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<br />In turn, this has initiated extensi,.e bank erosion and lowered water table b.els (Figure 2). The <br />significance of these impacts has been docun1ented in two separate river assessments b)T Stem and <br />the Intermountain ,""rea Riparian/\\/etland Resource Technical Team. Both assessments Indicate <br />continual reduction of riparian \"cgctation and inCrC'ilSeS in sediment loading. <br /> <br /> <br />x. ,. <br />Fiio'ure 2: Extensive bank erosion and channel downcutting <br /> <br />Because many landowners lack a]tcrnatilT pasture and arc forced into poor grazrng practices along <br />the ri,.er, this has also contributed increased streambank insubllit}'. Season-long grazing has <br />conn:rtccl a once stable \1/oody \"cgctation community to a less lTOStOn~reslstanr grass/forb <br />community. Yearly increases in land loss ha\T occurred because lateral rnigratiorl of the channel hilS <br />not been mitig'<lted. <br /> <br />III. Project Description <br /> <br />Design Options <br /> <br />The committee plans on the implementation of the Conceptu,d Design for the !\lamosa Ri'-er <br />authored by Dave Rosgen in :,!arch of 1999. HIS deSign uses rock structures and channel shaplllg <br />(whIch inyoln.'s rc-esrabllshrnent of existing rne,Ullkrs iUld n.:cutlIlection to the.: tloodpbin). .\150 <br />included is the promotion of re-io,,-owth of woody ycgetatlon through plantmgs and cooperatil"c <br />efforts of ril"er landowners to implement graLing best management practices. <br /> <br />Streambank erosion near bridge structures IS anorher issue that needs to be addressed during rlyet' <br />restoration. The committee's plan is to consult with both the Conejos County engineer and Rosgcn <br />to de,.clop a bndge deSign that would not cut further ll1to stteambanks adiacetlt to bndges. The <br />Conejos Counry Commissioners haye sent a letter of suPPOrt tor this and mal' consider increased in- <br />kmd support in the form of equipment and an opeLltor tor this portion of the project. <br /> <br />The committee has looked at the deslgt1 options and has agreed upon a course of aCtion. The: dcsigl1 <br />calls for reconnection of the rin;r to its origlnal t-loodpbin ,l!1d stabiliL,nion of the rin:r In either the <br />same location or a suitable location. Oxbo,y lakes will be constructed to preycnt tloods from re- <br /> <br />3 <br />