2012 Fishing is Fun selected projects …
Fishing is Fun projects selected for funded along with project sponsors and amounts:
• Arkansas River habitat improvements, City of Pueblo, $206,000
• Swan River angler access and habitat improvement project, Trout Unlimited, $135,000
• Lake San Cristobal Inlet access easement, Colorado Open Lands, $133,000
• HP-Agilent access to three new ponds, City of Loveland, $90,000
• Construction of up to 15 access points on Clear Creek, Clear Creek County, $80,000
• Improve angler access on Upper South Boulder Creek, Boulder Flycasters, $80,000
• Improve habitat and access at Grant Frontier Park on S. Platte River, City of Denver, $76,000
• daho Creek habitat and access improvements, Idaho Creek HOA, $45,000
• Arkansas River ADA fishing platform, Canon City, $23,000
• Shalberg Pond #2 expansion, Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation, $20,000
• Waneka Lake aerator installation, City of Lafayette, $12,000
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has selected 11 projects aimed at improving fishing around the state to share in nearly a million dollars in matching funds as part of the 2012 “Fishing is Fun” grant cycle, the agency reported in a news release.
Projects receiving funding this year include a partnership with the City of Pueblo to improve seven miles of aquatic habitat on the Arkansas River through the city. The Pueblo project is a continuation and enhancement of the Arkansas River Legacy Habitat Improvement Project that was completed in 2005, according to the release.
That earlier project resulted in the development of a high-quality trout fishery in the Pueblo metropolitan area. The new project will provide for in-stream habitat improvements from Pueblo Reservoir downstream to Dutch Clark Stadium, the release stated.
“This is an important project for a section of river that has been recognized as one of the Top 10 trout fisheries in the United States,” said Doug Krieger, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Senior Aquatic Biologist for the Southeast Region, in the release. “We’re pleased to team up with the City of Pueblo, the Southern Greenback Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Xcel Energy and the Packard Foundation to get this work done.”
Other projects receiving funding include habitat work on the South Platte River in Denver, expansion of a community fishing pond in Kiowa County, aeration of Waneka Lake in Lafayette, an effort to build an ADA-accessible fishing platform on the Arkansas River at Canon City, and projects to improve angler access to Clear Creek, the Swan River, Upper South Boulder Creek, Idaho Creek, the inlet to Lake San Cristobal in Lake City and three ponds in Loveland, according to the release.
Five of the programs receiving funding are supported by non-profit fishing organizations. Major partners on the projects include six municipal and county governments, Denver Water, U.S. Forest Service, Union Pacific Railroad, Colorado Open Lands, Trout Unlimited, and the Idaho Creek Homeowners Association, the release stated.
“These funds are one of the ways Colorado Parks and Wildlife works with local governments and local groups to make it possible for more people to enjoy Colorado’s incredible fishing opportunities,” CPW Director Rick Cables said in the release. “Outdoor recreation is a powerful driver for local economies and jointly building these projects is a win for everyone.”
A 2008 study by BBC Research and Consulting found that fishing recreation contributes $1.2 billion annually to the state’s economy and fishing supports more than 14,000 jobs in Colorado that provide direct and indirect services to anglers, according to the release.
The projects funded in 2012 — with sponsors and amounts — are:
• Arkansas River habitat improvements, City of Pueblo, $206,000
• Swan River angler access and habitat improvement project, Trout Unlimited, $135,000
• Lake San Cristobal Inlet access easement, Colorado Open Lands, $133,000
• HP-Agilent access to three new ponds, City of Loveland, $90,000
• Construction of up to 15 access points on Clear Creek, Clear Creek County, $80,000
• Improve angler access on Upper South Boulder Creek, Boulder Flycasters, $80,000
• Improve habitat and access at Grant Frontier Park on S. Platte River, City of Denver, $76,000
• daho Creek habitat and access improvements, Idaho Creek HOA, $45,000
• Arkansas River ADA fishing platform, Canon City, $23,000
• Shalberg Pond #2 expansion, Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation, $20,000
• Waneka Lake aerator installation, City of Lafayette, $12,000
Fishing Is Fun funding comes from the sale of fishing licenses and from the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program. Projects selected to receive funding are subject to federal reporting, compliance and accounting requirements, according to the release.
Complete details on the Fishing Is Fun grant program are available on-line at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/ResourcesTips/FishingIsFunProgram/.