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. Implementation of the RGHRP recommendations will require developing partnerships with oUlside organizations and seeking funding assistance from public and private agencies. The following programs may be potential funding partners. Potential Implementation Partners and Funding Sources ES.5.4 Initiative Program Natural Resources Conservation Service U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Geographic Colorado Water Conservation Board Colorado Division of Wildlife Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area Committee Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trus' River Network The Nature Conservancy Private Organizations (Ducks Unlimited) Trout Unlimited, . . . . . . . . . . . . ES-26 . Begin the political lobbying process necessary to eventually have all the entities adopt stream buffer, land use, and floodplain management ordinances that will protect the river corridor from future impacts. It is anticipated that gaining approval for these ordinances could be difficult, and work in forming political alliances should begin immediately. Identify any land acquisition requirements for the high-priority structural projects, and develop a property acquisition plan. Because land values in the river corridor will continue to rise, acquiring needed property as early in the implementation process as possible will minimize project costs. Secure funding for specific feasibility studies that will be required to implement the key RGHRP recommendations. Package preferred channel restoration projects in ways that will attract funding from outside sources. Financial assistance is primarily available for wetlands and wildlife proteclion and enhancement projects, so it is important to identifY and quantify benefits in these categories for any proposed projects. Coordinate with the NRCS, which currently has a grant for implementing bank stabilization and grazing management measures with selected willing landowners. The current and proposed NRCS river stabilization projects are generally consistent with the recommendations of the RGHRP. Identify demonstration projects, like those being performed by NRCS, that can be readily implemented and serve as focal points for generaling community interesl in the RGHRP. Examples include establishing stream buffers on selected parcels, and consolidating selected irrigation head gates. . 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The River Task Force should set its own implementation priorities based on knowledge of special opportunities for partnering with other organizations and projects, for working with selected landowners, and for capitalizing on advantageous political conditions. It should be expected that priorities will shift over time as different opportunities arise. Recommendations presented in Section 4 include a number of additional studies that will be necessary implement the proposed structural and non-structural projects. The most important additional studies are: to Monte Vista and measures. and Prepare Flood Hazard Mitigalion Plans for the cities of Del Norte, Alamosa, that will include detailed analyses of potenlial flood management will be developed in close cooperation with City and County staffs. Prepare more detailed engineering studies of the possible approaches for combining the Reach D headgates, improving the Consolidated SloughfPace head gates, and fixing the Westside diversion problem. The RGRHP has identified several options in each case. Engineering feasibility, cosl, and stakeholder preferences need to be evaluated for each project in order to select and then design a recommended solution. Perform hydrologic and hydraulic modeling studies to delermine whether approaches 10 meeting the Rio Grande Compact deliveries can be developed that provide greater benefils for the river corridor. The Rio Grande Decision Support System model should be used in Ihis analysis, which will have to be coordinated closely with the State Engineers Office. . . . ES-25