Stakeholder Forums

The goal of Watershed Forums is to bring stakeholders together from throughout the watershed to share knowledge, attitudes and values in order to develop cooperative strategies and projects that promote sustainable watershed management and water quality improvements. This is not an easy task given the diversity of interests—ranging from mountain rural to urban, from agricultural and industrial to recreational and regulatory. We recognize and respect the fact that many individuals, communities, organizations and agencies have been focusing for years on the well-being of the complex Clear Creek Watershed. We encourage collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders and strive to enhance, not duplicate, the resources and efforts that have already been dedicated to the basin.

David Holm, past Director of the Colorado Water Quality Control Division, summed it up when he said, “The Forum is an opportunity for people who care to come together in an equitable environment, where everyone has the same access. One of the real values of the Forum is to provide a place where information can be shared.” Providing such networking opportunities is vital to achieve the ongoing goal of improving the Clear Creek Watershed.

The following annotated list highlights Clear Creek Watershed Forums and other major watershed outreach events and products. A list of the original stakeholders and projects can be found in the Clear Creek Watershed: 1997 State of the Watershed Report. Proceedings and photos from many of the forums are in the process of being formatted for posting on this website—please check back for an update! For information in the interim, contact us.

April 1990—the first Clear Creek Canyon Clean-Up

To celebrate International Earth Day in 1990, about a dozen Golden area residents banded together and organized the first Clear Creek Canyon Clean-Up. That year almost 400 people joined in the half-day trash clean-up efforts along U.S. Highway 6 from the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon up to Kermitts, including Governor Roy Romer. The clean-up received national attention due to the helicopter removal of 55 junk cars from the area. Participants commented on the beauty of this wonderful natural resource right in Golden’s backyard. In recognition of this effort, the Golden Earth Days Council (GEDC). In recognition of this effort GEDC received a Celebrate Colorado award from the Governor.

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October 1992—Clear Creek Splash!

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Colorado Department of Health (CDH), Coors Brewing Company/Coors Pure Water 2000 and the Clear Creek water community joined together to host a fall environmental festival called the Clear Creek Splash at Lions Park in Golden. The celebration was in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, as well as the successful restoration of a mile segment of Clear creek completed by Coors Brewing Company. Events included a family foot race called the Splash Dash, an interactive water and environmental “lab” on the creek, free raft tours of the restoration project, environmental information booths, tours of Golden’s new water treatment plant, musical entertainment, carnival games, food and family activities. During the event, various awards were presented and speeches were made by Patricia Nolan, Executive Director of CDH and Jack McGraw, Acting Regional Administrator, Region VIII EPA. More than 500 people enjoyed the day’s festivities.

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May 1993—the first Clear Creek Watershed Forum

Held at Mt. Vernon Country Club, nearly 100 watershed stakeholders gathered to address key watershed issues. The day began with a welcome from Jack McGraw, Acting Regional Administrator, Region VIII EPA, followed by “The Challenge” from the Honorable Roy Romer, Governor of the State of Colorado. Jay Wendell, Principal of Aquatic & Wetlands Consultants, presented “The Big Picture”—an ecological view of the inter-relationships in a watershed. Next, panel discussions took participants on a “Walk Up The Watershed” to find out about basin happenings in the lower creek, the middle canyon and the upper valley. A special lunch presentation was made by , Dennis Weaver—actor, environmental advocate, and founder of the Institute of Ecolonomics. The forum ended with open sessions in which attendees were encouraged to discuss opportunities for interaction. A reception and dinner to celebrate Clear Creek followed. A morning work session was held the next day for group review and recap of the previous day’s discussions—ideas and opportunities for future directions, how to coordinate and prioritize the various water research and remedial activities that are planned or in progress, next steps, etc.

Carol Russell, Forum organizer and Acting Clear Creek Watershed Project Coordinator, noted, “This type pf format really promotes open and meaningful communication, which willhopefully lead to productive results.”

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October 1993—Plans, Project & Possibilities

A diverse group of interests was represented at the second Clear Creek Watershed Forum. More than 100 interested stakeholders participated in the day-long session held at the Jefferson County Administration Building. Participants included representatives from local government, industry, volunteer groups, and private interests. With the theme Plans. Projects & Possibilities, ideas and issues related to the entire watershed were shared by panel speakers and audience members. Panel topics included: Our Evolving Watershed, Plans For Our Future, Projects & Partners, Finding & Focusing Resources. The lively discussions were moderated by members of the Clear Creek Watershed Steering Committee, and focused on Clear Creek water quality; history, geology and wildlife in the watershed; stakeholder plans and concerns; and possible partnerships and funding options.

A new element of this Forum was the small-group work sessions held in the afternoon. Per suggestions from the first forum to move beyond information and education toward on-the-ground projects, participants were divided into groups of 8-12 to discuss the most important actions entities can take together over the next three years to promote and/or improve: 1) environmentally-conscious economic development and transportation, 2) environmental quality and water resources, and 3) natural resources and recreational opportunities. Ed Rapp, Clear Creek County Commissioner, summarized the reports prepared by the groups. Common themes included:

• explore the economics of environmental mitigation trade-offs
• continue cooperative funding for watershed projects
• provide economic incentives for environmentally-friendly companies to locate in the watershed
• design an integrated trail system
• develop public education programs about the watershed (meetings, pamphlets, talk show, etc.)
• create an information data base of essential watershed elements and resources
• coordinate efforts to research, plan and develop transportation networks (I-70 monorail, etc.)

“Through the efforts of all Forum participants, a vision for the entire watershed is coming together,” concluded Mr. Rapp, “This is a very exciting time to be a part of Clear Creek Watershed activities.” A list of 47 projects was generated.

Copies of the comprehensive CLEAR CREEK WATERSEHD FORUM RESOURCE MANUAL were distributed to participants, including: the agenda, maps, Clear Creek Watershed Forum Partners contact information, plan and reports from various partners and stakeholders, project and partner abstract worksheets, watershed factsheets, and copies of Clear Creek Watershed Improvement Initiative Newsletters (CC WIIN). Proceedings were published in Report from the Clear Creek Watershed Forum II.

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1993—Clear Into the Future video produced

Spectacular scenery and the challenging issues facing the Clear Creek Watershed are presented in this 15-minute video which was produced by EPA, CDH and Coors Water Pure 2000. Discover the exciting history of the Clear creek area, as well as the effects of mining, irrigation, urbanization and industrialization on the watershed. Also learn about current efforts and future plans to protect and preserve water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities while providing appropriate economic development.

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October 1993—North Clear Creek Forum held

A cooperative spirit prevailed at the mid-October gathering of government representatives and interested citizens from the North Clear Creek area. The purpose of the meeting was to learn more about the regulatory environment in which Black Hawk, Central City and Gilpin County now work. Coordinated and moderated by Holly Huyck, this forum provided the opportunity for all participants to discuss issues relating to water quality, Superfund issues and ongoing development of limited-stakes gaming. Future visions and goals for the North Clear Creek communities were discussed, paving the way for ongoing awareness and collaboration among the groups.

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April 1994—award-winning effort by Clear Creek Forum

More than two dozen Forum representatives were presented EPA awards for outstanding achievement in river restoration in Colorado. Bill Yellowtail, EPA Regional Administrator, described the recipients as “shining examples of excellence.”

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June 1994—new Forum coordinator on-board

Carl Norbeck started in the summer of 1994 as the Clear Creek Watershed Forum Coordinator. In addition to coordinating regular Steering Committee meetings to discuss the myriad of watershed issues, Carl has plans to increase outreach efforts through a Speakers Bureau, a Clear Creek Watershed Exhibit, and watershed tours. According to Carl, “In order to be effective, the watershed protection approach must include overall watershed thinking and a lot of watershed communication. That’s primarily what the Clear Creek Watershed Forum is about.”

Steering Committee members include Darryl Todd, Division of Wildlife; Liza Jackson, Colorado Trails and Open Space; Bill Macey, Mayor of Idaho Springs; Jay Jones, Henderson Mine; Frank Young, Mayor of Silver Plume; Holly Fliniau, EPA; Moe Keller, Colordo State Representative; Bob Jones, Watershed Engineer; Lyle Bush, Coors Brewing Comopany; Kelly DiNitale, City of Westminster

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July 1994—Clear Creek Canyon Master Plan unveiled

A comprehensive planning guide for Clear Creek Canyon was presented to the Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee by the Clear Creek Land Conservancy. The goal of Clear Creek Canyon: Plan for the Future is to effectively preserve the best of the Clear Creek region for future generations, while allowing for efficient and protective development.

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1994—“Cleaning Up Orphan Sites for Credit” project sponsored

Studying the feasibility of cleaning up orphan/inactive mine sites was one of several initiatives supported by the National Forum of Non-Point Source (NPS) Pollution, which was convened by the Conservation Fund and the National Geographic Society. The purpose of the National Forum on NPS Pollution is to promote innovative, non-regulatory approaches to NPS water pollution reduction. Clear Creek Watershed was awarded the feasibility project. Results of the study are detailed in the June 2001 report Adopting Orphan Sites for Credit: Expanding Watershed Based Trades Through Unlike Trades. As an alternative to using taxpayer money, this cleanup concept promotes the voluntary remediation of the 2,000 or so inactive mine sources of water pollution in the boundaries of the Clear Creek Watershed. According to Scott Smith, Director of Coors’ Environmental, Health & Safety Policy, “The waters of the US would be the primary beneficiary of this concept ... If proven feasible, it would be another ‘tool’ in the environmental clean-up ‘toolbox.’”

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February 1995—Clear Creek Watershed efforts presented to national environmental audience

The Senior Leadership Council of EPA convened in Washington, D.C. for an all-day meeting to discuss environmental protection philosophies and implementation strategies. There to present the western water perspective and Clear Creek Watershed efforts was Holly Fliniau, EPA’s Clear Creek Watershed Project Coordinator. During her presentation, Holly described several Clear Creek projects and emphasized that strong leadership from local government and industry combined with agency flexibility is the key to success. “Allowing state and federal agencies to work directly with local efforts offers a tremendous amount of opportunity for real, tangible success,” she reported. She went on to explain that the goals of the Clear Creek Watershed effort are to continue communication, coordination and implementation of watershed enhancement projects. The ongoing challenges, she said, are funding and liability issues.

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March 1995—Clear Creek Forum meeting

Another in the ongoing series of Clear Creek Watershed Forum meetings was held at the Idaho Springs Visitor Center/Heritage Museum. This meeting highlighted the new Clear Creek Watershed Exhibit!

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June 1995—VIPs tour Clear Creek Watershed

The Clear Creek Watershed Forum hosted a tour of environmental restoration projects in the upper reaches of the Clear Creek Watershed. U.S., State and locally elected officials, as well as many other watershed business, community and government representatives were invited to attend and learn more about the many public and private remediation and environmental enhancement efforts.

Following the tour, a reception was held at the Idaho Springs Visitor Center/Heritage Museum. Reception sponsors included: Black Hawk Casino Owners Association, City of Idaho Springs, Colorado department of Transportation, Cooley Gravel Company, Coors Brewing Company, Cyprus/AMAX-Henderson Mine, Idaho Springs Historical Society, Midwest Haulers Inc. and Western Mobile Inc. During the reception, participants had the opportunity to view the Clear Creek Watershed exhibit.

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April 1996—Upper Clear Creek workshop

About 50 people attended the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Advisory Group’s (UCCWAG) workshop to set priorities for Superfund sites polluting Clear Creek. The goal of the workshop was to get public input on clean-up priorities, and attendees raised several important questions which were addressed by the UCCWAG and Superfund agencies. The final priority list was agreed to by a consensus of the participants.

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May 1996—Upper Clear Creek open house

UCCWAG held an open house in the Idaho Springs City Hall to obtain local feedback about remediation options for the Little Bear mine waste pile and mill tailings.

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July 1997—Accomplishments & Next Steps

On July 18, the Forum, in conjunction with UCCWA and the Clear Creek Water Users Alliance, conducted a two-for-one outreach blitz! A bus tour was offered for participants to see first-hand important water quality and quantity features throughout the watershed. While driving from Clear Creek’s headwaters at the Continental Divide (Loveland Ski Area) all the way down to the confluence with the South Platte in Adams County, and numerous stops in between, participants had the opportunity to talk with key leaders involved in these activities.

Simultaneously, at the Colorado School of Mines, Clear Creek Forum III was being conducted to unveil the Clear Creek Watershed: 1997 State of the Watershed Report, a comprehensive document detailing water quality and quantity issues in the Clear Creek Watershed. The report includes an updated watershed project list—21 projects completed and 40 new projects developed; a separate lower basin list also developed. The kick-off speaker was John Mumma, Director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Bob Weaver of Hydrosphere Resource Consultants discussed “Turning Orphans into Diamonds.” Other topics included:

• Accomplishments & Awards
• Updating the Watershed Vision
• Breakout Sessions
  • -Finalizing the Watershed Vision
  • Turning the Year 2000 Proposed Project List into an Action Plan
  • Developing Prospective Orphan Site Projects
  • Let’s Get a GOCO Grant
  • North Fork Features
  • Watershed Models

Periodic meetings and bus tours held to discuss watershed issues with all jurisdictions in the watershed plus over 50 interested organizations participate in various forums.

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June 1998—Upper Clear Creek workshop

UCCWAG and the Forum held a one-day workshop—“Vision of Superfund Clean-up in the Upper Clear Creek Watershed—at the Colorado School of Mines. Attended by about 30 people, voting by participants showed that Virginia Canyon, North Fork and Burleigh Tunnel/Silver Plume are are the highest priorities for clean-up.

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1998—Argo Water Treatment Plant online

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April 1999—Upper Clear Creek workshop

About 50 people attended this workshop at the Idaho Springs Visitor Center/Heritage Museum which was organized by the Forum. UCCWAG presented a list of proposed cleanup priorities for the participants to review and rearrange as needed. The projects were ranked as follows:

1. Virginia Canyon
2. Burleigh Tunnel
3. North Fork Clear Ceek
4. Mainstem Clear Creek waste piles and mill tailings (Fall river to Idaho Springs)
5. West Fork piles and Aorta mine drainage

Many other related issues were discussed and debated.

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August 1999 —Forum gathering at Idaho Springs Visitor Center

Watershed stakeholders, including Mark Udall, gathered to recognize ongoing efforts in the watershed.

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January 2003—An Action Planning Strategy for Credit & Trading

Watershed stakeholders met at the Colorado School of Mines to discuss the “adopt an orphan mine” concept and how a credit and trading strategy could work in the Clear Creek Watershed.

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September 2005—Creating a Sustainable Future

The Clear Creek Watershed Foundation coordinated and hosted this Forum at the Rocky Mountain Village Easter Seals Camp near Empire. The Forum was facilitated by Carl Norbeck, Watershed Section Manager/Water Quality Control Division/Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and attended by nearly 70 watershed stakeholders. Topics for the morning included:

• How It All Began—a review of the original mission, history of cooperation and viewing of the watershed video,
• Accomplishments to Date:
• -Collaborative Reclamation/Remediation/Revitalization Projects
• -Measuring Water Quality Improvements
• -Screw-ups, Spills and Other Disasters Avoided
• -Cooperative Outreach &Education Efforts
• Creating a Sustainable Future (PowerPoint Presentation)

Following an inspirational introduction by Ron Cattany, Director of the Colorado Division of Mining and Geology, small work groups discussed and ranked watershed threats/issues, opportunities, and action items. During lunch, Senator Maryanne “Moe” Keller presented her “Vision for the 21st Century,” which was followed by a question/answer session.

Dr. Timothy Steele of TDS Consulting wrapped up the day with by presenting the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Plan, which was funded by a 319 Grant received by UCCWA.

February 2006—Creating an Action Plan for the Clear Creek Watershed

Almost 100 officials and stakeholders attended the CCWF’s Watershed Sustainability Workshop: Creating An Action Plan for the Clear Creek Watershed. Held at the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village near Empire, the day’s focus was defining projects, ranking project attributes and prioritizing projects in small work group sessions. Projects from mine clean-ups to Henderson Mine’s candidacy for a National Science Foundation laboratory were considered for their impact and importance on the watershed. The Role of Innovation in Watershed Sustainability was presented at lunch by Terry Minger, President/Center for Resource Management. Terry called Clear Creek the center of watershed innovation and said, “I don’t see you lack for ideas, I don’t see that you lack for enthusiasm, and I don’t see you that you lack for problems.” The group’s biggest challenge, he noted, would be funding. The Forum was once again deftly facilitated and moderated by Carl Norbeck.

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September 2006—Clear Creek Watershed Foundation Sustainability Grant Advisory Committee Meeting

To kick-off work on its WATERSHED SUSTAINABILTY WORKPLAN, funded by an EPA Watershed Grant, the CCWF formed two advisory committees —a Technical Advisory Committee and a Stakeholder Advisory Committee. The groups met for the first time at Shadows Ranch to review and discuss various aspects of the project.

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November 2006—Clear Creek Watershed Foundation Sustainability Grant Advisory Committee Meeting

Hosted by and held at Coors Brewing Company in Golden, participants of the second WATERSHED SUSTAINABILITY WORKPLAN meeting further refined various aspects of the project. A project overview was presented by Shelby Frail, CCWF Research Associate, followed by a “roundtable” discussion of sustainable activities happening throughout the watershed. Cynthia Peterson of AWARE presented information on watershed protection on the “urban edges.” John Duggan of SWAP shared information on funding opportunities for watershed protection in the “lands between.”

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March 2007—LEEDing the Way to Watershed Sustainability

The Clear Creek Watershed Foundation coordinated and hosted this Forum at the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village near Empire. More than 60 stakeholders participated.

AGENDA

8:30-8:45 Sign-in

8:45-9:15 Welcome—introductions & overview of the day
—Carl Norbeck, CDPHE/WQCD, Watershed Section Manager

9:15-10 www.clearcreekwater.org—the new CCWF website
—Carl Norbeck, Alan Bucknam (website architect/designer, Notchcode Creative), & Chris Crouse, CCWF Outreach Coordinator

10-10:15 BREAK/CHECK OUT DISPLAYS

10:15-10:30 LEED—what’s it stand for & what’s it all about?—brief overview of LEED & “green” building
—Carl Norbeck & Ed Rapp, CCWF President

10:30-11 Colorado Environmental Leadership Program—overview of CDPHE program & discussion on application to a “Watershed Sustainability Leadership Program”
—Guest Speaker: Lynette Myers, CDPHE/ELP Administrator & Carl Norbeck

11-11:15 BREAK/DISPLAYS

11:15-12 2007 STATE OF THE WATERSHED REPORT—roundtable discussions
—review and comment on draft report & appendices

1. Threats/Opportunities Analysis—Ed Rapp
2. Valuing Completed Projects—Carl Norbeck
3. Project Menu—Clay Rosson, CCWF Research Associate
4. Ecological Services—Shelby Frail, CCWF Research Associate
5. Model Codes/BMPs—Alexas Gilbert, CCWF Research Associate
6. Outreach/Education Programs & Products—Chris Crouse

12-1 Lunch & Guest Speaker: Steve Andrews of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas

1-1:30 Finish roundtable discussions

1:30-2 Roundtable reports (~3 min. each)

2-2:45 Guest Speaker: Harry Dale, Clear Creek County Commissioner— “Sustainable Land Management”

2:45-3 Closing remarks—Carl Norbeck

April 2007—the CCWF website is launched

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