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We Are the River KeeperA River Keeper is one who dedicates his/her daily existence to the observation and protection of a river. The term River Keeper originated in England, where there are few high quality streams which support cold water ecosystems. The importance of a River Keeper to the overall health of the river environment should never be underestimated. Ever vigilant, the River Keeper indertakes the responsibility to represent the public interest in the care of the river. River Keeper groups have adopted many of the great rivers in the Eastern U.S.: The Hudson, Connecticut, Delaware and Potomac Rivers, to name a few. The Nature Conservancy has created River Keeper positions on their major river preserves in the Western U.S. FORU's newsletter, 'The River Keeper', is committed to increasing river awareness by educating the public about how to maintain a vital ecosystem along the Uncompahgre River. |
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| You can also visit us at our website : www.foruncompahgre.org | ||||
Hello FORU Members and River Friends. We are happy to announce the appointment of a Board of Directors. Don't miss our FORU Meeting every first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm at Alpine Bank, East Main, Montrose, CO The Board next meets: January 30, 2007 |
In this edition
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Picture of the Month
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FORU NewsFORU appointed Board of DirectorsWe welcome: Pauline Adams, Kevin Davis, Hank Hotze, Elizabeth Roscoe and Wayne Quade on board. Progress Report-
FORU introduced to the Montrose City Council our ideas about Uncompahgre River Corridor preservation. Each council member received the FORU Comprehensive Plan (purpose and goal document) which was then read and reviewed by Hank Hotze and Elizabeth Roscoe. A 15-minute allowance of time led to 30 minutes as the council each commented favorably on the FORU presentation and Plan. The next day, an article about FORU's presentation to the City Council appeared in the Daily Press. December 13, 2006 January 16, 2007 FORU has asked the Montrose County Commissioners for a meeting to introduce the concept of an Uncompahgre River Management Plan, a River IGA with the City, and a streamside overlay zone to use as a planning tool. The date is likely to be in January—the sooner the better if we want to influence the County's Master Plan process.
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Foru proposed Plan and 2007 Action Calendar
January- • Prepare complete Organization Needs for an e-mailing to all prospective members: will include the FORU Presentation, a membership form, and an invitation to bring comments to the first large, general membership meeting of FORU. That meeting should be May 1, 2007. February- • Develop a River Plan with the help and expertise of the Parks Planners, Parks Board, and FORU Membership and Partners. Plan for a large public meeting and presentation of FORU'S VISION and ideas for how to accomplish the VISION. • Assist the City in applying for additional $$ for River Improvement through Fishing Is Fun—a Division of Wildlife/Trout Unlimited grant. Deadline is March 1, 2007. A site inspection is planned with Hank and Dennis Erickson for Friday, January 19, at West Main and the Uncompahgre River : southeast corner, upstream and east of the Bridge. • Begin to understand the water quality issues in the Uncompahgre. The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission states that the Uncompahgre River through Montrose has high selenium as well as heavy metals earning the status of Impaired under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act. Research and investigate solutions to the pollution. March - • Complete the Fishing Is Fun grant, which began work in the River in November, 2006. • Volunteer assistance with reseeding, landscaping, tree/willow replanting, etc. Identify areas in need of invasive species removal; i.e., tamarisk inventory and removal in areas of concern.
April- • Present FORU's River Plan to the City Council Initiate Plan. • Announce the first fundraising event: Float the Uncompahgre with FORU! May- • Conduct orientation floating and walking tours from Chipeta Lakes to La Salle Rd. on and along the Uncompahgre River , respectively. • Initiate trash removal project. June- • Continue trash removal project. • More floating the Uncompahgre: Raising awareness, funding for the Plan. July – • Riverside Picnic during the Lighter Than Air Balloon Affair, maybe July 3. All water-based recreational activities will be featured fun along with music and food. • Complete trash removal volunteer work on the River. • Involve interested groups to coop on educational programs; i.e., Fly Fishing, Bird Watching, Rafting, Kayaking, Rehabilitation and Clean-up, trail building, etc. August- • Involve interested groups to cooperate on educational programs; i.e., Fly Fishing, Bird Watching, Rafting, Kayaking, Rehabilitation and Clean-up, Trail Building, etc. September/October- • Begin the first FORU-initiated stream project in partnership with the City, which is formally applying for the grant. • Begin work project on West Main Site of Improvement which should be funded by a Fishing is Fun grant submitted prior to March 1, 2007. November/December- • A large general membership function to raise money, awareness, and team spirit. • A River Dance.
For The BirdsOur national bird, the American bald eagle is currently wintering along the Uncompahgre River. Arriving in November, from British Columbia, Montana and Northern Idaho, bald eagles spend the winter along the Uncompahgre River. In March, they begin to return to their nesting areas in the Northwestern U.S. and Canada . The Uncompahgre River provides open water and moderate temperatures abundant with bald eagle food opportunities: water fowl, small mammals and fish. At the crack of dawn and in the evening to almost dark, the eagles will fly from their feeding grounds on the river to the flanks of the Uncompahgre Plateau to rest securely. Enjoy the eagles of the Uncompahgre this winter. There are more birds here this winter than in recent past winters. Clusters of 10-12 eagles, stalking prey from high in the cottonwood trees, have been common to see. When you hear a dove-like sound coming from the clouds and sky, look more carefully to find sandhill cranes soaring invisibly at great hights. This winter has been perfect for the sandhill crane; thousands are wintering along the Uncompahgre as opposed to flying through Red Mountain Pass saddle toward the Rio Grande , down to the Texas coast along the Carribean Sea to their traditional wintering grounds.
The Fish Report
Fly fishing the Uncompahgre is a great angling experience.February will bring surprise warm afternoons during which both the water and air temperatures warm slightly, enough to awaken dormant aquatic insects. Midge imitations in the larval and pupal stages of their development are your best bet. These tiny insects move near the bottom within the first foot of water. Look for deep, quiet runs which are difficult for you to see into, where a fish would hang waiting for food to emerge. There are fish, both brown and rainbow trout, lazily grazing near the bottom-feeding midge larvae. Drift your # 18-22 WD-40s, hare's ears deep and quietly to attract these dozing fish in February. Visit the Uncompahgre River from West Main upstream to the handicap fishing pier, North of the ball fields, and see the stream habitat work accomplished through a Fishing Is Fun grant applied for by The City of Montrose and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The purpose of the habitat work is to encourage trout spawning and create holding water at lower flows; i.e, winter. The re-vegetation of the banks will begin in April with the assistance of volunteers from FORU. Please let us know if you are interested in helping. Email us volunteer@foruncompahgre.org FORU presentation to the City of Montrose and Montrose CountyDecember 7th, 2006 FORU introduced to the Montrose City Council their ideas about Uncompahgre River Corridor preservation. The FORU purpose and goal document was presented to each of the council members Download the presentation (pdf.file ) |
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