HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 Jan hrs minutes 2021
Minutes – Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board
Jan 20, 2022
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HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD
Regular Meeting
January 20, 2022
Via Zoom
River Board members present: Bill Jochems, Wendy Huber, Chuck Ogilby, Andre Wille, Kirsten Neff, Chris
Lemons, and Chris Wheatley
River Board members absent: None.
Attendees in addition to presenters: Laura Makar, Lisa MacDonald, Lisa Tasker, Kate Hudson, and
Heather Sackett.
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Board Comment – At Chairman Lemons request, Kristen Neff introduced herself to the board and described her
background pertinent to the board position.
Public Comment – None
Additions/Deletions to the Agenda – Kate Hudson asked to be added to the agenda to report on the recently released
draft USDA Forest Service environmental assessment for the proposed Redstone to McClure Pass Trail in the Crystal
River watershed. Chairman Lemons added Ms. Hudson at 5:45PM following Matt Annabel. April Long, Director for
RWAPA, also requested to be added and Chairman Lemons asked her to follow Ms. Hudson.
Approval of Minutes December 16, 2021
Mr. Wille moved to approve the minutes of December 16, 2021. Ms. Huber seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0.
Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair 2022
Mr. Jochems nominated Mr. Lemons as Chairman for 2022. Ms. Huber seconded the motion. The motion passed
6/0. Mr. Jochems moved to appoint Mr. Wheatley as Vice-Chair for 2022. Mr. Wheatley was delayed and the Vice-
Chair motion was held until his arrival.
Mr. Lemons continued the meeting as Chairman. Mr. Wheatley was absent during his appointment, but agreed to the
Vice-Chair position upon entering the meeting and the motion passed at that time.
Snowmass Water and Sanitation Water Treatment Plant Improvements- SGM, Chad Paulson
Mr. Paulson gave a presentation on the Snowmass Water and Sanitation Districts implementation of their Enhanced
Biological Nutrient Removal facility and the parallel Case Study. The original Snowmass Water Treatment Facility was
built and permitted for the reduction of organics, ammonia removal, and disinfection. New configurations at the plant
were added to additionally address nutrient removal as outlined in CDPHE Regulation 85.
Deer Creek Open Space Management Plan Update- Pitkin County OST, Liza Mitchell and Jessie Young
Ms. Mitchell presented the draft management plan and focused on the primary natural resource values of interest to
the Healthy Rivers board. These include the riparian area, the river, and river’s connectivity to the upland valley which
is protected on both sides by federal lands. OST is seeking comments from the Board as they move from the interim
management plan to the final draft of the Deer Creek Open Space Management Plan.
Minutes – Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board
Jan 20, 2022
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Mr. Wheatley joined the meeting at approximately 4:38PM. Mr. Jochems again moved to appoint Mr. Wheatley as
Vice-Chair for 2022. Ms. Huber seconded the motion. The motion passed 7/0.
Project Based Water Education- Back 40 Stories, Matt Anabel
Mr. Anabell provided a presentation outlining his idea for creation of a project-based river education program for older
students modelled somewhat after a design/build architecture studio. The example he used for this proposal was the
Aspen Valley Land Trust-Colorado Rocky Mountain School riparian restoration and off channel livestock watering
project he instigated while with AVLT. The HR board helped fund over half of this project through the competitive
grant process in 2018. Mr. Annabel will be seeking further input from the board and staff on what he is calling “Youth
Water Innovators: Fresh Water Solutions for Old Water Problems”. There was overwhelming consensus to move
forward with Mr. Annabel’s concept for the internally generated education program.
Announcement-comment period for newly released “Redstone to McClure Pass Trail Project Draft
Environmental Assessment”-Kate Hudson, Crystal Valley resident
Ms. Hudson alerted the board to the 30-day window for any comments to the draft EA, although she was uncertain of
the exact start of the 30-day period. The board was also informed by Ms. Hudson that only people who comment during
this first 30-day window will have the ability to write future objections regarding the Forest Service’s final
determination. Ms. Makar reminded the board of the April 9, 2020 amendment added as Section 4 to Article II of the
Pitkin County Citizen Board By-Laws. Pursuant to that amendment, Ms. Makar stated that individual board members
were free to submit comments as citizens, but that a board comment would not be generated with respect to this USFS
EA.
Potential assistance from Ruedi Water and Power Authority- Director, RWAPA, April Long
Ms. Long is preparing a package for her upcoming February 10th RWAPA board retreat and is seeking input from the
board about any goals or ideas where RWAPA may be of assistance to the board’s efforts. RWAPA is seeking feedback
regarding how and where to allocate its boards time commitments within the watershed. Individual board members
were encouraged to email with ideas.
Open Discussion Items
Mr. Jochems inquired about the boards four existing policy statements and asked to resurrect discussions and a review
of past efforts where needed at a future meeting. It was agreed that the existing policy statements would be forwarded
to all current board members following the meeting.
Mr. Jochems moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 7/0.
The Board adjourned at approximately 6:50 pm.
Approved: Attest:
______________________________________________ _________________________________________________
Chris Lemons - Chairman Lisa Tasker