Ark River Corridor Gets Boost: Pueblo Chieftain

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I�s H� �wiii 111 �Ull IH g fi.d„ ..�' a „�,,,,, , �r ,�,<ii;�.a3 %r�'�,i ✓��:;ws9��r ✓,v,��,i,;aa�:.4. Ark River corridor gets boost By MARY JEAN PORTER The Pueblo Chieftain Pueblo's Arkansas River, Corridor Legacy Project is another step closer to reality. The Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday signed the project approval, which means the design and specifications phase of the $6.6 mil- lion river fisheries restoration can begin and work on the necessary real estate transactions can start. The project cooperation agreement between the Corps and the City of Pueblo still must be signed, but the first bids for construction could be awarded a year from now, said project man- ager Mark Harberg of the Corps' Albuquerque district office. The project cooperation agreement includes the city's commitment to the matching money. The federal contribution to the project is $4.3 million, and the local match is $2.3 million. Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCo) has pledged $2 million for the project — $1.3 for the river restoration and the rest for environmental edu- cation and recreation improvements. along the river corridor. Vv,�_ bVv \, t �)- 2(-P - o\ Local partners including the city and county also will provide funding, and a credit for the value of public land along the river within the Project will be applied toward the local match. The project covers more than 9 miles of the Arkansas River from below Pueblo Dam to the confluence with Fountain Creek. It will improve habitat for fish and other wildlife by creating two large meanders or curves and some islands in the river; narrowing the river channel in some places; revegetating stretches of the river bank with cottonwoods and wil- lows; and creating a fish, ladder and possibly a boat chute at the lowhead dam below the Fourth Street bridge. Harberg said the project was deemed worthy of funding by the Corps of Engineers because of its close proximity to the city and its poten- tial for, residents' enjoyment, and because it is beneficial from habitat, wildlife and fishing standpoints. "We'll be going in and restoring and improving habitat, (doing) things that weren't thought about during the original flood control. Fifty, 60, 70 years ago, fisheries and aquatic life weren't in the forefront of people's issues." " Harberg said the construction phase of the project probably will take 18 to 20 months to complete; and will' °be done over two winters' time because the river level needs to be low. Water is stored during the winter at Pueblo Reservoir. "Signing the project cooperation agreement will be the next" big step," said city planner Scott Hobson. "There are three or four points. that still need to be worked out. I expect: it will take 60 days, and then if would have to, be approved by City Council."