HomeMy WebLinkAbout06807ORDINANCE NO. 6807
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A GRANT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE BOARD OF
THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST
FUND AND THE CITY FOR THE ARKANSAS RIVER
CORRIDOR LEGACY PROJECT AND
AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO EXECUTE SAME
WHEREAS, City Council supported an application to Great Outdoors Colorado to secure
funding for the Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project.
WHEREAS, the City of Pueblo has established partnerships with Federal, State, and local
agencies and organizations for the implementation of river and habitat enhancements, and
environmental education, trail and river park improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund deferred the award of
the Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project funds until the City received a commitment of
federal funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat
Restoration Project; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pueblo received notification from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers in March 2002 that construction funding for the Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat
Restoration Project was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which meets the
condition of the grant award from the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1.
The Legacy Project Grant Agreement (the "Agreement ") between the City and the Board
of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund dated April 8, 2002, a true copy of which is attached
hereto, is hereby approved in accordance with its terms, provided however, that neither this
Ordinance nor any provision of the Agreement shall constitute, nor be deemed to constitute, an
obligation of future appropriations by the City Council, nor a general obligation or other
indebtedness or multi - fiscal year direct or indirect City debt or other financial obligation within
the meaning of Article X, §20 of the Colorado Constitution or other debt limitations under law.
SECTION 2.
The President of the City Council is authorized and directed to execute the Agreement in
the name of and on behalf of the City and the City Clerk shall attest same.
INTRODUCED: March 25, 2002
BY: Patrick Avalos
COUNCIL PERSON
APPROVED:
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY: \_ P, L�' 1\,J\
CI CLERK
PASSED AND APPROVED: April 8, 2002
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Background Paper for Proposed
ORDINANCE
AGENDA ITEM # - A
DATE: MARCH 25, 2002
DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT /JIM MUNCH
TITLE
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE BOARD OF
THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND AND THE CITY FOR THE ARKANSAS
RIVER CORRIDOR LEGACY PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO EXECUTE SAME
ISSUE
Should Citv Council approve a Legacy Project Grant Agreement with the State Board of the Great
Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund for the Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project?
RECOMMENDATION
Conditional
Approval of the Ordinance.
BACKGROUND
The City of Pueblo is the primary project sponsor of the Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project
which includes the construction of a River Habitat Project on the Arkansas River that includes the
development of a fish passage structure that will also function as a recreational boating course,
improvements at the Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo, a River Otter Exhibit at the Pueblo Zoo,
improvements to the Arkansas River Trail System, environmental education sites at Lake Pueblo State
Wildlife Area, and a riverfront park and access along the river levee. The GOCO grant agreement will
conditionally commit $2,000,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado for the project. The City will be
required to front the $2,000,000 of the GOCO grant funds. Subject to the contingencies and conditions
of the grant contract being met and performed the GOCO grant contract will allow for an annual
reimbursement of the grant funds during the 3 -year project period ending June 30, 2005. The City will
also enter into separate agreements with Colorado State Parks, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Pueblo
County, Greenway and Nature Center, Inc., and the Pueblo Zoological Society to secure the matching
funds and grant obligations and requirements for each of the components of the project. The project
construction period is three years beginning in June 2002 through June 2005. Except for the $400,000
in City funds, the partner funds will replenish the City's commitment of $4,492,000 general fund
surplus. The two original grant contracts with attachments are enclosed for signatures. The copies for
the City Council background papers include the grant contract with application page and budget from
the original grant application only (the entire grant application is not included due to its size - 50
pages), and the Technical Supplement to Land Acquisition Grants has not been included due to its size
(70 pages). The complete agreement with all attachments is available from either the City Clerk's
Office or the Planning and Community Development Office.
The commitment of federal funds to the City for the Arkansas River Habitat Restoration Project was a
condition placed on the Legacy Project grant award by the GOCO Board. The City is entering into a
Project Cooperation Agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers that will provide $4,284,000 in
federal funds to the River Habitat Project. The Army Corps of Engineers will spend $929,000 prior to
the construction of the River Restoration Project for the environmental analysis, ecological restoration
report, final design, specifications, and project bid documents. The South Pacific Division of the Army
Corps of Engineers has committed the balance of $3,355,000 in construction funds. This commitment
satisfies the condition of Great Outdoors Colorado for the award of the Legacy Project funds. The
$3,355,000 in federal construction funds will be provided as follows: FY02 $142,000; FY03
$2,000,000; FY04 $1,038,000; FY05 $35,000 and final balance to complete project of $140,000.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City of Pueblo will need to front the expenditure of the GOCO grant funds over the 3 -year term of
the project. GOCO will reimburse the City funds on an annual basis based on the City submitting
documented project expenses in each of the fiscal years. An ordinance establishing the Capital
Improvement Project in the approximate amount of $8,776,000 and budgeting, appropriating and
transferring $4,492,000 from the general fund surplus to the capital improvement fund for the Legacy
Project is being submitted concurrently with this request to approve the grant agreement.
GREAT OUTDOORS
COLORADO
May 13, 2002
Scott Hobson
City of Pueblo
211 East `D' Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
Re: Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project (GOCO Log #0740)
Dear Scott:
I am enclosing a signed original of the grant agreement between GOCO and Pueblo for the
Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project. Congratulations on receiving the Army Corps funding that
allowed GOCO's $2 million commitment to be solidified. I am also enclosing our local government
application form that describes eligible costs that will be applicable for most of the Legacy project
elements, along with a Grant Administration Supplement that describes how GOCO can make
reimbursements on project elements.
As we discussed, I will now work with GOCO's Board to determine the quadrant(s) from which
this $2 million will be designated. I'll keep you involved as we progress through that process, since we
will both need to know the quadrant allocations for GOCO reimbursements on this project. GOCO's
current cash flow projections indicate funds will be available for payment during these quarters:
Quarter
Amount
Apr
— Jun 2002
$500,000
Jul —
Sep 2002
$250,000
Oct
— Dec 2002
$250,000
Jan —
Mar 2003
$250,000
Apr
— Jun 2003
$250,000
Jul —
Sep 2003
$250,000
Oct
— Dec 2003
$250.000
$2,000,000
If projects will not be ready for reimbursement on this timeframe, we have some flexibility to
rearrange the scheduled payments on this project, particularly by delaying and/or consolidating scheduled
funding. If you would like to revise this schedule to fit your project needs more directly, please send me a
budget and/or work plan indicating your preferred payment scenario. Thanks very much.
Sincerely,
Janis Whisman
Senior Program Manager
Enclosures
STATE BOARD Of THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND
1600 BROADWAY ' SUITE 1650 ' DENVER, CO 80202
ELLPHONE 303- 863 -7522 FACSIMILE 303- 863- 75 KECEIVEO MAY 1 5 2002
E -MAIL:
LEGACY PROJECT GRANT AGREEMENT
LEGACY PROJECT:
Project Name: Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project
Project Completion Date: June 30, 2005
GOCO Contract No.: 0740
PARTIES TO AGREEMENT:
Board:
The State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund
Address:
1600 Broadway, Suite 1650
Exhibit B
Denver, CO 80202
Telephone:
(303) 863 -7522
Fax:
(303) 863 -7517
Contact name:
Janis Whisman
Grantee:
City of Pueblo
Address:
211 East "D" Street
Exhibit B
Pueblo, CO 81003
Telephone:
(719) 583 -4486
Fax:
(719) 583 -0572
Contact name:
Scott Hobson
Date: 0 1 � ( 2-4 , 2002.
Exhibits:
Exhibit A
Project Application
Exhibit B
Project Resolution
Exhibit C
Work Plan
Exhibit D
Technical Supplement to Land Acquisitions
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RECITALS
A. The State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund (the "Board ") is a
political subdivision of the State of Colorado, created by Article XXVII of the Colorado
Constitution, adopted at the November 1992 General Election, which article designates a portion
of the net proceeds of the Colorado Lottery to the Board and directs the Board to invest those
proceeds in the State =s parks, wildlife, open space and recreational resources.
B. The Board created a statewide Legacy Project Grant program designed to further
the following: (a) wildlife programs through the Division of Wildlife; (b) outdoor recreation
programs through the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation; (c) open space and
natural areas programs though the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and
Colorado Division of Wildlife, municipalities, counties, or nonprofit land conservation entities;
and (d) local government open space, trails and other outdoor recreation facilities. The goal of
the Legacy Project is to bring together public and private organizations in the spirit of
cooperation and with a common goal to complete various phases of a project of statewide
benefit.
C. The City of Pueblo ( "Grantee ") submitted a detailed project application (the
"Project Application "), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein
by reference, to the Board for the completion of the project entitled and described above (the
"Project "). In the Project Application, Grantee proposed projects that would involve financial
and non - financial partnerships with are variety of entities, including Pueblo County, the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Colorado State Parks, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Greenway &
Nature Center of Pueblo, Pueblo West Metropolitan District, Pueblo Zoological Society, Pueblo
Board of Water Works, Pueblo Conservancy District, Southern Greenback Chapter, Arkansas
Valley Audubon Society, University of Southern Colorado, Friends of the River Trails, Pueblo
Paddlers, and Colorado State University.
D. The parties intend this Agreement to be the detailed grant agreement required of
Grantee by the Board.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
Project Description
1.1 Project and Conditions On May 20, 2000, the Board approved the Project as
described in the Board's project resolution attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Project
Resolution ") and incorporated herein by reference, subject to the following contingencies: (i)
total net proceeds available from the lottery programs equals or exceeds $78,000,000 each year
and the Board continues to receive its portion of the total net proceeds as currently allocated
under Article XXVII of the Colorado Constitution; (ii) Grantee execute a detailed grant
agreement with the Board; and (iii) Grantee discharge all of its obligations under the grant
agreement with the Board. The Board also placed a condition on the Project that Grantee must
first secure a federal funding commitment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the amount
of $4.08 million. Grantee has secured this funding and more from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and has provided the Board with written evidence of the grant award.
1.2 Work Plan To implement and complete the Project, Grantee has completed a
detailed work plan which describes all the phases of the Project and includes, among other items,
a multiple year budget (through the completion of the Project) with anticipated sources and uses
of funds, Grantee's requested schedule of payments of the Grant from the Board, schedules of the
specific phases of the Project and/or a list of key dates, and any known or anticipated
contingencies to completion of the Project (the "Work Plan"). The Work Plan adjusts the Project
budget and timelines from those contained in the Project Application. The Work Plan also
contains the Board approved allocation of the Grant among GOCO's four funding categories.
Grantee acknowledges and agrees that the Board must review and approve the Work Plan, the
budget, and any revised budgets contained within the Work Plan or Addendum (as described
below) to determine if the timing of requested annual appropriations can be supported by the net
proceeds available to the Board from the lottery programs. A copy of the Work Plan is attached
hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated herein by reference.
1.3 Legacy Project Grant Partners Agreements To establish a method and process
for local decision making relative to administering and implementing the Work Plan, the various
entities including, but not limited to those comprising Grantee in this Agreement may separately
enter into grant partners agreements ( "Partners Agreements "). The Partners Agreements shall set
forth guidelines for: prioritizing projects; completing project components identified in the Work
Plan; establishing a budget; updating the Work Plan; and general administration of the Project
through the Grantee as agent for the project partners.
a. Annual Addenda Grantee hereby covenants and agrees to update the
Work Plan each year during the term of this Agreement by means of an addendum to this
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Agreement ( "Annual Addendum'). Each Annual Addendum must be approved by both the
Board and the Grantee, include a comparison of actual expenditures to the budget, and revisit and
revise, where appropriate, the Work Plan in light of the net proceeds available to the Board from
the lottery programs, Grantee's demonstrated progress toward completion of the Project, and
Grantee's changes in expectations and goals under the Work Plan. If the Grantee is requesting an
appropriation for a specific phase of the Project that differs from the Work Plan or the most
recently executed Annual Addendum, a revised Annual Addendum containing a clear
explanation of how the new phase fits within the overall plan or vision for the Project, a specific
description of the newly proposed phase, and a budget and timeline for implementation of the
new phase reflecting the proposed sponsor /partner match must be executed. Grantee
acknowledges and agrees that appropriation and payment of portions of the Grant in subsequent
years is expressly contingent on the execution of an Annual Addendum for such year by Grantee
and the Board.
b. Matching Funds Grantee has undertaken responsibility for obtaining the
matching funds and in -kind contributions described in the Project Application, the Project
Resolution, and the Work Plan. Grantee hereby covenants and agrees to disclose to the Board in
each Annual Addendum the status of efforts to secure matching funds and the changes, if any, in
Grantee's proposed allocation of the Grant among GOCO's four funding quadrants. If at any
time the Grantor reduces the amount of grant funding provided in the then current Annual
Addendum, the Grantee shall have the option of reducing the scope and schedule of the Work
Plan and the associated match funds to the same proportion as the reduction of Grantor funding,
which reduction shall be accomplished through an Annual Addendum. The Grantee and or
Grantee shall not be held responsible for securing or providing match funds proposed by other
parties as designated in the Partners Agreement.
1.4 Project Scope The Project will not be materially modified by Grantee without
the written approval of the Board. Grantee shall use the Grant solely to complete the Project, as
approved by the Board under the Project Application, Project Resolution, Work Plan and each
Annual Addendum. Grantee hereby covenants and agrees to use its best efforts to complete the
Project.
ARTICLE II
Legacy Grant Award
2.1 Grant The Board hereby authorizes future grants in an amount not to exceed
$2,000,000 (Two Million and No/ 100 Dollars) (the "Grant ") to be used by Grantee solely to
complete the Project, subject to the contingencies and conditions described in Section 1.1 above.
The grant will be allocated by the Board to it's funding quadrants at a later date.
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2.2 Scheduled Appropriations and Disbursement of the Grant It is anticipated that
the Grant will be distributed between the date of this Agreement and June 30, 2005. Each year
the Board will appropriate a specific portion of the Grant for distribution to Grantee in the then
current fiscal year to complete specific phases of the Project. The initial appropriation will be in
2002 and will provide funding for those specific phases of the Project expected to be completed
prior to June 30, 2003. Each succeeding appropriation will pertain to the applicable fiscal year
running from July 1 to June 30. Grantee =s schedule of anticipated and requested appropriations
is set forth in the Work Plan.
ARTICLE III
Designation of Agent
3.1 Agent Given that the Project will be completed by multiple entities and in an
effort to coordinate the communication among these various entities and with the Board, Grantee
hereby agrees to be the sole and exclusive agent for administering the Project and this
Agreement, including but not limited to, contact with the Board and its staff in all matters
pertaining to the Work Plan and all official requests for funding of a specific appropriation of the
Grant. To the extent the power to do so has been properly granted to Grantee by individual
participating Grantee entities through Partners Agreements, the Grantee shall approve each
Annual Addendum and otherwise act on behalf of such partner entities.
ARTICLE IV
Covenants Applicable to Particular Aspects of the Grant
4.1 Grantee acknowledges that the Project may consist of various phases comprised
of the following activities: (i) planning, project coordination and administration, and
environmental program development ( "Planning Activities "); (ii) land acquisition and acquisition
of conservation easements ( "Property Acquisition Activities ") as more particularly described in
the Technical Supplement to Land Acquisition Grants (the "Technical Supplement "), a copy of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit D and incorporated herein by reference; (iii) trail
development, facilities development and expansion or enhancement of existing facilities
( "Facilities Development Activities "); and (iv) habitat restoration and enhancement ( "Habitat
Restoration Activities "). With respect to the aforementioned activities, Grantee hereby
acknowledges, covenants and agrees as follows:
a. Planning Activities The Board shall only pay those Eligible Costs for
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Planning Activities set forth in GOCO's application materials for its standard planning grants.
b. Property Acquisition Activities Grantee will meet and discharge the
standard conditions and due diligence requirements set forth in the Technical Supplement,
including but not limited to the implementation of a Use Restriction on the acquired property, as
described in the Technical Supplement. The Board shall only pay those Eligible Costs for
Property Acquisition Activities set forth in the Technical Supplement.
C. Facilities Development Activities. The facilities constructed under this
activity will be maintained for twenty -five (25) years or the useful life of the facility as more
particularly described in the Technical Supplement. The Board shall only pay those eligible
costs for facilities development activities set forth in GOCO's application materials for its
standard local government facilities development grants or which are standard for Colorado State
Parks or Division of Wildlife facilities grants, depending upon which GOCO quadrant will
provide the funding for the facilities in question.
d. Habitat Restoration Activities On property under Grantee =s control,
Grantee will undertake no act or omit to undertake an act that results in the degradation of the
habitat either restored or enhanced under this activity. On private property not under Grantee =s
control, Grantee will use their best efforts to ensure the landowner will undertake no act or omit
to undertake an act that results in the degradation of the habitat either enhanced or restored under
this activity. The Executive Director may require a Use Restriction where appropriate. The
Board shall only pay those Eligible Costs for Habitat Restoration Activities that are standard for
Division of Wildlife habitat restoration grants.
ARTICLE V
Disbursement of the Grant
5.1 Process for Disbursement
a. Written Request for Disbursement The Grantee, must submit a written
request for disbursement of all or a portion of then current appropriation at least forty-five (45)
days prior to the requested disbursement. It is acknowledged and understood by all parties hereto
that Grantee will coordinate disbursement requests from the various project partners including
non -profit and state agencies with disbursement from Grantor to be made directly to the agency
or organization responsible for implementing specified projects as described in a specific request
and documented in the Work Plan.
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b. Additional Documentation In addition to the written request for
disbursement, Grantee must also provide to the Board or its authorized agent, as an express
condition precedent to disbursement, the following items relative to the following activities (as
these activities relate to the specific phase of the Project for which a disbursement is requested):
(1) Planning Activities Grantee must submit: (i) documentation confirming
that the benchmarks for funding set forth in the then current Work Plan or addendum have been
met; (ii) itemized funding and expenditure documentation verifying the sources of funds and that
the costs are Eligible Costs; and (iii) such other items or information as required by the Board to
document eligible expenditures on project components.
(2) Propertycquisition Activities Grantee must submit: (i) documentation
confirming that the standard conditions and due diligence requirements for Property Acquisition
Activities have been met; (ii) itemized funding and expenditure documentation verifying the
sources and uses of funds and that the costs are eligible for payment at closing (as more
particularly set forth in the Technical Supplement); and (iii) such other items or information as
required by the Board to document eligible expenditures on project components.
(3) Facilities Development Activities: Grantee must submit: (i) documentation
confirming that the facilities will be open to the public, and operated and maintained in a
reasonable state of repair for the purposes set forth in the Project Application, then current Work
Plan and addendum for at least twenty -five years or the useful life of the facility; (ii) itemized
funding and expenditure documentation verifying the sources and uses of funds and that the costs
are Eligible Costs; (iii) documentation confirming that the benchmarks for funding set forth in
the then current Work Plan or addendum have been met; and (iv) such other items or information
as required by the Board to document eligible expenditures on project components.
(4) Habitat Restoration Activities Grantee must submit: (i) documentation
confirming that the habitat that is restored or enhanced will be maintained in its restored or
enhanced state in perpetuity. On property under Grantee =s control, Grantee will undertake no
act or omit to undertake an act that results in the degradation of the habitat either restored or
enhanced under this activity. On private property not under Grantee =s control, Grantee will use
their best efforts to ensure the landowner will undertake no act or omit to undertake an act that
results in the degradation of the habitat either enhanced or restored under this activity; (ii)
itemized funding and expenditure documentation verifying the sources and uses of funds and that
the costs are eligible for reimbursement; (iii) documentation confirming that the benchmarks for
funding set forth in the then current Work Plan or addendum have been met; and (iv) such other
items or information as required by the Board to document eligible expenditures on project
components.
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5.2 Additional Information Required for each Phase Prior to disbursement of any
portion of the Grant, the following information must also be submitted to the Board or its
authorized agent.
a. Promptly upon execution of this Agreement, Grantee will submit the
following:
(1) a resolution adopted by Grantee's governing body authorizing the
execution of this Agreement and approving its terms and conditions.
(2) the Work Plan for the Project.
b. Prior to disbursement of funds for any phase of the Project, Grantee must
provide written evidence of the following:
(1) all permits and approvals necessary to the completion of the phase
of the Project under applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations have been obtained;
(2) no material modifications or delays have been made or
experienced, unless the Board has been advised of the modifications or delays and has elected to
continue to participate in the funding of the Project;
(3) matching funds have been received, or the status of efforts to
secure matching funding has been disclosed to Board staff and it has been found to be
satisfactory; and
(4) the representations made to the Board in the Project Application,
Work Plan and the then current addendum continue to be true, or, if there have been any material
changes, the Board has been advised of such changes and has consented to them.
(5) The Executive Director may waive one or more of the previous
conditions to disbursement but may require satisfaction of one or more of these conditions
subsequent to disbursement.
5.3 Withdrawal or Reduction in Funding Grantee hereby acknowledges and agrees
that the Board shall have the right to withdraw or reduce funding of un- appropriated amounts of
the Grant for the following reasons: (i) Grantee is in breach of this Agreement as set forth in
Section 6.10 hereof; (ii) the cost of a specific phase is less than the amount itemized in the Work
Plan or addendum for that specific phase; (iii) the total net proceeds available from the lottery
8 10/6/98 Version
programs does not equal or exceed $78,000,000 each year or the Board does not continue to
receive its portion of the total net proceeds as currently allocated under Article XXVII of the
Colorado Constitution; (iv) lack of required matching funds; or (v) the Board reasonably
determines that conditions have occurred which fundamentally change the expectations of the
parties or which make the Grant infeasible or impractical. In the event funding is withdrawn or
reduced for the reasons set forth in items (ii) through (v) above, the Board shall provide the
Grantee at least 120 -days written notice prior to such withdrawal or reduction and the Executive
Director will consult with the Grantee relative to mutually acceptable alternatives. Upon the
Board =s withdrawal of funds pursuant to items (iii) through (v) above, and upon receipt by the
Grantee of notice of such withdrawal, Grantee shall be released of any obligation for future
phases agreed to in a previous Work Plan or Addendum.
ARTICLE VI.
Other Provisions
6.1. Technical Supplement Grantee acknowledges and agrees that the Technical
Supplement contains additional obligations of Grantee and procedures for administering the
Grant. The Board may revise the Technical Supplement from time to time, and any revisions to
the Technical Supplement shall be mutually acceptable to the Board and Grantee and apply to
this Agreement as if fully set forth herein, except to those portions of the Agreement the parties
mutually agree have already been performed or are already substantially underway at the time
such revisions are accepted, or as otherwise agreed by the parties. Grantee shall be responsible
for coordinating review and acceptance of such revisions by project partners. In the event the
Technical Supplement conflicts with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement
shall govern.
6.2 Compliance with Regal, atory Requirements and Federal and State Mandates
Grantee hereby assumes responsibility for compliance with all federal, state and local regulatory
requirements in all applicable areas, including but not limited to nondiscrimination, worker
safety, local labor preferences, environmental laws, rules and regulations, preferred vendor
programs, equal employment opportunity, use of competitive bidding, and other similar
requirements. To the extent allowed by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act and other
applicable State and local law, Grantee hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless
the Board, its members, officers, agents or employees, from any cost, expense or liability for any
failure to comply with any such applicable requirements.
a. Grantee acknowledges the Board is not acting as, and shall not be
construed to be as acting as an owner, manager or operator of any property (real or personal),
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facility or activity arising out of or in connection with the Project under any applicable law,
including but not limited to any applicable environmental law, rule or regulation.
b. Grantee agrees and acknowledges that in each instance in this Agreement
the Work Plan, or any addendum, in which the Board or the Executive Director is required or has
the right to review or give its approval or consent, no such review, approval or consent shall
imply or be deemed to constitute an opinion by the Board or the Executive Director, nor impose
upon the Board or the Executive Director, any responsibility for the design or construction of
building elements, including but not limited to the structural integrity of life /safety requirements
or adequacy of budgets or financing or compliance with any applicable federal or state law, or
local ordinance or regulations, including any applicable environmental laws. All reviews,
approvals and consents are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Grantee as required by this
Agreement, the Work Plan or addendum and no other person or party shall have the right to rely
thereon.
6.3 Nondiscrimination In connection with the performance of this Agreement,
Grantee and its contractors shall not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant
for employment because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital
status, age or sex, and shall comply with any other applicable laws prohibiting discrimination.
Grantee and its contractors shall ensure that the evaluation and treatment of their employees and
applicants for employment are free of such discrimination.
6.4 Publicity and Project Information Grantee hereby agrees:
a. Grantee shall acknowledge Board funding in all publicity issued by it
concerning the Project;
b. Grantee shall cooperate with the Board in preparing public information
pieces, and shall give the Board the right and opportunity to use information gained from the
Project.
C. Grantee shall give timely notice of the Project, its inauguration and
significance to the local members of the Colorado General Assembly, members of the board of
county commissioners of the county or counties in which the Project is located, as well as to
other appropriate public officials;
d. Grantee shall give the Board thirty (30) day notice of and opportunity to
participate in Project dedications.
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e. Grantee shall erect temporary and permanent signs, where appropriate,
acknowledging financial assistance from the Board and the lottery programs in a form designated
by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing any signage shall meet local codes.
6.5 Liabili .
a. To the extent allowed by law, Grantee shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Board, its officers, agents and employees from any and all liabilities, claims,
demands, damages or costs (including reasonable attorneys= fees and expenses of defending
such matters) resulting from the acts or omissions of Grantee, its officers, agents and employees
in connection with this Agreement, except to the extent caused by the negligence or willful and
wanton conduct of the Board, its officers, agents or employees.
b. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no
term or condition of this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted as a waiver, either express
or implied, by any party to this Agreement, of any of the immunities, rights, benefits or
protection provided under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act as amended or as may be
amended (including, without limitation, any amendments to such statute, or under any similar
statute, or under any similar statute which is subsequently enacted ( "CGIA "), to the extent the
same may apply to the Board or any individual Grantee entity. The parties agree that no
provision of this Agreement shall be construed in such a manner as to reduce the extent to which
the CGIA limits the liability of any party to this Agreement.
C. To the extent that Grantee is comprised of more than one entity, the
obligations of Grantee under this Section shall be separate, and not joint and several.
6.6 Audits and Accounting Records Grantee shall maintain standard financial
accounts, documents, and records relating to the acquisition, use, management, operation and
maintenance of the Project. The accounts, documents, and records related to the acquisition of
any portion of the Project shall be retained by Grantee for five (5) years following the date of
disbursement of funds by the Board under this Agreement, and shall be subject to examination
and audit by the Board, or its authorized agent, with reasonable prior notice and at reasonable
times during this period. The accounts, documents and records related to ongoing use,
management, operation and maintenance of the Project shall be retained by Grantee for five (5)
years following the year to which the records pertain, and shall be subject to examination and
audit of the Board, or its authorized agent, with reasonable prior notice and at reasonable times
during this period. All accounts, documents, and records described herein shall be kept in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
11 10/6/98 Version
6.7 Grantee =s Inability to Complete Project If Grantee determines with reasonable
probability that the Project will not or cannot be completed as reflected in the Project
Application, then current Work Plan or addendum, Grantee will promptly so advise the Board,
and cooperate in good faith with respect to alternative solutions to the problem before any further
funds are advanced. The parties acknowledge that all obligations of the Board or Grantee set
forth herein are subject to the annual appropriation of funds for use consistent with such
obligations.
6.8 Completion Date Grantee shall complete the Project no later than June 30, 2005
(the "Completion Date "). The Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may extend the
Completion Date for the Project.
6.9 Assignment Grantee may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations under
this Agreement without the express written consent of the Executive Director which consent may
be withheld in the sole and absolute discretion of the Executive Director. In the event that
Article XXVII of the Colorado Constitution, which established the Board, is amended or
repealed to terminate the Board or merge the Board into another entity, the rights and obligations
of the Board hereunder shall be assigned to and assumed by such other entity as provided by law,
but in the absence of such direction, by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources or its
successor.
6.10. Breach In the event that Grantee breaches any of the terms or conditions of this
Agreement and fails to cure such default after thirty (30) days prior notice from the Board, the
Board shall have the following remedies:
a. Prior to Payment of all of the Grant The Board reserves the right to
withdraw funding and/or terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part.
b. After Payment of the Grant The Board reserves the right to deem Grantee
ineligible for participation in future Board grants, loans or projects.
C. Additional Remedies In addition to the remedies set forth in 6.10(a) and
(b) above, the Board shall be entitled to pursue any other remedy available at law or in equity.
6.11 Good Faith There is an obligation of good faith on the part of both parties,
including the obligation to make timely communication of information that may reasonably be
believed to be of interest to the other party.
6.12 Applicable Law Colorado law applies to the interpretation and enforcement of
12 10/6/98 Version
this Agreement.
6.13 Status of Grantee The parties acknowledge that the Board lacks the power and
right to direct the actions of Grantee. Grantee acts in its separate capacity as an independent
contractor and not as an officer, employee or agent of the Board or the State of Colorado. The
Board and Grantee hereby acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended to create a
joint venture between the parties to this Agreement. Grantee represents to the Board that the
person(s) executing this Agreement has the authority to do so and to bind the party or entity on
behalf of which it signs to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
6.14 Entire Agreement Except as expressly provided herein, this Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties. No oral understanding or agreement shall be valid
unless made in writing and signed by the Board, the Grantee, and to the extent required, the
individual partner entities.
6.15 Multiple Year Obligations To make certain the understanding of the parties
because this Agreement will extend beyond the current fiscal year, the Board and Grantee
understand, acknowledge, agree and intend that, except for that portion of the Grant which has
been appropriated by the Board for payment in the current fiscal year, the financial obligations
created under this Agreement in no way constitute either a current or future obligation or expense
of the Board or Grantee. The appropriated amount for a specific fiscal year shall be payable
exclusively from Board funds and shall not in any way be construed to be a general obligation
indebtedness of the State of Colorado or any agency or department thereof. The Board has not
pledged the full faith and credit of the State, or any agency or department thereof to the payment
of the Grant hereunder, and this Agreement shall not directly or contingently obligate the State or
any agency or department thereof to apply money from, or levy or pledge any form of taxation
to, the payment of the Grant.
6.16 Time is of the Essence Time is of the essence in this Agreement.
6.17 Survival To the extent necessary to carry out all of the-terms and provisions
hereof, the said terms, obligations and rights set forth herein shall be deemed not terminated after
the Grant has been fully disbursed; nor shall they be necessarily merged with the various
documents executed and delivered at such time. Subsequent ongoing obligations of Grantee, as
set forth in the Project Application, final Work Plan, or final addendum, shall continue beyond
the final disbursement of the Grant.
6.18. Notices Any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, or communication that
either party is required to give to the other shall be in writing and either served personally or
13 10/6/98 Version
sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
To Grantee:
Scott Hobson or Legacy Project Coordinator
City of Pueblo
211 East "D" Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
To the Board:
Executive Director
State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund
1600 Broadway, Suite 165
Denver, CO 80202
6.19 Fax and Counterparts This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which when taken together shall
constitute one Agreement. In addition, the parties agree to recognize signatures to this
Agreement transmitted by telecopy as if they were original signatures.
6.20 Construction Each party hereto has reviewed and revised (or requested revisions
of) this Agreement, and therefore any usual rules of construction requiring that ambiguities are to
be resolved against a particular party shall not be applicable in the construction and interpretation
of this Agreement.
6.21 Severability If any provision of this Agreement is declared void or
unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement, and the balance of
this Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.
6.22 Third Party Beneficiaries The Board and Grantee hereby acknowledge and agree
that this Agreement is intended to only cover the relative rights and obligations between the
Board and Grantee and that no third party beneficiaries are intended.
14 10/6/98 Version
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Legacy Project Grant
Agreement of the date set forth with their respective signatures.
STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
COLORADO TRUST FUND
L
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Date:
CITY OF PUEBLO
By: �� 0, a"—�
Its: Presi of the Ci Council
Date: April 8, 2002
15
10/6/98 Version
Exhibit A
Project Application
[See Attached]
16 10/6/98 Version
Legacy Project Summary Information
Please review all eligibility requirements before completing this two page summary.
Please respond in the space provided.
1. Project Sponsor(s): CITY OF PUEBLO, COLORADO
2. Primary Sponsor (must be eligible recipient, see Eligibility Requirements page 3):
Address: NO. 1 CITY HALL PLACE
PUEBLO, CO 81003
Contact Name: JAMES F. MUNCH
Title: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Telephone #: (719) 543 -6006
Fax #: (719) 543 -0572
3. Project Partners: Pueblo County, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colorado State Parks,
Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Pueblo West Metropolitan
District, Pueblo Zoological Society, Pueblo Board of Water Works, Pueblo Conservancy District,
Southern Greenback Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, University
of Southern Colorado, Friends of the River Trails, Pueblo Paddlers, Colorado State University
Community Technical Assistance Program
Please provide an attachment with names, addresses, .contacts /titles, and telephone /fax #s, for all project partners.
4. Project Title: PUEBLO ARKANSAS RIVER CORRIDOR LEGACY PROJECT
5. Project Location: -
U.S. Congressional District(s): THIRD Colorado House District #(s): 45 & 46
County(s): PUEBLO Colorado Senate District #(s): 3
Ifproject is statewide, please type statewide afterproject location and disregard the district and county location
requests.
6. Two or More Funding Categories Advanced by this Project. Please see Eligibility Requirement 91, page
3 before responding to this section.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPEN SPACE
summary information continued on neut page...
STATE PARKS
Ij
f
7. Brief Description of the Project:
The project is a multi - agency endeavor that will improve wildlife habitat, environmental education, and compatible
recreation along the Arkansas River both within the stream and along the river corridor. The project is the vision of
the Pueblo Natural Resources & Environmental Education Council ( PNREEC). The PNREEC Council, formed in
1995, includes more than 75 organizations and citizens. The project is divided into two phases that has been -
developed by the PNREEC partners through a grant funded by GOCO in 1999. The two phases identify a series of
improvements along the corridor from Lake Pueblo to the confluence with Fountain Creek.
The first phase consists of the following six projects: 1) a 9.5 -mile stream enhancement project in the Arkansas River;
2) outdoor facility improvements at the Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo; 3) improvements to the Pueblo River
Trail System and new trail connections to Pueblo West, the St. Charles Mesa, and the Pueblo Zoo; 4) environmental
education improvements at the west end Lake Pueblo and in conjunction with river improvements; 5) a river otter
exhibit at the Pueblo Zoo; and 6) a park along the river and two river accesses.
The second phase includes six additional projects that are a combination of new projects and the expansion of projects
that are included in the first phase. These projects include: 1) acquisition of the land and water rights on the 300 -acre
Chain of Lakes along with the development of the Lake Pueblo State Park Day Use Area, the Goodnight
Environmental Information and Historic Site and habitat improvements on the Chain of Lakes property, 2) a
pedestrian bridge from the Nature Center to the Chain of Lakes; 3) environmental education improvements at five
new sites; 4) acquisition of a 1.5 -mile rail spur between City Park and the Chain of Lakes, along with expansion of
the St. Charles Mesa Trail and nature trails; 5) modification of a lowhead dam below City Park; 6) development of the
Corona Street riverpark and one new river access. I
The City is requesting funding assistance during the current Legacy funding cycle for projects in the Phase 1. The
City of Pueblo is the primary project sponsor and is committing $661,000 over the three -year project period. The
City of Pueblo's commitment includes $650,000 in cash match and $11,000 of in -kind matching funds. The Pueblo
Arkansas River Legacy Project is the first phase of a plan that includes seven additional future projects including the
expansion of recreation facilities along the Arkansas River within Lake Pueblo Park, river corridor open space
acquisitions, environmental education stations, and additional river parks and trail linkages.
8. Project Funding:
Grant Request:
$ 2,600,000
Cash Math (project period) $ 6,489,000
In -Kind Match (project period): $ 161,000
(prior cash): $ -0-
(prior in- kind):$ -0-
Total Project Cost: (project period + prior investments) $ 9,250,000
9. Aut46rizJd Signature:
• ti .
l llel��
Date
Corinne Koehler, President of Pueblo City Council
i
H. WEIGHTED SELECTION CRITERIA
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGA CY PR OJECTS
1. Overall Vision/Context
A. What are the vision, objectives, and general timeframe of any related overall plan that may
have been the origin of the current Legacy project?
The geography of the Arkansas River Corridor is vaned enough to provide for a wide variety
of activities. The broad expanse of Lake Pueblo, next to its shoreline bluffs and prairie offers
habitat for wildlife; the wide open expanses of water and land allow people to experience the
outdoors. At the same time, the Arkansas is the great integrator of the city; a narrow ribbon
that serves as a confluence of people and activities. The vision for the Arkansas River has
evolved over time. It is generally agreed that the genesis of the vision to protect the corridor
occurred during the 10 -year period between the 1965 Fountain Creek Flood and the
completion of Lake Pueblo in 1975. This vision became part of the community's popular
culture with the development of the Pueblo River Greenway Plan. Like many of the
community's planning efforts, this was a citizen driven partnership undertaken by the Board of
the Pueblo Nature Center, the Pueblo Regional Planning Commission, and the Pueblo
Conservancy District. This plan initiated the intergovernmental framework for the protection,
enhancement, and stewardship along the Arkansas River in Pueblo County.
The Pueblo River Greenway Plan (1976) identified the five key areas of focus to guide the
vision of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek Waterways. Those areas of focus are:
1) Lake Pueblo State Park and State Wildlife Area - Work with the Colorado Division of
Parks and Outdoor Recreation and the Colorado Division of Wildlife to enhance wildlife
habitats and wildlife educational opportunities, and to develop recreational facilities such
as a trail along the river below the Pueblo Dam.
2) Arkansas River Corridor — Five key objectives including: a) Improve fish habitats and
fishing access both on the Arkansas River and in the Runyon Lake Wildlife Area; b)
Create an Environmental Education Center at the Pueblo Greenway and Nature Center; c)
Acquire the necessary property to develop a trail -with accompanying recreational
improvements between Lake Pueblo and the Fountain Creek confluence; d) Make stream
improvements and modifications to existing diversion structures to facilitate rafting and
kayaking between Lake Pueblo and Runyon -Lake; and e) Acquire, restore, and protect the
"Chain of Lakes" between Lake Pueblo and Pueblo Boulevard.
3) Downtown — Six key objectives including: a) Improve both native in- stream and non-
game habitats along the river corridor, b) Extend the Arkansas River Geenway and ensure
water availability; c) Acquire necessary land for the trail corridor and develop multi -use
urban trail linkages and trailhead facilities; d) Develop environmental education facilities
and associated curriculum; e) create watchable wildlife opportunities; e) Develop a
stewardship plan for the operation and management of the river corridor to ensure long-
term sustainability.
2
4) Fountain Creek Corridor — Three key objectives including: 1) Acquire property for the
development of trail improvements between the confluence of the Arkansas River and
Fountain Creek and the University of Southern Colorado; 2) Develop the Fountain Creek
Regional Park, and 3) Develop- environmental education facilities.
5) University of Southern Colorado — Continue working with the University of Southern
Colorado to develop a trail and greenway linkage to the Fountain Creek corridor.
Twenty years following the initial efforts of the Pueblo River Greenway Plan, the community's
efforts were expanded through the organization of the Pueblo Natural Resources and
Environmental Education Council ( PNREEC). PNREEC completed the Pueblo Natural
Resources and Environmental Education Strategic Plan that identified significant natural
resource and outdoor recreation opportunities within Pueblo County. PNREEC envisioned
that this effort would invoke long range direction in planning and resource protection, along
with building partnerships in developing environmental education opportunities and natural
resource sites. As a measure of their significant efforts, the PNREEC members received
statewide recognition from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education and the
Colorado Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Fifty -seven pilot project sites throughout Pueblo County were identified in the PNREEC
Strategic Plan. The projects were separated into four physiographic regions: Mountains,
Foothills, Plains and Waterways. resource limitations, PNPjEEC identified the
need to focus on a theme that exemplified the key goals of the group. The PNREEC members
agreed to focus on a combination of plains and waterway pilot projects along the Arkansas
River and Fountain Creek. PNREEC identified 16 high priority pilot projects along the two
waterways. The key goals of these projects are to focus on the environmental qualities of the
corridors, the interpretation of the ecological values, to allow trail access to the waterways for
residents of nearby neighborhoods, and to provide compatible recreation amenities along the
corridors.
In 1999 the Fountain Creek Corridor suffered significant damage from flooding that occurred
during the spring and summer. The high water damaged bridges, flooded - agricultural lands,
and damaged recreation improvements from Manitou Springs, through Colorado Springs and
Pueblo, and along the Arkansas River past LaJunta. The Pueblo Legacy Project initially
envisioned improvements along both the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek. Following the
assessment of the damage along Fountain Creek and the ongoing challenges of controlling its
increasing water flow, the PNREEC Council decided to not include the proposed Fountain
Creek and University of Southern Colorado pilot projects within the Legacy application.
The vision of the Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project contains 10 of the 16 "high
priority" projects that were identified by the PNREEC Council. These projects are also a
reaffirmation of the goals within the first three areas of focus in the Pueblo River Greenway
Plan.
The first phase of the Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project includes the following
projects (next page):
PUEBLO ARKANSAS RIVER CORRIDOR PROJECT
3
Phase 1: (Current Legacy Phase) November /2000 — October /2003 (see Phase 1 map)
1) Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat Restoration - a 9.5 -mile stream enhancement project
in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to improve fishery habitat and the
streamside vegetation. The project includes the acquisition of necessary stream bank
easements on private properties for the river restoration, along with the acquisition of a
limited number of properties adjacent to the river which contain important habitat values.
The restoration project incorporates access and safety features for boating along the
eastern 5 -mile stretch of the river,
2) Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo - Outdoor facility improvements, Raptor Center
improvements, and habitat improvements;
3) Trails - Enhancements to the Pueblo River Trail System including new trail extensions to
the Pueblo West community, the St. Charles Mesa community, and the Pueblo Zoo. Also,
the project will upgrade the 25 -year old Pueblo River Trail and provide system -wide trail
signs;
4) Environmental Education Sites — Improve two (2) environmental education sites on the
western end of Lake Pueblo Wildlife Area.
5) Pueblo Zoo - Funding for the Colorado River Otter Exhibit;
6) Parks & River Access — Developing a multi - purpose river park along the Arkansas River
with a boat launch, picnic area, trails, and river viewing -area. Also, the project will include
two (2) public accesses to the river corridor and trail system. The park and one of the
access points are located within areas that have low to moderate = income residents.
Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Project
Phase 2: (Future Phase) May /2000 — April /2007 (see Phase 2 map)
1) Chain of Lakes — Acquisition of the eight reclaimed lakes that are between Pueblo Dam
and Pueblo Boulevard. Seven of the lakes are included within a 250 -acre area on the
south side of the Arkansas River and a 100 -acre lake is located on the north side of the
Arkansas River. Water rights for a water augmentation plan will need to be acquired to
offset the evaporation of water in the ponds.- The Goodnight Environmental Information
Center will be developed on the south side of the Arkansas River next to the historic
Charles Goodnight Barn and adjacent to State Highway 96.
2) Nature Center Bridge to the Chain of Lakes — Installation of a 250' pedestrian bridge
from the Greenway '& Nature Center of Pueblo to the south side of the Arkansas River
accessing the "Chain of Lakes ".
3) Environmental Education Curriculum — Develop a system -wide EE curriculum that
synthesizes the existing curriculum programs into a comprehensive environmental
education curriculum that will be used by primary and secondary teachers within School
District #60 and School District #70. The environmental education curriculum be
distributed through notebooks, CD ROM and on the Internet.
4) Recreational Trails — Acquisition and trail construction of a 24mile section of the Union
Pacific rail spur linking City Park to the "Chain of Lakes ", and the acquisition and
construction of a 1.5 —mile section of the Arkansas River Trail east of the City of Pueblo.
5) South Intake Diversion Dam = Modification of the 3` and final diversion dam providing
a safe passage for kayaks and rafts along the Arkansas River. Develop additional put -ins
and take -outs along the river.
6) Parks & River Access — A multi- purpose river park along the Arkansas River north of
UniorrAvenue with a river viewing area, picnic area, along with one new public access to
the river corridor and trail system.
A detailed timeline for Phase I is included as an attachment to the grant application.
B. What has already been accomplished towards this end?
0
The geography of the Arkansas River Corridor is varied enough to provide for a wide variety
of activities. The broad expanse of Lake Pueblo, next to its shoreline bluffs and prairie offers
habitat for wildlife, the wide open expanses of water and land allow people to experience the
outdoors. At the same time, the Arkansas is the great integrator of the city; a narrow ribbon
that serves as a confluence of people and activities. During the past 25 years the project
partners have worked to balance and protect the unique resources along the corridor. Those
efforts have included the following:
Land Protection
To date over 14,000 acres (97 %) of the Arkansas River Corridor from the western end of
Lake Pueblo to the confluence with Fountain Creek is in public ownership. The land is owned
by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (13,000 acres), Colorado State Parks (5 00 acres), the City
of Pueblo (225 acres), and the Pueblo Conservancy District (300 acres)
Wildlife Habitat
Pueblo has already made significant progress in protecting and preserving the wildlife habitat
that lives and travels along the Arkansas River through Pueblo. Through -the efforts of the
Pueblo Conservancy District, Colorado State Parks, the City of Pueblo, the Arkansas Valley
Audubon Society and the Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo, the majority of the river
corridor through Pueblo has been preserved as an open space greenway. Over the past 25
years there have been annual efforts to maintain the critical wildlife habitat areas surrounding
Pueblo Reservoir, below Pueblo Dam, in the Olive Marsh wetlands area below City Park, at
the Wildhorse Creek confluence, and at the Runyon Lakes area.
Environmental Education
Pueblo has been used as the model for many communities interested in establishing
environmental education programs. The cooperative efforts of Lake Pueblo State Park, the
Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo, University of
Southern Colorado, the Pueblo Zoo, and the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society have enabled
the residents of Pueblo to enjoy a multitude of environmental education activities and programs
for people of all ages. The "Teaching Environment Naturally" program designed to train
teachers to better incorporate environmental education into the classroom was initiated in
Pueblo and continues to be highly recognized and expanded throughout the state. The Pueblo
Natural Resource & Environmental Education Council ( PNREEC) was established in 1995
and developed the PNREEC Strategic Plan that identified this project as its highest priority for
implementation. In 1996 the PNREEC Strategic Plan received awards from the Colorado
Alliance for Environmental Education and the Colorado Chapter of the American Society of
Landscape Architects. Environmental education programs conducted by the Greenway &
Nature Center, Pueblo Zoo, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Colorado State Parks are
5
attended by more than 25,000 children each year. Children attend the environmental education
programs conducted in Pueblo from the Pueblo area, as well as from the Southern Colorado
region. It is not uncommon to have elementary and middle school field trips from schools in
Rocky Ford, La7unta, Walsenburg, Canon City, Florence and other communities.
Watchable Wildlife
The Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo has operated a Raptor Center for the rehabilitation
of birds of prey, along with river observation stations, -and native plant - material gardens to
interpret the indigenous plants of the Arkansas River region. One of the highlights for the
Raptor Center was the release of an eagle by then Vice - President George Bush. The golden
eagle had been treated and nursed back to health by the staff at the Raptor Center. The Nature
Center is the most popular destination along the river trail system below Pueblo Dam. A 1999
trail survey indicated that 33% of all people that use the river trail start at the Greenway &
Nature Center. - -
The Colorado Division of Wildlife in partnership with the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society
has established the Overton Wildlife Viewing Area overlooking the eagle rookery at the inlet to
Pueblo Reservoir. While not fully developed, the -area provides spectacular opportunities to
see bald eagles nesting in the tops of cottonwood stands, many of which are now partially
covered by the water from Lake Pueblo. The Division completed a significant improvement to
the access at the Conduit Trail Area in 1999. The access improvements totaling $524,581 have
dramatically improved roadway drainage, the access to parking areas, closed unauthorized
access points, and reduced the potential for resource damage in the wildlife areas. (See
attachment to letter from_ Mark Konishi, Region Manager, CDOW) The Division of Wildlife
has placed three handicapped accessible watchable wildlife docks at Runyon Lake State
Wildlife Area, as well as one along the Arkansas River east of the 0 Street bridge.
Recreation -
Since 1975 a 37 -mile river trail system has been developed along the Arkansas River, Fountain
Creek, Lake Pueblo State Park which includes linkages to some adjacent neighborhoods. The
section along the Arkansas River (14.5 miles) and in Lake Pueblo State Park (16.5 miles) spans
a total of 31 miles. All but four miles of the Arkansas River/Lake Pueblo segment have been in
place for more than 20 years. The trails were built following the guidelines and standards
available at that time. During the past five years, the 14.5 miles of trail in Lake Pueblo State
Park have been resurfaced with asphalt and three miles of the Arkansas River segment through
the City have been replaced with a wider concrete surface. A new trail bridge linking the trail
on the south side of the Arkansas River to the Wildhorse Creek corridor. While much has been
accomplished, there is still a need to upgrade six additional miles along the Arkansas River trail
and a one mile trail spur connecting the Wildhorse Creek confluence to the Hyde Park
neighborhood.
Lake Pueblo State Park, with its boating, marinas, fishing, campgrounds, trails, swim beach
and picnic facilities, has more than 1.7 million visitors a year. Lake Pueblo is the most visited
State Park in Colorado and is a regional recreational destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The
park natural resources and facilities contribute significantly to the habitat, environmental
education opportunities and recreation needs of the region.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife currently has a lease that allows for public fishing on two of
6
the "Chain of Lakes" ponds located on the south side of the Arkansas River between Pueblo
Dam and the Pueblo - City limits. In addition to fishing activities, the lease provides for a public
to hiking trail along a 1.0 -mile section of the Arkansas River. The second phase of the
Arkansas River Legacy Project includes proposed funding for the acquisition of the Chain of
Lakes ponds.
Minimum Stream Flows
The PNREEC partners have worked - cooperatively to provide for minimum stream flows in the
Arkansas River below Pueblo Dam in order to sustain aquatic life. While there are no legal
requirements to guarantee minim stream flows in the Arkansas River below Pueblo Dam,
the two main water agencies are taking steps to provide water during low flow periods. The
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District and the Pueblo Board of Water Works
have developed plans to provide a minim flow of 100 cfs in the Arkansas River during the
winter water storage program. The winter water storage occurs between November and the
end of February. Larger amounts of water are released beginning in March to prepare for
spring runoff entering the Lake Pueblo. (See letter dated 3/20/00 from the PBWW)
The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District has drafted a Preferred Storage
Options Plan that indicates a target of 100 CFS flow below Pueblo Dam during the Winter
Water Storage operation. Prior to the construction of Pueblo Dam, it was not uncommon to
for the Arkansas River drop below 100 CFS during the winter months. (See SCWCD letter)
The Pueblo Board of Water Works (BOWW) has committed to develop a low flow operational
plan for the Arkansas River to try - and limit the minimum low flow to 50 CFS. In the spirit of
cooperation, whenever the flow in the Arkansas River drops below 50 CFS at the Arkansas
River Gage below Pueblo Dam, the BOWW agrees to take a portion of its raw water flow up
to a maximum of 17 CFS through its intakes located downstream of Pueblo Dam.
G How does the current 'Legacy phase" of the project f t within the overall context?
The current Legacy phase includes eight of the ten projects in Arkansas River corridor that
are -identified in both the PNREEC Strategic Plan and the Pueblo River Greenway Plan. The
only projects that will not be included in the current Legacy phase are the acquisition and
enhancement of the Chain of Lakes, along with the pedestrian bridge linking the Nature
Center to the Chain of Lakes. The Chain of Lakes is not included within this phase for two
reasons: 1) The possibility of securing water rights to meet the requirements of a water
augmentation plan for the evaporative loss of water is not likely to occur during the timeframe
of the current Legacy phase; and 2) The gravel company which is required to reclaim the lakes
could not guarantee that the revegetation of the property would be accepted by the State
Mne Land Reclamation Board within the next two years.
All of the projects included in this phase of the Arkansas River Corridor Project directly relate
to the habitat, environmental education, and compatible recreation project goals. These
projects fit into the project theme of protecting and improving the corridor, and providing
better access and linkages to the river from adjacent neighborhoods and parks. The projects
are integrated and complementary to the Arkansas River Fisheries Restoration Project that
will improve the in- stream habitat and river bank vegetation below Pueblo Dam.
The overall vision for the Arkansas River Corridor includes implementation of a stewardship
plan. The projects included in this phase of the Legacy project will not create operation or
maintenance requirements that are beyond the capacity the project partners.
_ D. After the Legacy phase is complete, how will efforts continue to complete the
implementation of the broader vision?
The PNREEC Council will continue to work on the implementation of the additional
improvements along the Arkansas River, and work to address the flooding issues that are
prohibiting the implementation of a similar program along Fountain Creek. The following
actions with be taken by the PNREEC Council and its representative organizations and
agencies:
Chain of Lakes
1. The City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks will
continue to work with the Pueblo Board of Water Works to provide a water augmentation
plan for the "Chain of Lakes ".
2. The City, County, State Parks, or Colorado Division of Wildlife will secure an option to
purchase the "Chain of Lakes" and the property containing the historic Goodnight Barn.
3. The City will secure funding for the construction of a pedestrian bridge across the
Arkansas River to link the "Chain of Lakes" to the Greenway and Nature Center.
4. The City will continue to monitor the use of the Union Pacific rail lice west of City Park to
the "Chain of Lakes" and attempt to acquire the R O -W if it is abandoned.
5. PNREEC will develop a stewardship and operations plan for the "Chain of Lakes"
including maintenance, habitat protection, safety, and law enforcement.
Riverfront Park and River Access -
1. The City will secure funding to develop a second riverfront park north of Union Avenue
along the existing R -O -W for Corona Street.
2. The City will develop a river access within the undeveloped R -O -W of Spring Street.
Environmental Education
1. PNREEC will continue to coordinate the enhancements to EE sites within Lake Pueblo
State Park, at the Olive Marsh, and at Wildhorse Creek.
2. PNREEC will continue to incorporate environmental education as a component of all
Arkansas River Corridor projects.
3. PNREEC will continue expanding ways to present environmental education programs to
the youth through school programs and new technologies.
Project Matching Funds
unds
1. The City of Pueblo and Pueblo County will work to secure federal legislation to assist in
funding the second phase of the Legacy Project through an additional authorization of
funding to the Fryingpan- Arkansas Project.
2. The City will secure Scenic Byway funding to assist in the acquisition of the Chain of
Lakes and historic Goodnight Barn property, along with the development of an
environmental education information center on the property.
Fountain Creek Corridor
The City and County are- currently involved with the Fountain Creek Watershed Task Force
who is studying the flooding and erosion problem along the Fountain Creek. The local
government agencies will continue to play a major role in the management of the Fountain
Creek. In the future when flooding problems are reduced along Fountain Creek, PNREEC
will proceed with the implementation of the pilot project identified in their Strategic Plan.
2. But for — would the proket happen but for Leracy funding (Total 10 points)
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is completing a feasibility study and environmental assessment
for -the implementation of a fisheries and habitat improvement project within the Arkansas River.
The project will be constructed along the 9.5 -mile section of the Arkansas River below Pueblo
Dam to the confluence with Fountain Creek. The Army Corps of Engineers funding will provide
$4.08 million dollars (64 %) of the fishery habitat, including modification of two diversion dams,.
and the riverpark and river accesses improvement costs. The river restoration project within the
levee section of the river will also enable the oldest section of the Pueblo River Trail System to be
upgraded in conjunction with GOCO and other local matching funds. The City of Pueblo, as the
project sponsor, will be responsible for providing the 35% local matching funds for the Army
Corps of Engineers project. The City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado State Parks, and Trout
Unlimited have committed - to provide $500,000 of the matching funds, and are seeking additional
funds from non -profit foundations and community businesses and organizations. It is unlikely that
the PNREEC partners will be able to secure the $2.3 million in local funds solely through
contributions from the local government agencies. Without GOCO's participation, the
opportunity of receiving $4.08 million dollars in federal funding will be lost.
The Pueblo Board of Water Works will be installing a 3.5 -mile raw water pipeline from Pueblo
Dam to their treatment facility. The preferred alignment for the pipeline is along the south side of
the river passing through the parking area between the Center's interpretive building and the Cafe
del Rio. The Board of Water Works has committed to provide funds to compensate the Nature
Center for replacement costs of all improvements that will be impacted by the pipeline
construction. This provides the opportunity for the Nature Center to utilize the funds from the
Board of Water Works and GOCO to develop an environmental education area/plaza that will tie
the two facilities together. Without the funding from GOCO at the appropriate time following the
pipeline installation, the new facility will not be able to be completed.
While the Pueblo Zoological Society has a good track record for funding and completing new
facilities, GOCO funding is needed for the Colorado River Otter Exhibit to be financially feasible.
Local fund raising efforts and assistance from private foundations alone will not provide the
financial resources to complete the new exhibit at the zoo.
The Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project has brought together sixteen committed funding
partners to complete the projects identified in the first phase. This coalition of agencies and
organizations has been developed over a three -year period. The funding partners have worked to
develop a realistic project that can be implemented within a three -year period. If the projects are
not funded in the near future, it will be more difficult to continue to maintain the high enthusiasm
and momentum that has been generated bythe local organizations and agencies.
3. Characteristics and Need for the Project (Total 40 points)
A. Project Significance and Need
LOCO Mission and Strategic Plan _
The Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project meets the highest priority of the LOCO
Board by providing for "the protection- and stewardship of land and water for open space,
wildlife, parks and outdoor recreation." This project will be reduced by, 70% if the
opportunity to receive the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dQllars is missed. The GOCO
Strategic Plan includes three core programs: l) Land, water and wildlife protection; 2)
Outdoor recreation; and 3) Youth, environmental education, and interpretation. The
Arkansas River Corridor project components-significantly contribute to all three core
programs in the following ways:
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1) Land, Water and Wildlife Protection Program
The project incorporates two of the targeted initiatives by protecting an important
river corridor within the State and also protecting a unique wildlife habitat corridor.
The project includes significant habitat improvements along a 9.5 -mile section of the
Arkansas River below Pueblo Dam. The river corridor furnishes important habitat for
wildlife species that are dependent upon its riparian ecosystem. In fact 85% of the
wildlife species in the region are found along the Arkansas River and its immediate
tributaries. On a more limited scale the project will provide for the purchase of lands
and easements for the Arkansas River corridor, open space, and wildlife. habitat. Since
97% of the river corridor is already in public ownership, acquisition of property is a
smaller component of the overall project.
2) Outdoor Recreation Facilities Pro ,gram
The project includes the establishment of new outdoor recreation facilities and
regionally significant trails that serve Pueblo County, as well as the southern Colorado
region. The new recreation facilities and trails include:
a. The fisheries habitat improvements along the 9.5 -mile section of the Arkansas
River will significantly improve the opportunities for fishing in the Pueblo region.
The Arkansas River is a popular fishing destination, especially during the late fall
and early spring months when weather conditions are generally more favorable
than other front range areas. The 6.5 -mile section of river between Pueblo Dam
and Wildhorse Creek is the only Class 1 Cold Water designated section of the
Arkansas River east of Canon City. The cold water released from the depths of
Lake Pueblo creates the cold water stream conditions.
b. The Riverfront Park and kayak course creates a new outdoor recreation facility in
the heart of Pueblo. (see letters of support for kayak course)
c. The 3.5 -mile Pueblo West Trail provides a connection from the fastest growing
area of Pueblo County through Lake Pueblo State Park to the 37 -mile Pueblo
River Trail System. The Pueblo West community has increased to a population of
15,000 residents (which is the same size as Canon City.)
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d. The 1.75 -mile St. Charles Mesa Trail provides a connection to the unincorporated
area southeast of Pueblo that has a population of 10,000 residents. The St.
Charles Mesa Trail alignment is along the nationally designated American
Discovery Trail (ADT). The ADT is one of the national designated "millennium
trails."
3) Youth, Environmental Education, and Interpretion Program
The project includes four -(4) new environmental education facilities that will provide
greater opportunities for the youth in the Pueblo communities to learn and become
involved in the protection of wildlife and wildlife environments. These new .
environmental education facilities will enhance programs that serve over 25,000
children in the Pueblo region and many of the Southern Colorado communities
including. Fremont, Otero, Huerfano, and Crowley Counties. The new environmental
education facilities include:
a. Outdoor Education Classroom/Plaza and Raptor Center improvements at the
Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo.
b. Colorado River Otter Exhibit at the Pueblo Zoo and a trail connection to the
Arkansas River.
c. Overton Viewing Area and Conduit Trail sites at the Lake Pueblo State Wildlife
Area.
d. Interpretive signs incorporated into all project sites along the Arkansas River
corridor.
Local Need
The projects included in the Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project have been
identified as community needs in three separate community plans adopted between 1996
and 1999. These plans have been reviewed and endorsed by forty agencies and
organizations in the Pueblo region. The plans were reviewed publicly through an
extensive public review and comments process prior to their adoption. The projects were
initially identified as pilot projects by the PNREEC Council when the Pueblo Natural
Resources & Environmental Education Plan was adopted. Following the adoption of the
plan, the PNREEC Council recommended the projects along the Arkansas River Corridor
as the highest priority that could bring together the greatest number of project partners.
In addition to the local community needs, Lake Pueblo State Park, the Greenway and
Nature Center and the Pueblo Zoo are experiencing demands to serve the growing
population in the Pueblo region. Pueblo Reservoir is the most visited State Park in
Colorado. A recent survey of the Pueblo River Trail System found that 33% of all trail
use initiates from the Greenway & Nature Center and extends into Lake Pueblo State
Park. The trail users identified the most important need as upgrading the trail surface
along the existing river trail system.
Significance o Protect
(1) Special and unique opportunity that would not exist in the state if the project were not
completed?
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The project will improve wildlife habitat, develop additional environmental education
facilities, and add new unique outdoor recreation areas along a 21 -mile section of the
Arkansas River containing approximately14,000 acres. To date 97% of the area
within the project boundary is managed as public lands. Through funding from
LOCO, the V.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and local funding partners a 9.5 -mile
section of the Arkansas River will be improved that will provide both a cold and warm
water fishery. The river and its amenities can be utilized on a year -round basis due to
Pueblo's favorable climate.; The habitat improvements are integrated with wildlife,
plant, geological, and water resource education areas that include both natural and
academic sites. A riverfront park with access for on -water activities provides a unique
opportunity to transform the City's levee channel into an urban greenway. The
combination and integration -of these projects will be linked by a 35 -mile multi-use trail
system that will provide_ outdoor enthusiasts with truly special experiences not found
in other areas of Colorado.
(2) Protect important or unique wildlife habitat, topography, flora, or fauna?
The Arkansas River corridor project area contains areas with "very high" wildlife
habitat values according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife's Southeast Region
Wildlife Significance Map included within the PNREEC Strategic Plan. The 5 -mile
section of the river corridor below Pueblo Dam to Pueblo Boulevard is ranked as a
"very high" wildlife habitat area. The remaining sections along the river corridor are
rank as "high' ' wildlife habitat.
Steven A. Sanchez, a Natural Resource Specialist and the founder of Beyond Fishing
completed his Masters Degree thesis along the Arkansas River at the Greenway &
Nature Center in 1998. While Mr. Sanchez was at the Nature Center, he completed an
integrated ecological assessment of the Arkansas River corridor within the project
area. The natural resource protection and restoration components of the project will
help to preserve the following:
Landforms
Niobrara Formation limestone bluffs which extend from Pueblo Boulevard
westward to the Pueblo Reservoir area. These bluffs remain as one of the few
relatively undisturbed limestone bluffs between Pueblo and Canon City, Colorado.
Plants
• Frankenia jamesii Torrey (false heath), a member of the Frankeniaceae family, has
been documented to occur only in limestone bluffs between Pueblo and Canon City
along the Arkansas River.
• Oonopsis fohosa (A. Gray) Greene (single -head goldenweed) , a Colorado Native
Plant Society rare plant that is listed on the Federal Threatened and Endangered
list (Spackman 1997) has been determined to be present in the project area.
• Bolophyta tetraneuris (Barneby), W.A. Weber (Arkansas River feverfew), , a
Colorado Native Plant Society rare plant was only known to be present at two
limestone bluff locations until 1983, when nineteen other small populations were
located (Colorado Native Plant Society 1989)
• Ozybaphus rotundifolius (Greene) Standley (roundleaf four- o'clock), while not yet
found, is in the Nyctaginaceae family in the Nyctaginaceae family is listed as a
Colorado "very rare species" that occurs only within the Niobrara Geological
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Formation which is found within the project area.
Birds
• Haliaeetus leucocephalus Linnaeus (bald eagle) — Federal_ Threatened and
Endangered list — has been determined to be present in the project area.
• Buteo regalis Gray (ferruginous hawk) — Federal Threatened and Endangered list
— has been determined to be present in the project area.
(3) Provide important or unique outdoor recreational opportunities?
• The six mile stretch of the Arkansas River below Dam is classified as a
Class 1 cold water fishery that anglers - actively use year - round. This is-due to
Pueblo's generally mild winters, that attract thousands of anglers from throughout
the front range.
• The extended release of irrigation water from Lake Pueblo into the Arkansas River
provides a unique potential to develop whitewater kayak course that can be
operated from early spring to the end of October. In August - October, when the
other boating rivers have limited flows, the Arkansas River through Pueblo carries
an abundance of water to maintain challenging boating course.
• The riverfront park and neighborhood linkages extend the river greenway into the
"Hyde Park" and the "Blocks ", both low -to- moderate income areas. The "Blocks"
is a unique 1880's neighborhood that was developed by General Palmer. The
development received and urban design award at the 1900 New York World's
Fair. The `Blocks" neighborhood contains a series of small parks interspersed
through the winding streets. The City's vision for the area is to link the parks via
landscaped walkways to the river. These improvements will be a catalyst for the
revitalization of this unique neighborhood in Pueblo.
(4) Provide or protect significant trail corridors for various uses?
The project includes improvements to 3.5 -miles of the Pueblo River Trail between City
Park and I -25 in conjunction with the river habitat restoration and riverpark. In
addition a one -mile trail from the Wildhorse Creek confluence through Wildhorse
Creek Park will improve access from the Hyde Park low -to- moderate income area.
New multi -use trails linking from the Arkansas River Trail to the Pueblo West and the
St. Charles Mesa communities will connect approximately 24,000 additional residents
to the 37 -mile trail system.
(5) Provide environmental and wildlife educational opportunities?
The environmental education improvements at the Nature Center, Pueblo Zoo, Lake
Pueblo Wildlife Area, and wildlife education sites in conjunction with the river
restoration project will improve the opportunities for programs that have 25,000
participants that are primarily children. The EE programs serve the Pueblo
communities that are comprised of over 50% hispanic population.
(6) Local, regional or state deficiencies in trails, parks, open space, wildlife habitat,
outdoor recreation facilities, urban open space, and/or environmental education
opportunities that will be addressed by the proposed project or project elements.
Describe how the project or project elements will address each deficiency.
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a. Trail System Improvements -
• The survey of trail users conducted in 1999 by the Friends of the River Trail
indicated the 20+ year old. sections of the trail system along the Arkansas River
needed to be upgraded and resurfaced.
• Pueblo West the St. Charles Mesa which contain a total of 24,000 residents do
not have trails within their communities. They are the largest communities
outside.the boundary of the City ofPueblo that are not linked -to the River Trail
System.
b. Environmental Education
While the Pueblo region has made significant inroads to providing a - quality
environmental education program, the PNREEC Environmental Education
Subcommittee has identified deficiencies at several of the outdoor education sites..
They Overton Wildlife Viewing Area and the Conduit Trail Area -do not have the
following basic facilities:
• Parking area that can accommodate school buses
• Covered Classroom Shelter
• Restroom Facility
• Interpretive Signs
R Project Integration The degree to which(]) the project integrates more than two of the four
GOCO funding goals (Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation, Local Government, and Open Space),
and (2) the project is cohesive: project elements are related to each other, and each project
element is related to the entire project. Project components may include: land acquisitions,
park development, trails, wildlife habitat, environmental education, etc.
(1) Please describe how two or more of GOCO's four goals are advanced by your project.
The Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Project meets all four objectives of GOCO's funding
categories. The project elements emphasize habitat restoration and preservation,
environmental education, and recreation improvements. (See project budget, phase 1 &
phase 2 budgets) The project's elements are integrated to focus on the Arkansas River
corridor theme that incorporates objectives within each of the funding categories. The
project elements that apply to each funding objective are described below:
Open Space - The project includes the acquisition of stream bank easements in .
conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along a 2.6 -mile section of the south
side of the Arkan sas River. The property, owned by Valco, Inc., a gravel operation will
be utilized for in- stream habitat improvements and associated stream bank restoration. A
request of $50,000 is included for the acquisition of a stream bank easement. It is our
intent to structure the easement acquisition payment to be applied to the future acquisition
costs of Valco's 300+ acre "Chain -of- Lakes" property that is identified in the second
phase of the project. Currently, the gravel operation is not completed to a point which
would allow for the property to be released from permits issued by the State Land Mine
Reclamation Board. Since 97% of the project area is already in public ownership, the
need to acquire additional open space has been limited to the river restoration project area.
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Local Government - The project's primary emphasis is on the local government category
funding for river habitat restoration, environmental education facilities, recreational trail
upgrades, two river access areas, and a riverpark that will provide• a launching area for
kayaks and rafts. The local government category request is for $2.25 million dollars.
Over half of the funds ($1.21 million) will provide matching funds for the projected $5.7
million dollar Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat Improvements Project currently being
planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Other uses of local government funds will
= be for environmental education and habitat improvements at the Greenway and Nature _.
Center of Pueblo, trail upgrades and signs along six miles of the Arkansas River and
Wildhorse Creek trails, constructing four miles of natural surface trails at Runyon Lake
and along the river corridor, a river otter exhibit at the Pueblo Zoo, the construction of the
Pearl Street Riverside Park (with a whitewater kayak course) and improving river access
points at Penn Street and City Park. All of these projects meet the criteria for funding.
from the local government category.
State Parks — The grant application includes a request for $300,000 of State Parks
quadrant funding provided over a 3 -year period from September of 2001 through
September of 2003. The release of State Parks quadrant funds is proposed to be $50,000
in 2001, $120,000 in 2002, and $130,000 in 2003. A proposed "Project Timeline &
Release of Funds" of State Parks quadrant funds is included as an attachment with the
budget information. The funds would provide matching funds to the Arkansas River
fisheries restoration and trail improvements to construct three new frail connections and
upgrade of the existing river trail. The new trails include the 3.5 mile soft - surface. Pueblo
West Trail, the two mile St. Charles Mesa Trail that includes a bridge crossing the
Arkansas River and a trailhead parking area, and a 2/3 mile hard surfaced trail connecting
from the Pueblo Zoo through City Park to the river trail. The funding from State Parks
will also include the upgrading of the trail east of Pueblo Dam along a 1.75 mile section
within Lake Pueblo State Park.
Wildlife - While funding is not able to be provided during this Legacy application cycle
from the Division of Wildlife quadrant, the projects have a significant benefit to wildlife
habitat and environmental education. The Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat Restoration
project, fish passage structures at two check dams, environmental education sites and the
short grass prairie habitat restoration project at the Greenway and Nature Center meet the
criteria for funding from Division of Wildlife quadrant funds.
(2) Please discuss how the project is cohesive. How is each element of the project important
to the whole project? How are project elements related to each other? What will be
achieved by integrating the project that would not be achieved through incremental
funding of individual project elements?
The project includes a major restoration of the habitat along a 9.5 -mile section of the
Arkansas River that integrates the other projects into the overall theme of habitat
improvements, environmental education and compatible outdoor recreation facilities. The.
design of the river restoration project incorporates the integration of a riverpark with
boating access, river viewing areas, park landscaping that ultimately links to the adjacent
neighborhoods. The design and project program integrates the upgrading of the 20+ year
old river trail. The construction schedule for these improvements is organized so that they.
is a logical progression to the next step in the project and that each of these elements
enhances the overall river corridor experience.
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The river corridor is separated into two segments: Lake Pueblo to Wildhorse Creek
(west) and Wildhorse Creek to Fountain Creek (east). The west area has a less urban
character that focuses more on wildlife viewing, a more natural landscape, cold water fish
habitat, and less developed surroundings. The east area is mare of a greenway in an
urbanized setting with residential neighborhoods bordering the greenway. -The recreation
improvements will be more of a developed park nature, the recreation facilities will_ be
designed have a higher intensity of uses, and the river is a warm water fishery.
Environmental education projects within and adjacent to the river integrate a strong
interpretation component to the project. The EE projects focus on the wildlife that live
and use the river corridor, along with the biological linkage between riverine, bluff, and
adjacent prairie systems that are incorporated into the EE curriculum used in Pueblo's
schools. The projects at the Nature Center, Pueblo Zoo, and the Lake Pueblo Wildlife
Area all provide this integration. The Nature Center and the Zoo will be connected to the
River Trail System.
The connecting trails from Hyde Park ( Wildhorse Creek), Pueblo Zoo (through City
Park), Pueblo West (through Lake Pueblo State Park), and from the St. Charles Mesa all
lead to the focal point of the project; the Arkansas River Corridor.,,
G Opportunity, Vr e vency /Jeopardy Projects which represent a unique opportunity in time.
Urgency can be the current availability of dollars, the potential conversion of land to
another use and/or a loss of an opportunity.
(1) What is the overall urgency of the project? What is the opportunity lost if this project
does not proceed immediately? What is lost if the project proceeds incrementally over a
longer period of time?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently having plans completed that will lead to
the implementation of fisheries habitat improvements within the Arkansas River with
construction estimated to begin at the end of the summer in 2001. The federal project
provides funding for $4.08 million dollars, (64% of the habitat improvement costs.) The
river restoration project within the levee section of the river will also enable the oldest
section of the Pueblo River Trail System to be upgraded in conjunction with LOCO and
other local matching funds. The local project sponsor is responsible for providing the
35% local matching funds. The City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado State Parks,
and Trout Unlimited has committed to provide $500,000 of the matching funds, while
seeking additional funds from non -profit foundations and interested organizations. But it is
not likely that the PNREEC partners will be able to secure the $2.345 million in local
funds solely through contributions from the local government agencies. Without GOCO's
participation, it is not likely that the $4.08 million dollars in federal funding will be secured
for the project.
The Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project has brought together sixteen committed
funding partners to complete the projects identified in the first phase. This coalition of
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agencies and organizations has been developed over a 3 -year period. The funding partners
have worked to develop a realistic project that can be implemented within a 3 -year period.
If projects are not funded in the near future, it will be more difficult to continue to
maintain the enthusiasm that has been generated by the local organizations and agencies.
If not for funding from GOCO the Pueblo Zoological Society would not be able to
complete the Colorado River Otter Exhibit on its own. The GOCO funding would
provide 66% of the funding. for the project and will be the catalyst for the remaining
matching funds to be generated locally_ for the completion of the project.
(2) What is the urgency of each distinct element of the project? Which elements are the most
urgent?
Arkansas River Habitat Improvements
It is critical to have the local funding commitments in place to match the Corps of
Engineer's $4.08 million dollars projected for the Arkansas River Fisheries Restoration
Project. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is completing an Ecological Restoration
Report and Environmental Analysis completed for the project. The cost of completing
this work totals an investment of over $400,000 by the Army Corps of Engineers (see
project partner letter). This element of the project provides a unique opportunity for
Pueblo and the State of Colorado to have a significant river restoration project that passes
through a portion of the most visited State Park in Colorado. As v�ith virtually all federal
programs, the Corps is most interested in funding projects that have the local matching
funds in place for the completion of the project. GOCO assistance in providing_ the local
matching funds is the most urgent element of this project.-
Greenwav & Nature Center Improvements (G& NC)
The most urgent part of the G &NC's projects is the opportunity lost the development
of the environmental education/plaza area. The Pueblo Board of Water Works is planning
to install a 1.75 mile raw water pipeline from the Pueblo Dam to their existing water
intake point along the Arkansas River east of the Greenway & Nature Center. The
pipeline is planned to pass through the Nature Center's existing parking facility located
between the Interpretive Center and the Cafe del Rio. Construction is anticipated to begin
in December 2000 and take approximately 12 months. The Board of Water Works has
committed to provide funds totaling the replacement value of the parking area, utility
lines, and landscaping that will be removed during the pipeline construction (See project
partner letter). The G &NC has completed a master plan that proposes to develop an
environmental education area between the two buildings, rather than continuing to have a
parking area. The use of the funds from the BOWW, in conjunction with funding from
GOCO will allow the environmental education area to be developed in a way that would
not be possible without partnering the two projects. The G &NC would have to pay the
cost for the removal of the parking areas, as well as the new construction costs if the
projects were not coordinated.
Trail System Improvements
The upgrading of the 20 -year old section of the trail system can be completed in
conjunction with the river restoration project in a more cost effective manner than if
undertaken independently. The other benefit is the ability to move the trail further away
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from the river and to raise the elevation of the trail so the access points on the bluff are a
gentler grade.
Pueblo Zoo
See comment above in Opportunity; UrgenMI eopardy Section (1) regarding holding
partnerships together and the Zoological Society's need for funding that could not be
realistically possible on an incremental basis.
Rivgrparks & River Access
The riverparks and river access improvements are being incorporated as a recreational
component of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. Up to an additional 10% ofthe
river restoration funding can be used for eligible associated recreation improvements.
These projects_ are eligible for funding by the Corps of Engineers on a 50% federal and
50% local match.
4. Impact of the Proiect (Total 20 points)
A. Direct Benefits of the Project for the Investment Required The relative value of the
project proposed in relation to the total investment and GOCO's investment (bang-for-the-
buck).
Please respond to only those questions relevant to your project. If your project offers
benefits not addressed here, please include.
(1) How many acres of land will be protected as open space (including buffers /inholdings,
natural areas, non game wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, greenways, community
separators, and/or urban .open space)? Please provide the estimated acres of each type
of open space acquisition. (Some acquisitions may serve more than one purpose such as
agricultural lands and a community separator). To what extent will techniques such as
land donation, easements, or other tools be'used to reduce the net outlay for the project?
• An easement along 2.25 -miles of river that will allow for the river restoration to occur
and be permanently protected through the property owned by Valco, Inc.
• Up to ten acres of property containing wetlands or wetland buffers along the north
side of the river between Peublo Blvd. and the BOWW treatment plant. The four
property owners have all expressed a willingness to sell their property.
(2) How many miles of new trail will be constructed? What, if any, links will they provide to
other trails, parks, outdoor recreation facilities, etc. ? What is the cost per mile?
• Fifteen miles of trails — 7.5 miles hard surfaced & 7.5 miles crusher fines
• Links from Pueblo West, St. Charles Mesa & Pueblo Zoo through City Park to the
River Trail System
• Links from Hyde Park & Blocks neighborhoods to River Trail System
• Hard surface trails $162,000 /mile (GOCO cost $76,000 /mile); $250,000 bridge
(GOCO cost ($45,000); Crusher fines $20,500 /mile (GOCO cost $8,000)
(3) How many acres of new parks (local, regional, or state) will be developed?
• Six (6) acres
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(4) How many environmental education opportunities will be provided?
• Four project sites = Greenway & Nature Center, Pueblo Zoo, Overton Wildlife
Viewing Area and the Conduit Trail Area
• Greenway & Nature Center includes Outdoor Classroom/Plaza, Raptor Center, and
along trails
• The sign program along the River Trail System will also include interpretive sites
(S) What non game fishfwildlife species will benefit from any associated land protection?
• Since there is a minim amount of land that would need to be acquired for the project,
the new property would have a limited impact on additional non -game benefits.
Although the land already in public ownership within the project area provides
substantial benefits to non -game species.
• The fish habitat improvements will provide an abundant habitat protecting the various
fish species.
(6) How many communities and how many people will the project serve? Will the people
served include local, regional, and state visitors and out -of -state tourists? Please
provide an estimate of the numbers and types of individuals /communities served.
• Communities served — Pueblo, Pueblo West, St. Charles Mesa, and other
unincorporated areas of Pueblo County containing 145,000 residents
• Environmental education facilities serve approximately 50,000 children from
communities throughout Southern and southwest Colorado.
• Lake Pueblo State Park has 1.7 million visitors annually to the park facility. Sixty
(60 %) percent of those visitors are from outside of Pueblo County.
(7) Does the project meet outdoor recreationlopen space needs of under served populations?
• The Legacy project area is primarily located within areas that have a 50% or greater
hispanic population, and are identified by the U.S. Census as being low -to- moderate
income areas (see income and hispanic population map).
• The Riverpark, Penn Street river access, Wildhorse Creek trail, and overall fishery,
trail and habitat improvements are all within a 5 -mile section that is in under - served
population areas.
• Over 50% of the students in Pueblo school systems that are served by the Zoo, Nature
Center, and Lake Pueblo are of hispanic origin.
(8) Will youth be involved in project implementation or stewardship? If yes, please describe
those project elements.
• PNREEC is currently working with "Colorado Youth Corps Association" (CYCA) in
identifying which areas of the project that could be accomplished by their program.
Targeted projects for CYCA include trails, revegetation of stream banks, and the
installation of signs.
R Consistency with LocallRegional Government, State and Federal Agency Plans and
Policies
(1) Have local, regional, or statewide plans or policies identified and addressed the need
for the project, and/or specific elements of this project in the region? If so, please
describe and attach relevant sections of plans or policies
19
Pueblo Natural Resources and Environmental Education Strategic Plan (199 )
This plan has served as the basis for developing the project focusing on the enhancement and
_ reclamation of the two major stream corridors within the City of Pueblo. The plan provides a list of
potential pilot projects that are incorporated into an overall environmental education, protection of .
wildlife habitat, and recreation theme. This plan will continue to provide the initial inventory
information and public documentation supporting the concept for implementing projects within the
plan.
Pueblo Integrated Resource Management and Conservation Plan (1996)
This document is a plan, prepared by the City of Pueblo, for the Arkansas River and its two
tributaries, Fountain Creek and the St. Charles River. The purpose of the plan is to help resource
managers understand the issues surrounding water use in Pueblo County and how to balance the
traditional supply management approach with progressive demand - management.
Recreationists on Pueblo's River Trail System, their preferences, opinions, and use patterns
1999
This trail survey obtained a sampling of 388 trail users to determine a variety of user preferences
and demographic data. The conclusions included a greater interest in upgrading and improving
existing trails, prior to the expansion of the trail system. Improvements to other trail access points
could redirect users to areas that have less volume of traffic. Security was not as big a problem as
anticipated. Twelve (12 1 /o) percent of the use comes from out -of -state and foreign visitors.
Pueblo River Trail Expansion (1998)
This plan identifies opportunities for the expansion of the Arkansas River frail system east beyond
the confluence with Fountain Creek, with connections to the St. Charles River and the St. Charles
Mesa neighborhoods. The plan proposes a series of construction phases to complete the trail
project over an extended period of time. The plan will be used to evaluate initial trail alignment and
design options to the link the St. Charles Mesa area to the existing river trails system.
Teaching Environmental- Science Naturally Program (1995)
This program developed by eight local, state, and federal agencies established a local outdoor
environmental science classroom program. The program was developed to enable teachers to offer
hands -on, first -hand experiences to students. A key objective of the program is to expose students
to the nature and knowledge of science in order t_ o promote a sense of history and importance of
science in their lives.
Preliminary Master Plan (1994). prepared for the Pueblo Conservancy District
The Pueblo Conservancy District was established - in 1922 to be responsible for the operation and
maintenance of flood control facilities along the Arkansas River within the City of Pueblo. The
Preliminary Master Plan was developed for. the Conservancy District as an initial assessment and
concept for the development of lands along the Arkansas River as open space and recreation. The
plan will also be used to guide the development of these recreational opportunities and public access
to the Arkansas River within the Conservancy District project area.
(2) Please describe the degree and type of opposition to the project (or elements
thereof.
There is no known organized opposition to the project. The project has been reviewed
publicly at meetings with the City Council and the Pueblo County Board of County
Commissioners. Several positive newspaper articles have focused on the projects included
in the Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project. These articles have not generated any
letters to the editor or public comments in opposition to the proposed projects. To the
20
contrary, over 200 newspaper readers clipped a support statement and sent it to the City.
C Project is a Catalyst or has High Demonstration Value The degree to which the-completion
of the project will contribute to other similar. The extent to which this project demonstrates
unique or important tools, techniques, partnerships, or processes related to GOCO's
mission.
• The City of Pueblo's ongoing implementation effort for the river restoration project
activities involving the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with a proposed
LOCO project is already being modeled by a group in Montrose along the Uncompahgre
River corridor. The City of Pueblo is continuing to share information with representatives
from Montrose County to assist them with the development of their future project (Phil -
Helfrich, contact person in Montrose).
• This project demonstrates how natural resources in undeveloped areas can be preserved by
bringing nature into the city -thus enhancing urban life while curbing sprawl.
S. Leveraginz and Partnership:
(Total 25 points)
A. Leveraging .of Funds An evaluation of the mix and amount of funding that is being
provided by private and public sector organizations. Leveraged funds must be eligible costs
Project
1. Arkansas River Habitat Improvements
- Fish Passage Structures
2. Greenway & Nature Center
- Environmental Education Area
- Natural Resource Restoration
- Raptor Center Improvements
- Nature Trails & Interpretive Signs
3. Trail System Improvements
- Replace 6 miles of hard surface trails
- St. Charles Mesa Trail connection
= Trail signs
- Pueblo West Trail
4. Environmental Education Sites
- Overton Wildlife Viewing Area
- Conduit Trail Area
5. Pueblo Zoo Improvements
- Colorado River Otter Exhibit
- Trail Connection From River Trail
6, Riverfront Parks & River Access
- Riverfront park
- River access points
- Kayak Course
PROJECT COST - Phase 1
GOCO PUBLIC PRI
$1.100 $ 3.620 $
$0.210 $0.750 $
$ 0.120
$ 0.165 $
$0.010
$0.020 $
$ 0.060
$ 0.020 $
$ 0.010
$ 0.010 $
$ 0.525
$ 0.440 $
$ 0.100
$ 0.450
$ 0.010
$ 0.020
$ 0.050
$ 0.050
$ 0.040
$ 0.005 $ 0.055
$ 0.230 $ 0.060 $
$ 0.050 $ 0.030 $
$ 0.050 $ 0.215 $
$ 0.060 $ 0.100 $
$ 0.010 $ 0.020 $
$2.600 $ 6.065 $
TOTAL
$ 4.965
$ 1.005
$ 0.335
$ 0.060
$ 0.110
$ 0.046
$ 0.974
$ 0.550
$ 0.0s0
$ 0.100
$ 0.040
$ 0.060
$ 0.350
$ 0.100
$ 0.285
$ 0.170
$ 0.050
$ 9.250
• Of the $4.852 million of unsecured funds, $4.08 million is anticipated to come from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The remaining $772,000 will come from the following
sources: $400,000 will come from Transportation Enhancement grants; $342,000 will
come from individual grant sources such as the Packard Foundation, Enhance -A -Stream
program and Fishing Is Fun grants; and $30,000 will come from the City's uncommitted
Conservation Trust Fund.
• Please refer to the Phase 1 Budget included within the budget section that contains a
breakdown of funding sources. The chart above lists the amount of funding that is
secured and unsecured.
21
R Partnership The Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project has fifteen committed
partners that are providing a combination of cash and in -kind matching funds for specific
components of the overall project. Some of the main parts of the project include wildlife
habitat improvements and environmental education. Due to the reduced funding in FY2000
for the Division of Wildlife Legacy quadrant funds, no new Legacy projects are receiving
funding from the DOW quadrant. The southeastern region office of the Colorado Division of
Wildlife has reviewed the project and recommended quadrant. funds be authorized by GOCO.
when funding is available. The partners have provided letters of support for the project
describing the commitment of their organization or agency. A summary of each agency's
commitments is attached within the Project Partners section of the application.
G Support for the Project Please see attached letters of support, news articles, summary of
petitions divided into general support, as well a_ s project specific support from user groups and
organizations.
6 Capability, Stewardship and Sustainability: (Total IS points)
A. Ability to Complete the Proiect within the Proiect Period
The phases of the project funded by GOCO must be substantially accomplished by 2003.
Please discuss and document that all sponsor(s) and partners) with responsibility for project
coordination, implementation and/or oversight (as listed in the attachment requested above):
(1) Ability to complete similar projects.
The City of Pueblo and the other project partners have an excellent track record for the
development, support, implementation, and completion of the types of projects included
within the Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project. Pueblo is known statewide, as
well as nationally, as a city that gets things done. Pueblo has assembled the necessary
funding and built a number of large public projects. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk
Project was one of the first projects in Colorado to receive a GOCO Legacy Project grant.
The project components funded by GOCO have been completed in timely and efficient
manner.
(2) Summary of similar projects:
City of Pueblo
• 2000 Runyon Commuter Trail Project (GOCO fimded)
2000 Big Hill Open Space Acquisition - closing scheduled this summer (GOCO funded)
1999 Historic Arkansas River Project - Lake Elizabeth Urban Park (GOCO funded)
• 1999 Historic Arkansas River Project - Family Interactive Area (GOCO funded)
• 1998 Tennis Court Renovation Project (GOCO fimded)
• 1989 the five mile Fountain Creek Flood Protection Project (U.S. Corps of Engineers funded)
• 1975 - 1989 the 25 -mile multi-use river trail system along the Arkansas River and Fountain
Creek
• 1996 Phase I of the Langoni Sports Complex - 22 acres of youth soccer fields _
• Construction of numerous "Fishing Is Fun" improvements along the Arkansas River and at
Runyon Lake including in -stream habitat
22
University of Southern Colorado / Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo
• 1997 1000 square foot addition to the Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo
• Playground, observation deck along Arkansas River, playground, and picnic area at Nature
Center
• Upgrades to the Nature Center Interpretive building
• 1977 — present Native plant material and xeriscape gardens -on the grounds of the Nature Center
Colorado State Parks
• Construction of numerous large scale improvements at Pueblo Reservoir including picnic areas,
14.5 miles of trails, swim beach facility, boat ramps, marinas, and campground facilities
Pueblo County
• Construction of parking, access roads, ballfields, locker - rooms, and concession facilities at
Runyon Sports Complex
Colorado Division of Wildlife
• 1999 Lake Pueblo State Wildlife Area roadway improvements totaling $524,580
• Construction of numerous large scale improvements at the Lake Pueblo State Wildlife Area and
other wildlife facilities within the southeastern Colorado area
Pueblo Zoological Society
• 2000 Colorado Shortgrass Prairie Exhibit — opening June 2000 (GOCO funded)
• 1999 Animal Care Center
• 1998 Pueblo Zoo Native Waterfowl and Wild Bird Area Enhancement (G funded)
• 1998 Asian Adventure Monkey Exhibit
• 1996 Mandan Group Picnic Shelter
• 1995 African Lion naturalist exhibit
• 1992 Addition to Education Building
• 1992 Ecocenter - tropical rain forest and penguin exhibit
• 1985 Construction of the Education Building containing the Mahlon T. White
Discovery Room
(3) Can complete the proposed transaction in a timely manner. Please discuss and document
the organization' and agencies' ability to complete) or oversee the completion o each
of the types of activities proposed in the project.
The land acquisition for this project includes a maximum of ten acres of open space and a
construction easement that will allow for the river restoration work to be completed and
not disturbed by the private landowner during the life of the project. All of the property
owners have expressed a willingness to either sell their property or in the case of the
restoration project convey a construction easement. The City of Pueblo Planning
Department and Attorney's Office has experience and expertise in the acquisition of land.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Real Estate Division of coordinate the securing of the
construction easement as part of the fisheries restoration project.
\ "..
-
�
lie
24
phase, as well as new projects that enhance the corridor theme of habitat protection,
environmental education and compatible recreation. The second phase includes a new
riverpark and river_ access, the acquisition and of the "Chain of Lakes" that will be linked
to the Greenway & Nature Center, the development of a 100 acre day -use lake area that
will be an expansion to the Osprey Picnic Area at Lake Pueblo State Park, the acquisition
of a rail -trail linking from City Park to the "Chain of Lakes ", the modification of the last
lowhead dam along the river, additional environmental education sites, and another
expansion of the Arkansas River trail east of the Fountain Creek Confluence.
III. ADMMISTRATIVEPROCEDURES
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGACYPROJECTS
I. Additional Proiect Information
(1) Partner contact information — See attached Project Partner List
(2) Project Budget, Timeline, and Prioritization requested in Attachment D, Project
Budget and Timeline — See attached Project Budget, Timeline, and Prioritization
(3) Brief descriptions of project elements and proposed stewardship or operation and
maintenance activities as requested on page 9, Weighted Selection Criteria #6 - See
response to question 6. B. above
25
(4) SITE MAP — The application includes six maps that identify the location of the project
sites for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, as well as a trails map. Site maps are also provided
showing the conceptual development plans for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project
along the Arkansas River, as well as at the Greenway & Nature Center, Pueblo Zoo,
kayak area along the river.
(S) AREA MAP — The maps listed above also show land use /zoning, neighboring
communities, property ownership, and significant wildlife areas.
(6) Provide any photos available which may be useful.in describing the project
See the photos that are on the Phase 1 and Phase 2 map exhibits.
(7) What, if any, water rights (surface, subsurface, well and drainage) are necessary to
protect and preserve the project's attributes or and the attributes of project elements?
What assurances are there that sufficient water will remain in the area to preserve the
intended purposes of the project and elements of the project?
The consultants for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who are completing the Ecological
Restoration Report and the Environmental Analysis for the Fisheries Restoration project
are designing the river restoration to function at a stream flow minimum of 100 CFS. This
minimum level occurs infrequently during the Winter Water Storage Program at Pueblo
Dam. Based on the letters of cooperation from the Southeastern Colorado Water
Conservancy District and the Pueblo Board of Water Works, no additional water rights
are needed to preserve the project's attributes.
For the current phase of the Legacy Project no additional water rights are needed to
protect and preserve the project's attributes. The City of Pueblo is working with the
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District and the Pueblo Board of Water
Works to develop operating plans to provide a minim of 100 CFS in the Arkansas
River during the Winter Water Storage Program in Lake Pueblo. The operating plan will
be adopted as part of the overall management for the Fryingpan- Arkansas Project. During
the remaining nine months of the year the releases of water from Pueblo Dam provide an
abundant supply of water -to preserve the intended purposes of the project.
(8) Who holds mineral interests (soil, sang gravel, oil, natural gas, fuel) in the project
area? What type of mineral interests are held? Is mineral development likely within
26
the project area? Will mineral development adversely effect the conservation purposes
of the property? Please identify mineral interests likely to be developed on the project
map-
With the exception of the property owned by Valco, Inc. and Transit Mix, all mineral
rights to the remainder of the pzoperty_in the project area are owned by one of the
following: Federal Government (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation), the State of Colorado
(Colorado State Parks), the City of Pueblo, and the Pueblo Conservancy District.
Valco, Inc. believes they own all the mineral rights associated with their 2.25 -mile stretch
of the Arkansas River. Their ownership includes 1.4 miles along both sides of the river,
and .85 miles along the south side of the river. They have leased the mineral rights for
gravel mining on their property to Transit Mix, Inc. The gravel mining activities have
been completed on the south side of the river and Transit Mix is now in the process of
completing the required reclamation of the property to establish a series of lakes with
native vegetation. The gravel mining activity on the north side of the river is expected to
continue.for a 2 -3 year period. The reclamation plan for the north side of the river is the
establishment of a 100 -acre lake that could be used for water storage, wildlife habitat, and
recreation uses. It is highly unlikely additional mining activity will occur in the future that
would effect the conservation purposes of the river restoration project.
(9) Describe the existing land use practices within the project area What is the current
zoning? Is a zoning chdnge proposed? What is the current landuse? Please identify
on the project site map.
The existing land use practices in the project area fall into five categories: public open
space and parks, flood plain, and agricultural. These land uses occur in the following
areas:
Public open space and parks
The area including Lake Pueblo State Park, City Parks and the City -owned property
between Pueblo Boulevard and Wildhorse Creek, and the Runyon Lake area is all
currently zoned as S -1 Public Use — Parks - and Open Space.
Flood plain
The area from Wildhorse Creek to the confluence with Fountain Creek is used a flood
plain and public recreation area. The area is zoned S -2 Flood Plain.
Agricultural
There is approximately 10 acres of the project area on the north side of the Arkansas
River that is used for the grazing of horses. These agricultural properties could be
acquired as part of the project as a buffer to the river corridor.
The 2.25 miles of stream bank property that is included in the gravel mining operation
between Lake Pueblo State Park and Pueblo Blvd. is zoned agricultural.
(10)Are existing and expected land use practices in the area surrounding the site
compatible with the proposed project? If not, can these practices be modified? Please
identify on project site map.
In the area below Pueblo Dam to the confluence with Wildhorse Creek the land use
practices, with the exception of the gravel operation on the north side of the river are
compatible with the Legacy Projects. The gravel operation is expected to be completed
within the next 2 -3 years and the area is required to be reclaimed as a lake with natural
vegetation. The land use practices following the completion of the gravel operation and
reclamation will be compatible with the proposed Legacy projects.
27
The area between Wildhorse Creek and Interstate 25 has a much more urban and
industrial pattern to the land use. Residential homes border the south side of the river
along the bluff. At the established roadway bridges there are small businesses that serve
the Abriendo/Mesa Junction neighborhood. The area north of the river on the backside of
the hugh concrete flood levee is the railyard facilities for the railroads that operate in
Pueblo. The levee separates this industrial area from the river corridor. While it is
unlikely that the land use practices will change in near future, they are not incompatible for
the improvements and uses proposed in along this urban developed portion of the project..
See the regional land use map that identifies land. uses and zoning.
2. Administrative Preferences
The City of Pueblo will be the project administrator that will be the contact for the grant
request and disbursement of grant funds to project partners.
The project coordination and oversight responsibility will be assigned to the agency that has
primary responsibility and ownership, and the operation and maintenance responsibilities for
the improvements. The project coordination and oversight responsibilities will be divided as
follows: -
Agency
Project Coordination/Oversight
City of Pueblo
Arkansas River Habitat Improvements;
Contact: Scott Hobson, Senior Planner
river trail upgrades (outside of Lake
City of Pueblo Planning & Dev. Department
Pueblo State Park), trail signs; trail from
211 E: D Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
Pueblo Zoo to Arkansas River; riverfront
719 543 -6006 fax 719 543 -0572
arks; river accesses; and kayak course
University of Southern Colorado
Improvements at the_Greenway & Nature
Contact: Tim Sandsmark, Director
Center
Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo
5200 Nature Center Rd, Pueblo, CO 81003
719) 549 -2458 fax 719) 549 -2547
Pueblo County
St. Charles Mesa Trail connection
Contact: Greg Sevarnce, Public Works Director
33601 United Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81001
719 583 -6040 fax 719 948 -9641
Colorado State Parks
Pueblo West Trail connection; and river
Contact: Mike French, Park Manager
trail upgrades (within Lake Pueblo State
Lake Pueblo State Park
Park)
640 Pueblo Reservoir Rd., Pueblo, CO 81005
719 560 -9320, ext. 102 fax 719 560 -9455
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Overton Wildlife Viewing Area &
Contact: Al Trujillo, Area Wildlife Manager
Conduit Trail Area
Pueblo District
600 Reservoir Rd., Pueblo, CO.81005
719 561 -4909 fax 719 560 -9622
Pueblo Zoological Society
Colorado River Otter Exhibit
Contact: Jonenne McFarland, Executive Dir.
Pueblo Zoo
3455 Nuckolls Ave., Pueblo, CO 81005
719) 561 -1452 fax 719 561 -8686
RESOLUTION NO. 8962
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PUEBLO TO SUBMIT A GRANT
APPLICATION FOR THE PUEBLO ARKANSAS RIVER CORRIDOR LEGACY
PROJECT TO THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO
TRUST FUND, AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL TO
EXECUTE SAME
WHEREAS, the Arkansas River provides a narrow band of riparian ecosystem that
contains habitat for more than 60% of Colorado's wildlife species and has served as a life line to the
Pueblo region by providing a vitally important travel corridor and linkage in the early exploration of
Colorado and the settlement of the City of Pueblo; and
WHEREAS, City Council has continually supported actions that have preserved and
enhanced the habitat, natural values, history and compatible recreation opportunities
along the Arkansas River in the Pueblo region; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pueblo supports the partnerships that have established
through the Pueblo Natural Resources and Environmental Education Council who has
identified the Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project as their highest priority for
the implementation of habitat enhancements, environmental education, and open space
protection; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pueblo supports the projects proposed within the Pueblo Arkansas
River Corridor Legacy Project that are included within the grant application to the State Board of
the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, that:
SECTION 1
The President of the City Council is hereby authorized to execute and deliver the grant
application for the Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project on behalf of the City of Pueblo,
a Municipal Corporation, to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, and the
City Clerk shall affix the seal of the City thereto and attest same.
SECTION 2
The grant application is requesting $2,600,00 from GOCO over a three -year period between
2000 and 2003, with the City of Pueblo obligating up to $160,000 as cash match from the City's
2000 budget towards the total project costa
SECTION 3
A copy of the grant application is on file at the City of Pueblo's Department of Planning and
Development.
INTRODUCED: March 27, 2000
BY:
Al GurulP
CO CIL PE ON
APPROVED:
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY:
ITY CLERK
PROJECT APPLICATION
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGACY PROJECTS
Stewardship and Operations/Maintenance Tasks
Project
Responsible Party
Stewardship and /or Operation/Maintenance
Responsible Pa
Arkansas River Habitat Restoration
Construction will be
Monitor water quality and condition of structures placed
City of Pueblo —
In -stream habitat restoration along a
managed by the U.S. Army
within stream every four months. Repair and maintain, as
Public Works
9.5 -mile section of the Arkansas
Corps of Engineers. The
needed, the habitat structures placed within the river.
Department
River below Pueblo Dam to Fountain
City of Pueblo will be the
Creek that includes rocks and habitat
local project through a
Monitor condition of trees and shrubs planted as part of
City of Pueblo -
structures placed in the river,
Project Cooperation
project. Maintain and replace plant species, as needed,
Parks Department
reconfiguration of some sections of
Agreement with Corps of
along the stream banks.
river, revegetation of stream banks
Engineers
Monitor the fish and aquatic species within the project
Colorado Division of
area. Modify supplemental fish stocking program based
Wildlife — Pueblo
on conditions within the different sections of the river.
Region Office
Arkansas River Diversion Dam
Construction will be
Monitor the condition of the dam modifications during the
City of Pueblo —
Modifications
managed by the U.S. Army
boating season and during the low water period. Repair
Public Works
Complete modification to the Power
Corps of Engineers. The
and maintain the diversion dam modifications during the
Department
Plant and the St. Charles Water
City of Pueblo will be the
low flow periods of the year.
District diversion structures in the
local project through a
river. These dam modifications will
Project Cooperation
allow fish to traverse throughout the
Agreement with Corps of
river and also allow boaters to
Engineers
navigate the river more safely.
Greenway &Nature Center ofPueblo
Construction of the
University of Southern
improvements will be
Colorado through the
Environmental Education Area/Plaza
managed by the University
Maintenance tasks: The EE Area/Plaza, trails, and
Greenway & Nature
Construction of an outdoor education
of Southern Colorado
interpretive displays will be performed as part of the
Center
plaza area including native
through the Greenway &
Nature Center's regular maintenance program including
vegetation, seating areas, and
Nature Center
facilities and grounds staff and volunteer master gardeners
exhibits between the Nature Center
Building and Cafe del Rio
Natural Resource Restoration
The prairie restoration will be monitored by Center's
Restoration of the natural areas
resource staff and volunteers on a weekly basis during the
PROJECT APPLICATION
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGACY PROJECTS
surrounding the Nature Center
establishment of vegetation and then at beginning and end
including the bluffs and shortgrass
of growing season for established areas,
prairie habitats that are ecologically
important. The project includes
closing and revegetating social trails,
designating trails for specific uses
Raptor Center Improvements
Raptors Center staff will maintain and repair the outdoor
Complete outdoor classroom area,
classroom, flight cages, and exhibits on a month -to -month
rehabilitate flight cages, upgrade
basis.
exhibit area, and improve visitor
access to facility
Interpretation and Nature Trails
Develop new interpretation displays
at the Nature Center complex, along
with constructing a'' /, -mile of new
interpretive trails at the complex
Trail Upgrades (Outside of Lake
Pueblo State Park)
3.5 mile multi -use trail along
City of Pueblo —'Public
Both agencies will complete the following maintenance
City of Pueblo — Parks
Arkansas River from I -25 to the City
Works Department in
tasks: sweeping and vegetation trimming completed on 45
Department
Park and 1 mile trail from Wildhorse
coordination with the U.S.
day basis during warm weather season. Drainage, surface
Creek/Arkansas River confluence
Army Corps of Engineers.
repairs, and sign replacement completed on a annual basis.
along Wildhorse Creek to 18'' Street
Completion of 1.5 mile multi -use
Lake Pueblo State Park
Lake Pueblo State
trail along the Arkansas River below
park
Pueblo Dam to the east boundary of
Lake Pueblo State Park
St. Charles Mesa'Trail
Pueblo County —
Maintenance tasks: sweeping and vegetation trimming
Pueblo County —
Completion of 1.5 mile multi -use
Department of Public
completed on 45 day basis during warm weather season. '
Department of Public
trail along the Arkansas River,
Works
Drainage, surface repairs, and sign replacement completed
Works
including a 250'trail bridge across
on a annual basis.
the river
PROJECT APPLICATION
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGACY PROJECTS
Project
Responsible Party
Stewardship and /or O eration/Alaintenance
Responsible Pa
Pueblo West Trail
Lake Pueblo State Park in
Maintenance tasks: grading trail surface, vegetation
Lake Pueblo State
Completion of a 3.5 -mile crusher
cooperation with Pueblo
trimming completed on 180 day basis. Drainage, surface
Park
fines trail from the west end of
West Metropolitan District
repairs, and sign replacement completed on a annual basis.
Liberty Point to the fishing pond at
Lake Pueblo State Park
Overton Wildlife Viewing Area &
Colorado Division of
Maintenance tasks: grading trail surface, vegetation
Colorado Division of
Conduit Trail Area
Wildlife — Pueblo District
trimming completed on 180 day basis. Drainage, surface
Wildlife — Pueblo
Installation of two comfort stations,
office
repairs, and sign replacement completed on a annual basis.
District office
parking lot improvements, watchable
wildlife observation site at Overton
Viewing Area, a 200 yard trail at the
Overton Viewing Area, and %- mile
trail at the Conduit Trail Area.
Colorado River Otter Exhibit
Pueblo Zoological Society
Maintenance tasks: The River Otter Exhibit will be come
Pueblo Zoological
Construction of a river otter exhibit
part of the zoos regular maintenacnce program including
Society
at the Pueblo Zoo including an above
keepers and veterinary staff assigned to care for the
ground and under water viewing
animals, and buildings & grounds staff assigned to routine
area, an otter house, and a
maintenance and scheduled upgrade and replacement of
river /stream bank exhibit area
exhibit support systems.
Pueblo Zoo River Trail Connection
City of Pueblo Parks
Maintenance tasks: sweeping and vegetation trimming
City of Pueblo Parks
Completion of 1 /2- mile multi -use
Department
completed on 45 day basis during warm weather season.
Department
trail through City Park to the
Drainage, surface repairs, and sign replacement completed
Arkansas River Trail System
on a annual basis.
Arkansas RiverfrontPark
City of Pueblo Planning
Maintenance tasks: irrigating turf area & trees, mowing
City of Pueblo Parks .
Construction of a 5 -acre park with
Department
and trimming, t{ash removal and general park cleanup on
Department
landscaped turf area, trees, a raft and
a weekly basis during the 6 -7 month period. Resurfacing
kayak drop -off and pick -up access, a
the boater access road every five years.
river viewing terraces that include
picnic tables and access to the river
trail
PROJECT APPLICATION
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGACY PROJECTS
Project
Responsible Party
Stewardship and /or Operation/Maintenance
Responsible Pa
Arkansas River Accesses
City of Pueblo Planning
General maintenance and irrigation of the native
City of Pueblo Parks
Construction of two river access
Department
vegetation within the access area, trimming of vegetation,
Department
points from the bluff along the south
cleanup every two weeks during a 6 -7 month period.
side of the river that provide access
Drainage, surface repairs to the trail, and sign replacement
from the Abriendo Avenue
completed on a annual basis.
neighborhood and City Park
Kayak Course
City of Pueblo Planning
Installation of cable standards and cables for hanging the
City of Pueblo Parks
Department, in partnership
kayak course gates. Inspection of the equipment and
Department and
with the Pueblo Paddlers
replace on an annual basis.
volunteers from the
Pueblo Paddlers
BUCIqETS ANd TIME[INE
0
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGACY PROJECT t BUDGET
PROJECT NAME: Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project
Description
Date
GOCO
Cash
6/00 -6/03
Applicant
Cash
6/00 (current
ear
Applicant
Cash
6/01 -6/03
Partners
Cash
6/00 -6/03
Applicant
In -kind
6/00 -6/03
Partners
In -kind
6/00 -6/03
TOTAL
Nature Center Trail Rehab & Signs
Jul -00
$ 10,000
$ 4,000
$ 6,000
$ 20,000
$ 6,000
$ 46,000
St. Charles Mesa Trail
April -01
$ 100,000
$ 450,000
$ 550,000
Pueblo West Trail 'Aug-00
$' 50,000
$ 20,000
$ 30,000
$ 100,000
Wildhorse Creek Trail
Aug -00
$ 100,000
$ 60,000
$ 160,000
River Otter Exhibit
Aug -00
$ 230,000
$ 30,000
$ 90,000
$ 350,000
Nature Center Prairie Restoration
Sep-00
$ 10,000
$ 10,000
$ 20,000
$ 40,000
$ 80,000
City Park River Access
Oct -00
$ 35,000
$ 20,000
$ 3,000
$ 40,000
$ 98,000
Trail from River to Zoo .
Oct -00
$ 50,000
$ 30,000
$ 18,000
$ 2,000
$ 100,000
Overton Overlook Improvements
Oct -00
$ 35,000
$ 5,000
$ 40,000
Conduit Trail Area Improvements
Nov -00
$ 5,000
$ 50,000
$ 5,000
$ 60,000
Nature Center Environmental
Education Area
Nov -00
$ 120,000
$ 10,000
$ 10,000
$ 180,000
$ 15,000
$ 335,000
4th St. Riverpark
Dec -00
$ 50,000
$ 26,000
$ 34,000
$ 170,000
$ 5,000
$ 285,000
Easements - CORPS Project
Feb-01
$ 50,000
$ 20,000
$ 30,000
$ 160,00
Raptor Center Improvements
Feb-02
$ 60,000
$ 10,000
$ 30,000
$ 10,000
$ 110,000
Arkansas River CORPS project
June -01
$1050,000
$180,000
$ 3,630,000
$ 5,000
$ 4,865,000
Fish Passage Structures -CORPS
June -01
$ 210,000
$100,000
$ 690,000
$ 5,00
$ 1,005,000
Nature Trails
July -01
$ 10,000
. $10,000
$ 25,000
$ 9,000
$ 54,000
Penn St. River Access
Oct -01
$ 25,000
'$ 17,000
$ 30,000
$ 72,000
Trail in Levee Section
Feb-02
$ 415,000
$ 44,000
$ 301,000
$ 760,000
Trail Signs
Mar -02
$ 10,000
$ 6,000
$ 10,000
$ 4,000
$ . 30,000
Kayak Course
April -02
I $ 10,000
$ 20,000
$ 2 0,000
$ 50,000
TOTALS
1 $2,600,000
$ 190,0001
$ 460,000
$ 5,839,000
$ 11,000
$ 150,000
$ 9,250,000
Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Project
Project Budget - Phase 1
Project
1. Arkansas River Habitat Improvements
- Fish Passage Structures
2. Greenway & Nature Center
- Environmental Education Area
- Natural Resource Restoration
- Raptor Center Improvements
- Nature Trails & Interpretive Signs
3. Trail System Improvements
- Replace 6 miles of hard surface trails
- St. Charles Mesa Trail connection
- Trail signs
- Pueblo West Trail
4. Environmental Education Sites
- Overton Wildlife Viewing Area
- Conduit Trail Area
5. Pueblo Zoo Improvements
- Colorado River Otter Exhibit
- Trail Connection From River Trail
6. Riverfront Parks & River Access
- Riverfront park
- River access points
- Kayak Course
PROJECT COST - Phase 1
Note: $1.00 = $1 million dollars
CORPS
$ 3.22 $
$ 0.65 $
$
$
0.005 � ?�
$
0.230
$
0.050?
$ 0.15 $
SE
?&k%
0.050
$ 0.06 $
0.060
$
0.010 zz >x •<
•"
zz4
$ 4.08 $
}
2.600
$0.10 = $100 thousand dollars
GOCO
1.100
0.210
0.120
0.010
0.060
0.010
0.525
0.100
0.010
0.050
.0 TE21 ST. PARKS DOW
CITY
COUNTY CDBG
BOWW
OTHER
TOTAL
0.04 $ 0.020
$
0.200
$ 0.14
$
0.245
$
4.965
j {f.'.••i
•: ?.<.::�� ? <
$
0.060
$ 0.04
$
0.045
$
1.005
tz r•- :
$
0.020
$ 0.03
$ 0.10 $
0.065
$
0.335
{ ?w
$
0.010
$ 0.01
$
0.050
$
0.080
$
0.010
$ 0.01
$
0.030
$
0.110
$
0.010
$
0.026
$
0.046
xc $ $ 0.015
0.20
$
0.065
$ 0.07 $ 0.04
$ 0,05 $
0.009
$
0.974
$ 0.30
$ 0.15
$
0.550
<f�
$
0.010
$ 0.01
$
0.030
su ?} $ 0 .02
$ 0.01
$
0.020
$
0.100
0.030
$ 0.01
$
0.040
;r • $ 0.045
$ 0.01
$
0.060
:L�j}? }�tiY
$
0.030
$ 0.03
$
0.060
$
0.350
$
0.030
$
0.020
$
0.100
$
0.005
$ 0 .06
$
0.020
$
0.285
zz:C
$
0.010
$ 003
.
$
0.010
$
0.170
<:#is
$
0.020
$
0.020
$
0.050
$ 0.50 $ 0.06 $ 0.110
$
0.480
$ 0.48 $ 0.17
$ 0.15 $
0.620
$
9.250
0.01
$ _ $10 thousand dollars
: • : ..::<::<zs< ?>:« > >z >�< ? ?,; : :zt <•. },.,z,
breakdown
of GOCO
< = , •'< ?: >::::: >:r. <r
Legacy funding
:::<:.rf:
quadrant
Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Project
Pilot Project Budget - Phase 2
Project
1. Chain -of -Lakes
- Land Acquisition (5 lakes, plant. site)
- Water rights (4 southside lakes)
- Habitat Improvements
- State Park Day Use Area
- Goodnight Information & Historic Site
2. Greenway & Nature Center
- Nature Trails & Interpretive Signs
- Pedestrian Bridge Across River
3. Environmental Education Sites
- Parking, shade shelters, restrooms
- Interpretive signs
- Environmental Education curriculum
- Acquire Olive Marsh habitat parcels
4. Trail System Improvements
- Acquire DREW rail trail property
- Construct DRGW rail trail
- 4 miles of Natural surface trails
- St. Charles Mesa Trail connection
5. Boat Drop Structures and Improvements
- Water Works lowhead dam
- Put -ins & take -outs
6. Riverfront Parks & Neighborhood Access
- Riverfront park & accesses
PROJECT COST - Phase 2
CARPS GC
$
$
$
$
$
$
Note: $1.00 = $1 million dollars $0.10 = $100 thousand .
dollars
TE21
ST. PARKS
DOW
CITY
COUNTY CDBG
OTHER
TOTAL
$0.12
$0.12
$0.07
$0.07
$
1.13
$ 0.03
$ 0.03
$ 0.02
$ 0.02
$
0.30
$ 0.03
$ 0.03
$ 0.02
$ 0.02
$
0.38
$ 0.24
$
0.66
$ 0.25
$ 0.02
$ 0.0?
$
0.55
$0.01
$0.01
$
0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.04.
$
0.36
$0.16
$0.01
$0.01
$0.02
$
0.60
$0.01
$0.01
$0.01
$
0.10
$0.01
$0.01
$
0.03
$ 0.04
$ 0.02
$ 0.02
$
0.28
$ 0.10
$ 0.05
$ D.05
$
0,40
$0.05
$0.01
$0.01
$
0.12
$0.01
$0.01
$
0.06
$0.12
$0.12
$
0.36
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.02
$
0.45
$ 0.01
$
0.03
$ 0.10
$
0.80
6
$ 0.52
$ 0.44
$ 0.36
$ 0.44
$ 0.44
$ 0.12
$
6.75
$0.01 = $10 thousand
dollars
breakdown of
GOCO
Legacy quadrant
funding
Pueblo Arkansas River Legacy Project - Vision for the Arkansas River
Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project
Funding Partners - Phase 1
Great Outdoors_
Colorado
28%
Community
Development Block
Grants
2%
Board of Water
Works
2%
Colorado
Division of Wildlife
1%
Pueblo County
5%
Transportation
Enhancements
5%
n+hrnr n^encies
J
do State Park,c
1%
City of
Pueblo
5%
.S. Army
Corps
Engineers
44%
Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project
Project Costs - Phase 1
Pueblo Zoo
Improvement
5%
Trail System Improvements
18%
Environmental
Education Sites
1%
Greenway &Nature �
Center
6%
Riverfront Parks & River
Access
5%
Fish Passage Structi
11%
Arkansas River
Habitat
Improvements
54%
. ;
PROJECT PARTNERS
wb
R
Y3
PROJECT PARTNERS
(1)
Mr. John Momp, Chairman
(6)
Susan Morgan, Interim Manager
(11)
Mark Yeager, President
Board of County Commissioners
Pueblo West Metropolitan District
Arkansas Valley Audubon Society
Pueblo County Courthouse
P.O. Box 7005
P.O. Box 11187
10' & Main Streets
Pueblo West, CO 81007
Pueblo, CO 81001
Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: (719) 547 -2000
Phone: (719)
Phone: (719) 583 -6000
Fax: (719) 547-2833.
Fax: (719)
Fax: (719) 583 -6549
(7)
Jonenne McFarland, Executive Director
(12)
Jack Seilheimer, Dean of the College of
(2)
Colonel Thomas Fallin
Pueblo 7,00logical Society
Science and Mnthemntics
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
3455 Nuckolls Avenue
University of Southern Colorado
Albuquerque District
Pueblo, CO 81005 •
2200 Bonforte Blvd.
4101 Jefferson Plaza Northeast
Phone: (719) 561 -1452
Pueblo, CO 81001
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Fax: (719) 561 -8686
Phone: (719) 549 -2340
Phone: (505) 342 -3354
Fax: (719) 549 -2732
Fax: (SOS) 342 -3494
(8)
Alan Hamel, Executive Director
Pueblo Board of Water Works
(13)
Dave Anderson, Chairman
(3)
Dave Gigcr, South Region Manager
P.O. Box 400
Frichds of the River-Trails
Colorado State Parks
Pueblo, CO 81002
101 S. WCullogh
2128 N. Weber Street
Phone: (719) 584 -0221
Pueblo West, CO 81007
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Fax: (719) 584 -0222
Phone: (719) 547 -1717
Phone: (719) 471 -0900
Fax: (719) 547 -0100
Fax: (719) 4734201
(9)
Gus Sandstrom, Chairman
Pueblo Conservancy District
(14)
Bob Walker, Chairman
(4)
Tim Sandsmark, Director
111 E. 5 1 " Street
Pueblo Paddlers
Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo
Pueblo, CO 81003
107 N. Union Avenue
5200 Nature Center Road
Phone: (719) 544 -6823
Pueblo, CO, 81003
Pueblo, CO.81005
Fax: (719) 544 -6825
Phone: (719) 583 -2021
Phone: (719) 549 -2458
Fax: (719) 583 -2023
Fax: (719) 549 -2547
(10)
John Zupancic, President
Southern Greenback Chapter
.(15)
Dr. David Cockrell, Community
(5)
Mark Konlshi, SE Regional Manager
Trout Unlimited ,
Development Specialist
Colorado Division of Wildlife
1140 Camino Pablo Late
Colorado State University
2126 N. Weber Street
Pueblo West, CO 81007
Community Technical Assistance
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Phone: (719) 547 -2089
Program
Phone: (719) 227 -5208
Fax: (719) 545 -7997
Union Depot
Fax: (719) 227 -5297
132 W. B Street, Suite 260
Pueblo, CO 81003
PROJECT PARTNER COMMITMENTS
Mr. John Klomp, Chairman _
Board of County Commissioners
Pueblo County has committed $80,000 during the first year of the project to assist in funding
the Pueblo West Trail *connection, improvements at the Greenway and Nature Center, and the
Pueblo Zoo River Otter Exhibit. In addition the County will be the land manager and project
coordinator for the St. Charles Mesa Trail connection project. The County is also looking to
provide $200,000 in both 2041 and 2002 in matching funds for the Legacy Project, subject to
availability of funds for appropriation. The public works department in conjunction with
volunteer trail groups will maintain the St. Charles Mesa Trail.
Colonel Thomas Fallin
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Albuquerque District
The Albuquerque District has expended $10,000 during 1999 for the completed the
Preliminary Restoration Plan for the Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat Restoration Project.
Following the completion of the Restoration Plan, funding was approved to complete the
Feasibility Study and Ecosystem Restoration Report (ERR) in the amount of $472,000. The
Corps is four months into the Feasibility Study/ERR with a completion date of December,
2000. Subject to recommendations made in the ERR and acceptance byshe Corps, the
approval of the ERR could occur by February, 2001. Final design and implementation could
occur by June, 2001. The Preliminary Restoration Report estimates a cost of $4,960,000 to
complete the project. The Corps would provide $3,224,000 and local non-federal cost share
is estimated to be $1,737,000 which would need to be provide by the project sponsor and
partners. These costs are subject to changes in the ongoing. Feasibility Study.
Mike French, Park Manager
Colorado State Parks
Colorado State Parks will consider providing $300,000 in quadrant funds over the 3 -year
funding period. The funds are being requested for the Fisheries Habitat Project ($50,000) and
four trail projects ($250,000). They will also provide $40,000 in cash match for the Fisheries
Habitat Project, and $20,000 of in -kind for the Pueblo West Trail. State Parks will manage
and maintain the Pueblo West Trail.. They will commit to provide the property within Lake
Pueblo State Park for the Arkansas River Fisheries Habitat Improvements subject to final
review of the Feasibility Study/ERR. A letter of support documenting State Park's
participation will be forwarded to GOCO.
Tim Sandsmark, Director
Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo
Commitment to provide $100,000 in matching funds generated from a fund raising campaign
and other foundation grants. Commit to provide a minimum of 7,500 hours of volunteer in-
kind work valued at $71,000 to close and revegetate trails, revegetation of prairie habitat
areas, and construction of natural surfaced trails. The Greenway and Nature Center has
committed to manage and maintain the improvements at the Nature Center Complex and the
habitat improvements to the prairie and riparian areas.
Al Trujillo, District Wildlife Manager
Colorado Division of Wildlife
The Southeast Region is providing $20,000 in cash funding for the river habitat restoration, a
$15,000 Fishing Is Fun application for access trails is currently being recommended for
funding within the region, and $75,000 of in -kind is being provided for the Overton Wildlife
Viewing Area and the Conduit Trail Area. -
Susan Morgan, Interim Manager
Pueblo West Metropolitan District
The Board of Directors of the Pueblo West Metropolitan District (PWMD) has committed to
provide $20,000 in cash and/or in -kind for the construction of the Pueblo West Trail
connection that links to the River Trail System. As part this project PWMD has committed to
provide a trail easement across approximately 5,800 linear feet of property owned by the
District.
Jonenne McFarland, Executive Director
Pueblo Zoological Society
The Pueblo Zoological Society has commitment to provide $80,000 in matching funds
generated from a fund raising campaign and other foundation grants. Following the
completion of the River Otter Exhibit, the Zoological Society commits to manage and
maintain the improvement.
Alan Hamel, Executive Director
Pueblo Board of Water Works
The Board of Water Works of Pueblo has committed to pay the cost to replace facilities at the
Nature Center and along the River Trail System that are disturbed in connection with the
installation of a raw water pipeline. The replacement cost of these existing improvements
will be provided as a direct in -kind cash match to the Arkansas River Legacy Project. The
Board will be working with the City to determine the replacement costs of these
improvements through the design process over the next several months.
Gus Sandstrom, Chairman
Pueblo Conservancy District
The Pueblo Conservancy District is the lead agency, along with the City of Pueblo,
sponsoring the request for the Arkansas River Fishery Habitat Restoration Project. The
District owns 50% of the river corridor (approximately 300 acres) where the habitat
improvements will be completed. The District will provide the land for the river park
improvements, the Penn Street river access, the replacement of the river trails, and natural
surfaced trails at Runyon Lake and Wildhorse Creek. The District currently has an agreement
with the City of Pueblo establishing the responsibilities for the management and maintenance
of these improvements by the City of Pueblo or its agents.
John Zupancic, President
Southern Greenback Chapter
The Southern Greenback Chapter has commitment-800 hours of volunteer time to the river
restoration project valued at $8,000 to assist in rock/boulder placement and the planting of
stream bank vegetation. A cash commitment of $10,000 has been requested from the
National Office of Trout Unlimited by the Southern Greenback Chapter for the river
restoration project. Requests will also be made for additional $10,000 contributions in 2001
and 2002 from the National Office of Trout Unlimited.
Cliff Smith, President
Arkansas Valley Audubon Society
The Arkansas Valley Audubon Society has commitment to provide 100 hours of volunteer
labor to plant the materials to establish habitat for nesting birds along the river corridor.
Jack Seilheimer, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics
University of Southern Colorado
The University of Southern Colorado has committed to continue to provide assistance and
human resources to contribute to the completion of the project. In addition the University has
offered to provide support from University professors, graduate students, and undergraduates
to support the implementation and follow up monitoring required for the project.
Dave Anderson, Chairman
Friends of the River Trails
The Friends of the River Trail has committed to provide 900 hours of volunteer labor valued
at $9,000 to construct 4 miles of natural surface trails located between Runyon Lake and the
Arkansas River, at shoreline access points to Fountain Lake, and between Wildhorse Creek
and City Park.
John Zupancic
Pueblo Paddlers
The Pueblo Paddlers have committed to secure a minimum of $5,000 in river rock to be used
to create a white water course, in conjunction with the river habitat improvements along the
Arkansas River. In addition they have committed to provide the equipment for a boating
course along the river and 400 hours of volunteer labor, valued at $10,000 to install kayak
gates and chute apparatus. These contributions are subject to the satisfactory design of the
fisheries habitat improvements to provide for safe passage of the low water dams and a white
water course along a 3,000' section of the river.
Dr. David Cockrell, Community Development Specialist
Colorado State University - Community Technical Assistance Program
The Community Technical Assistance Program has committed to engage the services of
university based faculty and students to design and prepare specifications for the
development of the Pearl Street Riverpark, Penn Street river access, and the City Park river
access. The rate for these services is less than half of the cost that would be incurred, if
commercial contractors completed the project. In addition, $2,000 in cash match is being
provided by the Technical Assistance Program towards the cost of the completion of the park
and access work.
CONSiSTENCY WiTh.
LoCAIANd..-
. y
REI PLANS
•
G ZONA_
? :A
Nor
1NCL u I) cc)
LETTERS OF
SUPPORT ANd PETITIONS
ni OT
L u u�.
NEUUSpApER ARTICIES"
N c�T
IUCLvoEo
Exhibit B
Project Resolution
[See Attached]
17 10/6/98 Version
Exhibit C
Work Plan
[See Attached]
18 10/6/98 Version
Revised March 21, 2002
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LEGACY PROJECT BUDGET
PROJECT NAME: Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project
Description
Date
GOCO
Cash
6/02
GOCO
Cash
6/03
GOCO
Cash
6/04
Applicant
Cash
6/02 (current
year)
Applicant
Cash
6/03 -6/04
Partners
Cash
6/02 -6/04
Applicant
In -kind
6/02 -6/04
Partners
In -kind
6/02 -6/04
TOTAL
Nature Center Environmental
Education Area
June -02
$ 120,000
$ 35,000
$ 195,000
$ 350,000
Wildhorse Creek Trail
Aug -02
$ 63,000
$ 63,000
Arkansas River CORPS project
Nov -02
$ 655,000
$ 655,000
$ 200,000
$ 4,594,000
$100,000
$ 387,000
$ 6,591,000
River Otter Exhibit
Jan-03
$ 175,000
$ 45,000
$ 130,000
$ 350,000
Raptor Center Improvements
Feb -03
$ 40,000
$ 10,000
$ 50,000
$ 10,000
$ 110,000
Nature Center Trail Rehab & Signs
Jul -03
$ 10,000
$ 10,000
$ 20,000
$ 6,000
$ 46,000
Levee Trail/Nature Trails
Aug -03
$ 75,000
$ 100,000
$ 65,000
$ 362,000
$ 59,000
$ 661,000
Overton Overlook & Conduit Trail
Area Improvements
Oct -03
$ 5,000
$ 70,000
$ 25,000
$ 100,000
Kayak Course
April -04
$ 20,000
$ 25,000
$ 45,000
4th St. Riverpark
May -04
$ 45,000
$ 5,000
$ 90,000
$ 140,000
Penn St. River Access
May -04
$ 45,000
$ 10,000
$ 55,000
$ 110,000
Trail Signs
Mar -04
$ 10,000
$ 10,000
$ 10,000
$ 30,000
Pueblo West Trail
Aug -04
$ 35,000
$ 35,000
$ 30,000
$ 100,000
Nature Center Prairie Restoration
Sep -04
$ 10,000
$ 10,000
$ 20,000
$ 40,000
$ 80,000
St. Charles Mesa Trail
N/A
City Park River Access
N/A
Trail from River to Zoo
N/A
TOTALS
1
$ 120,000
$ 960,000
$920,0001
$ 35,0001
$ 365,0001
$ 5,694,0001
$ 100,000
_ $582,0001
$ 8,776,000
Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project
Project Partner Expenses
All but $400,000 is expected to be reimbursed by our partners based on the following
schedule:
Proiected Reimbursable Costs - note: this list does not include U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers funds that will not be fronted project expenses by the City.
PROJECT PARTNERS AMOUNT
GOCO Legacy Funds (anticipated to be reimbursed with
$2,000,000
$1,000,000 FY2003 && $1,000,000 FY2004
River Habitat Land Credits credited in FY2002
$ 487,000
Colorado State Parks ($40,000 expected in FY2003 for
$ 60,000
River Habitat & $20,000 in FY2004 for Pueblo West trail)
(if $20 ,000 is not provided by the
State Parks, the trail projects will'
not be completed
Pueblo County (river habitat contribution payments
$ 400,000
anticipated to be $100K FY2003 & $100K FY2004, GNC
(if $105,000 is not provided by the
Improvements $45 000 River Trails /Si ns $80 000,
P > > g �
county the City will riot complete
Raptor Center, signs, and habitat
Pueblo West Trail $25,000, Environmental Ed. Sites
restoration projects; Pueblo West
$20,000, Pueblo Zoo River Otter Exhibit $30,000 )
trail & River Otter )exhibit)
Trout Unlimited (expected in FY2002
$ 10,000
CDOT - TE21 grant funds (applications to be submitted
$ 300,000
in FY2002 & FY2003)
(if not secured, the City will
reduce the number of miles of trail
re laced within project
CDBG funds - funding requests to be submitted in
$ 170,000
FY2003 & FY2004 - $28,000 secured in FY2002)
Pueblo Board of Water Works (GNC Plaza $130,000 &
$ 180,000
$50,000 in -kind trails work in FY2002
Greenway & Nature Center (Plaza $50,000 secured in
$ 166,000
FY2002, $66,000 of cash and in -kind secured in FY2003
(if $116 ,000 is not provided by the
Raptor Center & interpretive signs, $50 000 of cash
for Ra P P g
GNC the City will not complete
Raptor Center, signs, and habitat
and in -kind secured in FY2004 for habitat restoration )
restoration projects)
Colorado Division of Wildlife (Environmental Ed. Sites
$ 110,000
$75,000 at Lake Pueblo State Wildlife Area cash and in-
(if $75 ,000 is not provided by the
kind in FY2003 $20 000 for River Habitat in FY2002
> > >
Dow the E.E. sites projects will
not be completed)
$15,000 river trails in FY2002
Pueblo Zoological Society ($100,000 for River Otter
$ 100,000
Exhibit in FY2002)
(if $100,000 is not provided by the
Zoo, the City will not complete
River Otter Exhibit project
Pueblo West Metro. District (Pueblo West trail cash and
$ 20,000
in -kind in FY2004)
(if $20 ,000 is not provided by the
Pueblo West, the trail projects will
not be completed)
Friends of the River Trail trails in -kind in FY 2002
$ 9,000
Other Grants and Contributions for riverpark, access,
$ 80,000
and kayaking requested in FY2002 & FY2003
Total Reimbursable Costs
$4,092,000
Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Project
Project Budget - Phase 1
Project
1. Arkansas River Habitat Improvements
2. Greenway & Nature Center
Environmental Education Area
Natural Resource Restoration
- Raptor Center Improvements
Nature Trails & Interpretive Signs
3. Trail System Improvements
- Replace 6 miles of hard surface trails
- St. Charles Mesa Trail connection
- Trail signs
- Pueblo West Trail
4. Environmental Education Sites
- Overton Wildlife Viewing Area
- Conduit Trail Area
5. Pueblo Zoo Improvements
- Colorado River Otter Exhibit
- Trail Connection From River Trail
6. Riverfront Parks & River Access
- Riverfront park
- River access points
- Kayak Course
PROJECT COST - Phase 1
Note: $1.00 = $1 million dollars
CORPS
4.284 $
GOCO TE21 ST. PARKS DOW
1.310 $ 0.04 $ 0.020
0.120
0.010
0.040
0.010
0.175 $ 0.30
0.010
0.035 $ 0.02
0.005
0.175
$ 0.015
$ 0.030
$ 0.045
$ 0.045
$ 0.045
$ 0.020
4.284 $ 2.000 $ 0.30 $ 0.06 $0.110
$0.10 = $100 thousand dollars
CITY
COUNTY
CDBG
BOWW
OTHER
TOTAL
0.200
$ 0.200
$ 0.04
$ 0.497
$
6.591
0.035
$ 0.015
$ 0.13
$ 0.050
$
0.350
0.010
$ 0.010
$ 0.050
$
0.080
0.010
$ 0.010
$ 0.050
$
0.110
0.010
$ 0.010
$ 0.016
$
0.046
0.065
$ 0.070
$ 0.04
$ 0.05
$ 0.009
$
0.724
0.010
$ 0.010
$
0.030
$ 0.025
$ 0.020
$
0.100
$ 0.010
$
0.040
$ 0.010
$
0.060
0.045
$ 0.030
$ 0.100
$
0.350
0.005
$ 0.06
$ 0.030
$
0.140
0.010
$ 0.03
$ 0.025
$
0.110
$ 0.025
$
0.045
0.400
$ 0.400
$ 0.17
$ 0.18
$ 0.872
$
8.776