By Lyndsie Ferrell
DEL NORTE— During the regular town board meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 8, Del Norte Town Board members listened to a brief presentation by Marty Asplin on the proposed riverfront project.
In his presentation Asplin explained that the project was in the final approval stages with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Army Corps of Engineers and were awaiting permits to begin the project.
“A project of this size and scope requires a rigorous permitting process in order to construct the improvements in a safe and legal way. The required permits are a US Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit, a State of Colorado 401 Water Quality Permit and the Town of Del Norte Permit for Floodplain Development, all of which were requested in December 2017.
The public comment period on the 404 Permit ended in February, and the comments and questions it generated have all been addressed. Project partners hope that all required permits will be issued by the end of the summer, so that construction can begin this fall,” stated Asplin.
Phase one of the design will include a boat ramp, access road and parking area, hardened river access point, a low-profile, multi-use playwave with fish passage, ADA-accessible picnic area, enhancement of the aquatic habitat and restoration of riparian habitat. Local organizations are in the process of raising the money to complete phase one and have secured $225,000 so far for the project.
Asplin continued, explaining that the project committee is in the process of applying for additional funding through a Get Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant and is asking the Town of Del Norte to be fiscal agents for the grant. “As many of you know, a grant like this can not be completed through private organizations and has to come through a government entity. We are asking the town to be the fiscal agents for the grant and ask that they provide in-kind matching. All we want from the town is to utilize equipment to aid in the project. Everything else is paid for and has been worked into the budget for the project,” explained Asplin.
Asplin also stated that the riverfront project was already built into the 2008 town master plan and the grant would only need to be worked into the 2019 budget. “With your budget season coming up, now would be the perfect time to do this. Funding would be allocated through the town and you would give in-kind through the use of equipment,” explained Asplin.
Board members agreed that the project would be largely beneficial to the town, and after a brief discussion voted to approve Asplin’s request unanimously.
There will be a presentation by the riverfront committee on Friday, Aug. 17 at the Windsor Hotel in Del Norte at 5 p.m. The committee will present plans for the project and be available for questions the public may have. Light refreshments will be provided.