Gunnison - Paonia Feldman Diversion Reconstruction Project (Part 2 - Construction)_Application

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Water Supply Reserve Account – Grant Application Form Form Revised O ctober 2006 _______________________________________ conserving irrigation head gates, removing a dangerous diversion dam, and opening a public river park The Association coordinates volunteers from the community, who have collected over five years of water quality data. In addition, the Association's River Education and Outreach Program annually educates and engages over 300 students and adults from the community through seminars, river clean - ups, weed removal, and an annual spring float tri p. The Association has received the following awards: ? Wirth Chair in Environmental and Community Development Policy for collaborative restoration work (University of Colorado); ? Environmental Achievement Award for outstanding leadership in building a wat ershed partnership (Environmental Protection Agency; ? E - chievement Award (National Public Radio show E - Town), ? “Success story of the Year” Midway Enhancement Project - 2003 Dry Legacy II Report (Trout Unlimited) ? National Watershed Award (CF Industries, the Conservation Fund, National Geographic), 2005 ? “ Partners in Fisheries Habitat Conservation” (US Fish & Wildlife Service), 2006 ? El Pomar Foundation, Awards for Excellence nominee, 2007 The Association’s mission is to “ meet current and future demands for tra ditional uses of the river while improving stream stability, riparian habitat, and ecosystem function ”. It is designed to enable the community as an alternative to traditional “top - down” government regulatory approaches. Citizens and partners are empower ed through education and involvement in river restoration, project planning, and annual meetings. Director Jim Blankenship has a detailed knowledge of the organization and area as a 7 year board member and long time local. Jim brings many years of work e xperience from his career at the Forest Service and as a private natural resource consultant. Development Director Elsie Winne brings her 6 years of outreach, volunteer coordination and fundraising skills to the effort to the organization. Project Coordi nator, Jeff Crane has twenty years experience as a civil engineer, hydrologist, and project manager as well as seven years of community consensus building and collaboration. Association board members represent diverse recreational, agricultural, industrial , and environmental interests. Three staff members and eleven board members are in constant communication with Association members, riverfront landowners, and local government representatives. This, combined with a proven track - record of projects and commu nity outreach, makes the Association the appropriate entity to implement the project. 3