Rio Grande - Alamosa River Watershed Restoration_Application

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. Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant Application Form Form Revised May 2007 3. For Applications that include a request for funds from the Statewide Account, describe how the water activity meets the Evaluation Criteria. See Part 3 of Criteria and Guidelines. Promoting Collaboration and Cooperation a. The proposed water activity addresses multiple needs, including: 1) agricultural use; 2) wildlife habitat and environmental benefits, including diversity of habitat in open space; 3) potential recreational benefits, pending reestablishment of fisheries; 4) public education. These will be accomplished through the following project objectives: Restore the Alamosa River, improving water quality, water accessibility, and aquatic habitat by stabilizing the channel, reducing sediment load, bank erosion, and damage to irrigation head gates and adjacent land. Efficiency of delivery of water for irrigation will be improved. The project results will significantly recharge the local aquifer towards greater sustainability of the water system. Improve riparian health by replanting vegetation, assisting the natural regrowth process. Monitor the success of the project and develop long-term BMPs, such as alternative grazing strategies, with participants so that the streams' stability can be maintained. Maintain continuous communication with area landowners as to project developments, concerns, and progress. Distribute public information on the monitoring and the restoration process. e b. Meets intrabasin needs ~ Part of a larger effort to return healthy eco-system to the river and its corridor year 'round (See organizational chart on p. 24) ~ Complements Alamosa Riverkeepers'lTerrace Irrigation Company In-Stream Flow project by preparing for increased flow ~ Brings 10 land and 11 ditch owners together in a unified effort to address water quality needs ~ Benefits wildlife / plant species as well as agriculture ~ Contributes substantially to recharge of local aquifer and to sustainability of water system Facilitating Water Activity Implementation c. Reduces uncertainty that water activity will be implemented/completed ~ SB179 funds required to meet 1:1 match requirement for the Natural Resources Damage (NRD) $500,000 funding amount for the $1.183 million project ~ SB179 funds will be applied only to construction equipment rental costs d. Urgency ~ "Window of opportunity" is NRD funding now available and existing matching CDPHE 319/non-point source funds ~ NRD & 319 applications preliminarily approved ~ SB179 Statewide Account funds will allow maximum leveraae of matching funds e. Efficiency Construction will be completed in a 30 week period over 1year, timed for the most expeditious use of funds, material, and labor to complete the project efficiently and effectively. (See milestone table, separate document attached.) SB179 funding will be designated for the construction phase of the project. f. Expertise ~ Current phase will implement measures with demonstrable success in 2004-6 project ~ Proposed hydrologist Steve Belz and Black Creek Hydrology (BCHLLC) specialize in river restoration design and implementation ~ Construction will be supervised and approved to standards by agreement with BCHLLC and Alamosa . 6