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Dear Friends of the River Uncompahgre!

The February 5th FORU  meeting is canceled. Plan to attend your Colorado caucuses instead, and participate in the nominee and party resolution selection process.

 
Join the FORU Membership in Celebration of a Productive 1st year

 

Join the FORU Board at the first annual meeting Monday, March 10th , at DMEA for a lasagna dinner and dessert potluck at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be followed by the meeting at 7:00 to elect FORU Board members and to review FORU 2007 accomplishments and the 2008 timeline of activities.

! Silent Auction !

You will have the opportunity to bid on auction items donated by local FORU supporters including !!5 floats of the Uncompahgre River !!

   

donated by Board member Hank Hotze

   

All FORU members and friends of the Uncompahgre River are invited to attend.

Contact Susan Mills: phone 964-4334, email rabitforme@aol.com if you can donate:

A Lasagna, Salad, Bread

 

 
                                                         

FORU activities for the month of January include:

Watershed Planning:

 FORU participated with many key stakeholders to draft a proposal for EPA Clean Water Act 319 watershed planning funds. The proposal was written and submitted on January 11th by the coordinator for the project, Jeff Crane of the Colorado Watershed Assembly.
   

Burial Tree Ranch:

 Ridgway State Park volunteer and FORU member Jim Haugsness spearheaded public notice and request of letters of support for the purchase of Burial Tree Ranch south of Billy Creek by the Colorado State Parks.
   

Uncompahgre River Nature Center :

 There are on-going discussions with Montrose School District Re-1J staff, the City of Montrose , FORU and Barbara Horn of the DOW Riverwatch program to design and develop a multi-use science lab, riparian/nature center on school district river frontage property near Riverbottom and Cerise Parks . Rusty George, Montrose High School chemistry and biology teacher, has an extensive background in entomology and Riverwatch water sampling. FORU member Laura Cavin brings green design expertise to the discussion. It is the vision of FORU that the facility could be an energy efficient showplace for Montrose and the school district.
   

Spring Planting:

 FORU has begun discussions to partner with Thordy Jacobson, Montrose City Superintendent of Parks, Brad Keiding, Walsh Environmentals and Matt Miles, local developer, to plant native trees in Cerise Park where invasive species were removed last fall.
   
Montrose City Capital Improvement Projects: The City of Montrose has requested recommendations for city Capital Improvement Projects. The FORU list includes:

•  Review the storm waterdrain system and seek compliance with state and federal requirements, in anticipation of Montrose's continuing population growth which is projected to double in less than 10 years. Implement practices described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new report ‘Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices', which contains 17 case studies from across North America that show the economic viability of LID practices. Using these practices in construction projects can lower costs while improving environmental results. For a copy of the report visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07/  

•  Relocate Recla Metals away from the Uncompahgre River and onto a railroad siding.  

•  Purchase and reclaim the Bullock Power Plant.  

•  Land acquisition along the Uncompahgre to protect the corridor and provide public access.  

•  Continue invasive species removal from the corridor and future city park land. A program that selectively removes invasive'sand actively replants native species will secure valuable wildlife habitat.  

•  Continue the habitat improvement programs with the DOW. Identify future sections of river that need in-channel restoration, bank stabilization, and re-vegetation.  

•  Develop a nature center within the river park system  

•  Build an amphitheater for concerts/programs in the park.

 
 
If this fund does not generate at least $75,000 this year it will expire.
Please send a message to others in an effort to promote this
important source of funding to the watershed community.
Thank you for your help.
                                                                
The February 5th FORU  meeting is canceled. Plan to attend your Colorado caucuses instead, and participate in the nominee and party resolution selection process.
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