Runners Giving Back to Rivers?

Trout Unlimited has been very active since the floods of 2013. Four of our twenty four chapters were impacted by the floods; Alpine Anglers (Estes Park), St. Vrain Anglers (Longmont), Boulder Flycasters (Boulder), and Rocky Mountian Flycasters (Ft. Collins). Our chapters have been on the ground and working with existing partners like federal and local level governments, ditch companies, land owners, biologists and water suppliers; but recently an unexpected partner approached us and wanted to get involved in what we were doing. When all of that rain began to fall a lot of people had to change their plans. There was no exception for the Road Less Traveled Relays and Runners team whom organized the Flaming Foilage Relay.  The runners had trained  to complete this long and difficult race, and the race organizers had everything ready to go until the rain started to pour. Unfortunately, after all of the preparation, the 165 mile relay race from Idaho Springs to Buena Vista had to be canceled as it was scheduled the same weekend the flooding occurred.

Of course the runners were disappointed, but they were very understanding. All of the runners had already registered and paid for the race, and their money was non-refundable; even in the case of the flood. However, Paul Vanderheiden, the Race Director who works for Timberline Events wanted to do something with those registration fees that would give back to communities involved in the flood. Paul got in contact with the runners and promised the participants that he would make donations to groups that helped out people affected and/or groups helping with the rebuilding. Paul started to search for member groups that were involved in flood restoration projects.

Paul found information online about all of the work that Colorado Trout Unlimited had been doing with the flood restoration so he contacted Colorado Trout Unlimited wanting to donate to our efforts. This donation, courtesy of Roads Less Traveled Relays and Runners, will be used for on the ground restoration in the communities that were impacted from the floods.

For a lot of people the floods of 2013 were a horrific time. Thanks to groups like Roads Less Traveled Relays and Runners, Colorado Trout Unlimited can continue to be an active part of rebuilding the South Platte Basin. Timberline Events LLC has been a member of 1% For the Planet since 2006 and we thank them for giving back to conservation groups like Trout Unlimited.

EPA, Corps propose new rule to protect water quality

The Environmental Protection Agency and US Army Corps of Engineers today announced a new proposed rule that would help ensure protection for many Colorado streams whose status - as protected or not protected under the Clean Water Act - has been in doubt since two troubling Supreme Court decisions upset long-standing definitions for what constituted "Waters of the United States".  As many as 76,000 miles of stream in Colorado - 75% of our total, including most headwater areas - were facing an uncertain future. We are in the process of reviewing the guidance, but it appears that most of these will be protected under the proposed rule.  Below is the notice we received from EPA's regional office describing the proposal:

Dear Region 8 Clean Water Stakeholder:

I am sending this message on behalf of Regional Administrator Shaun McGrath.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) today jointly released a proposed rule to clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources. The Clean Water Act is the nation’s foremost water quality and wetland protection law.  The clarifications in the proposed rule will benefit industry, business, and government by increasing clarity and efficiency in determining coverage of the Clean Water Act.

Determining Clean Water Act jurisdiction over streams and wetlands became confusing and complex following Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. For nearly a decade, members of Congress, state and local officials, industry, agriculture, environmental groups, and the public asked for a rulemaking to provide clarity.  

The proposed rule does not protect any new types of waters that have not historically been covered under the Clean Water Act and is consistent with the Supreme Court’s more narrow reading of Clean Water Act jurisdiction.

The proposed rule preserves the Clean Water Act exemptions and exclusions for agriculture. Additionally, EPA and the Army Corps have coordinated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop an interpretive rule to ensure that 53 specific agricultural conservation practices that protect or improve water quality will not be subject to Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting requirements. The agencies will work together to implement these new exemptions and periodically review and update USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation practice standards and activities that would qualify under the exemption.

The health of rivers, lakes, bays, and coastal waters depends on the streams and wetlands where they begin. Streams and wetlands provide many benefits to communities – they trap floodwaters, recharge groundwater supplies, remove pollution, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. They are also economic drivers because of their role in fishing, hunting, agriculture, recreation, energy, and manufacturing.

About 60 percent of stream miles in the U.S (significantly higher in some Region 8 states) flow only seasonally or after rain, but have a major impact on the downstream waters. Approximately 117 million people – one in three Americans – get drinking water from public systems that rely in part on these streams. These are important waterways for which EPA and the Army Corps are clarifying protection.

The agencies are launching a robust outreach effort, holding discussions around the country and gathering input needed to shape a final rule. The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 90 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.  We look forward hearing your views on this proposal.  Please find information about providing comment at: www.epa.gov/uswaters.

With respect to Region 8, the clarifications provided by this rule will lead to better protection of waters that are critical to the welfare of the people in our states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

• The proposed rule will provide direction on the application of the definition of “waters of the U.S.” to streams and adjacent wetlands in the upper reaches of watersheds where small tributaries may have only seasonal flow. When wetlands and headwater streams are filled or damaged, the risk of flooding increases, and drinking water supplies, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities can be significantly impacted.
• The vast majority of the population in Region 8 is dependent on public drinking water systems that rely on high quality streams that do not flow year round. (Montana 67% of the population; 96% in Utah; 98% in Colorado and Wyoming; 100% in North and South Dakota).
• In Region 8, 77% of streams do not flow year round and wetlands make up only 2-3% of the land area, yet these streams and wetlands provide important habitat for wildlife and waterfowl, and harbor many plant species that could not survive in the surrounding terrestrial landscapes. For example, Colorado streams and wetlands provide habitat and benefits to an estimated 75% of the state’s wildlife and waterfowl.
• Flood events have recently led to significant economic losses, especially in Colorado and parts of the Northern Great Plains states. Wetlands act as sponges that filter and store water, alleviating the frequency and intensity of floods.

For more information visit www.epa.gov/uswaters.

CTU Thanks Rep Polis for Standing with Rivers

Today - March 13 - the US House of Representatives will be voting on HR 3189, the Water Rights Protection Act.  The bill originated as a response to Forest Service policy that required ski areas to transfer their snowmaking water rights to the US as a condition of their ski area permits.  Unfortunately, the actual legislation as passed by House Committee goes far beyond addressing that narrow issue - and would jeopardize important authorities for federal land managers to protect streamflows on National Forests and other public lands.  These "bypass flow" authorities ensure that minimum stream flows can be maintained below dams and diversions on pubilc lands. Colorado Congressman Jared Polis (2nd CD), whose district includes some of Colorado's most popular ski areas, was a cosponsor of HR3189, but in light of the threat the bill now poses to healthy rivers has withdrawn his support and plans to offer an amendment to narrow the bill to its original purpose - requiring the Forest Service to adopt a new policy for ski area water rights which does not require their ownership to be transferred to the US Government.

Colorado TU thanks Congressman Polis for standing with Colorado's rivers, and supporting common-sense, balanced solutions that help protect healthy waterways while meeting the needs of Colorado's ski industry.  Click here to see Colorado TU's letter to the Congressman.  If you live in the 2nd Congressional District, please take a moment to thank the Congressman for his leadership - you can email him by clicking here.

Sportsmen Pleased with Decision to put Clean Water Act into Action in Bristol Bay

Provisions within the Act Could Halt Pebble Mine in the Heart of Wild Alaska Trout Unlimited today congratulated the Environmental Protection Agency for putting the Clean Water Act into action and potentially halting the infamous Pebble Mine in the headwaters of Alaska’s storied Bristol Bay watershed.

“It is difficult to overstate the significance of this announcement. If the EPA follows the science and follows through on this, it will rank as one of the most significant conservation achievements of the past 50 years,” said Trout Unlimited president and CEO, Chris Wood. “This is one of the few places left on earth where nature works as it should, and it’s a breadbasket for the world, supplying literally hundreds of thousands of people with wild salmon.”

By putting into action Section 404 (c) of the Clean Water Act, the EPA is starting a process that will determine if large-scale mining in the Bristol Bay watershed of southwest Alaska, specifically the Pebble deposit, can co-exist with the area’s renewable natural resources, most importantly the waters that provide the spawning and rearing habitat for the world’s largest sockeye salmon, as well as trophy rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic grayling and four other Pacific salmon species.

An EPA watershed report produced last year makes it clear that mining in this area would damage vital salmon habitat and, in the event of spills or accidents, put that habitat in imminent danger in perpetuity. By putting the process outlined in the Clean Water Act into play, the EPA is setting a very high—but reasonable and appropriate—bar for Pebble Mine to get over and prove there won’t be impacts to water quality and the region’s irreplaceable fishery.

“This is a very proactive and thoughtful decision on the part of the EPA, and we at Trout Unlimited join with the millions of sportsmen and women across America in congratulating Administrator McCarthy for taking this important step,” said Steve Moyer, vice president for government affairs. “This issue has been our top conservation issue for nearly a decade, and our volunteers from all over the country have worked very hard to get to this point. We’re very pleased that the EPA has heard our voices, and we are grateful that it is translating the desires of millions of anglers into action.”

Bristol Bay’s salmon provide upwards of 14,000 jobs in Alaska and the Northwest every single year, and about half of the world’s annual sockeye salmon harvest comes from this region. Additionally, this area of Alaska is known for its unparalleled sportfishing—it’s probably the best place in North America to catch rainbow trout that will stretch a tape to 30 inches or more.

“This is the best place in the world to fish for salmon and trout, period,” said Tim Bristol, director of TU’s Alaska Program. “Sportsmen and women from Alaska and all over the United States have led the charge against Pebble Mine and for the protection of Bristol Bay’s salmon and trout for a long time. To see the process put in place that could protect thousands of long-term jobs in the commercial fishing industry and the opportunity for coming generations to fish for salmon and trout in Alaska is very gratifying. While we won’t know the outcome of this process for some time, it’s clear the EPA is listening to anglers, hunters and the people of Bristol Bay. I hope sportsmen and women all over America will join me in applauding the EPA for taking this bold step.”

---Chris Hunt, National Director of Communications, chunt@tu.org

A Big Win for Fraser River

Sometimes, you get a win that brings home what it is we’re doing at TU, and that broadens your sense of what’s possible. The Fraser River in Colorado just got a new lease on life—and all of you that are part of Team TU made it happen.

This is one to celebrate.

It took a decade of hard work, persistence, and tough, complicated negotiations, but Trout Unlimited staff dug in for the long haul and—this week—announced a major deal with Denver Water and Grand County to secure a package of protections for the Fraser, a beautiful river beloved by generations of fly-fishermen and Coloradans.

This is a big, big win for Trout Unlimited and for river conservation in the West.  The Fraser is an outstanding wild trout river that has been hammered by years of diversions. Currently, Denver Water is taking about 60 percent of the natural flows of the Fraser, a key tributary of the Upper Colorado. They’ve proposed to take another 15 percent of the river through an expansion of their Moffat Tunnel diversion.

That would put the Fraser and its trout fishery on life support, unless the river received additional protections and mitigation to offset the potential impacts.

At times, the situation looked bleak. Denver Water and TU seemed far apart. But we stayed the course. Our members and supporters turned out for regulatory hearings and for public rallies in Denver. We laid the groundwork with science-based reports that proved the fishery needed more flows and restored habitat. We kept at the table with Denver Water, talking.

This victory is a great example of “One TU” teamwork—national staff, state council and grassroots working together. Mely Whiting of TU’s Colorado Water Project dogged this project for years, attending countless meetings, crunching mind-numbing technical data, and negotiating the shoals of the federal permitting process. Colorado Trout Unlimited council and staff, led by executive director David Nickum, helped at every step with negotiations and public education. Another TU strength—its local members—came through big time. Kirk Klancke, president of TU’s Colorado River Headwaters Chapter, spoke eloquently about the Fraser at every opportunity and spearheaded chapter-led restoration projects. (His passionate advocacy was the subject of a recent National Geographic profile online.) Other members showed up at key public meetings, at rallies to support the river, and submitted literally thousands of public comment letters to the federal agencies responsible for permitting the Moffat project.

Through these efforts, TU has secured a long-term agreement that, if adopted into the federal permit, holds the promise of a healthy Fraser River far into the future. Read the release for more details.

Of course, we didn’t do it alone.  Other conservation allies, local businesses and landowners including Devils Thumb Ranch, and the staff and elected officials of Grand County were incredible partners in achieving this victory – and will continue to be trusted partners as we tackle the long-term collaborative effort of protecting and restoring the Fraser basin. .

This is how TU gets things done--bringing a powerful grassroots voice to the cause, and working collaboratively to find pragmatic solutions.  And those efforts let us achieve our ultimate goal—saving our home waters and best places,.

Read the Mitigation and Enhancement Coordination Plan here:

Mitigation and Enhancement Coordination Plan.

Read Bob Berwyn's article on this landmark agreement in The Colorado Independent.

Thank you for purchasing raffle tickets in support of Colorado TU!

Matt Leavy was this year's lucky winner and receives a two-day float trip for 2 on the Gunnison River, including one night camping riverside and meals, plus lodging for the night prior to and following his float trip and dinner for two. This fantastic package is courtesy of Black Canyon Anglers!

Thank you all for your continued support of Colorado TU!

Bipartisan support moves Hermosa legislation forward

A very important bill for native cutthroat trout, The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act, continues to move forward in Congress.  In late November of last year, the Hermosa Creek legislation received a hearing in the Senate subcommittee of Energy and Natural Resources.  The bill’s Senate sponsor, Senator Bennet, gave impassioned and enthusiastic testimony.  In speaking to the overwhelming local support and lack of any opposition, Senator Bennet said, “You may have some controversial bills before you today, Mr. Chairman, but this is not one of them.”  Senator Bennet even gave a plug to Trout Unlimited’s leading efforts while highlighting native trout and big game habitat. The Hermosa Creek legislation is unique in many ways.  It is the first bill to protect an entire watershed as an intact, whole unit.  The bill is one of only a few, ever, where native trout are one of the major values being protected.  The Hermosa Creek bill has the support of the CO Snowmobile Association and CO Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition – a rare endorsement for a bill containing a wilderness component.  But, what was of significant interest at the Senate hearing was the presence, and testimony, of the bill’s House sponsor, Representative Tipton.  Rarely does a House member testify in the Senate.  Misters Tipton and Bennet sat side-by-side in a show of bipartisan support, unified by a magical place and the values of Southwest Colorado.

In a time of hyper-partisanship in Congress, bitter fighting and impermeable party walls, it is refreshing to see a special place in Colorado bring Congressional members together, even if for just a moment.  With the continued support of Trout Unlimited’s members, staff and resources, we hope to see Hermosa Creek remain just the way it is for the next generation of sportsmen and women.

See the proposal at www.hermosacreek.org and follow us on Facebook at ‘Sportsmen for Hermosa’.

---Ty Churchwell, Sportsmen's Conservation Project, tchurchwell@tu.org

CTU Offers the Experience of a Lifetime for High Schoolers

Know a kid age 14-18 with an interest in fly fishing and cold-water conservation? Colorado Trout Unlimited gives high school youth the experience of a lifetime at 2014 River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp! Greetings TU Members,

Registration is now open for the 2014 CTU River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, June 8-13 at the Bar N I Ranch near Weston, Colorado.  The camp is open to all Colorado youth ages 14-18. The camp is designed to educate students on the importance of coldwater conservation and provide hands-on fly fishing instruction. Approximately 20 students are selected each year, based on their qualifications and a written essay on why they would like to attend the camp.

Camp classes include: principles of ecology, hydro-geology, aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate sampling, hydrology, trout behavior, the biology of pollution, acid deposition, and politics of conservation and human effects on the Rocky Mountains. In addition, the camp will include hands-on classes such as fly tying, fly casting, streamside ethics, angling literature, streamside botany, wader safety and survival, and the evolution of an angler. Students will also participate in a watershed project to repair habitat in a nearby stream. The River Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp includes faculty from various environmental fields and state agencies such as the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection and National Forest Service.

Megan Branine, a camp alumni, said of her experience, “The past five days have been the greatest experiences of my life. In this week, I have developed a love for a sport I aim to continue. All components of this camp—the  science, the fishing and the social aspects—have all benefited me greatly.  They have given me a passion to protect our rivers and wild lands as well as great memories to take with me.”

The cost to attend the 6 day camp is $450, but financial aid is often available via local chapter sponsorship.

For more information and to download the application, please visit http://www.coloradotu.org/river-conservation-and-fly-fishing-youth-camp/.

Colorado's Water Plan Needs to Hear from TU and YOU!!

The need for Colorado’s Water Plan has been coming for a long time. Colorado is one of the only states in the West that does not have a formal water plan. On May 14, 2013 Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to commence work on the first ever Colorado Water Plan.  The plan is intended to help Colorado prepare for its water future. Specifically, Governor Hickenlooper ordered that the plan address the projected shortfall (aka “the gap”) between future water supply and demand and help Colorado reduce the practice of converting agricultural water rights to municipal water uses (aka “buy and dry”). A draft of the plan is due to the governor by the end of 2014. The final product is expected one year later. The CWCB has directed the public to comment on the water plan efforts via the nine Basin Roundtables. This is the route we must take to get our comments incorporated into each of the basin plans. The basin roundtables have been instructed to gather comments from the public and deliver their draft basin specific plan by July. In order for us to get comments incorporated into those basin specific plans we need to get to work quickly and have our comments to them before March 2014. Each of the basins are using the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) report that they developed in 2010 as a starting point to develop their water plans. In this report the gaps, important water projects, supply needs etc. have been already identified in each basin.

Trout Unlimited has been working the past couple of months to develop an easy way for staff, board, chapters and members to provide comments on the water plan and have an opportunity to get the unified Trout Unlimited voice heard in each of the river basins. All 24 Chapters across Colorado have received the materials that they need in order to provide educated comments to each of their basins. If you would like more information about this effort or would like to receive the materials prepared please contact Stephanie Scott at sscott@tu.org. For more information from the State on the water plan, visit the website at www.coloradowaterplan.com.

Developing Colorado’s first ever water plan is not an easy task; however as a river conservation organization we could not let the opportunity pass to provide comments that would protect the fish and water that we as members need in our life in the future. We would love to hear comments from our members on what they would like to see incorporated into the plan.

Colorado Doubles Gold Medal River Miles!

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission announced the upper Arkansas River as the newest addition to the statewide list of Gold Medal Trout Waters. The new Gold Medal reach is 102 miles long from the confluence with the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River, near Leadville, downstream to Parkdale at the Highway 50 bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge.  This one remarkable listing doubles the extent of Gold Medal river miles recognized in Colorado. Once a poster-child for the adverse water quality impacts on rivers left behind by our state's legacy of mining, the Arkansas now "officially" joins the ranks of Colorado's elite, high-quality trout waters.

The Gold Medal designation has been 20 years in the making, and although anglers have enjoyed the improved conditions for years, it is an official acknowledgement of the great success of myriad efforts undertaken by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to turn an impaired river into one of the most popular fishing destinations in Colorado.

Colorado Trout Unlimited's Collegiate Peaks Anglers chapter has been an active partner in conservation efforts along the Arkansas throughout this time.  From habitat improvement efforts in the basin, to assisting with mine cleanup efforts (including ongoing efforts with National TU's Abandoned Mine Program on the Tiger Mine), to helping acquire new public access - TU has a long history of involvement with the river.  The new Gold Medal designation, as well as Senator Mark Udall's proposal to establish a new National Monument along the Browns Canyon section of the Arkansas, are testament to the benefits of many years of hard work. The Arkansas River is also a model for cooperation - with many agencies including EPA collaborating to improve its water quality, a multi-agency collaborative managing the "Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area" with tremendous boating and fishing opportunities, and a partnership with water users for cooperative releases to maintain whitewater recreation during the summer and needed stable fish flows in the fall and winter.

“The upper Arkansas River fishery is the best it has been in over a century thanks to the efforts and hard work of many agencies and individuals that have recognized its great potential,” said Greg Policky, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Biologist. “I am very pleased that this outstanding river has received the Gold Medal designation and is now ranked among the elite trout fisheries in Colorado.”

Gold Medal listings are a reflection of a healthy trout population accompanied by strong numbers of larger fish.  In order to receive a Gold Medal listing, a body of water must consistently support a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre, as well as consistently support a minimum average of 12 "quality trout" – trout larger than 14 inches – per acre.