Hermosa Creek Workgroup Meeting 5 Summary August 5 2008 Draft

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weeks. Jim noted that Hermosa Creek has been named an Outstanding Water of the State of Colorado by the Water Quality Control Commission and said the use of rotenone will not affect this listing, nor does the designation mean rotenone cannot be employed. In answer to questions, Jim said the mainstem and all tributaries above the migration barrier would be treated under the project, which will probably take place in 2009. The Hermosa Creek Fish Reclamation Project would be one of the biggest such projects in the state, at least in the southwest region. Some other projects are in the planning phase but the Hermosa Creek project is the farthest along except for one in the San Miguel drainage. The goal under the Tri -State Agreement is to treat 2 1/2 miles of stream in the San Juan Basin by 2010, and if the Hermosa Creek project is completed, that would fulfill that goal. One mile of stream in the headwaters of Deep Creek was treated recently in preparation for reintroduction of native Colorado cutthroat trout. The long -term goal of providing a link with the East Fork of Hermosa Creek would require another barrier lower on the stream. That goal is a long way off, Jim said. The East Fork was treated in 1992 and the Colorado cutthroat trout there remain genetically pure. Jim repeated that projects such as this one can be controversial and any help the Hermosa Workgroup can provide in educating the public would be a benefit. He said, because the native cutthroats are susceptible to over - harvesting, there probably will be a catch - and - release policy regarding them, at least initially. But the project will not change the recreational values of Hermosa Creek below the migration barrier; anyone wanting to catch brook trout there will still be able to do so. Ty Churchwell of Trout Unlimited says TU endorses the program. Values statement: The Hermosa Workgroup discussed the draft values statement and revised it to read as follows: The Hermosa Creek Area is exceptional because it is a large, intact (unfragmented) natural watershed containing diverse ecosystems (fish, plant and wildlife)over a broad elevation range, while supporting a variety of multiple uses, including recreation and grazing, in the vicinity of a large town. The values of Hermosa Creek's accessibility and multiple access points will be added to the Initial Information Sheet. Marsha said the values statement will provide guidance as the workgroup discusses tools to protect values. The group agreed, by consensus, to adopt the values statement. Next meeting: The next meeting of the Hermosa Workgroup will be Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 6 :30 to 8 :30 p.m., at the Durango Recreation Center. On the agenda will be a discussion of which tools to consider using to protect Hermosa Creek's values. A tools document has been e- mailed to Hermosa Workgroup members and is also available on the Web site. 3