2017-Rio Grande Natural Area River Access and Float

Start Date-End Date: 05/13/2017-05/14/2017 Land Manager Office: BLM - San Luis Valley Land Manager Contact: Sean Noonan Funding Partner: San Luis Valley Conservation & Connection Initiative, Adams State University Programmatic Partner: Three Barrel Brewing Company Summary: Day 1: Work along the river! Day 2: Float down the river! Description: About the Stewardship Site: This unique project combines one day of work on Saturday with a Sunday float trip on the Rio Grande River guided by Adams State Adventure Programs. The Rio Grande Natural Area (RGNA) was established by an act of Congress in 2006, to "Conserve, restore, and protect the natural, historic, cultural, scientific, scenic, wildlife, and recreational resources of the Natural Area." The RNGA includes a corridor that extends 1/4 mile on each side of the Rio Grande River as it meanders for more than 35 miles from the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge to the New Mexico/Colorado border. The historical and cultural significance of this area is evident in rock art on the steep, rocky river banks near the project's camp site. The project site is approximately 10 miles from where we will be camped, however Adams State University will provide vans to shuttle volunteers to the State Line River Access. About the Volunteer Experience: Volunteers will work with BLM staff to improve an old, steep route that was carved out of canyon walls by a brave bulldozer operator some time ago. The road remnant is overgrown and choked with rocks and boulders from decades of debris sliding down to the river. We will establish a route up from the river that can be safely navigated by boaters and fishermen by removing large rocks and other obstructions and building rock ramps and steps where appropriate. The majority of the tasks associated with this project are not overly technical, but will require a high level of physical activity. About the Overall Impact: The improvements that Volunteers make to the State Line River Access in the Rio Grande Natural Area will make the area accessible to more people and promote a new recreational use of the natural resources in the San Luis Valley. This section of river is appropriate for a variety of water craft and users who will contribute to the economy of Southern Colorado. NOTE: MINORS ON VOC PROJECTS Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on overnight projects. Latitude/Longitude: 36.998698, -105.718858 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Easy, Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 68 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 2 Total Volunteer Days: 70 Total Unique Volunteers: 36 Total Volunteer Hours: 634 Staff Hours: 86 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: 36 Volunteers, some of which drove over 5 hours, contributed 617 hours to this project in the Rio Grande Natural Area. Access to the Rio Grande River in the Rio Grande Natural Area is limited because of steep canyon walls and lots of private land along the river's banks. The route that VOC volunteers improved was very steep, and choked with loose rocks and overgrown vegetation creating additional obstacles and further limiting access to the river. By installing several sets of rock steps and making l other much needed improvements to an existing route volunteers made the State Line Takeout safer and easier to use improving overall access to this areas natural resources new forms of outdoor recreation that were previously limited in the San Luis Valley. Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Adams State University Adventure Program guided Volunteers on a float trip down this seldom seen section of the Rio Grande River. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: