LITTLE THOMPSON JOURNAL: ISSUE 3: MARCH 5, 2014
PROPERTY OWNERS MEETING THIS WEEKEND
There will be a public meeting of the Little Thompson Watershed Restoration Coalition on Saturday, March 8, at 9 A.M. at the Berthoud Community Center. A lot of work has been done since our last public meeting on January 18th and we need to update you on what has been done and what is planned.
AGENDA:
> Quick over view of the Coalition and its role in the restoration of the entire river system from its headwaters above Big Elk Meadows to its confluence with the Big Thompson north of
Milliken.
> Updates on
– What has been done
– Fund-Raising and Grant Applications
– Information gathering
– Training
– What is in process
– Debris Cleanup
– RFP
– GIS Mapping
– Outreach to Flood Recovery Agencies
– Outreach to Coalition Members
– What is planned
– Spring Runoff Preparations
– Surveys and Assessments
– Master Planning
> How you can help with the restoration
– Equipment Needed
– Volunteer Projects
– Outreach
– Permission Forms
– Keeping Track of Time and Expenses
– Counts as matching funds for certain grants
– Some expenses may be reimbursable
> An overview of the river from where it starts to where it ends
> Questions and feedback. (You can also submit questions in advance by replying to this email.)
Long Term Recovery Groups from Larimer and possibly Weld County will be there to answer your questions and help you register for the many assistance programs that are available.
Please plan to attend and get the latest news. It is very important to stay informed.
FEBRUARY 28 ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL
U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet joined Gov. John Hickenlooper today to announce their successful effort to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency aid for
state and local governments working to reduce hazards in streams caused by the September flood that pose an immediate threat to lives and property. This is a significant step in the state’s work to rebuild and to help prepare for the impending spring runoff.
“Working as a team, we’ve made great strides rebuilding since September’s flood. These funds, which I was proud to fight for in Washington, will help reduce the chances that spring runoff and rain do not cause tragic landslides or result in more destructive floods,” Udall said. “This is welcome news for Coloradans along the Front Range, but it will not address all of our remaining needs. I will keep fighting to secure the resources communities ravaged by September’s flood need to address both immediate dangers and to fully rebuild.”
“This is a huge relief to Coloradans across the Front Range,” Bennet said. “Several Colorado counties face the prospect of further property destruction when snow begins to melt in a matter of weeks, swelling streams clogged with hazards, and creating a high risk of new flooding. We’re glad to work with FEMA and state and federal agencies to support local communities in their efforts to remove this debris as quickly as possible, in order to avoid more destruction this spring.”
“FEMA’s decision to help cover the cost of removing hazards from streams will help prevent future disaster and aid the state’s recovery efforts,” Hickenlooper said. “We are grateful to FEMA for allocating the resources needed to take this step to protect Coloradans in the flooded areas, many of whom are still recovering.”
FEMA’s initial focus on removing hazards from streams will be in Larimer and Boulder counties; other impacted counties are eligible to apply to FEMA for assistance as local officials define threats and identify sites.
GETTING HELP IN WELD COUNTY
Live in Weld and looking for some help with flood recovery? Please go to the website listed below:
http://www.unitedway-weld.org/2013flood
THE LYONS PROJECT – AN ARTISTIC NARRATION OF THE FLOODING OF LYONS A Lyons, Colorado community of artists, musicians and residents, presents a multi-media fundraising event at eTown Hall.
Adapting poems from Lyons residents written in the early/mid 1900’s, musicians, including Grammy award winner Sally Van Meter, will weave songs between recorded interviews from Lyons residents reflecting on the flooding of their town. Adding to this performance is a backdrop of images from the arts community in Lyons. Includes Post Performance Art Show and Music from Jami Lunde/Eben Grace, The Railsplitters, Monocle, Dave Watts and Friends.
Proceeds will go to the Lyons Community Foundation. When: Friday, March 7 at 7:30 P.M.
Where: 1535 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302
FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION OPEN HOUSE
Larimer County, in collaboration with the Larimer County – Flood 2013 Long Term Recovery Groups (Loveland and Estes Valley offices), is sponsoring an expanded Flood Recovery Information Open House on Saturday, March 8, 2014 from 10-2 pm at the Rocky Mountain Park Inn Conference Center, 101 South Saint Vrain Ave, Estes Park.
Larimer County will provide recovery information on road and bridge repair, floodplain impacts, damage assessments, building permits and code requirements, flood loss and property taxes, master planning efforts, and debris removal. Other organizations, both public and private, will be available to discuss topics ranging from stream-bank restoration, volunteer availability, disaster recovery, and non-profit community outreach funding, resources, and support. Approximately 25 resource stations will be staffed and ready to provide information.
If you go, be sure to stop by the Coalition table and say hello to volunteer and Resource Committee Member Julie Stapp, who will be there to fill you in on the important updates being covered at our own meeting in Berthoud.
SPRING RUNOFF & COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS MEETINGS – MARCH 10-13
In an effort to inform residents about the risks associated with the upcoming post-flood spring runoff, Boulder County is hosting Spring Runoff & Community Preparedness Meetings.
These meetings will include information about potential spring runoff and summer flooding hazards, emergency preparedness measures, and updates about recovery projects such as the Comprehensive Creek Planning Initiative, FEMA buyout program, CDBG-DR funding, flood insurance, and housing assistance. Additionally the county will present an assessment of hazardous conditions and possible mitigation strategies such as debris removal, creek bank stabilization and channel restoration. The Long-Term Flood Recovery Group of Boulder County will also be in attendance to provide information about resources to meet individual unmet needs.
There will be four locations:
Who: Lyons/North & South St. Vrain/Apple Valley/Longmont Dam Road/Little
Thompson/Raymond & Riverside/Big Elk Meadows
When: March 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Lifebridge Christian Church, 10345 Ute Hwy, Longmont
Who: Fourmile Canyon Dr./Gold Run/Fourmile Canyon & Twomile Canyon
Creeks/Wagonwheel/Lee Hill/Bow Mountain/Pinebrook/Linden
When: March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder
Who: Jamestown/Lefthand Canyon/James Canyon/Streamcrest/Brigadoon/Oriole
Estates/Nimbus Road
When: March 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder
Who: South Boulder Creek/Boulder Creek/Coal Creek
When: March 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder
Residents may attend any meeting, even if it is not the community where they live, but there will be some community-specific information given.
Meetings will feature a presentation with information about county recovery efforts. Staff information tables will be set up in order to help answer specific questions or connect residents to the right team for a follow-up discussion. Resource guides, preparedness guides and literature for other recovery, rebuilding or preparedness programs will be provided.
For more information, contact Katie Arrington at karrington@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-1609 or visit www.BoulderCountyFlood.org.
