AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY REGULAR MEETING DATE: June 16, 2020 AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Healthy Rivers Funding Requests and Updates STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Lisa MacDonald – Healthy Rivers Program ISSUE STATEMENT: The River Board at its regular meeting on April 16, 2020 and at a special meeting on April 21, 2020 heard five grant applications and moved to recommend four for authorization by the BOCC. Grants over $5000 must receive authorization from the BOCC. The grant budget for 2020 is $150,000. The River Board accepts applications in the spring and fall. This year, spring applications totaled $135,855. The Board recommended four of the five grants, totaling $105,855. The requests are as follows. 1. American Whitewater – $19,355 Identify Stream Flows that Support Recreational Use on the Roaring Fork and Crystal Rivers American Whitewater (AW) seeks to identify and fill data gaps in recreational needs assessment and provide a tool for planning processes in the Roaring Fork and Crystal River watersheds that can illustrate how changes in water management, new storage or diversion projects, and climate change will impact recreational resources. American Whitewater is proposing to implement our Boatable Days assessment methodology which has been recognized as a best practice for defining recreation flow needs and opportunities The River Board unanimously moved to recommend funding. 2, CO Watershed Assembly - CO Riparian Assembly, WECO- $7,500 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference Avon Oct 2020 The River Board unanimously moved to recommend funding. 3. Roaring Fork Conservancy - $29,000 Education Center Roaring Fork Conservancy to enhance and expand Education Programs at the River Center and in local schools, with the main goals of elevating the programing at the River Center to include interactive technology as a platform to enhance water education and to expand its programing to give teachers tools to enhance and deepen students’ understanding of watershed education and current issues. The River Board unanimously moved to recommend funding. 4. Town of Carbondale - $50,000 Riverfront Park Restoration Project Planning & Design Town of Carbondale (Town) with partners Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC), Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT), and American Rivers (AR), is proposing to restore and enhance a one-half mile reach and surrounding 18-acre riparian zone of the Crystal River as it flows through the Town of Carbondale and River Valley Ranch. The project also intends to improve the efficiency of the town owned Weaver Ditch diversion and reduce annual in-channel maintenance. The River Board moved to recommend funding with a vote of 6/1. With Ms. Tasker voting against. Grant not approved: informational only no packet material S. Mansolilli - $30,000 Bank Stabilization along private property located on the Crystal River in Carbondale. The proposed plan will create a more sustainable and functional riparian zone with the intention of reinitiating the ecological processes of the riverbank. The Board unanimously denied the grant request. Master scoresheets are located at the end of each application along with any Board comment if provided. UPDATES BACKGROUND: The Healthy Rivers Board from time to time receives small funding requests for items such events and outreach. A Memo of Interest for small expenditures was determined to be an appropriate means to keep the BOCC apprised of the requests. Expenditures over $5000 will be brought to the BOCC. The River Board has a 2020 discretionary line item of $15,000 from which to fund these requests. 2020 Requesting Party Amount Item Starting Balance Water Education Colorado $ 15,000 $5,000 Water Leaders Program 2 day event in Redstone $2000 Headwaters Magazine publication $1000 Water Educator Network Symposium $2000 Balance remaining in line item $ 10,000 Board Approval Unanimous 1. WECO sought funds for its water leadership program, production of the Headwaters Magazine and Water Educator Network Symposium, sending two Roaring Fork Valley teachers to the symposium. The River Board unanimously recommended funding the $5000 to WECO. 2. The BOCC, through the 2020 budget process, approved $40,000 for the 2020 Youth Water Leadership Summit. Sarah Johnson of Wild Rose Education originally presented the 2020 summit program to the River Board at its February meeting. Ms. Johnson also attended the Board’s May meeting and provided an update on a new Hybrid version of the Summit and sought an additional $10,000 due to reduced sponsorships and partners because of the COVID crisis. The River Board felt its budget could comfortably provide the $10,000 and unanimously moved to recommend the request. Funding for this project will come the grant pool. Because the request is over the $5000 threshold authorization must come from the BOCC. LINK TO STRATEGIC PLAN: Ballot language objectives for the fund provide for the maintenance and improvements of water quality and quantity within the Roaring Fork Watershed as well as working in conjunction with various agencies to ensure ecological health, recreational opportunities and wildlife and riparian habitat and as such promotes the County’s strategic goals of Flourishing Natural & Built Environment. The Board’s adopted aspiration statement states it be a leader in protecting, defending and enhancing rivers and streams through collaboration on watershed wide opportunities, solutions and education on water issues. These projects promote the Board’s aspiration statement. BUDGETARY IMPACT: There is a net zero effect on the fund balance, as the Healthy Rivers Fund has appropriated a 2020 pool from which to fund grant requests, sponsorships and other similar items. RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION: 1. Authorize the expenditure of funds for $50,000 to the Town of Carbondale for the Riverfront Park Restoration Project Planning & Design 2. Authorize the expenditure of funds for $$29,000 to the Roaring Fork Conservancy Education Center to enhance and expand Education Programs at the River Center and in local schools 3. Authorize the expenditure of funds for $7,500 to Water Education CO for the fall 2020 Watershed Assembly Conference in Avon, CO. 4. Authorize the expenditure of funds for $19,355 to American Whitewater to Identify Stream Flows that Support Recreational Use on the Roaring Fork and Crystal Rivers 5. Authorize the expenditure of funds for additional $10,000 for the 2020 Youth Water Leadership Summit. ATTACHMENTS/LINKS: Grant applications and master scoresheets with River Board comments if provided are attached as links to this AIS.