This agreement provides support to the state of colorado to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from…

This is a $1,981,667.00 Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant (CFDA 66.460) awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant supports the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to implement various projects addressing nonpoint source pollution in several Colorado watersheds.

Key activities include:

• Implementing best management practices (BMPs) to reduce sediment, selenium, and metal pollution in the Big Thompson River, Arkansas River, and North Sand Creek watersheds impacted by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire and agricultural runoff.
• Updating watershed plans for the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and Upper Clear Creek watersheds to address water quality issues related to nutrients, sediment, heavy metals, wildfires, and highway expansion.
• Funding a mini-grant program for local watershed organizations to conduct outreach and education activities.

The grant has an award date of October 1, 2024 and a completion date of September 30, 2029. Sub-awards will support specific implementation projects across the targeted watersheds.

This agreement provides support to the state of colorado to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from nonpoint sources. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPS), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs.activities:the proposed work in this agreement includes: six projects that will support projects that will restore and protect the big thompson river, arkansas river,. And north sand creek by reducing nonpoint sources of pollution associated with the 2020 cameron peak fire (CPF) in the big thompson river watershed, irrigated lands in the arkansas river watershed, and an eroding sand-dune complex in the north sand creek watershed. This project will update watershed plans for the lake fork of the gunnison river watershed and the upper clear creek watershed. The final project project is a mini-grant program to direct funds to local watershed organizations for outreach and education activities. Subrecipient:subaward projects will include: 1. Cameron peak fire recovery - protecting water quality in the big thompson 2. Lower arkansas valley best management practices project implementation for selenium and metals reduction 3. North park's north sand creek: partnering on water quality, stream health and agricultural sustainability. 4. Update to the 2010-2019 lake fork of the gunnison river watershed stewardship plan 5. Upper clear creek watershed nine element watershed-based plan 2024 6. NPS mini-grant program outcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include: 1) the big thompson project will identify priority areas then implement process-based restoration techniques to promote sediment deposition in wetland and riparian environments by adding complexity to degraded channels. The main deliverable will be a final project report and on-the-ground implementation. The project outcomes will be protected downstream water quality and infrastructure while also kickstarting ecosystem recovery processes. 2)the arkansas river project will utilize BMPS such as irrigation system improvements, pond linings, and/or earthen ditch lining on irrigated lands below john martin reservoir. The main deliverable will be a final project report and on-the-ground implementation. The project outcomes will be protected downstream water quality. 3) the north sand creek project will implement BMPS to increase vegetation cover and improve sediment stability in the areas that have been impacted by OHV usage. The main deliverable will be a final project report and on-the-ground implementation along N. Sand creek. The project outcomes will be protected downstream water quality and protected infrastructure on private land below the implementation area. 4) the two watershed planning projects will focus on understanding the nature and extent of nutrient, sediment, and heavy metal pollutants, along with emerging issues related to wildfires and highway expansion while continuing to address existing nonpoint sources of pollution using implementation projects and associated monitoring. The primary deliverable will be updated watershed plans and final project reports. Outcomes include an increased awareness and understanding of water quality issues in the respective watersheds to lead to future development of on-the-ground watershed improvement projects. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.