LITTLE THOMPSON JOURNAL – Issue 6, March 27, 2014
SAVE THE DATE
The next public meeting of the Little Thompson Watershed Restoration Coalition has been set for Wednesday, April 16, 7 p.m., at the Berthoud Community Center. Besides updates on ongoing activities, needs, and resources, this will be your chance to meet our new master planning team, and learn all about your role in the master planning process, which will take place over the next six months or more. We’ll also review spring runoff preparation, update you on debris removal progress, and pass along information on any programs that might help your recovery efforts.
THE PROPOSALS ARE IN! – RIVER MASTER PLAN
We’ve received seven proposals for the development of a master plan for the Little Thompson Watershed. This important product—which will be a process as much as a document—will be used to secure funding and guide our efforts to improve future flood resiliency and to restore the river to a state of health and beauty. The selection committee members are reviewing the proposals now. The final selection will be announced by April 1.
To see the RFP, go to LTWRC.org and click “Documents.”
BIG ELK MEADOW DAMS – PUBLIC MEETING
There will be a Public Meeting on Big Elk Meadows Dams on the Little Thompson River and the Re-Construction of the Dams after the September 2013 Flooding.
March 29, 3-5 PM at Rogers Hall, Lyons
Next to the Old Stone Church on High Street
Members of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Dam Safety Branch (DSB) will report preliminary findings of their ongoing study of the rainfall and resulting flooding, including the effects of the failure of dams in the Big Elk Meadows (BEM) sub-division on the Little Thompson River. The DSB will also provide an update on the status of the reconstruction of the dams.
In addition, representatives of Larimer County Emergency Management, Larimer County Engineering, Larimer County Community Development, Colorado Division of Water Resources, FEMA, Colorado Water Conservation Floodplain Management Program, and representatives of the BEM Homeowners Association and their engineer, will be on site to answer questions.
A primary goal of this meeting is to provide a forum for communication and information about the flooding along the Little Thompson River, and the Colorado Dam Safety Branch’s regulatory role in the re-construction of the dams at Big Elk Meadows.
For more information, contact dnr_coloradods@state.co.us. Want to help? Contact GailHoag2010@gmail.com.
The Coalition Committees Are Restructuring
After two months of hard work, we’ve achieved several of our major objectives, including:
compiled a database of owners and stakeholders along the river; compiled a database of, and connected with, resource agencies; secured assistance for the most pressing needs for
individuals; obtained significant volunteer resources for debris removal; established an information network that provides timely news and critical information to our members; and secured funding and issued a Request For Proposal for hiring a river restoration consultant to develop a master plan. Numerous other projects are well underway.
That’s all great news, but there’s still so much more to be done. The new consulting firm will be able to handle some tasks, while others require a committee organization that is better aligned with the way that government agencies and non-profits work, as well as a more refined ability to understand and work with the needs of different reaches of the river. The details are still being worked out, but some of the changes will include a new focus on six—or so— “neighborhoods” along the river. These are contiguous reaches that share some key characteristics such as access, predominant land use, and geophysical environment. The resource and technical committees will combine to form a single committee with several core functions, while flexible subgroups will be created, as needed, to carry out specific tasks. More on this in next week’s journal.
NEW DISTRICT CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN HIRED
Laura Tyler is now officially on board, working for the Big Thompson CD. She’ll be assisting the Coalition to communicate directly with landowners on flood recovery and helping with volunteer coordination. Welcome, Laura!
DEBRIS REMOVAL IN PROGRESS
Volunteers are hard at work removing debris from properties that have registered with us and filled out the Right Of Entry form. This work will continue over the spring, summer and fall as weather and river conditions allow. Go to the www.ltwrc.org website for information on how to get on the schedule.
DEMO DAY FOR GRINDING DEBRIS
We will be demonstrating the machine we will use to grind debris on Saturday, April 12 at 2275
Alpine Sky Drive outside of Berthoud. More information will be on the website soon.
DO YOU HAVE EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLES THAT CAN BE USED DURING CLEAN-UP?
Let us know if you have machinery or trucks that you are willing to use for debris removal. Contact us at info@LTWRC.org.
COLORADO SPIRIT OUTREACH TEAMS GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR
If you haven’t already registered with your county Long-Term Recovery Group, don’t be surprised to hear someone from the Colorado Spirit Outreach Team knocking on your door in the next few days or weeks. Getting registered is so important that we have asked this group to make sure no one has been overlooked.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES ARE REPRINTED FROM THE LAST ISSUE BUT STILL IMPORTANT
LONG TERM RECOVERY NEEDS
The Little Thompson Watershed Restoration Coalition can help with removing debris from your property but if you need longer term help in restoring your home or property you should be registered with the Long Term Recovery group hosted by your county. Getting registered will
also put you on the list if grants or loans for restoration become available. Here is the contact information we have for these groups.
Boulder
Long-Term Flood Recovery Group Office
4775 Walnut St. Suite A
Boulder, CO 80301
- Phone: 303-895-3429
- Email: floodrecovery@unitedwayfoothills.org. Larimer
Loveland office:
House of Neighborly Services
1511 East 11th Street
Loveland, CO 80537
- Phone: 970-461-2222
- Hours: Monday – Friday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Email: LCFloods2013@gmail.com
The case manager for the Little Thompson in Larimer County is Willow Cooper-Barton. You can call her directly at 970-402-7535, or email her at willowcooperbarton@gmail.com. If you email, please send your name, address, and phone number and a request that she contact you.
Weld
- Phone: 970-590-8401
WE HAVE A WEBSITE! – www.LTWRC.org
We have our very own website. This is an excellent place to check for resources. Updates are happening all the time.
WE HAVE A FACEBOOK GROUP! – www.facebook.com/groups/LTWRC, or just log in to Facebook and search Little Thompson Watershed Restoration Coalition, and ask to join the group (allow a day or two for your request to clear). This is a great way to share stories, comments, and photographs, ask and answer questions, and get to know your fellow denizens of the watershed.
COUNTY ROADSIDE DEBRIS PICKUP
Larimer County will continue its right-of-way debris clean-up program past the March
12th deadline as funding allows., because the Colorado State Office of Emergency Management has issued an extension for the FEMA right-of-way debris removal program.
To schedule a debris pick up, please call the Debris Hotline at 970-498-7140. Debris questions can be directed to Lori Hodges at lrhodges@larimer.org.
Larimer County and its hired debris removal contractor, TFR Enterprises, are currently picking up
ELIGIBLE flood debris from the county maintained right-of-ways only, per FEMA
regulations. This FEMA program is for residential private property owners who are removing debris from their property themselves, or with the assistance of volunteers and not paid contractors. In accordance with the FEMA guidelines, flood qualified debris does NOT include unimproved land, farm and ranch land, and commercial property.
Boulder County is extending its right-of-way debris clean up program for hardest hit flood areas. More information at:
http://www.bouldercounty.org/flood/health/pages/debris.aspx
LOST & FOUND
Did the river deposit someone else’s treasures at your doorstep? Did it sweep away something you’re hoping to get back? You can now report lost and found items to lost.found@LTWRC.org, and we’ll try to facilitate a happy reunion.
RUMORS, RUMORS, RUMORS
Did you hear that the flood unearthed dinosaur bones? Chipped wood is radioactive? They’re giving money away to farmers? Report what you’ve heard through the grapevine to rumors.LTWRC.org and we’ll try to sort out the legends from the legitimate news.
