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stream to near Durango. Mine reiated prob- lems are often from historical sites dating back to the 18DD;s. The Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Health recently completed three years of data collection throughout the watershed. The Stakeholders Group was formed in January of 1994. as a vehicle for interested parties to address the issue of metal contamina- tion in the Animas River basin and to develop an economical, basin wide remediation plan. The stakeholders have been specifically empowered to develop a clean up plan by 1998 by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, the citizep board responsible for establishing water use classifications and protec- tive standards throughout Colorado, The Upper Animas. being one of the largest areas in the State without aquatiC use classification, has been targeted for upgrad- ing. The stakeholders have accepted the Commissions challenge to consolidate data and formulate a remediation plan towards the goal of improving water quality sufficient to sustain trout in the main stem of the upper Animas River near Silverton. TIlE COLlABORATIVE SETTING The Animas River Stakeholders are a combination of public and private individu- als and entities. brought together as "Stakeholders", those concerned with and having an interest in improving the water quality of the Animas River and its tributaries. Stakeholders include federal and state agen- cies. local government, the mining industry. individual land owners, environmental and citi- zens groups, residents, and others. The process is being facilitated by Colorado Center for Environmental Management (CCEM) using their stakeholder decision-making model. This innovative process is effective in bringing divergent par- ties together into working relationships. The importance and benefits of participation and collaboration are to resolve conflicts, share information, and aid in decision-making. msroRY CURRENT ACI'IVITIES The Upper Animas Watershed has a long history of extensive metal mining, giving it a colorful diversity of interests. Mining was the economic mainstay and driving force in set- tlement of the area. Headwaters contamina- tion. in the vicinity of Silverton is from both natural sources and mining activities. Elevated metal concentrations extend down- Stakeholder participation is voluntary and open to groups or individuals interested in the Animas watershed. Each stakeholder is contributing viewpoints, ideas, expertise and resources towards a common goaL In 1994 the group obtained funding for a local coordinator, who was needed to implement the groups efforts. This coordinator helps research and expedite matters, organize working groups. and deal with the growing complexity of administrative, regulatory. and technical issues. The group has initially identified several sites as primary contributors of heavy metal loading. In 1995 the focus will be on site analysis within the Mineral Creek drainage; further site analyses will expand into Cement Creek and Animas headwaters drainages in 1996. This information will provide the basis for incorporating' specific sites into a basin- wide plan by late 1997, including a schedule for implementation, Concurrently, pilot pro- jects demonstrating innovative remediation technologies will be employed throughout the next three years. The group will function as a clearing house and repository for Animas Watershed data and will strive to ensure public accessi- bility to this information. It is anticipated that the stake- holder process will serve as a model for other areas with simi- lar water quali- ty problems that need to be addressed. ......................................................