Watershed Management Coordination for Nonprofit Association
The Barr Lake and Milton Reservoir Watershed (BMW) Association is a nonprofit stakeholder organization charged with improving water quality in two semi-urban reservoirs and associated streams and canals near Denver, Colorado. Since its formation in 2005, the nonprofit group has been addressing methods to reduce the current levels of nutrients, algal growth, and pH, which are potentially harmful to aquatic life.
As Coordinator for the group, Integral has played a key role in development of the lake and watershed management plan—a first major step in the process of developing a total maximum daily load (TMDL) allocation and reducing nutrient pollution to the reservoirs. Representing a $200,000 water modeling effort, the watershed management project has included participants from cities and towns, major wastewater treatment facilities, irrigation companies, drinking water providers, agricultural water users, and recreational groups. In 2008 their progress was recognized when the Denver Regional Council of Governments awarded the BMW Association “first place” for its watershed management plan, calling it “Planning with Vision.” The award commended the collaborative and innovative efforts of the numerous parties involved in developing the plan, including Integral Consulting Inc.
Integral’s project role is diverse. In addition to contributing to and updating the lake and watershed management plan, we provide oversight and support to the water quality modeling contractor. We also coordinate the BMW Association’s overall public involvement activities by facilitating meetings, creating public outreach materials and programs, and developing and updating their web site. Additional services include financial, grant, and database management.
By incorporating public participation into the evaluation process, this progressive effort sets a successful precedent for watersheds with similar nutrient pollution issues.
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