Colorado nonpoint source project funding for 2009
By Lucia Machado, nonpoint source coordinator for the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Every year, the Colorado nonpoint source program funds locally-driven projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution. The funds come from the federal budget, as part of the Clean Water Act, and are distributed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which then distributes the funds to the states.
This year, funding efforts are concentrated on projects in the Colorado Basin, but projects in other areas in the state were also considered. In addition, the program funds certain statewide projects that address broad issues such as education and outreach, or monitoring and assessment.
Six projects are receiving a total of about $1.8 million. The program requires local involvement and commitment, which translates into a requirement of 40 percent local match.
The 2009 approved projects are:
- The Lake Fork Watershed Stakeholders group, active in the Gunnison River watershed, will develop a watershed plan that involves strategic programming of activities that address historic mining-related impacts. Several reclamation and restoration projects will be characterized and planned. The local community will be involved in developing the plan. The primary goal is to improve watershed ecosystem health in the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.
- The Eagle River Watershed Council will restore 1.6 miles of the Eagle River in Edwards. The project includes the implementation of several BMPs: bank stabilization, in-stream improvements, riparian corridor revegetation and sediment control. The project’s goal is to improve aquatic habitat and water quality in this impaired segment.
- The Northwest Colorado Council of Governments will address historic mine impacts to Peru Creek, located in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Mine tailings and waste rock located in Cinnamon Gulch are being washed into Peru Creek and contributing high levels of metals and acid mine drainage. Several BMPs will be implemented to address impacts on this impaired water in order to improve water quality.
- The Colorado Rio Grande Restoration Foundation will continue the restoration of riparian corridor and stabilization of stream banks along the Rio Grande River. A 2001 study identified 91 miles of degraded water quality and fishery condition due to excessive sediment loading caused by unstable stream banks. This project will continue implementing BMPs on the Rio Grande River near Alamosa.
- The Colorado Mountain College, in Leadville, will monitor and assess water quality and hydrologic conditions in the Sugarloaf Mountain Mining District. The project’s goal is to evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of mine-related BMPs.
- AWARE Colorado will continue implementing education and outreach activities throughout the state, specifically those targeted to local governments and decision-makers, with the objective of incorporating land use strategies that reduce nonpoint source pollution in communities.