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 Roaring Fork Conservancy was established in 1996 and has since shortly thereafter addressed the concerns of local citizens for the quality and integrity of the valley’s rivers and riparian areas. Whether dealing with construction and planning practices of urban and commercial developments, surface water quantity and quality issues, or riparian habitat and wildlife protection, Roaring Fork Conservancy strives to help educate and enforce proper conservation methods to ensure the existence of sustainable ecosystems to support the valley, its wildlife, and citizens. Following is a list of some of those concerns and the subsequent action taken by Roaring Fork Conservancy. Bald Eagle Electrocuted A concerned citizen contacted Roaring Fork Conservancy regarding a bald eagle that had been electrocuted by power lines near the Roaring Fork River in Garfield County. Roaring Fork Conservancy staff members initiated the investigation which was eventually referred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service due to the status of the Bald Eagle being a federally protected species. Through the US Fish and Wildlife Service investigations, the utility company liable for the power lines agreed to fix the problem on all potentially hazardous power lines valley-wide, and began working on implementing an avian species protection plan. Wetlands Alteration Roaring Fork Conservancy was notified by a local citizen that alterations were being made to a wetland area in Eagle County near the Fryingpan River. Due to the use of heavy machinery being used to turn a wetlands area into a trout pond, Roaring Fork Conservancy first checked to make sure all the proper permits had been attained. Although permits were not required by the Environmental Protection Agency in this instance, one of Roaring Fork Conservancy’s objectives within the watershed is to make sure further environmental alterations are kept to a minimum, and that proper permits are obtained when necessary. Yard Waste Dumping A concerned citizen contacted Roaring Fork Conservancy to address concerns of a neighbor dumping yard waste into a Pitkin County section of The Roaring Fork River. Roaring Fork Conservancy immediately contacted the Pitkin County Health Inspector to discuss any legal ramifications, as well as educational options to address this practice of dumping yard waste into rivers. It was conveyed to the concerned citizen, as well as the residential development, that dumping anything into the river is not a healthy practice, and is illegal in some cases. Erosion Control A resident of Glenwood Springs notified Roaring Fork Conservancy that construction was being done on a city sewer line near Glenwood Trail, and that there was not proper erosion and runoff protection for the construction site. Roaring Fork Conservancy took action by contacting the City of Glenwood Springs insisting that the site be managed with proper erosion control measures. Due to the extent of development occurring within the Roaring Fork Watershed, practices such as erosion and runoff control with silt fencing are essential to maintaining quality water in our rivers and streams. Water Rights Roaring Fork Conservancy was notified that several ponds were in the early stages of planning and development near Ruedi Creek in Eagle County, and there were concerns that they could potentially dewater the creek. Roaring Fork Conservancy first contacted the Division of Water Resources to see if the water rights for the ponds had been legally obtained, and if not, if any water rights were available. Due to the abundance of water that can be within our watershed it can be misconceived that such diversions will not have a negative effect, however such diversions can potentially affect stream flows significantly. Frogs Wanted A Garfield County resident contacted Roaring Fork Conservancy to inquire about introducing frog species into a pond which was currently inhabited. Roaring Fork Conservancy first conveyed to the citizen that only native species should be re-introduced to the pond, and gave some native options. After speaking with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Roaring Fork Conservancy also relayed to the citizen that finding local frogs and transporting them to the pond, or waiting for frogs to migrate to the pond would be a better option then purchasing frogs from pet stores. Water Diverter A local rafting company contacted Roaring Fork Conservancy after noticing that a bulldozer was modifying a section of the Roaring Fork River stream bed in Pitkin County, directing a significant amount of the flow into a diversion headgate. After verifying that the diverter did own the proper water rights with the Division of Water Resources, Roaring Fork Conservancy contacted the Army Corps of Engineers to verify if these types of streambed modifications were legal. They found in this situation the water rights holder has an exemption to the Clean Water Act to make modifications to a river bed to ensure they maintain flows into their diversion or risk losing the water rights. Car Wash Pollution Roaring Fork Conservancy, on numerous occasions, was alerted by concerned citizens that a Garfield County car wash had a pre-wash cycle contributing unhealthy runoff to the Roaring Fork River causing an environmental health concern. Roaring Fork Conservancy contacted the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment in Grand Junction to address the issue with the gas station owner. After relaying the violations to the Clean Water act, potential fines, as well as the environmental concerns, immediate results were seen from the gas station car wash. Riparian Destruction Roaring Fork Conservancy was contacted in response to several Pitkin County riverfront properties having trees and other vegetation removed along the Roaring Fork River. Roaring Fork Conservancy expressed immediate concern due to the importance of riparian vegetation and aimed to educate the riverfront property owners of the importance of vegetation along the river in stabilizing the river banks and preventing erosion. Restaurant Pollution Roaring Fork Conservancy was contacted in regards to a Pitkin County restaurant leaking cooking grease onto a parking lot, which was subsequently draining into a storm drain. Due to storm water and river water contamination, Roaring Fork Conservancy immediately contacted the local municipal Public Works Department to educate and enforce the proper procedures to keep surface water clean. Beaver Havoc A valley resident contacted Roaring Fork Conservancy with frustrations due to beaver activity hindering irrigation diversions and causing flooding potential. The homeowner wanted to protect his irrigation headgate from damage as well as his property from flooding, but was not interested in harming any beavers. Roaring Fork Conservancy is now able to relay the successful outcomes in the valley of a device called the Beaver Deceiver, which helps keep beaver impacts minimal without harm to the animal. Excessive Urban Development Roaring Fork Conservancy was contacted by a citizen of a neighboring watershed with concerns of planned urban development near a Montrose County river. Roaring Fork Conservancy supported the concern that excessive urban development near rivers and streams can have extremely negative impacts on the streams and surrounding riparian areas with increased human activity. Roaring Fork Conservancy provided assistance by directing the concerned citizen to local entities who could assist in protecting. |
ROARING FORK CONSERVANCY Brings People Together to Protect Our Rivers     © 2002-2012 ROARING FORK CONSERVANCY P.O. Box 3349, Basalt, Colorado 81621 Tel: (970) 927-1290 Events Calendar | Get Involved | The Watershed | About Us | Contact Us |