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California Gulch restoration

Background

The State of Colorado and the United States each collected $5 million in natural resource damages from the California Gulch Superfund Site’s release of hazardous substances into the upper Arkansas River Basin.

Completed restoration projects

The Natural Resource Trustees awarded approximately $7 million towards restoration projects within the upper Arkansas River Basin that improve in-stream habitat, provide erosion control, control weeds, plant native species, manage habitat, build fencing, and create conservation easements in Lake and Chaffee Counties.

Ongoing restoration

Shows the removal of invasive plants and new native and local trees and shrubs in protective fencing at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area, located in Salida.
Photo above shows the removal of invasive plants and new native and local trees and shrubs in protective fencing at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area, located in Salida.

Photo above depicts the construction of an Osprey platform on one of the lakes at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area.
Photo above depicts the construction of an Osprey platform on one of the lakes at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area.

Chaffee County Noxious Weed Department is also managing noxious and invasive weed species through a separate award by the Natural Resource Trustees. 

Future restoration

Colorado Central Conservancy is purchasing 11 parcels that will include public access and conservation easements along the Arkansas River in Lake County, Colorado.


Contact 

Susan Newton
Federal Facilities Rocky Mountain Arsenal Team Leader 
susan.newton@state.co.us
303-692-3321