Rio Grande - 2008 Riparian Stabilization Project - Application

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migration and avulsion potential. This Project addresses these stability issues and ensures functionality of the river system to convey flood and Rio Grande Compact flows within the targeted reach. q. The water activity provides benefits to riparian habitats that provide potential habitat for federally listed and Colorado State protected wildlife species. The riparian communities along the Rio Grande, especially in dense multi-storied willow/cottonwood patches, provide potential habitat for three bird species that are either protected under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA} or the Colorado State Threatened, Endangered and Species of Special Concern list. The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher is federally endangered, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a federal candidate species, and the bald eagle is a Colorado State Threatened Species. It is imperative that riparian zones do not deteriorate but are enhanced to provide potential habitat, especially for these identified species. • This project represents an advanced and informed proactive approach to providing riparian habitat improvements to potentially benefit three imperiled species, as well as countless additional riparian dependent species of songbirds, small mammals, etc. • In general, overall wildlife habitat is positively correlated with density, structure, and diversity of riparian vegetation. This Project addresses the parameters that indicate the value of riparian areas to wildlife in a given area, including ¦ the overall density of trees and shrubs (mainly coyote willow}, ¦ the structure and size of riparian vegetation areas, ¦ the amount of vegetative diversity within a stand, ¦ the amount and type of hydric areas associated with that stand, and ¦ general land-usage within and adjacent to a given stand. r. The water activity provides a high level of benefit to Colorado in relationship to the amount of funds requested. • The funds requested in this proposal constitute matching funds to those already approved from the federal 2008 EPA 319 program. They are also matched by the participation of at least five land owners, and the RGHRP. The Water Supply Reserve Account funds are being leveraged at a ratio greater than 1 to 1. • In relationship to the amount of funds requested, this Project provides a high level of benefit to Colorado and in turn, to Colorado's downstream Rio Grande Compact members. This project supports the State in meeting its Compact obligations. The water activity is complementary to or assists in the implementation of other conservation activities taking place on properties adjacent to the Rio Grande, including the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust's, "Rio Grande Initiative" ,which is partially funded by SB 179 funds. RGHLT, together with other entities, is seeking to place conservation easements on land adjacent to the river. s. The water activity is complimentary to or assists in the implementation of other CWCB programs. • This Project implements recommendations ofthe 2001 Study, which was funded during 1999-2001 by CWCB, continuing a history of many successful partnerships. The CWCB participated in the funding of the RGHRP's Rio Grande Watershed Restoration Strategic