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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 June 2021 packet Agenda items are subject to change – Times are approximate and are also subject to change Time • Administrative Items 4:00 PM Board Comment Public Comment Additions /Deletions to Agenda Approval of Minutes – May 20, 2021 4:15 PM • Outreach/Education/Grants Creation of a subcommittee to present to similar counties the implementation of a healthy rivers sales tax – W. Huber 4:30 PM • Policy Items Riparian Zone – Laura Makar 5:00 PM • Executive Session CRS 24-6-402(4)(b) Yule Creek Mine Clean Water Act Permit Application 5:30 PM • Open Discussion 6:00 PM • Adjourn Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81065719864?pwd=bXE1ZDlEK0FPQWNFa05MTjkvZHdLdz09 Meeting ID: 810 6571 9864 Passcode: 132696 One tap mobile +13126266799,,81065719864#,,,,*132696# US (Chicago) +13462487799,,81065719864#,,,,*132696# US (Houston) Minutes – Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board May 20, 2021 Page 1 HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting May 20, 2021 Via zoom River Board members present: Bill Jochems, Lisa Tasker, Andre Wille, Chris Wheatley, Wendy Huber, Chris Lemons River Board members absent: Chuck Ogilby Attendees in addition to presenters: Lisa MacDonald, Kate Hudson _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Board Comment – Mr. Jochems noted the article in the Sopris Sun that highlighted Lisa Tasker’s work on the Rifle Creek riparian project with landowner and steward John Powers. Mr. Jochems attended the BOCC meeting on May 18, 2021 where the BOCC approved the three grant requests recommended by the River Board. Public Comment – Kate Hudson, provided information on the Yule Creek Mine Clean Water Act Application The CSQ response to the USACE was provided to the Crystal River Caucus and the mitigation proposal was an insult to everyone. The Caucus plans to coordinate with Pitkin County, Wilderness Workshop and Gunnison County to submit additional comment letters to the USACE. She encouraged the River Board’s participation. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda – None Approval of Minutes April 15 and April 26, 2021 Ms. Huber moved to approve the minutes from April 15 and April 26, 2021. Chairman Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Communications work update – Matt Annabel and Diane Schwener Mr. Annabel and Ms. Schwener updated the Board on the communications plan work. A draft proclamation for “RICD Appreciation Month” was introduced and discussed. The proclamation will be introduced at an upcoming BOCC meeting. Mr. Wille moved to approved the proclamation making July RICD Appreciation Month and with the inclusion of Promote Citizen Stewardship. Chairman Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Emergency Access Modification to the White Water Park – Lisa MacDonald Ms. MacDonald brief the Board on the need to adjust the emergency access entrance to the park on the Emma Road side of the Roaring Fork River due to the development of Lot J in the Basalt Commercial Park Subdivision. The County is seeking an emergency access easement from the Park Owner’s Association and upon acceptance by the BOCC will begin the road adjustment and installation of landscaping. Construction costs are approximately $25,000, excluding landscaping. Ms. Huber moved to recommend funding for the emergency access road adjustment in the estimated amount of $25,000. Mr. Wille seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Open Discussion – In-person meetings were discussed. The June meeting will be virtual and the Board will hold its July 15 meeting in person in Redstone. Staff will contact the Redstone Inn for availability. Minutes – Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board May 20, 2021 Page 2 Mr. Jochems expressed concern over the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use in Marble combined with opposition to the Yule Creek Mine and diminishing our focus. Should the Board ease back on Wild and Scenic until the OHV issue has been resolved. Most felt the OHV issue was a Gunnison County problem not Pitkin County. Mr. Jochems moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wheatley seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0. The Board adjourned at approximately 5:40 pm. Approved: Attest: ______________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Chris Lemons -Chairman Lisa MacDonald Riparian Zones Policy Statement Draft: June 11, 2021 Riparian zones are the area of interface and influence between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems originating next to streams and rivers, but also occur by lakes, wetlands and water bodies. Riparian zones perform ecological services which function to provide consequential environmental, economic, scenic, and social value in addition to their intrinsic value. These services include, but are not limited to: bank and channel stability, erosion control, temperature regulation, biofiltration, nutrient cycling, organic material deposition, woody debris aquatic habitat creation, fisheries maintenance, flood mitigation, avian support, terrestrial habitat and movement corridors. Specific riparian zone dimensions, geomorphology, and functions correspond to the environment in which they are sited and are highly variable. Accordingly, the Healthy Rivers and Streams Board: 1. Supports identifying the operational condition of riparian zones in the Roaring Fork Watershed. 2. Supports efforts to preserve existing riparian zones in the Roaring Fork Watershed. 3. Supports maintenance or enhancement of desired riparian conditions to maximize riparian zone function in the Roaring Fork Watershed. Desired conditions include: a. Native vegetated streambanks b. Streambank stability with natural movement occurring without engineered armoring c. Stable channel geomorphology including substrate d. Continued flow of water volume through channel e. Annual cyclical hydrograph consistent with historical hydrograph f. Flushing flows g. Complex biological integrity not merely phreatophytes (Looking for language suggestions!) 4. Supports re-vegetation in areas of disturbed or impaired riparian zones. 5. Supports control and elimination of noxious weeds which threaten the health and productivity of natural riparian zone plant communities. 6. Endorses 100 foot development setback in Pitkin County Land Use Code and supports prioritization of development to be sited outside the riparian zones. 7. Supports requirements for any development within the riparian zone to include adequate mitigation to protect zone-wide integrity and ecological services. 8. Education opportunities for private and public landowners on the importance of riparian zones and how to maintain riparian zones. 9. Recognizes riparian zones operate in conjunction with wetlands, but are not a replacement for wetlands, nor are wetlands a replacement for riparian zones. Additional Areas of consideration for discussion/inclusion in the policy: recreational opportunities, slope changes, downstream deposition, redd conditions, zone-wide integrity, education, assistance, legal strategies, conservation priorities. Any Board comments/suggestions after pondering this?