Projects

North Fork River Improvement Association

Contact Information:
OSM/VISTA: Grady Harper
Supervisor: Jim Blankenship
Address: PO Box 133; Paonia, CO 81428
Phone: 970.872.4614
Email: leviathan523 AT hotmail DOT com
Website: www.nfria.paonia.com
US Congressional District: 58
County: Delta

Description of Organization and Mission:

The mission statement for NFRIA is: To meet current and future demands for traditional uses of the river while improving stream stability, riparian habitat, and ecosystem function along the North Fork of the Gunnison River.

NFRIA takes a community-directed, solutions-focused, grassroots approach to watershed organization and river rehabilitation. NFRIA has successfully brought together riverfront landowners, farmers and ranchers, environmentalists, irrigation companies, recreationalists, in-stream gravel mining companies, and concerned members of the community.

The river is the most valuable natural resource in the valley. It has been abused for more than 100 years by in-stream gravel mining and ill-advised practices to protect riverfront lands and divert water for irrigation. Ninety-five percent of the river is privately owned so public access is limited and citizens have historically not connected with the river. This situation is changing as NFRIA's outreach program increases awareness of the benefits of the river, and as projects improve summer flows and increase public access.

North Fork of the Gunnison River.

NFRIA projects not only provide direct benefits to citizens through enhanced educational and recreational opportunities, but they result in increased local economic effects as non-residents are drawn to the same opportunities.

Goals of the OSM/VISTA in the North Fork Improvement Association:

NFRIA has a diverse membership; the potential for expansion with in the community is currently limited by staff capacity. With additional help to reach out to community members and schools, NFRIA can see an increase in volunteers and membership, an increase in the number of educational programs provided and an increase in funds raised by events.

The OSM/VISTA assists NFRIA in developing, distributing and/or implementing school programs and materials and facilitates outreach activities such as site tours and informative events. He or she assists in raising the awareness of NFRIA through internet and print media by assisting the maintenance of organizational website and newsletter. The OSM/VISTA member will then be able to train community volunteers to perform these tasks as well as recruiting volunteers to assist with NFRIA's monitoring program.

Participants gear up and prepare for NFRIA's Annual River Awareness Float Trip, held every spring and followed by a picnic, live music, and silent auction.