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White River Partnership

The White River Partnership (WRP) was formed in 2016 to address the impacts of invasive plants along the riparian areas of the White River in northwest Colorado and northeast Utah.
 

Watershed Concerns

Tamarisk and Russian olive is found along the entire river corridor in varying densities and age classes and is present in native cottonwood galleries along much of the river. Invasive plants have deleteriously impacted western riparian habitats in myriad ways.

Goals & Description of Work to Be Accomplished

The partnership’s focus is on improving the condition of riparian areas to positively impact wildlife and aquatic habitat, water quantity and quality, and recreation.
 
The White River Partnership aims to establish a process by which stakeholders in the region can participate in developing a shared vision for the watershed and implement a coordinated approach towards restoring the river in a designated timeframe.
 
Over the next two years, the WRP will carry out targeted outreach to key local stakeholders, establish a process for soliciting their input and interest in the river, provide solid science on strategies and mapping tools for effective restoration of the river, and develop a plan that captures these inputs and sets forth a plan for achieving the following goals and objectives.

Watershed Plan

The White River Partnership’s restoration planning process will consist of the following key activities:
  1. hiring a skilled facilitator that can help to organize and lead focused discussions about key conservation target issues, establish a consensus-based process, help to resolve conflicts, solicit input and expertise from participants, and collate this information into the framework of a plan; and
  2. hosting at least six focused workshops during which partners will provide input on target issues (e.g. riparian habitat recovery, fish habitat restoration, recreation, natural resources extraction) and work towards identifying key implementation steps to ensure thoughtful management of the river’s resources.

Active Participants

  • RiversEdge West
  • Ute Indian Tribe
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • Bureau of Land Management Green River District, Vernal Field Office, and Utah Fisheries and Riparian Programs
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife
  • Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • Trout Unlimited
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service and Partners for Fish and Wildlife
  • Utah Partners for Conservation and Development
  • Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
  • Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration
  • Tri-County Health
  • Uintah County Weed Department
  • Utah Department of Environmental Quality
  • Utah Conservation Corps

Before

After

 

Contact Information

John Leary, Restoration Coordinator; RiversEdge West
 
 

RiversEdge West's

mission is to advance the restoration of riparian lands through collaboration, education, and technical assistance.

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