Laserfiche WebLink
<br />South Platte River, Chatfield Downstream Channel Improvement Project- Vegetation Management Plan <br /> <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br /> <br />The geographic focus of this Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) is a portion of the South <br />Platte River within the Denver Metropolitan area. The specific study reach, approximately <br />six (6) miles in length, begins at the Columbine Valley Country Club and ends downstream <br />at the Bear Creek confluence near Hampden Avenue. The main purpose of this VMP is to <br />address operation and maintenance (O&M) requirements tied to the Chatfield Downstream <br />Channel Improvement Project (Project). The Project, originally designed and constructed by <br />the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) following the completion of the Chatfield flood <br />control reservoir, provides flood conveyance and protection for flood prone properties <br />located along the Project reach. <br /> <br />The Corps performs annual inspections of the Project to determine whether or not full <br />compliance with the O&M requirements are being met by the non-federal sponsor which, in <br />this case, is the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The CWCB has worked in <br />strong partnership with the Urban Drainage & Flood Control District (UD&FCD) to address <br />inspection items and maintenance needs as outlined in Corps inspection reports. Full <br />compliance includes removal of certain vegetation types in and along the channel to help <br />ensure that the project maintains its original design capacity for flood protection. The Project <br />has received a "minimally acceptable" rating from the Corps and is currently in jeopardy of <br />becoming ineligible for federal flood disaster assistance (Public Law 84-99 and USACE <br />2008). The CWCB's goal is to bring the project back into full compliance as soon as possible <br />in such a way that respects the multitude of river corridor functions that are so unique and <br />valuable within in a major metropolitan area. <br /> <br />The complexity of this VMP lies in the fact that the Project reach serves as a valuable <br />corridor for fish and wildlife habitat as well as tremendous recreation opportunities afforded <br />by an extensive trail system utilized by tens of thousands of visitors each year. The required <br />vegetation removal, therefore, will require careful and thoughtful planning, intense <br />community coordination and outreach, and well executed vegetation management using a <br />phased approach to minimize mass disturbances. <br /> <br />Overall, this project aims to comply with Project O&M requirements, preserve and enhance <br />the natural environment, and protect recreational interests. <br /> <br />This VMP aims to: <br />1) Phase 100% removal of channel-obstructing vegetation in the Project Reach <br />2) Attain acceptable Corps ratings for annual channel inspections <br />3) Maintain and enhance habitat quality and ecosystem functions to reduce negative <br />impacts of the vegetation removal process <br />4) Coordinate with review agencies <br />5) Implement a public outreach campaign to educate citizens on the goals and benefits <br />of the Chatfield Downstream Channel Improvement Project, and; <br />6) Develop a monitoring and evaluation strategy to allow for adaptive management. <br /> <br />Page 2 <br />Final Report - April 30, 2008 <br />