Hermosa Creek Workgroup Meeting 1 Summary April 8 2008 Draft

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Hermosa Creek Workgroup Meeting #1 Summary April 8, 2008 (draft) Facilitator Marsha Porter -Norton opened the kick -off meeting of the Hermosa Creek Workgroup ( "Hermosa Workgroup ") by stating that the turnout, approximately 50 people, and diversity of interests represented greatly exceeded expectations. She provided an introductory overview and background on the proposed outcomes for the meeting and the workgroup itself. The River Protection Workgroup Steering Committee ( "Steering Committee ") has been meeting since the summer of 2006 to plan the process to be used for a number of public workgroups including the Hermosa Creek Workgroup, which is the first of six workgroups to be launched to analyze stream segments in Southwest Colorado. No public meetings are scheduled yet for the other streams. In the future, two workgroups may meet concurrently, but for now the Steering Committee would like to see how the Hermosa Creek Workgroup proceeds before beginning work on any other stream. In addition, analyzing more than one stream at a time might be burdensome for citizens who are interested in more than one particular stream and want to attend several workgroups. The entire process of examining all six streams could take as long as four or five years. The Hermosa Workgroup is about encouraging a diverse group of stakeholders to determine the important values of Hermosa Creek, whether environmental, recreational, economic, social or other, and how best to protect them. Participants will help decide which values er "rise to the top" during the process, which is to be open -ended and fluid. There are no "done deals" and no pre -set outcomes. The process is about consensus, dialogue, and collaboration. The Hermosa Workgroup will probably entail 10 to 12 two -hour meetings , which will take place every three to four weeks. Everyone who is interested and willing to come to the table is considered a stakeholder. It is not necessary to represent any particular group or interest. It is not necessary to attend every single meeting, but only to commit to the process. Steering Committee's role: The Steering Committee will be a resource for the Hermosa Workgroup and other workgroups. Steering Committee members will not direct the public process but will be participants in and advocates for the process.