Durango Exhibit 7: Report on the Design, Functionality, and Physical Characteristics of the Durango Boating Park

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• Improvements should create a physical connection between the downtown area and the river corridor. • The improvements should augment current commercial operations in the Animas River. Environmental Groups /Fishing The City of Durango is home to many forward thinking and active environmental and preservations groups. These groups have traditionally been very active and involved in other projects associated with the Animas River. Many of these groups are actively involved in the Animas River Task Force and have already provided direct input into the design process through public meetings (1). These users are specifically interested in maintaining and improving the in- stream and riparian habitats along the Animas River. Additionally, these users would like to see responsible design that promotes responsible usage in terms of access and preservation of undisturbed areas. Members of this group have already expressed a desire that all improvements be implemented in a way that there are minimal short term and long term impacts to the local habitat. This includes best practice sediment control and grouting procedures as well as strict adherence to all permit requirements including time of work, access points, etc. Fishing has also been included in this user group simply because many of the constraints are similar if not the same. Both groups have expressed a keen interest in preserving or improving the Gold Medal Water Fishing that extends from the junction with Lightner Creek to the downstream end of the reach. These users have also expressed a wish that improvements be stable, provide good habitat including over - winter habitat, velocity barriers during flood, shaded deep scour pools, and riffle areas. 12