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exceedences have created the need for cooperation to bring late summer stream temperatures in the reaches <br />of concern down to within MWAT levels, in order to protect the fisheries they contain, and to avoid filing for <br />303(d) listing. In addition, extreme low flows are impacting water users including physical limitations for <br />diverters, water providers, and recreation use. Two general flow conditions are being considered for the <br />SMP: 1) environmental flows to address aquatic issues and the physical habitat requirements of fisheries, and <br />of healthy riparian ecosystems, and 2) flow conditions for water users. Considered together, environmental <br />flow and flow conditions for water users will comprise the recommended preferred flow regime. <br /> <br />Grand County is requesting $100,000 for this grant. To date, the County has already spent $423,849.00 on <br />Phases I and II of the SMP. Phase III costs are $396,546.00. If this grant application is approved for the full <br />amount requested, the county will spend an additional $296,546.00 to see this project to its completion. <br /> <br />There is tremendous dissention among interested parties as to whether the Upper Colorado River Basin <br />resources are already over-allocated or whether they can continue to supply future development and if so, for <br />how long, and of what nature. Grand County has commissioned the Stream Management Plan in order be <br />able to bring an informed voice to the table when participating in any of the IBCC guiding principles 1 <br />through 10. It is the County’s desire, much like the one outlined in SWSI and SWSI Phase II, that we <br />“develop an objective, scientifically-based blueprint of the environmental and recreational attributes <br />associated with” the Upper Colorado River Basin, “in order to provide: <br />? <br /> <br />A shared and objective basis for discussing environmental and recreational priorities; <br />? <br /> <br />A framework for evaluating allocation of resources for protection of streams and rivers; <br />? <br /> <br />A common basis among diverse agency, state, and resource-user partners for developing water supply <br />alternatives that support and sustain the natural environment while providing a clean water supply to” <br />Grand County and our downstream and trans-basin partners. <br /> <br /> <br />Scope of Work Tasks <br /> <br />3.1 <br />Coordinated Flow Releases. Assist water users on coordinated flow release plans to achieve <br />recommended flows. Identify reaches that have limiting factors that may be better addressed with <br />physical habitat restoration, or where recommended flows can not be fully achieved. This task <br />includes development of conceptual components of restoration to address the critical concerns of the <br />individual reaches. Input from Phase 2 will be considered in addressing restoration opportunities. <br />This effort will be conceptual in nature, providing the framework for the tasks to follow. <br /> <br />3.2 <br />Conduct Stream Assessment: The project team will conduct a stream assessment of selected project <br />reaches, not to exceed 20 miles total, to establish the current condition of the rivers in terms of <br />geomorphic processes. The investigation will include assessment of factors that contribute to stream <br />health such as bank stability, bed stability, excess sediment deposition, health of vegetation in the <br />riparian corridor, and human influences. Sediment transport analyses conducted for determination of <br />flushing flows (Phase 2) will be considered and incorporated in this phase. Should a specific reach <br />appear, based on visual observations, to be experiencing excessive sedimentation or degradation, a <br />system-wide sediment transport component may be proposed. Basic morphologic characteristics <br />such as gradient, sinuosity, bed material composition, geologic controls, influence of large woody <br />debris (LWD), and level of confinement will be investigated. The assessment will provide a <br />description of the current stream condition as well as identification of stressors or natural factors that <br />have resulted in conditions that are considered to be degraded. The approach for the assessment will <br />involve field observations, and review of available information including maps and aerial <br /> 2 <br />