The Helper River Revitalization is an environmental infrastructure project on the Price River. A conceptual study report for the Price River through Helper was completed July 2013. It prioritizes construction of green infrastructure for 2.5 miles of waterway and has been adopted into the Price River Watershed Plan. The Project has and will continue to restore stream and riparian health functions, improve water quality, enhance public access and safety, and build community stewardship of the river. The Pilot Project (Phase I) at Ivy Street was completed fall 2014. Phase II was completed in 2015 and included the removal of an abandoned sheet pile diversion near Janet Street and construction of two grade control structures to improve passage of fish, especially of the bluehead sucker. Phase III included the removal of obsolete grade control structures and was completed in 2017. Phase IV implementation was focused on providing longitudinal connection of the river over and existing diversion structure for fish from below and people from above. This phase was grade control structure made from iron railroad rails. It is the goal of this next phase (Phase VI) to continue to connect aquatic species to habitats that have been long blocked by diversion structures, in this case an obsolete irrigation diversion that was abandoned several years ago. In the fall of 2019, DWR staff performed an inventory of species upstream of the Pilot Project site and found Colorado River cutthroat trout and Bluehead sucker thriving (see attached monitoring report). Other species identified include speckled dace, mottled sculpin, mountain sucker, brown trout, and cutthroat trout. Phase VI of the Project, we intend to further open this habitat for these species, finalizing a long-term multi- phase project through Helper City. Historically the Price River was straightened and realigned for the highway and railroad. Several steel pile-on grade control structures were installed to stabilize the channelized reach. Land developments filled the floodplain, hardened the banks, and encroached the river. The channel and banks have been inadequately stabilized using concrete, slag, riprap, cars and other junk fill materials. Floodplain habitats no longer exist. Vegetation overstory is dominated by invasive species, such as Russian olive and Siberian elm, nearly choking out the biological diversity. The narrowed channel has become entrenched, creating excessive velocities, limited pools, and homogeneous aquatic habitat. Since the completion of the Pilot Project there have been native and sport fish species found upstream of that project reach that had not previously been observed. The Project reach has not been considered viable for fish stocking, but DWR staff familiar with the project have stocked the reach with Colorado River cutthroat trout post-revitalization and 400-500 hatchery raised fish were released in 2016. The conservation and restoration of the stream channel, as well as riparian improvements, is needed to restore stream health, floodplain habitat, riparian buffer areas, and create public access to the restored Price River. The Project is immediately upstream of a 303(d) impaired segment of the Price River listed for partially supporting beneficial uses. In 2010, the downstream segment was listed for macroinvertebrate and biological impairment; and in 2004 for total dissolved solids (TDS). Non-point pollution sources (hydromodifications, sediment loading, diminished native riparian vegetation, and loss of floodplain connectivity) have adversely impacted natural channel functions and significantly contribute to the 303(d) listed impairments. There were 6 major fish passage barriers within the project reach before the Helper River Revitalization Project began. This phase proposes to create passage for all fish species around 1 of these barriers. The initial four phases of the project have already removed 4 barriers to fish with the fifth in implementation. Opening up and restoring this reach creates a potential corridor for native species, and advances the effort for the Colorado River Recovery Program. The overall project has been designed to accommodate this phased approach as funds become available. The continuation of the Project in Phase VI, will include many strategies to further improve both aquatic and riparian habitat connectivity and access for anglers and the community. This phase will highlight incentives for continuing to protect and enhance the natural channel values and the reduction of fish barriers.

Phase VI of the Helper River Revitalization Project is the final of six phases in this river corridor restoration strategy. This phase includes design, permitting, construction management and implementation of a fish passage and recreation project where an obsolete irrigation diversion with a 12' vertical drop currently exists. The proposed plan is to remove the obsolete infrastructure and return the site to a more natural configuration, allowing fish to move upstream.

The Utah State Resource Management Plan (UT RMP) has identified fishing and wildlife watching as key recreation aspects that contribute to the economic vitality of Utah communities, especially rural communities like Helper. Additionally, the UT RMP identifies healthy fisheries, riparian and floodplains, and recreation and tourism as important issues for consideration. The Helper River Revitalization project encompasses features that relate to all of these resource topics and has consistently shown to increase the economic base for Helper City and Carbon County. Helper City also won a design competition to have the American Association of Architects conduct a "Sustainable Design Assessment Team" (SDAT) in 2018. This planning effort resulted in four specific tenets that Helper City will follow through on for community improvement. Notably, the River was one of the four focal points for improvement and identified specifically as a unique resource for the basis of community sustainability. This effort resulted in regularly scheduled volunteer events focused on the river and may result in the eventual establishment of a river celebration festival. Project planning has identified opportunities that align multiple local, county and statewide plans for restoration, recreation, and economic growth. These plans include the Price River Watershed Plan, Price River System Conservation Pilot Project, Helper City General Plan, Helper City Stormwater and Capital Facilities Improvement Plan, Carbon County Weed Management Plan, Carbon County Natural Resource Use and Management Plan, Carbon County and Price City Trails Plan, Carbon County Comprehensive Plan, Utah Wildlife Action Plan, Colorado River Recovery Program, Price River Drainage Management Plan, DEQ/EPA West Colorado Total Maximum Daily Load, the Utah State comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, and the Price River Watershed Plan. Phase VI of the Project will implement the following measures which complement existing plans: * Enhance multiple recreational uses: * Encourage multi-agency and public and private landowner coordination * Support public education programs * Promote stewardship and connect citizens to the land * Maximize public and private benefits of water resources * Remove invasive species * Enhance the riparian area * Enhance the urban fishery * Remove fish passage barriers * Facilitate angler access * Encourage tourism and business growth * Support economic development

The project area is located within Helper City and has been disturbed by previous railroad, highway, residential and commercial development. The River Corridor is concurrently being redeveloped. No cultural resources are anticipated to be impacted by the project. If potential cultural resources in the project area are discovered during construction and cannot be avoided, activities in that area will be suspended until the properties can be evaluated for eligible listing on the National Register of Historic Places in consultation with Utah State Historical Preservation Office. A Utah Stream Alteration Permit will be submitted to the Utah Division of Water Rights and will include both a delineation of Waters of the US and threatened and endangered species. The past five phases of the project have received a Stream Alteration Permit and no issues are expected with this project.

Heavy track equipment will be used for excavation and haul-off of timber and stone walls, junk fill, and other materials from the banks. Bank and channel stabilization will include both stone toe protection, and bioengineering methods utilizing biostabilized stream banks, vegetation revetments, pole planting and container planting. Best Management Practices to protect the Price River from sedimentation and turbidity issues during construction including turbidity curtains, oil booms, coffer dams, and other care of water techniques. Work will include the removal of invasive Russian olive trees utilizing cut-stump herbicide and excavation treatments. Revegetation and native enhancement of riparian vegetation is included in Phase VI by working with the Utah Conservation Corps. Aquatic habitat enhancement will include excavation of bed materials to establish pools and the placement of boulders for object cover and artificial riffle-pool enhancements. A significant effort for the Care of Water and on-shore Best Management Practices will be required to minimize disturbance from construction activities and to comply with Clean Water Act Sections 404/401 and SWPPP permit requirements. Preparation for the construction plans and specifications is being completed through the professional services provided by a team of engineers and scientists. This phase of the project includes a request for funding to support permitting and construction oversight. Contractual services for heavy equipment will be used for the Project. The project is expected to use excavators of 350-ton size with articulated thumbs with the ability to rotate and place boulders up to 6' size. Loaders, side- dumps, and skid-steers will also be used for excavation and haul-off. Aerial bucket lifts are expected for trimming to protect mature native cottonwoods.

The riparian vegetation in the project are has been mapped and photo points have been established to show improvements in riparian conditions. Field surveys for noxious and invasive species will be completed before work is started and will be mapped through the Early Detection and Mapping System (EDDMaps). Electro-fishing surveys were conducted after the completion of the Pilot project. Since then (fall 2019), fish surveys have been completed in this reach and we are working with UDWR staff to assess fish populations with future surveys planned. Additionally, Utah Water Watch and local school groups have started to conduct community science monitoring along the River and this interest continues to grow. A group of local residents have started "The River Helpers" group and are coordinating regular visits to check vegetation establishment and will also be watering riparian plants.

Helper City is the main organization that is leading and managing the river restoration and will continue to provide project administration services. Trout Unlimited is assisting Helper City in developing community stewardship and funding for the project and has recently opened an office in Price. The Price River Watershed Council continues to provide high level input through the Price River Watershed Plan. The Price River Enhancement Committee has recently changed focus from water management to river and stream restoration in the watershed and will provide a forum for discussion of project success and failures. Additional contacts have been made with local schools in partnership with the Utah Natural History Museum to get middle school kids engaged with river stewardship. Helper City is also working closely with land owners that own adjacent lands to the project. Other partners include the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and the Utah Division of Water Quality, who have provided funding and resources to support the implementation of the project in past phases. In FY 2021, Helper City will reach out to the Endangered Species Mitigation Fund, Wild Utah Project, and other partners to increase the stewardship of the Price River and create a lasting beneficial impact.

Helper City will hold land easements and be responsible for the future maintenance of the Project. A community led volunteer group has formed since the completion of the Pilot Project to perform maintenance and watering of revegetated areas "The River Helpers". This group is excited about future phases of the project and is committed to stewardship of their river. See their Facebook page for their coordination efforts. An Operation, Maintenance, Repair, Replacement and Rehabilitation (OMRR&R) plan will be developed with the objective to give the project a 50-year lifetime and commitment to success. Operational practices will include weed control, storm water basin clean-out, and regular maintenance of irrigation, trash, access and pathways. The OMRR&R strives to maximize native planting survival, and restore structures to as-built conditions and/or adjust structures that are adversely affecting hydraulics. In conjunction with the OMRR&R plan a monitoring program will be implemented to assist Helper City and adjacent land owners with adaptively managing the riparian corridor.

07/01/2020

06/30/2021

2021

The Helper River Revitalization Project is a community driven project to improve the Price River through Helper for the benefit of natural ecosystems and human health and safety. Five of six phases have been completed, starting with the Pilot Project in 2015, or "Helper Beach" as it is referred to by the community. Subsequent projects along the 2.2 mile corridor have been completed at Janet, North Main, Saccos diversion, and Martin Road, where debris and miscellaneous materials were used to divert water and hold grade in the past. These materials have been mostly removed and a natural river flow put back in their place. The design and permitting for Phase VI adjacent to the Gigliotti Pond has been completed in the last year. but Helper City is still seeking enough funding to complete the implementation of this project. The main focus of the ESMF request is to benefit the Bluehead Sucker, a species in need of conservation, that needs connected river corridors to allow populations to survive and thrive. There is a significant population of Bluehead Sucker in the Price River and this project will connect an additional 0.6 miles of river to the already opened 1.6 miles through Helper.

Helper City, with the help of RiverRestoration, has been working on the design and permitting of the Phase VI project and the current design is provided in the documents section of this database. The concept design included two distinct choices, one with a series of 13 smaller drops and the other with a series of four roughened rock ramps to accommodate the 12' vertical drop that currently exists and blocks fish passage upstream and boat passage downstream. Work will continue on the design and permitting into the next year as funding requests continue to be applied for. Helper hopes to re-apply for ESMF funding once a timeline for implementation is determined, likely in the next year.

A project of this scale is complex and difficult to tackle. We recommend that a number of different funding sources, including direct legislative funding and federal funding be brought to bear on the implementation of these extremely important watershed and community projects. Rivers are the life blood of the arid Utah Desert communities and ecosystems, therefore prioritization for this type of project should be high.