2016-08-01_REVISION - M1993035 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TR02 allows for a natural restoration of the Swan River valley bottom within the Swan River Resource. Activities required for implementing the approved reclamation plan include extensive earthwork and contouring. Heavy equipment is being used to contour the existing landscape to reestablish appropriate valley shape, landforms, and achieve appropriate channel elevations for groundwater interactions. A majority of the surface grading and new channel excavation work is proposed to occur in a manner that main stream flows are directed around active earthwork areas wherever possible. However localized groundwater flows are anticipated within the new channel work and will be discharged using Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce turbidity to the maximum extent practical. Once portions of the new channel is completed, flows will be introduced with diversions maintained throughout the project. The existing channel will be abandoned and backfilled as part of the overall reclamation plan. The new channel alignment requires installation of an open bottom arch bridge for Tiger Road to accommodate the new channel, replacing the current failing pipe culverts conveying stream flows through Tiger Road. Minor utilities within the existing Tiger Road alignment will be relocated, but remain within the road alignments. Large scale revegetation efforts are focused on developing a suitable growth medium to cap dredge spoils and the contoured land surface in order to establish native riparian and upland vegetation communities. Reclamation Goals and Objectives Summit County has embarked on a detailed and progressive approach to management and restoration of the overall, Swan Valley, the County Open Space Property and specifically for the Swan River Resource. The County has coordinated with many agencies including Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), US Forest Service (USFS) White River National Forest, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), Blue River Watershed Group (BRWG), Trout Unlimited (TU) and other local interested individuals. The approved reclamation/restoration plan was developed based on this coordination. In addition, the approved restoration reclamation approach has undergone numerous iterations to develop the most appropriate restoration project that meets project goals and objectives within limitations of M-1993-035. This process has developed an overall valley restoration plan that incorporates numerous reaches and phases as dredge spoils are managed with significant stakeholder consideration. Reclamation of the Swan River is broken into four phases (Reaches A— D). Reaches A and B coincide with the Swan River Resource permit boundary and described in greater detail in TR02. From the ongoing planning efforts to date, Summit County has developed generalized concept principles and guidelines for restoration activities of the entire valley and specifically the Swan River Resource. The primary project goal is to restore the channel and adjacent areas within the permit boundary, returning them to a natural and functional state. Generalized restoration goals include the following: • Create a natural, stable channel based on existing and anticipated flows and sediment loads; • Eliminate stream flow losses through the dredge spoils and maintain natural perennial stream flows; • Establish instream aquatic habitat including pools, riffles, glides, spawning and rearing areas and • promote aquatic m acroi nverteb rate populations; • Restore riparian and floodplain function and habitat; • Improve the aesthetics of the area by creating a naturally functioning ecosystem for public benefit; • Remove, regrade and cap remaining dredge piles to reduce erosion and promote upland revegetation; • And demonstrate stream restoration techniques as a model for on-going efforts to reclaim other stream reaches degraded by historic dredge mining.