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<br />South Platte River, Chatfield Downstream Channel Improvement Project- Vegetation Management Plan <br /> <br />types and quantities of vegetation to exist along the banks of the river (CWCB 2007). <br />However, the 1135 effort was terminated due to lack of federal interest in revising the O&M <br />manual. The Corps acknowledged their intent to categorize the Project condition as <br />"unacceptable" if tree removal (as described in their inspection reports) was not conducted by <br />the CWCB in a timely manner. An "unacceptable" rating would result in the removal of the <br />Project from the PL 84-99 program thereby eliminating future federal funds to repair the <br />Project after an actual flood event happens. It would also trigger potential floodplain <br />mapping and flood insurance consequences by FEMA that would be undesirable (CWCB <br />2007). <br /> <br />In order to avoid negative flood protection consequences that would occur if the Project were <br />to receive an "unacceptable" rating and to remain in compliance with Corps requirements, <br />the CWCB initiated a Vegetation Management Pilot Project in late summer 2007. Pilot test <br />plots were sprayed with FDA approved herbicide from Bowles Avenue to just upstream of <br />the Union Avenue Boat Chutes, where an estimated 9 acres of vegetation was treated in the <br />river channel bottom. In addition the CWCB initiated this phased Vegetation Management <br />Plan (VMP) which not only details the phased removal of tree and willow growth along the <br />Project reach as prescribed by the Corps, but also identifies non-floodway areas where <br />replacement vegetation and mitigation could take place to maintain or enhance ecosystem <br />benefits. <br /> <br />Authorization and Acknowledgements <br />The Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) was founded in 1934 as a <br />civil works district, primarily to support local flood control activities (USACE 2007). At the <br />request of the Corps, the CWCB funded the VMP through the Chatfield Downstream <br />Channel Operation & Maintenance Fund of the Watershed Protection and Flood Mitigation <br />Section. <br /> <br />The CWCB Watershed Protection and Flood Mitigation Section has a history of providing <br />assistance and leadership throughout Colorado for floodplain management and mapping, <br />flood hazard mitigation, stream restoration, and community assistance. Plans and projects are <br />developed to reduce threats of flood hazards and enhance or mitigate stream corridors. The <br />CWCB works closely with the Urban Drainage Flood Control District's Floodplain <br />Management Program, which was established in 1974 to prevent new flood damage potential <br />from being introduced into the 100-year floodplains while encouraging the utilization of non- <br />structural methods of flood damage mitigation. <br /> <br />In addition to the project proponents described, The South Platte Working Group (SPWG) <br />adds tremendous value to the effort. The SPWG is a large coalition to provide stewardship to <br />enhance, protect, preserve, and conserve the natural and wildlife resources along the South <br />Platte River. Partners include Arapahoe County, Bow Mar, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, <br />Columbine Valley, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Sheridan, South Metro Land <br />Conservancy, South Suburban Park Foundation, South Suburban Parks and Recreation, Trust <br />for Public Lands, and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District. <br /> <br />Page 5 <br />Final Report - April 30, 2008 <br />