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<br />.. <br /> <br />Platte River Channel Improvement Project - Operation and Maintenance: The Corps constructed a <br />channel improvement project downstream from Chatfield Reservoir from Columbine Valley to the Bear Creek <br />eonfluence. The purpose of the project is to convey flood releases from the Chatfield Reservoir outlet works <br />and to convey the 100-year flood discharge through the project reach. The State of Colorado, via the CWCB, <br />was given ownership of the project and is responsible for regular maintenance accorditig to a signed MOA <br />(1977) between the Federal Government and the State of Colorado. <br /> <br />The Corps performs annual inspections of the project reach and has repeatedly given an "unacceptable" <br />rating to several project featttres - all of which have been rectified with the exception of one major issue. The <br />remaining "unacceptable" item is the fact that many trees have grown along the channel banks through the <br />riprap revetment. Corps policy specifically requires that trees be removed from riprap areas so that structural <br />stability problems do not arise. The CWCB has relied heavily on the Urban Drainage and Flood Control <br />District to perform the necessary maintenance activities on behalf of the CWCB. (There is currently no <br />established means for the CWCB to provide annual funding for the maintenance needs) <br /> <br />In response to this issue, the CWCB staff proposes to compose a letter acknowledging Corps policy and <br />the maintenance needs as outlined in the inspection report. The letter will also request a variance to allow the <br />woody growth to remain in the riprap for the following reasons: 1) public concern regarding environmental and <br />aesthetic values that are currently provided by the existing vegetation, 2) political concern regarding tree <br />removal along any stream corridor in the Denver metropolitan area, 3) contradiction between various Corps <br />factions regarding the use of vegetation in flood control and/or river rehabilitation projects. The Corps would <br />like for the CWCB to agree to not request federal funding from the PL 84-99 program to repair any damage <br />(within the "unacceptable" areas of the project) caused by trees being uprooted through the riprap during a <br />flood event. <br /> <br />__ CBT Transfer Legislation Status: On Oct. 27 the bill transferring the title of the Colorado Big <br />WThompson Project to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (RR 4389) was signed by the <br />President. It is now Public Law 106-376. To review the bill online see htto:/lthomas.loc.gov/cgi- <br />binlbdquerv/z?d106:h.r.04389: . <br /> <br />Rio Grande River Basin <br /> <br />Great Sand Dunes National Park: S.2547, the bill establishing the Great Sand Dunes National Park <br />and Preserve and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge was sent to the White House on Oct. 25. The bill directs <br />the Secretary of the Interior: (1) establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park when sufficient land having <br />sufficient diversity of resources has been acquired to warrant its designation as a unit of the National Park <br />System; and (2) include the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in the Park. It establishes the Great Sand <br />Dunes National Preserve as a unit of the National Park System. The Preserve will consist, in part, of lands <br />transferred from the boundaries of the Rio Grande National Forest. It also instructs the Secretary establish a <br />Baca National Wildlife Refuge and administer Refuge water resources so as to minimize adverse impacts on <br />other users. Reclamation retains control over any feature of the Closed Basin Project located within the <br />boundaries of either the National Park, Preserve, Monument, or Refuge. The Secretary must also establish a <br />Great Sand Dunes National Park Advisory Council to provide advice. <br /> <br />For more information see htto://thomas.loc.gov/cgi- <br />binlbdquerv/D?dl 06:2: ./temo/ -bd2b Vf:: Ilbss/dl 06querv.htmll. <br /> <br />Spanish Peaks Wilderness Bill: The U.S. House and Senate have passed this bill. It has become a bill <br />containing many provisions regarding public lands in many states. It designates wilderness areas in Colorado <br />.. and Virginia. It conveys land to the: Washoe Tribe, establishes a Saint Croix Island Regional Heritage Center, <br />.. adjusts national park boundaries in many different states from Hawaii to new Hampshire, and addresses <br />management issues at several Alaska National Park units. <br /> <br />13 <br />