FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Feb. 20, 2015  Contact: Stacey Proctor, Communication Specialist, 303-441-1107

Public Hearing Scheduled for Feb. 26 to Consider Adoption of Watershed Master Plans

Boulder County, Colo. – On Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. the Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to review the watershed master plans for Fourmile Creek, Left Hand Creek, Little Thompson River, St. Vrain Creek, and Upper Coal Creek. After a staff presentation and public comment, the commissioners will consider adoption of the master plans.

What: Public Hearing

When: Thursday, Feb. 26 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Where: Boulder County Courthouse 3^rd Floor Hearing Room, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder

In December 2014, Boulder County completed watershed master plans for St. Vrain Creek, Left Hand Creek, and Fourmile Creek. Boulder County also participated in the development of watershed master plans for the Little Thompson River and Upper Coal Creek, as these drainage areas include lands located in unincorporated Boulder County. All five plans continue the recovery process from the  2013 Flood by identifying stream restoration, flood mitigation, and other long-term watershed recovery and resiliency measures.

The staff presentation to the commissioners will:

• Summarize the five watershed master plans;
• Review feedback received from the Boulder County Planning Commission and the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisory Board at their January 2015 meetings; and
• Discuss plan implementation.

The commissioners will decide whether Boulder County will formally adopt these plans as stand-alone documents to use as a guide in seeking funding, designating county resources, and reviewing land use applications and permit requests.

“Residents are encouraged to attend the public hearing to provide feedback on the process and what they envision for future use of the master plans,” said Julie McKay, Boulder County Creek Planning Manager.

The completed plans, which are largely unfunded, can be used to seek funding to continue recovery from the 2013 Flood. Projects recommended in the master plans can be completed by individual property owners, groups of neighbors, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, or as cooperative efforts, which is why local communities, residents, and others interested in watershed recovery were heavily engaged in the development of the plans.

On Jan. 12 there was an information session with the commissioners to present the master plans. The presentation from the information session, as well as the master plan documents, can be accessed through the Creek Planning & Recovery web page at www.BoulderCountyCreekPlan.org.

For more information about the watershed master plans, please contact Stacey Proctor, 303-441-1107 orsproctor@nullbouldercounty.org.

–BoulderCountyCreekPlans.org–