From the Loveland Reporter-Herald (James Garcia):
The Big Thompson River Restoration Coalition, sponsored and headed by Wildlands Restoration Volunteers along with various nonprofits, government agencies and community members, held an informational meeting Sunday evening at the Thompson School District Administration Building, with around 50 landowners and interested parties in attendance…
When asked at the meeting what the coalition’s definition of “restoration” is and what it would mean to the property owners, he explained the necessity of protecting infrastructures like bridges, roads and buildings both from current and future conditions.
He also suggested it eventually would be defined by the landowners themselves.
The coalition seeks to figure out the needs of the people and the ecology affected by the river and to bring that information to organizations that will make restorative efforts based on the data gathered and the wishes of the citizens affected.
The issues at hand include: fishing and the fish population, riverbank protection, habitat restoration, infrastructure, ditches and diversions, access for recreation and businesses and individual property…
Step one in the coalition’s vision will be the short-term restoration of important infrastructure. Step two is to form a master plan, which according to Giordanengo, could take as long as six months The current stage in the coalition’s process is mainly information gathering, coordination and fund-raising.