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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 July hrs minutes 2023 1 HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting July 20, 2023 4:00 PM 123 Emma Road, 2nd Floor Basalt, CO 81621 River Board members present: Wendy Huber, Chris Wheatley, Andre Wille. Kirstin Neff arrived at 4:12PM. Zoom attendees: Chris Lemons. Bill Jochems left the meeting at approximately 7:00PM. River Board members absent: Chuck Ogilby Attendees in addition to presenters: Lisa Tasker and Heather Sackett. Michael Gorman attended the later part of the meeting via Zoom. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Board Comment: Ms. Huber presided over the meeting for the first time as the new Chair and presented a gift to Chris Lemons for his service as Chair of the board over the last two plus years. She also mentioned her attendance via Zoom to Kayo Ogilby’s presentation of the Crystal Wild and Scenic Coalition’s slide show supported and created by the Healthy Rivers communications team and staff advocating for federal Wild and Scenic designation of the Crystal River. Kayo presented to the Crystal Caucus in Redstone on July 13th. Healthy Rivers staff provided technical support and answered audience questions. Ms. Huber also brought up an idea of a board driven “community group read” on water related issues and suggested this be brought up at a future meeting along with the contemplation of a future speaker series. Public Comment: None Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: None Approval of the Minutes 5.18.23 Mr. Wheatley moved to approve the minutes of May 18, 2023. Mr. Wille seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Integrated River Program-Marble Charter School Grant Request- Sarah Johnson, Wild Rose Education, Gina Mile, Director of the Marble Charter School, and Nikki Beinstein, Finance Manager/Lead Middle School Teacher, Marble Charter School. After meeting recently, Sarah Johnson and Lisa Tasker concluded another potential project existed where the Healthy Rivers program and Wild Rose Education could partner, this time in support of the Marble Charter School (MCS). The overall goal is to embark on a year-long, Crystal River focused curriculum for the school. MCS and Wild Rose Education would like a budget to integrate water into every possible aspect of the MCS curriculum to engage in an iterative process for the 2023-24 school year with the expectation they will be able to repeat it for years to come. The last project done with Wild Rose Education was the Youth Water Leadership Program and Summit over a three- year period. The board was supportive overall and asked for more detailed information. Gina Mile and Nikki Beinstein (Sarah Johnson will be out of the country) will be back in August with more budget details for the board and to answer any further questions. Sam Caudill SWA/Ironbridge Improved River Access Concept Plan- Quinn Donnelly, River Restoration; Darren Chacon, Colorado Parks and Wildlife – Quinn gave a presentation on the Concept Design and Costs for the potential boat 2 ramp improvements/river component River Restoration created at the board’s request after a site visit in April 2023. River Restoration collaborated with the CPW team in looking at the site improvements. Quinn presented the rough estimate presented in the packet materials for today’s meeting. River Restoration’s total Concept Level Cost Opinion came to $760,840 for the boat ramp/river component portion of the project. Mr. Wille asked that the agreement with CPW reflect that anyone who has the appropriate license continue to be able to utilize the Sam Caudill SWA into the future. Ms Neff made a motion to put $500,000 in the FY2024 budget to continue staff cooperation with the boat ramp and river improvement project components of the CPW Sam Caudill SWA larger improvement project with the understanding full commitment may depend on significant financial support from Garfield County, and/or other partners and/or grant funding. Mr. Wheatley seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Lincoln Creek/Grizzly Reservoir Water Sampling 2024 Proposal – Kurt Dahl, Pitkin County Environmental Health Manager. Kurt described the intention of PCEH, in conjunction with the Roaring Fork Conservancy, to support water quality sampling for 2024 in Lincoln Creek below Grizzly Reservoir surrounding construction by Twin Lakes Reservoir and Canal Co in replacing the dam liner. With plans for this reservoir, impacted from mining drainage, to be emptied for construction, the concerns are in regard to potential adverse impacts to water quality in both Lincoln Creek and the Roaring Fork River. Three to four sites are planned for four different sampling times. PCEH is requesting funding for the water quality sampling. Mr. Wille made a motion to recommend the allocation of $15,000 in the FY 2024 budget for the purposes of water sampling proposed by Pitkin County Environmental Health before, during, and after the 2024 Grizzly Reservoir dam improvement project timeline as outlined in the AIS in the July 20, 2023 board packet. Ms. Neff seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Mr. Jochems exited from the Zoom call at approximately 7:00PM. Communications Team Updates-Beavers Campaign, Crystal Wild and Scenic- Matt Annabel, Back40 Stories, Diane Schwener, Schwener Design Group, Inc., Tim Braun, b2, inc. Matt updated the board in regards to progress and plans for the “It’s About Dam Time” with the “Bring Back Beavers” public education campaign mainly tailored to the Roaring Fork Watershed. The team has several hashtags they have created and a beaver specific webpage. Matt presented the ideas for the three letter “BVR” logo and the seven created beaver characters. The communications team has been doing beaver posts on Instagram. The board suggested amplifying the work happening in regards to supporting beavers with local or even region wide success stories. The idea of a future beaver summit was suggested. Diane has done research on ordering t-shirts and sweatshirts. Staff suggested cam straps with repeating messaging on them. The idea for the “playful” beaver brochure/booklet was introduced to the board for the first time. The brochure/booklet is intended to be relevant even beyond our watershed and available to distribute locally and far and wide. A Spanish version was discussed and exploration was requested. Matt relayed the “Stand for the Crystal” Wild and Scenic Healthy Rivers efforts are in the works along with a logo with plans for yard signs. A means to drum up support and allow for current supporters to demonstrate federal Wild and Scenic designation support has been determined to be lacking by community members. The goal is to give supporters of designation demonstrative ways of showing support. The Comms team is particularly focused on elucidating the threats to the Crystal River. Staff Report –Lisa Macdonald and Lisa Tasker Staff provided an update on projects and work as contained in the report in the Board’s packet. Open Discussion – Chris Lemons asked if the board should take a position on the proposal by OST to create a trail from the AABC to Brush Creek and Hwy 82 intercept lot. OST has a survey on their website where public feedback can be given. Laura Makar suggested board members make comments to OST as individuals. 3 Executive Session – Ms Neff made a motion to go into executive session according to CRS 24-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of the Annual Bypass Negotiations discussion. Mr Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0. Ms. Neff moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wheatley seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0. The meeting adjourned at approx. 7:30 pm Approved: Attest: ______________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Wendy Huber - Chairman Lisa Tasker Laura Makar, Assistant County Attorney The above signed attorney, representing the Board of County Commissioners and being present at the Executive Session, attests that the subject of the unrecorded portions of the session constituted confidential attorney-client communication.