Roaring Fork Conservancy is holding its Watershed Explorations series.
Announcements for Early July
Hanging Lake
The Colorado Water Conservation Board Department of Natural Resources June 2016 Drought Update, a summary of the drought information presented at the June 22, 2016 Water Availability Task Force Meeting will be posted on the CWCB website. All of the presentations from the meeting can also be found on the CWCB website. If you have questions regarding the Drought Update, please contact Taryn Finnessey at taryn.finnessey@state.co.us.
WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION - HEARING NOTICES - June 2016. The following Notices of Rulemaking Hearings have been posted on the commission’s web site: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-rulemaking-proceedings.
Discharger specific variances for the City of La Junta, Town of Nucla and Suncor Energy in the Classifications and Numeric Standards for:
Arkansas River Basin, Regulation #32 (5 CCR 1002-32),
Gunnison and Lower Dolores River Basins, Regulation #35 (5 CCR 1002-35), and
South Platte River Basin, Laramie River Basin, Republican River Basin, Smoky Hill River Basin, Regulation #38 (5 CCR 1002-38.
Colorado Discharge Permit System Regulations, Regulation #61 (5 CCR 1002-61).
The following Notices of Informational Hearings have been posted on the commission’s web site: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc-public-informational-hearings.
Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Rules, Regulation #51 (5 CCR 1002-51), and Drinking Water Revolving Fund Rules, Regulation #52 (5 CCR 1002-52).
Regulations for State of Colorado Continuing Planning Process, Regulation #23 (5 CCR 1002-23).
401 Certification Regulation, Regulation #82 (5 CCR 1002-82).
Bear Creek Watershed Control Regulation, Regulation #74 (5 CCR 1002-74).
Water Alternatives, an interdiciplinary journal on water, politics and development has announced a Call for Papers: The (Re)turn to Infrastructure for Water Management. With a few obvious exceptions, including the construction of the world’s largest dam in China, water management around the world in the 1990s and 2000s seemed largely focused on the demand-side. More recently, however, we have begun to see a significant number of large inter-basin water transfer projects, massive dams, desalination plants, sea walls, tidal barriers and other constructions under development in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Taken together, the resurgence of these types of concrete-heavy forms of water management suggest a turn back to the high-modernist reliance on big infrastructure as a strategy for addressing a range of water-related issues, including regional scarcity, sea-level rise, and flooding. The papers in this special issue will explore the questions of whether and why we are seeing a return to a 20th century water management paradigm centered on big infrastructure and, often, supply-side management principles, and what this (re)turn to big infrastructure tells us about the political-economic forces driving water management today. Deadline for submission of abstracts is July 20th, 2016. For more information go to www.water-alternatives.org.
Abstracts are being accepted for two sessions in the upcoming Geological Society of America Meeting, held September 25-28 in Denver. Abstracts are due on July 12th, 2016. Authors can submit up to 2 abstracts as first author, provided one presentation is a poster. The goal for the first session (T28) is to integrate different approaches to evaluating potential mining impacts using tools that can include remote sensing, human health, hydrology, ecological assessments, microbial assays, sedimentation, or geochemistry. The second session (T70) has a focus on the Animas River area, including the Gold King Mine incident of 2015. This session will include both science and policy perspectives on abandoned mine lands. For further information go to www.geosociety.org.
The United States Geologic Survey conducted its second largest assessment of potential shale & tight gas resources, updating their estimate of natural gas and oil in the Mancos Shale in the Piceance Basin. Previously assessed at an estimated 1.6 trillion cubic feet of shale natural gas, the new assessment estimated that the area contains a mean of 66 trillion cubic feet of shale natural gas, 74 million barrels of shale oil and 45 million barrels of natural gas liquids. Read the new assessment HERE.
Conferences & Events for Early July
Campsite by Grizzly Creek, Glenwood Canyon, Colorado
JULY 9th, 2016 VOLUNTEER TRAIL STEWARD DAY. Join the Mountain Park Environmental Center on the trails of Pueblo Mountain Park so these trails can receive some needed TLC. Individuals 12 years of age and up are welcome to participate in these trails projects that will keep Pueblo Mountain Park’s trails safe and enjoyable for all who wish to connect with Nature. They will meet in the Horseshoe Lodge parking lot at 8:00 am and will conclude trail work at 12 noon. Participants should bring water (at least 2 liters), snacks, hiking boots, work gloves, and sunscreen. Additionally, a sun hat is highly encouraged, along with rain gear. 8am-noon. For more information visit www.hikeandlearn.org.
JULY 19th – 23rd, 2016: BEER, FILMS, AND FUN in Lake City. This festival is hosted by the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy whose mission is to facilitate long term environmental and economic sustainability in the headwaters of the Colorado River Basin, focusing on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison and Cebolla Creek valleys. Venues Include: Mountaineer Movie Theatre, Lake City Arts Center, and Lake Fork Memorial Park. Go to http://www.lfvc.org/ for detailed information.
JULY 30th, 2016: Gunnison Public Lands Initiative Hike - Lost Lake and Beckwith Pass. The Western Slope Conservation Center & the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative are hosting a hike to learn about the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative and how it could designate new special management and conservation areas in the upper North Fork watershed! The Beckwith Pass trail traverses a section of land that the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative has proposed for permanent protection of water, wildlife, and recreation. Come learn how GPLI and the Conservation Center are working to protect this area -- and what you can do to help! 7:00 am carpool from Conservation Center office.
AUGUST 3rd – 5th, 2016: The Annual San Juan Mining and Reclamation Conference. This conference is designed to educate the public and other stakeholders on the science and policy of mining, mine lands remediation, and water quality as it relates to non-point source pollution, improving mining practices, and addressing water quality impairments through workshops, field tours, and presentations. This year’s conference is scheduled to be held in Durango and Silverton, Colorado. For more information click HERE.
AUGUST 24th - 26th, 2016: The Colorado Water Congress Summer Conference and Membership Meeting. The 2016 conference will be held at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort. A don't miss event for those who wish to stay informed about water issues in Colorado while engaging in numerous professional development activities. Registration is now open.
SEPTEMBER 16th - 18th, 2016: The 5th Annual Pedal The Plains Bicycle Tour features the open range and star-filled nights of Southeast Colorado; a region steeped in history and bound together by its hometown values! Join them this fall and roam vast beautiful grasslands and pedal along the Santa Fe Trail Scenic Byway; visit Bent’s Old Fort; befriend local farmers and ranchers; and have a boot-stomp’n good ol’ time! For more information click HERE.
3-Day Tour, 151 miles
September 16-18
Ordway • Fowler • La Junta
Registration Includes: Jersey, Water Bottle, Finisher's Medal, Locally Sourced Lunches, Beer Gardens, Live Entertainment, Educational Offerings and Route Support.
Century Ride, 100 miles
September 17
Fowler to La Junta
Registration Includes: Jersey, Finisher’s Medal, Pancake Breakfast, Locally Sourced Lunch, Beer Garden, Live Entertainment, Educational Offerings, Route Support and Shuttle Service.
Family Fun Ride, 5 miles
September 17
La Junta
Registration Includes: T-shirt, Lapel Pin, Pancake Breakfast, Aid Station, Games, Best Bike Decorating Contest and Best Costume Contest.
SEPTEMBER 16th, 2016: The Greenway Foundation Blue Moon After Party on the Bridge will be held on the Historic 19th Street Bridge, one night after The Greenway Foundation's annual, Noble Energy Gala on the Bridge. The 2016 event featuring eats, cocktails, and amazing live music - all included in the ticket price! Proceeds from the Blue Moon After Party on the Bridge support The Greenway Foundation's longstanding efforts to protect and enhance the South Platte River and its tributaries, and to engage the Metro Denver community with their river through educational programming and free cultural events. For information and tickets click HERE.
SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2016: Careers in Natural Resources Summit. Your organization will learn how to develop training modules tailored for your participants to build pathways to careers in natural resources. Attending organizations will receive a toolkit including hard copies of the career manual, “A How-To Guide for Pursuing a Career in Natural Resources” and digital resources including training activities, presentations, and more! This event is FREE and lunch will be provided due to support from Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service. Registration will open this summer. For more information go to the Colorado Youth Corps Association.
SEPTEMBER 23rd - 25th, 2016: Colorado Annual Student Water Field Conference hosted by Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colo. Itinerary includes dinner at Fruita State Park, a tour of river restoration and diversions along Colorado River’s Riverfront Trail in Grand Junction, followed by a farm tour and a farm dinner in the lower Grand Valley. Students work in groups to develop plans for sharing what they have learned when they return home. For additional information, contact Gigi Richard at: 970.248.1689, grichard@coloradomesa.edu.
SEPTEMBER 25th – 28th, 2016: Geological Society of America (GSA) 2016 meeting to be held in Denver. GSA’s mission includes: Scientific Research, Scientific Communication, Geologic Time, Technological Innovation, Geologic Hazards, Sustainability, and Natural Resources. Registration, technical programs, poster sessions, and exhibits will be held at the Colorado Convention Center. GSA Field Trips will also depart from the Colorado Convention Center. The Hyatt Regency Denver at CCC is the headquarter hotel where the majority of non-technical events will be held. Meeting abstracts are due July 12. For more information click HERE.
OCTOBER 7th, 2016: 2016 West Slope EE Conference - Bringing Colorado's EE Plan to Life. This conference will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Ridgway State Park Group Event Facility, located in Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of the park. Join environmental education (EE) providers and supporters from agencies, nonprofits, schools, and environmental, nature, conservation fields for an engaging summit. Learn more about the Colorado Environmental Education Plan, network and share ideas, and find inspiration from innovative EE leaders. For more information and registration go to www.caee.org.
OCTOBER 11th - 13th, 2016: Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference: A River Runs Out of It: Building Strong Upstream Communities. The Colorado Watershed Assembly in partnership with the Colorado Foundation for Water Education and the Colorado Riparian Association hosts this conference focused on cooperation and collaboration throughout Colorado in natural resource conservation, protection, and enhancement. Registration Opens July 2016! Visit our Conference Page for more information.
NOVEMBER 2nd & 3rd, 2016: The Sixth Annual Upper Colorado River Basin Forum will be held at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. The theme is"Complex Systems in Flux: Changing Relationships between Water, People and the Environment." They have a CALL FOR ABSTRACTS on presentation proposals from water managers, policy makers, scholars and other stakeholders. The call for abstracts is available here.
Job Announcements for Early July
The Yampa River
The City and County of Denver's Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking skilled and qualified candidates for the position of Arborist Technician I to work for the Natural Resources Division – Forestry Work Group (Citywide Operation). This position performs primarily tree planting and establishment, but also standard level pruning, removing trees, inventory with mobile devices and applying insecticides to trees and shrubbery. For a formal job description and to apply go to their website: www.denvergov.org/jobs. CLOSING DATE: July 4, 2016.
The South Platte Basin Roundtable (SPBRT) has announced an open At‐Large Voting position. SPBRT was established through the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act to facilitate discussions on water management issues and encourage locally driven collaborative solutions. To this end, the SPBRT is seeking passionate, professional, and committed individuals to serve as representatives on the roundtable. The SPBRT consists of up to 56 voting members who collectively represent the rich diversity of the watershed. For more information, visit the SPBRT page on the Colorado Water Conservation Board website. Interested applicants should submit a completed application to Joe Frank, SPBRT Chair at jmfrank@lspwcd.org. All information is due by July 29, 2016.
Summit County Colorado has announced a position opening for an Open Space & Trails Resource Specialist. This position is responsible for volunteer program management, public outreach and broad open space management and planning. Develops sign program and manages historic resources on open space properties. The position will be open until filled. Submit cover letter/resume and application to summitcountyco.gov (see “Employment”). For more information please call (970) 668-4060.
Boulder County Open Space is hiring a Parks and Open Space Department Director. This is a senior management level classification in Boulder County government. The Parks and Open Space Director performs a variety of duties in managing the Parks and Open Space Department, including budgeting, personnel management, policy development, and public interaction. This position serves at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners, reports directly to this three-person board and is a member of the Commissioners senior management team. For more information go to their JOB POSTING.
Jefferson County Open Space is hiring a Community Connections Manager. The Community Connections Manager and Team promotes internal collaboration and seeks and provides opportunities for public engagement on a variety of projects, programs and management practices. Under limited supervision, the Community Connections Manager performs administrative and supervisory work supporting the JCOS Community Connections Team. The Community Connections Manager oversees and supports the establishment of, and adherence to, standards, procedures and performance metrics specific to their team. This includes building partnerships among agencies, coalitions, non-profits, county representatives and conservation organizations. For more information visit Jeffco.us.jobs.
Middle Colorado Watershed Council's (MCWC) is hiring a Watershed Specialist. MCWCs mission is to evaluate, protect and enhance the health of the middle Colorado River watershed through the cooperative effort of watershed stakeholders. The Watershed Specialist position is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to help implement elements of the 2016 Watershed Plan. This includes performing technical studies, participating in restoration activities, and implementing the Public Outreach and Communication Plan. Deadline for Applications is July 6, 2016. For more information go to www.midcowatershed.org.
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is hiring a Stewardship Director. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (formerly Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory) is a Colorado-based non-profit conservation organization established in 1988. The Stewardship Director provides
strategic vision, guidance, and leadership to the Stewardship Program of Bird Conservancy. The director is responsible for supervising the Program Manager, Grant Accountant, Grassland Wildlife Coordinator, and two Senior level partner biologists while providing direction to all Stewardship staff regarding partner relations and achieving strategic goals and grant
deliverables. Applications must be received on or by July 18, 2016. For more information visit their website at www.birdconservancy.org.
The Big Thompson Watershed Forum, a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997, is seeking a motivated individual to fill the part-time position of Monitoring Program Manager of the Forum. The mission of the Forum is to protect and improve water quality in the Big Thompson River Watershed through collaborative monitoring, assessment and educational projects. The Monitoring Program Manager provides leadership, technical support, and overall management of the Big Thompson Watershed Forum’s water quality monitoring and assessment activities. Applications will be accepted until July 29, 2016 with an expected start date is September 26, 2016. For more information on this position visit their website at btwatershed.org.
The Big Thompson Watershed Forum is seeking a motivated individual to fill the part-time position of Watershed Program Administrator. The Forum is a collaborative group representing private citizens, corporations, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies. The mission of the Forum is to protect and improve water quality in the Big Thompson River Watershed through collaborative monitoring, assessment and educational projects. The Watershed Program Administrator provides leadership and overall management of the Big Thompson Watershed Forum in areas of weekly operations, planning, administration and financial management. Applications will be accepted until July 29, 2016 with an expected start date is September 19, 2016. For more information on this position visit their website at btwatershed.org.
Funding Opportunities for Early July
Eman in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park)
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) - Water for Agriculture Challenge Area has announced a Request for Applications (RFA). The Water for Agriculture Challenge Area addresses critical water resources issues such as drought, excess soil moisture, flooding, quality and others in an agricultural context. Funding will be used to develop management practices, technologies, and tools for farmers, ranchers, forest owners and managers, public decision makers, public and private managers, and citizens to improve water resource quantity and quality. The long-term goal of the AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area is to tackle critical water issues by developing both regional systems for the sustainable use and reuse, flow and management of water, and at the watershed and farm scales, water issues focused on production and environmental sustainability efforts. Project types supported within this Challenge area are multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects and Food and Agricultural Enhancement (FASE) Grants. RFA Closing Date: Thursday, August 4, 2016. For more information click HERE.
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources announced funding for wildfire risk reduction projects, through their Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program (WRRG). Two types of projects will be considered through this grant program: 1) Fuels treatment projects located in Colorado that reduce the risk of damage to property, infrastructure, water supplies, and other high-valued assets as a result of wildfire and/or limit the likelihood of wildfires spreading into populated areas; 2) Projects that address unmet needs for capacity at the local level. These grants are designed to provide communities with equipment that will enable them to treat hazardous fuels on state and private lands going forward. Application deadline is August 8th, 2016. For more information go to CDNR.US.
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to announce the 2016 Barrett Foundation Business Concept Challenge to foster innovation in natural resource management. Founded by Craig Barrett, former Chairman and CEO of Intel Corporation and long-time Board Member of the NFF, the Challenge encourages and rewards innovative market-based solutions to natural resource issues affecting National Forests and Grasslands and hopes to cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurial natural resource and business leaders. The Barrett Foundation Business Concept Challenge offers a $75,000 cash award to the winning submission and a $25,000 cash award to the first runner-up. Submission Deadline is Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:59 pm MDT. Application instructions and more information can be found at www.nationalforests.org.
Conservation Alliance Invites Nominations for Conservation Projects. The Conservation Alliance is a group of outdoor businesses that seeks to protect threatened wild places throughout North America for their habitat and recreational values. As a group of outdoor industry companies, alliance recognizes its responsibility to help protect the wild lands and waterways on which our customers recreate and wildlife thrives. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded for projects that seek to secure permanent and quantifiable protection of a specific wild land or waterway. Priority will be given to landscape-scale projects that have a clear benefit for habitat. In addition, campaigns should engage grassroots citizen action in support of the conservation effort and must have a clear recreational benefit. Nominations must be received no later than November 1, 2016. Upon review, selected nominees will be invited to submit full proposals by December 1, 2016. Visit the Conservation Alliance website for program guidelines, information about how to be nominated by an alliance member, and application procedures.