County ratifies EWP application, backs local watershed and water-treatment grants
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Summary
The board ratified an Emergency Watershed Protection application and approved letters of support for conservation districts and Rangelys turbidity meter request. Staff said national approval and funding for some EWP work is in place and that grants could cover emergency watershed projects and related technical assistance.
RIO BLANCO COUNTY, Colo. — On Oct. 28 the Rio Blanco County commissioners ratified a preliminary Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) application and approved several letters of support for local watershed and irrigation projects, including a request from the Town of Rangely for emergency funding to address turbidity at its water plant.
Board members ratified the draft EWP application (the SF-424 federal assistance form) after staff reported that national approval and project funding had been authorized. Staff said the EWP award reflects a 75% funding rate for eligible emergency watershed protection work and that formal grant/agreement documents were expected to follow for signature.
The board also ratified a letter of support for a White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts grant proposal to the Colorado River District for funding three emergency watershed protection projects to help private landowners damaged by flooding, and it approved a separate letter supporting the Colorado Ag Water Alliance (CAWA) application for the Southside Island Ditch diversion project.
Lisa (Rangeley water representative) described water-plant operational problems caused by high turbidity following floods and runoff; the board approved a letter supporting Rangely’s request to the Colorado River District Community Fund Partnership and DOLA for emergency funds to repair or replace a turbidity meter. Lisa said the town had temporarily shut its plant during high-turbidity events and that a turbidity meter at the river intake would help operators monitor and avoid prolonged plant operation during extreme conditions.
Why it matters: The EWP grant and local conservation-district funding are intended to pay for urgent work to protect private landowners and infrastructure from flood and watershed damage; the turbidity-meter funding request is aimed at preventing water-plant shutdowns and protecting public water supplies.
What’s next: Staff said federal grant documents will be circulated for signature when available to execute EWP funding and that the county will follow up on district deadlines and matching funds. County staff and district representatives said they would confirm state and River District contribution percentages for project cost shares.
