The Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership ( WEP) has been working under the Colorado Water Plan to develop a stream management plan (now referred to as an integrated watershed management plan) for the Upper San Juan, Blanco and Navajo River watersheds.
The past three years of efforts have emphasized identifying the environmental, recreational and agricultural infrastructure needs of these three watersheds and what enhancements in the watersheds might be made. This has been accomplished via field data gathering, interviews and surveys with different user groups, stake- holders and landowners, under the guidance of a steering committee representative of the agricultural, environmental, municipal and recreational water interests of the community.
In June, the WEP initiated its third and final phase of a planning process to develop a local water plan that includes project opportunities that support river health and our community’s ability to rely on rivers for multiple uses, now and in the future.
For example, several projects have already been identified by or shared with WEP with the potential to enhance the efficiency of irrigation infrastructure, recreational opportunities and improve the health of the rivers.
We hope these will just be the start of many project ideas community members can consider and add their own ideas for projects or actions to develop a shared list of on-the-ground opportunities to support the agricultural, environmental, municipal and recreational water use needs in the San Juan, Blanco and Navajo watersheds.
The WEP hopes to offer multiple options for community members and visitors to participate and inform this water planning process.
First, we hope you will join our next public meeting on December 8 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. (virtual or in-person to be determined depending on COVID-19 guidelines).
Second, you can take one or all three of the WEP’s watershed surveys (Upper San Juan, Blanco and Navajo) to share your opinions and project ideas, including options to mark on maps specific areas or locations you are concerned about or want to suggest an improvement project idea.
Third, you can sign up as an individual or small group to discuss your water-related values, concerns or project ideas with members of the WEP.
Details on how to join our December 8 public meeting, links to watershed surveys and to the project discussion sign-up sheet can all be found at http://www.mountainstudies.org/sanjuan/smp.
If you would like to learn more about the WEP and the planning process, contact Al Pfister (westernwildscapes@gmail.com) or Mandy Eskelson (mandy@mountainstudies.org).
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