River Protection Workgroup Community Involvement & Process Model

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re.,=m River 7 }. ea Protection VVorkgroup 3 aw Involving the public in protecting the neural velta>s of selected streams while allowing watm development to continue River Protection Workgroup Community Involvement Framework & Process Model The five Public Workgroups organized through the River Protection Workgroup (RPW) project engage any and all interested community members in a collaborative process that examines ways to protect important values on selected rivers and streams in the region while allowing water development to continue. The five rivers and streams include: Hermosa Creek; San Juan River— West and East Forks; Vallecito Creek/Pine River; and the Animas and Piedra Rivers. Public Workgroup members are asked to regularly attend approximately 10 to 12 meetings (more meetings might be held if the Workgroup decides it is necessary). The process generally follows this framework: • Phase I: Background information is shared about the RPW project and the community is asked if they want a Public Workgroup to form. If so, the group process is fully discussed and agreed upon, and ground rules are defined. Then, basic information about the river or stream is shared including details in an "Initial Information Sheet" • Phase II: Values on the river are discussed, including natural, social, cultural and/or economic values, addressing any protections already in place. A values statement is developed. Participants then consider a range of options for protecting important values and they address the issue of whether or not the current protections are adequate. No decisions are made in this phase. If the Workgroup requests more information, it is provided. • Phase III: The Workgroup then looks to the future and at the end, develops a report. In this phase, options and ideas generated by the Workgroup are discussed in-depth with maps, facts, and information brought to the group. Through consensus-building and other decision-making tools, the Workgroup's aim is to reach conclusions and develop recommendations and/or action plans. If consensus is not reached, the group's final report can reflect the range of ideas generated throughout the process. • Regional Discussion: In this phase, the Workgroup also identifies areas that will be part of a "Regional Discussion"which will specifically focus on developing a regional approach(es) using the outputs and ideas of the five Public Workgroups as a basis. The approaches will be related to Wild and Scenic River issues and other potential federal or state tools that may require legislation. The Public Workgroups will have representation in the Regional Discussion and their consensus recommendations cannot be reversed by the Regional Discussions which, like the Public Workgroups, will operate by consensus. Mechanisms will be put in place to include the full Workgroups at key points in the process. The RWP Steering Committee will develop the specific process model for how the Regional Discussion will be conducted by December, 2011. The discussion is expected to begin in late 2012 or early in 2013. (over) See graphic on page 3....