HomeMy WebLinkAboutConstituent Letter - Read Before Packet - 8/4/2020 - Letter From Brad Wind, Northern Water, Re: Advancing Nisp While Incorporating Input From The City Of Fort CollinsPage 1 of 2
Exhibit 1
Conceptual approach for developing governance structure for the SCHIPP and for
supporting the development of the NISP Adaptive Management Framework
Proposed Framework:
•The Adaptive Management Committee (AMC) would be responsible for directing the following:
o Development of the AMC’s internal governance and decision-making protocols with input
from the Governance Committee.
o Development of the Stream Channel Habitat Improvement Plan Process (SCHIPP) [$1 million
allocated].
o Development of resource management objectives and key desired outcomes for the Poudre
River’s ecological condition as context for implementation of the SCHIPP.
o Setting priorities for use of defined NISP financial contributions for activities under the
SCHIPP [$2 million of the initial $5 million; $1 million within Fort Collins reach].
o Selection, monitoring, and evaluation of activities and projects under the SCHIPP.
o Management of funding and implementation under SCHIPP.
o Development of a strategy to ensure long-term funding and implementation to leverage
NISP funding.
•The AMC would provide advisory recommendations to the Governance Committee (CPW, CDPHE,
NW) on:
o Recommended adjustments to Poudre River mitigation and enhancement projects identified
as conditions in the NISP Fish and Wildlife Mitigation and Enhancement Plan (FWMEP) and
401 Certification regulatory approvals that are subject to adaptive management, to ensure
functioning as intended.
o Other recommendations as deemed appropriate by the AMC.
•The Poudre River Adaptive Management Program would recognize:
o Regulatory Agencies retain final decision-making within their respective areas of jurisdiction:
§CPW on deliverables under conditions in FWMEP.
§CDPHE on deliverables under conditions in 401 Certification.
o Sideboards in the respective NISP approvals:
§Non-impairment of NISP water rights, operations, and yield, as determined by
Northern Water.
§Resource commitments and funding contributions specified for Project
mitigation/enhancement in view of impacts defined through the regulatory
processes.
•NISP mitigation is addressed outside of the NISP Adaptive Management framework and funded by
the NISP participants and does not rely on contributions from AMC members.
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• NISP Adaptive Management Program is subject to and must be consistent with NW’s FWMEP and
other agreements and obligations.
Fort Collins’ participation in NISP Adaptive Management is an opportunity to:
• Leverage resources allocated specifically towards river and riparian health improvements in the Fort
Collins reach:
o $1 million out of $5 million to implement stream and channel habitat improvement projects
identified in the Fort Collins Downtown Master Plan or other planned activities by Fort
Collins on the Poudre River within affected reaches;
o 10 acres of riparian vegetation improvements within Fort Collins that will be coordinated
with current planning efforts by Fort Collins, including its Poudre River Downtown Master
Plan. Potential locations include the Gustav Swanson Natural Area and a new 31-acre natural
area north of the Mulberry Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Have a voice with a regional forum:
o That will plan, direct and implement river health improvement projects;
o That will allocate available resources associated with the Stream Channel Habitat and
Improvement Plan.
• Keep tabs on the implementation of NISP mitigation and enhancement projects by providing input
to the regulatory agencies regarding effectiveness of mitigation and enhancement measures; and to
advise on potential adjustments needed to improve these measures if they do not deliver the
intended offsets or enhancements.
• Take advantage of available funding commitments that are expected to be directed towards
infrastructure improvements (such as stormwater system upgrades) and that will likely need to take
proceed regardless of NISP, due to existing water quality impairments. NISP funding will offset costs
that are likely to be incurred by Fort Collins and other utilities along the river, regardless of the
project.
• Access additional resources that can be built upon in the context of Fort Collins’ own mitigation
needs for the Halligan Reservoir Expansion Project.