County supports the Grand Valley River Corridor Initiative

On Jan. 17, during the administrative public hearing, the Board of Commissioners signed a letter to the Colorado River District in support of the Grand Valley River Corridor Initiative grant application.

The letter states:

“On behalf of the Mesa County Board of County Commissioners, please accept this letter of support for the River Planning Project proposal submitted by American Rivers to advance the Grand Valley River Corridor Initiative (“GVRCI”). It is our understanding that this project will look at the coordination efforts of federal, state, municipal, county, and private planning efforts within the river corridor, as well as supply these efforts with the latest science on anticipated river flows and the condition of the corridor’s floodplains and riparian areas.

The Grand Valley’s River Corridor extends from De Beque, Colorado to the Utah state line; it also encompasses the Gunnison River from Bridgeport to the confluence with the Colorado River. The river corridor is a vital economic, cultural, and ecological resource that supports the Grand Valley’s wellbeing and prosperity.

Given the continued drought, as well as the quantity and intensity of wildfires in the west, we support enhancement efforts for discussion surrounding fire mitigation and response efforts, and protection of our critical water resources. Mesa County’s support of this plan is contingent on the County’s comprehensive participation in each element of plan development, ongoing review of each related project undertaken as a result of the plan, and most importantly, on the fact that no element of this project will seek to modify water rights.

Thank you for your consideration.”

Watch Commissioners approve the letter (video timestamp 02:24).