At its May 12 meeting, the San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) heard a funding request from the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership (WEP) to support its river restoration work in the San Juan River upstream of Pagosa Springs.
WEP representative Al Pfister explained that the organization is scheduled to start work in the river in September and that, although the organization has the money needed for the project, it would take all of its reserves to complete due to previously awarded grants being pulled.
However, Pfister explained that he was seeking additional funding options to reduce the amount of money the WEP has to take from its reserves.
Pfister stated that the total budget for the project is $7,900.
Later in the meeting, Pfister clarified that was the budget for the creation of a film of the restoration process, not for the actual restoration work itself.
He indicated that the project would include restoration and bank stabilization of a 2-mile section of river upstream from the property where Bob’s LP was formerly located.
These improvements would enhance this section of the river for both wildlife and the rafting community, Pfister stated, and would include work to mitigate the impacts and risks associated with car bodies located in this stretch of river and the removal of an old water pipe currently sticking into the river, among other things.
He indicated that the project has obtained written permission from all 18 landowners along this stretch of the river and that permitting for the project is moving forward on schedule.
In response to a question from SJWCD board member Robert Hagberg, Pfister explained that he was seeking $1,500 from the SJWCD or whatever amount the district could contribute.
Following a discussion of previous failed efforts to locate a put in at the Running Iron Ranch property that the SJWCD jointly owns with the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District, Pfister explained that there would be public access to the project area through the Town of Pagosa Springs’ recent purchase of the former Bob’s LP property.
He stated that the town would be putting in public access at the site and that the project had been adjusted to accommodate the town’s plans.
The board then moved to discussion of the budget for this request, with SJWCD board president Candace Jones noting that she was unsure how much money the district would have in its budget due to uncertainty about the cost of another educational film and other budgetary ambiguities.
Hagberg moved to make a donation to the educational film project to the extent the district is able to, which was seconded by SJWCD board member Randy Cooper.
Jones commented that the district would assess its budget situation in June following the completion of its film and the premiere event for it.
She added that the district should assess in June to what extent it could support the WEP film project.
The board then unanimously approved Hagberg’s motion with the addendum that it would determine how much money it can contribute in June.
josh@pagosasun.com
