Weber River Hen-Tag Outreach Signs
Project ID: 4664
Status: Cancelled
Fiscal Year: 2019
Submitted By: N/A
Project Manager: Paul Burnett
PM Agency: Trout Unlimited
PM Office: Utah Chapter
Lead: Trout Unlimited
WRI Region: Northern
Description:
This project is intended to provide information to boaters and tubers providing them with tips on safe floating. The overall goal is to reduce garbage being introduced into the Weber River by water recreationists, who may not know what they are getting themselves into.
Location:
The Weber River from Henefer to Taggart along I-84.
Project Need
Need For Project:
This reach of the Weber River is being over-used by water recreationalists who are unprepared for the river float they undertake. Although there is a need to develop stronger enforcement, this project is focused on providing information to the water recreationalists who utilize the river, but whose garbage affects other users, such as anglers, and agricultural water users with irrigation diversions downstream. Specific issues include: 1. Garbage (Drink containers, popped inflatable pool toys, flip flops, hats, sunglasses, etc. ) 2. Binge Partying, including drugs and alcohol 3. Parking and drive through access 4. Sanitation 5. Trespassing 6. Drain on local law enforcement and emergency services resources
Objectives:
Raise awareness of what individual boaters should be doing and should be aware of when deciding to take a float on the Weber River. Reduce community concerns in Morgan for this type of activity happening closer to the populated areas of town.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
The garbage generated from unregulated use is a huge challenge. Tons of garbage floats downstream of this reach towards Morgan Valley, and has resulted in cultural resistance among many members of the Morgan community to embracing the Weber River as a community asset. This despite repeated river cleanups done by local companies like Destination Sports and organizations such as Trout Unlimited. Continuing restoration efforts in Morgan valley hinges on successfully managing recreation on the river within the Hen-Tag reach.
Relation To Management Plan:
The 2014 Weber River Restoration Plan identifies the need to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to solve intractable problems. This is an example of a scenario where collaboration with community stakeholders will provide broader system-scale benefits.
Fire / Fuels:
Not applicable.
Water Quality/Quantity:
A large amount of garbage is bring introduced to this river with an unknown affect on water quality. Nevertheless, physical garbage is a serious challenge in this reach and needs to be addressed.
Compliance:
We will work with management agencies to ensure that signage meets criteria needed to be installed in public areas.
Methods:
We propose to work with a local scouting group to develop informational signs at access points to ensure that people are following best practices to limit garbage intrusion into the Weber River.
Monitoring:
Monitoring will be done by continued river cleanups with the volunteer groups. We will also work with water users to track their maintenance needs at diversion headgates.
Partners:
Destination Sports Morgan County Morgan City Trout Unlimited Utah Division of Wildlife Resource
Future Management:
We hope that this project is the first of several including improved garbage facilities, formal parking and traffic flow, bathroom facilities.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
Not applicable.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$3,000.00 $1,000.00 $4,000.00 $0.00 $4,000.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Materials and Supplies Development and creation of informational signs and frames. $3,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 2019
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$3,000.00 $1,000.00 $4,000.00 $0.00 $4,000.00
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative (UWRI) $3,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2019
Trout Unlimited Outside grant funding to support this project. $0.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 2019
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Bluehead Sucker N4
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Brown Trout R2
Threat Impact
River Rafting Low
Mountain Whitefish R1
Threat Impact
River Rafting Low
Habitats
Habitat
Aquatic-Forested
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Medium
Riverine
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Project Comments
Comment 01/23/2018 Type: 1 Commenter: Scott Walker
Agreed that this is a huge and growing issue. My only comment would be to include State Parks on your list of partners as they are also posting signs and are charged with boater safety.
Comment 02/07/2018 Type: 1 Commenter: N/A
Thanks Scott. Agreed. The Utah Division of Parks has been engaged in these conversations and I will add them to the partners list.
Completion
Start Date:
End Date:
FY Implemented:
Final Methods:
Project Narrative:
Future Management:
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
6835 Affected Area
Project Map
Project Map