Memorandum Agenda Item 11e 05/15/2000

• Board Meeting Date: 5/15/2000
• Description: Agenda Item 11e May 22-23, 2000 Board Meeting Alamosa River Watershed Project
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

STATE OF COLORADO
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street,Room 721 ,
Denver,Colorado 80203 ..441L!'
Phone:[phone]
[phone]
Bill Owens
MEMORANDUM Governor
Greg E.Walcher
Executive Director
To: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members Peter H.Evans
CWCB Director
From: Larry Lang, Chief, Flood Protection Section Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director
Date: May 15, 2000
Re: Agenda Item 11.e,May 22-23,2000 Board Meeting
Alamosa River Watershed Project
Overview
At the January 2000 CWCB meeting, the Board recommended that $300,000 be granted to the
• Alamosa-La Jara Water Conservancy District for river restoration work on the Alamosa River.
On May 3, 2000 the General Assembly passed HB 00-1419,the Construction Fund Bill. It is
currently awaiting signature by Governor Owens. HB 00-1419 includes the appropriation for the
Alamosa River restoration work.
As discussed in the Board memorandum for Agenda Item 12b. of that January 2000 agenda, the
Alamosa River was severely impacted by channel straightening, channel excavation, and levee
construction undertaken in the early 1970's by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in response to
local concerns about possible flood damage. Bank erosion and lowered water table levels caused
by the channel work have resulted in adverse impacts to landowners in the valley. Some of the
landowners lack alternative pastures, and they engage in poor grazing practices in an attempt to
address that lack. Most landowners along the river face yearly land losses.
In response to these river and land impacts the community established the Alamosa River
Watershed Project (ARWP). It is a community-wide effort involving local landowners, water
users and concerned citizens to stabilize riverbanks and improve riparian habitat along the river.
Partners in this river effort include:
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,
• Conejos County,
• San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited,
• • Colorado DNR,
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