’ts in Pursuit of Water Storage Projects. Brian Werner, Northern Water Stream Power Framework for Predicting Geomorphic Change: The 2013 Colorado Front Range Flood. Steven Yochum, U.S. Forest Service, National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center GONDOLA B Data is Beautiful: Telling Stories with Data Moderator: Jayla Poppleton RIVERSIDE SALON III Conservation Economics: Protect Your Assets Moderator: Zach Smith Using Data Visualization to Help Tell Project Stories. Mickey O’Hara, Colorado Water Trust View from Philanthropy: Philanthropic Goals & Priorites in Water Plan Implementation. Jill Ozarski, Walton Family Foundation Using Beaver Dam Analogs to Reduce Downstream Sediment Loads: A Pilot Project in California Creek, Spokane, Washington. Sue Niezgoda, Gonzaga University SNOW: Getting to know the unsung source of water quantity issues. Liza Mitchell, Roaring Fork Conservancy; Jeff Derry, Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies Using the ‘Dismal Science’ to do good: Environmental Economics as a tool for conservation funding. Jason Doedderlein, Summit Economics Using process-based design of large wood placements and constructed riffles for effective stream restoration: Design considerations and lessons learned. Emily Alcott, Inter-Fluve; Dan Miller, Inter-Fluve Envisioning Water & Inspiring Action. Claudia Browne, Biohabitats South Platte Natural Capital Project: Building lasting relationships through a common vision for the watershed. Dana Coelho, US Forest Service; Stacey Eriksen, US EPA Resilient Crossings: Empowering landowners and promoting process-informed design techniques. Maya MacHamer, Fourmile Watershed Coalition; Emily Alcott, Inter-Fluve 3:00-3:30pm Break in Riverside and Gondola, Silent Auction in Rapids Room 3:00pm Poster session set up in Riverside Salon I 3:30-5:00PM 5:00 PM 5:30-8:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm RIVERSIDE SALON IV Working with the River: Innovative Design Moderator: Julie Ash Disaster: Facing Unexpected Challenges Moderator: Mike Blazewicz Communicating for Community Buy-In Moderator: Nicole Jackson Avoidance v. Survival: Water Banking as a Tool for Demand Management in the Colorado River Basin. Aaron Derwingson, The Nature Conservancy; Jackie Brown, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Tackling resiliency resistance: Lessons learned from three years of flood recovery on Colorado’s Front Range. Luke Swan, Otak, Inc. Communities taking Responsibility for their Watershed: Changing Culture and Fostering Responsibility. Peter Wadden, Town of Vail Small Hydro and the Colorado Water Infrastructure. Samantha Reifer, Colorado Energy Office The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Creating and Implementing a Short Time-Frame Plant Materials Program for Colorado Flood Recovery. Randy Mandel, Great Ecology; Sara Copp Franz, Great Ecology. Social Science and Society: The role of risk communication in mitigation efforts during flood recovery. Jessica Foulis, Upper Colorado Private Boaters Association Coming Together for St. Vrain. Kyle Hardie, CDM Smith; Brian Murphy, CDM Smith Mesa Verde Watersheds and Reser- Sharing Interests. Kent Hughes, voirs. Kenneth Wright, Wright Wa- Colorado Trout Unlimited; Colorado ter Engineers, Inc.; Anna Campbell, Trout Unlimited Wright Water Engineers, Inc. Working Smarter not Harder Moderator: Brian Epstein Break in Riverside and Gondola and Silent Auction in Rapids Room Paul Hempel, Colorado Rural Water Association; Matt Sura, Attorney; Matt Samelson, Western Environmental Law Partners Lunch in Maya Restaurant Poster session opens in Riverside Salon I SOCIAL EVENT IN THE RIVERSIDE TERRACE AND BALLROOM (Featuring Cornhole Challenge) Silent Auction Closes Winners - Pick Up Your Silent Auction Bargains! Vendor Tabletops and Posters Close Down BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pat McMahon President Diane Schwener Vice President Jeff Conklin Secretary Jennifer Sauer Treasurer Ted Borchelt Stephen Ellsperman George Kelly Dick Kipper Jim Light Rick Lofaro Executive Director Rick Neiley Don Schuster Larry Yaw Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Board 123 Emma Rd, Suite 204 Basalt, CO 81621 March 29, 2018 RE: Request for Funding for Weaver Ditch Project Dear Board Members, Attached you will find Roaring Fork Conservancy’s (RFC) request to fund a portion of the Weaver Ditch Existing Conditions Assessment. Through Assessing Existing Conditions, the Town of Carbondale will not only gather valuable information for the Weaver ditch, but also create a replicable pilot process for assessing and preparing other ditches throughout the Crystal and Roaring Fork Valleys for efficiency upgrades. RFC is requesting $30,000 in funds from Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams for this project. PROGRAM STAFF Rick Lofaro Executive Director Heather Lewin Watershed Action Director Christina Medved Watershed Education Director Liza Mitchell Education & Outreach Coordinator Kristen Doyle Watershed Educator & Office Coordinator Chad Rudow Water Quality Coordinator Sheryl Sabandal Development Manager Johnny Cronin Director of Donor Relations Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Heather Lewin Watershed Action Director A. Goals of the Healthy Rivers Board Roaring Fork Conservancy is seeking $40,000 in total funding, including $30,000 from the Healthy Rivers and Streams Board, for an Existing Conditions Assessment of the Weaver Ditch, operated by the Town of Carbondale. This evaluation will closely examine the ditch from the diversion and headgate to tailout flow in to the Roaring Fork River. The Weaver Ditch, as with other older ditches, hasn’t been seriously “improved” since it was built nearly 100 years ago. From this evaluation, a detailed engineering plan will be developed for needed improvements that can increase the efficiency of diversion, delivery, and use of irrigation water. The project will document and evaluate methods and technologies that increase the efficiencies of water delivery and use of water diverted from the Crystal River within the Town of Carbondale’s ditch irrigation system. Existing Conditions Assessment will include surveying activities to document and assess the existing conditions of the Weaver and Leonhardy Ditch System from the headgate on the Crystal to the outfall of the Weaver Ditch into the Roaring Fork River at the Highway 133 Bridge. (Survey Cost: $20,000) This will use an inventory asset template to provide consistent assessment of various elements of the system such as the diversion and headgate, ditch condition, lateral separation structures, and culverts. Up to 4 gages will be purchased to establish baseline measurements of existing flow rates so that implemented improvements can be quantifiably evaluated. (Gaging Cost: $20,000) o Deliverable: Detailed surveying and mapping of the Weaver Ditch to establish precise vertical and horizontal dimensions and conditions. o Condition assessment tabulations at critical locations (to be determined). Through Assessing Existing Conditions, the Town of Carbondale will not only gather valuable information for the Weaver ditch, but also create a replicable pilot process for assessing and preparing other ditches throughout the Crystal and Roaring Fork Valleys for efficiency upgrades. This project aligns with Healthy Rivers goals 1, 3, and 4. By diverting and delivering water efficiently, instream water quantity will benefit. In this area where the CWCB’s instream flow is rarely met, efficiencies could help reduce this shortage, while at the same time improving irrigation uses. It will be “benefitting ecological health, recreational opportunities, and wildlife and riparian habitat; promoting water conservation.” Accomplishing this project will collect the data necessary to enable the capital improvements to increase efficiency of the Weaver Ditch System. B. Viability of the Project Over the next 12 months, a full engineering survey will be completed on the length of the ditch. Additionally, up to 4 gages will be installed at strategic locations to understand flow patterns within the ditch. Data from each of these studies will be compiled to create two options for increased efficiencies within the system. Increasing efficiency in diversion systems is an essential part of maintaining both viable agriculture and healthy river systems. Ditch Evaluation also works towards goals outlined in Colorado’s Water Plan (Sect 6.5 Municipal, Industrial, and Agricultural Infrastructure Projects), Roaring Fork Watershed Plan (Sect II, SWE. Surface Water Management Goals and Objectives) and will serve as an example for several other ditches in the Crystal Valley and Roaring Fork Watershed. A collaboration between Town of Carbondale, Roaring Fork Conservancy, and American Rivers, this project will also compliment the instream and riparian restoration taking place in the vicinity of the Weaver Ditch Headgate. C. Public Need, Accessibility and Appreciation Because the Weaver Ditch serves the citizens of Carbondale, this project will be both publicly visible and accessible. Two well visited educational opportunities exist- one at Riverfront Park, across the stream from the headgate, and the other at Sopris Park, a popular downtown park the ditch flows through. Both have potential for signage and Roaring Fork Conservancy’s Watershed Explorations to educate citizens and visitors. Improvements to the ditch will also benefit residents who use the ditch and lower maintenance costs for the Town of Carbondale. This type of work has not been done in this capacity in the Crystal Valley and has the potential to be very valuable in modeling ditch efficiency, implementing the Crystal River Management Plan, Roaring Fork Watershed Plan, Roaring Fork Regional Water Efficiency Plan, and educating local residents on water use and management. Community Outreach will include:      Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative meetings; Public awareness and communication at RFC’s summer events including Watershed Explorations; Social Media updates on Facebook, Instagram, and RFC’s website; Additional public outreach as the process deems appropriate and necessary; and Progress reports and final recommendations shared at Town Trustees meetings and/or work sessions. D. History of the Requesting Party Now in our 20th year, RFC is well-known locally and state-wide as an organization with the ability to build consensus on complex water issues by bridging the gaps between hard science, local and regional land use and energy policies, recreational interests, the requirements of a rural agricultural community, and the varied interests of residents in the Roaring Fork Valley. Key activities and accomplishments include:        Spearheading development of the Crystal River Management Plan (CRMP), 2008 State of the Roaring Fork Watershed Report, and the multi-jurisdictional 2012 Roaring Fork Watershed Plan; Participating in the development of the Roaring Fork Regional Water Efficiency Plan; Completing nearly 20 scientific studies in the Roaring Fork Watershed, including the recently completed Comprehensive Lower Fryingpan Assessment and Cattle Creek Stream Health Evaluation; Bringing county and municipal planners from multiple jurisdictions together to address land use issues affecting groundwater and surface waters; Regularly informing elected officials and other regional decision makers on complex watershed issues, and helping citizens address their concerns about rivers, streams and groundwater; Reaching over 100,000 individuals, youth and adult, with hands-on, field-based watershed education programs; Protecting 280 acres of riparian habitat in Conservation Easements forever; and  Maintaining a user-friendly website and Facebook page, and issuing regular newsletters with information on critical and noteworthy watershed issues. RFC was the lead consultant and Ruedi Water and Power Authority (RWAPA) was the sponsor on both the 2008 State of the Roaring Fork Watershed Report and 2012 Roaring Fork Watershed Plan. This successful collaboration continued with RFC helping RWAPA and the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) with development of the 2015 Roaring Fork Water Efficiency Plan. A collaboration we intend to continue as we work to update the Watershed Plan. RFC has been an active participant in the Colorado Basin Roundtable’s (CBRT) and the Non-Consumptive Needs Assessment (NCNA) Subcommittee’s work over the last few years and provided much of the information used to build the NCNA Matrix for the Roaring Fork Watershed, also contributing to the Colorado Basin Implementation Plan. RFC regularly works with 9 staff members and 3 associates, as well as a strong network of partners, interns, and volunteers to fulfill its mission: To inspire people to explore, value and protect the Roaring Fork Watershed. Its partners include local, regional, state and federal governments, private interests, nonprofits, universities and individuals. See a list of our partner organizations here. We have a committed and knowledgeable 12-member board as well as a group of 10 “River Stewards,” who facilitate outreach and events with young adults. We have been in existence for more than 20 years and have a proven track record of completing projects. Our Executive Director, Rick Lofaro has been with the organization for eighteen years and Heather Lewin for six years. RFC is supported by over 1,000 individual contributions annually. Organization funding is also provided through program and consulting fees, grants, special events, and in-kind support. RFC is a Colorado nonprofit corporation in good standing with §501(c)(3) status. E. Budget, Measurements and Accountability RFC requests $30,000 of $40,000 for the Existing Conditions Assessment. PROJECT BUDGET EXISTING CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT Survey Gaging (Purchase, Install, O&M) TOTAL TOTAL COST $20,000 $20,000 $40,000 RFC will report to the Healthy River’s board at or around the six month mark (fall 2017) and present a final product, report and presentation at the one year mark (April 2018). These reports will include: progress reports, financials, lessons learned, and next steps. Deliverables will include: (1)Detailed surveying and mapping of the Weaver Ditch to establish precise vertical and horizontal dimensions and conditions; (2)Condition assessment tabulations at critical locations (to be determined).