Enhancement plans
Colorado Department of Natural Resources director Russell George joined U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, Colorado Agriculture commissioner Don Ament and congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave in announcing two new Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreements totaling $91.6 million to improve water quantity and quality and wildlife habitat in the Republican River basin and the high plains of eastern Colorado.
The 35,000-acre Colorado Republican River CREP will reduce irrigation water in the Republican River basin by 5 percent, increasing stream flows and addressing concerns regarding the declining Ogallala Aquifer. The 30,000-acre High Plains CREP will improve habitat for pheasants and other ground nesting birds and improve water quality.
The voluntary land retirement for the Republican River CREP will include the planting of native grasses, riparian buffers and shallow seasonal wetlands throughout a five-county area within the Republican River basin.
Clear Creek meeting
Should ATVs and motorcycles continue to be allowed at the Clear Creek Reservoir campground north of Buena Vista? That is the question the Colorado Division of Wildlife will be discussing at a public meeting May 3 at the Sangre de Cristo Electric Association public meeting room in Buena Vista at 7 p.m.
Clear Creek Reservoir is a state wildlife area located on Chaffee County Road 390 approximately 13 miles north of Buena Vista. Persons who cannot attend the meeting can send written comments to the DOW office at 7405 Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201.
For more information, call 719-539-8413.
