WETLANDS OF THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN REGION Information and Guidance for Landowners and Other Residents This booklet provides information and " have a huge impact on us as ranchers guidance to help landowners, community and landowners, and they add to quality of life." leaders, and other concerned residents - Larry Garcia, Rancher & Landowner. learn about wetlands, the services they provide, and how to protect them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS What is a ? 3 Functions & Values of Wetlands 5 Water Storage Flood Reduction Water Fikration Biodiversity & Wildlife Habitat Global Climate Recreation & Education Can Wetlands Save Us Money? Major Wetland Types in the San Juan Mountains 9 Riparian Areas Wet Meadows Wetlands & People 15 Threats to Wetlands 16 Why Should I Conserve Wetlands on My Land? / Legal Reasons 19 Ways to Protect Wetlands 20 Landowner Experiences 21 Getting Assistance 22 Acknowledgements 24 WHA TISA WETLAND ? Wetlands are areas that are capable of supporting plants adapted to life in shallow water or water-saturated soils. Some wetlands have saturated soils throughout the year, while others dry out seasonally. Wetlands vary from stream- and lake-side environments to seemingly isolated wet or flooded areas.

In the San Juan Mountains, wetlands occur at almost every elevation. Wetlands are found near mountain tops, within forests and meadows, and lower down in valley environments.

Wetlands occur in protected areas, such as the Weminuche Wilderness, but also are found on A fhni^ing Elektra Lake in La Plata County. multi-use U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, state, county and city land, and on private property. Water floods or saturates The Rocky Examples of wetland plants wetland soils for at least Mountain include cattails, bulrushes, part of the year. Most fringed sedges, willows, cottonwoods gentian plants drown in wetlands requires and showy flowers like marsh because saturated soils do wetland marigolds, fringed gentian, conditions not contain oxygen for lo survive. and elephant's head. their roots. Photo by Gary A. Monroe.

Wetland plants, however, are specially adapted to survive in these water- saturated conditions. They bring air, containing oxygen, through their Cattails in stems, down to their a marsh. roots. Wetland plants also siiipiW^ are very efficient and recycle their leaf nutrients back to the roots when the leaf dies. Wilioiis giuiv along the South Fork of Mineral Creek. This is an example ofa riparian wetland (see page II). FUNCTIONS AND Flood Reduction Water Filtration VALUES OF During snowmelt and rain Wetlands filter sediment and .storms, water runoff can cause pollutants from water. Suspended WETLANDS erosion and flooding. Floods sediment drops out of slowly flowing and erosion often damage water in wetlands. Dissolved Although wetlands account for property, roads, and crops and substances like pesticides, herbicides, only about two percent of land in can result in loss of life. Since and excess nutrients are taken up by the San Juan Mountains and wetlands slow down water, soil microorganisms and plant roots. Colorado as a whole, wetlands they reduce erosion, flooding, Excess nutrients can come from provide critical functions, or and the damages that may animal waste, fertilizer, leaking septic ecosystem services, that are vital result. tanks, municipal sewage, and air to both humans and wildlife. pollution.

Water Storage Wetlands store water and slowly release it over time. In the San Juan Mountains, snowmelt produces a large quantity of water runoff in the spring and early summer. Wetlands help to distribute this water throughout A marsh in Silverton the growing season. This slowed stores water, reduces delivery of water is especially flooding, and provides wildlife habitat. A beaver important in maintaining lodge is pictured in this groundwater levels and stream photo (right side). flow during dry periods. High levels of metals occur in High concentrations of metals can Wetlands are especially important some surface and ground waters be toxic to aquatic life and are for songbirds, shorebirds, in the San Juan Mountains due sometimes a human health waterfowl, salamanders, frogs, to both natural geology and concern. Wetlands help filter out invertebrates, and reptiles that rely mining. These metals include metals. Down-gradient on wetlands for migratory or cadmium, iron, aluminum, groundwater, streams, and lakes breeding habitats. copper, manganese, and zinc. are cleaner as a result. Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat Wetlands are home to a huge diversity of plant species and provide food and habitat to hun­ dreds of animal species. Big game such as deer, elk, and moose often An American Bittern chick waits for its next meal among use wetlands for food and shelter. marsh cattails. Photo by C. Ortega.

Commercial and recreational fisheries rely on wetlands for breeding and nursery grounds. Wetland forage is also good for livestock production. Livestock grazing can be sustained in wetlands Water draining from an abandoned mine without harmful impacts if it is (upper right of photo) flows through a managed well. wetland, which filters out sediment and A deerJawn rests in a riparian metals. (Near Red Mountain Pass.) wetland. Phoio by C. Ortega. 6 Global Climate Did you know...? Wetlands store carbon and prevent it from being released • 80% of all bird species in into the atmosphere as the Rocky Mountains greenhouse gases such as breed in wetland/riparian carbon dioxide. Increased greenhouse gases are habitats. (Seepage II for responsible for the warming of explanation of a riparian wetland). the Earth's atmosphere. • In the U.S., almost 12 million ducks depend on Despite the small amount of A plumbeous vireo nests in a narrowleaf wetlands each year for land in wetlands, these Cottonwood tree. Photo bv C. Oneffa. environments account for up to breeding grounds. 30% of carbon storage in soils • Riparian wetlands account globally. for less than 2% of Colorado's landscape, but are home to about 75% of our plant and animal diversity. • More than 90% of Colorado's wildlife use riparian wetlands. Ducks forage on marsh plants and algae. Fishing is popular in the Recreation, Tourism, and Education San Juan Mountains for Wetlands are great places for hunting, fishing, both locals and tourists boating, and wildflower, bird and wildlife watching. - and it contributes to Tourism associated with these activities helps support the economy. Over­ local economies in the San Juan Mountains. hanging riparian wetland vegetation is Wetlands are also excellent research and teaching important to provide sites to leam about vegetation, ecological functions, optimal conditions for the trout that anglers biodiversity, and plant-animal interactions. love to catch. An angler in Hermosa Creek. Photo by Greg Frybaek.

Can Wetlands Save Us Money? The water storage, water quality, recreational, and habitat benefits of wetlands worldwide are estimated to be worth $3.4 billion dollars'. When compared to the costs of water storage, flood control and damage, infrastructure repair, and water treatment, wetlands are a less costly alternative - an alternative that has benefits far beyond saving money. The Charles River Basin wetlands in Massachusetts provide ecosystem services valued at greater than $95 million dollars'. Continued research in the San Juan Mountains may help to determine the monetary value of wetlands here. Fort Lewis College students study the relationship between ' The Economic Values of ihe World's Wetlands. In Living Waters, Conserving the .Source of environmental factors and wetland plant communities. Ufe. WWF-lnternational, Gland. Switzerland & Institute for Environmental Studies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2004. 8 MAJOR WETLAND with sedges and elephant's TYPES IN THE SAN head flowers JUAN MOUNTAINS (Located in Prospect Basin - Telluride Ski & Fens are peat-forming wetlands Golf Company.) dominated by groundwater input (as opposed to , which are VI dependent on direct precipitation and do not occur in Colorado). Fens are fed by springs that keep the soil saturated with water for most of the year.

Since the fen is saturated with water, the soil has little oxygen and plants decompose very slowly. This means that dead Fens require thousands of years to leaves and roots gradually develop and cannot easily be restored accumulate to form organic-rich once destroyed. soils called peat. Fens are hotspots of biodiversity. They often are home to rare plants, Peat must be greater than 40 cm insects, and small mammals. Larger (about 16 inches) thick to be animals like deer, elk, and moose considered a fen. Peat from a fen. feed on fen plants. Plants to look for in a fen: Iron fens are a unique type of fen. They are found in areas with geology that produces acidic, metal-rich conditions. The San Juan Mountain Range is one of only a few regions in the world that contain iron fens. Unlike other types of fens in the Beaked Water Few flower San Juan Mountains, Sphagnum sedge. sedge. spikeriish. mosses and birch grow in the Photo by Photo by Photo by Kurd et al. Michael Robert H. acidic habitat of iron fens. Luth. Mohlenbrock The plant communities found in Chattanooga, an iron fen in San Juan Coiinry. iron fens are very rare. Some of has acidic, metal-rich water due to natural groundwater and an actively draining mine. The these communities are described Colorado Natural Heritage Program described as "nearly irreplaceable" (see its ecology as 'nearly irreplaceable'. The mine photo caption to right). provides an additional .source of water to part of the fen, hut may also result in the drying of Rare plants found in San Juan other areas within the fen. Mountain iron fens include a Drepanocladus liverwort, Jungennannia rubra, moss. Photo by Diamondleaf Michael Luth. and a moss Sphagnum balticum. willow. Photo by This moss species is left over Robert H. from the last ice age and found Mohlenbrock. nowhere else south of Hudson Bay. 10 Riparian areas occur along the banks of rivers and streams and along lakeshores. Riparian zones occur where flowing water erodes and deposits sediment, which creates habitat for riparian plants, such as Cottonwood trees and willows. Tall fringed bluebells. Riparian ecosystems change Photo by Brother Alfred Brousseau. along an elevation gradient from high mountain headwaters At about 8,500 feet, narrowleaf to lowland river. Cottonwood forests begin to appear, often with pretty red At high elevations (9,500- osier dogwood shrubs. 11,000 feet) spruce and fir trees and non-woody plants, such as As narrow forested streams tall fringed bluebells and flow into broad valleys, the arrowleaf ragwort, line narrow streams become winding rivers. streambeds. Freemont cottonwood trees and willow are common natural Lower down, from about 7,000 vegetation along valley rivers. A riparian area with spruce, cottonwoods, and to 10,000 feet, mountain and Non-native species, such as willows along Lime Creek at about 9,300 feet in elevation. Drummond's willow and thin Russian olive and tamarisk leaf alder dominate and are (salt cedar), may take over in often home to beaver and other areas with altered water flow wildlife. and other human impacts. 11 Riparian areas provide food and shelter to a variety of An intact riparian buffer will reduce potentially wildlife: black bear, moose, elk, deer, otter, waterfowl, damaging floods and filter out sediments, excess warblers, and many other species. nitrogen and phosphorus, metals and pollutants from water. Buffers also provide shaded, stable Riparian plants are important to stream and lake food stream banks that are important for fish, such as webs. Dead leaves, branches, and other plant parts fall trout, that require cold, well-oxygenated water. into streams, rivers, and lakeshores. This decaying organic material (and the microorganisms that grow on it) is habitat and food for aquatic insects, which are eaten by fish. When riparian inputs are removed, the insects and fish that rely on them for food and shelter are reduced.

Some aquatic insects, like this mayfly nymph, feed on riparian leaves and the microbes that grow on the decaying plants. These insect "leaf Sections ofthe Animas River in the Animas Valley lack a shredders" are food riparian buffer. Natural vegetation would have included a thick for fish, like trout. snip of cottonwood trees and willow shrubs along the river.

12 PBI •

Marshes are frequently flooded areas with shallow standing water, mineral soils, and little or no peat accumulation. Marshes often have plants, such as sedges, water lilies, duckweed, cattails, arrowheads, bulrush, and reeds growing in them.

This type of wetland is particularly good at moderating Marsh marigold, a common plant in floods and providing habitat for marshes, fens, wet meadows, and along stream banks. Photo by Kipp Schoen. waterfowl.

Hard stem bulrush. Photo by Larry Allain

A marsh with reeds, near Haviland Lake. Sinurtweed. a common imirsh plant.

13 Wet Meadows are common in Wet meadows may look like fens, but they do not have the organic peat the San Juan Mountains and attract or year-round high groundwater levels of a fen. Wet meadows are visitors in the summer when excellent ecosystems for groundwater recharge. wildflowers are blooming. The soil in a is often waterlogged during snowmelt or after a rainstorm but dry at other times. Irrigation for hay fields may create and maintain some wet meadows. Wet meadows are dominated by grasses and sedges. Plants to look for in a wet meadow:

Nebraska sedge. Photo by Hurd et al. A wet meadow full of sedges, false hellebore (green, leafy plant), sky pilot (blue flower), Arctic rush. Photo by little sunflower (yellow flower), and columbine (white and purple flower). South Fork of Robert W. Freckmann Mineral Creek, San Juan County. Herbarium 14 WETLANDS AND PEOPLE How can we balance the values of wetlands with the rights of Wetlands are some of the most property owners to develop, farm, or ranch their land? valuable land in Colorado in terms How can we conserve both publicly and privately owned of flood control, water storage, water quality, tourism, outdoor wetlands and their important functions and still allow recreation, wildlife habitat, and traditional land uses to continue? livestock forage production.

According to the 2000 Census, Colorado was the third fastest- growing state in the country with a 30% population increase between 1990 and 2000. Many people choosing to move to Colorado are living in rural areas. Many of these areas contain sensitive wetlands.

More and more people - including farmers, ranchers, landowners, hunters, anglers, members of conservation organizations, and community leaders - are becoming Wetlands at Wolf Creek Pass are valued natural resources. The proposal to build a resort interested in the future of our near these wetlands (pictured above) has raised controversy. Developers conlend that the wetlands will not he harmed, hut .some scientists believe that development in the watershed wetland resources. wilt dry up the wetlands. Photo.s by Rio dc la Vista. 15 THREATS FACING Direct effects - Threats to WETLANDS wetlands include activities that iinpact the wetland directly by Understanding threats to wetlands infilling (which is illegal without a is critical to balancing ecosystem permit, see page 19), draining, soil and human needs. compaction, or damage to wetland plants. Providing conservation assistance to landowners also is very Indirect effects - Threats to important (see pages 22-23). wetlands also include changes to the upland watershed that may take Wetlands face threats such as: away the wetland's water source or • Community sprawl & "drown" it in mineral sediment. development The water source may be groundwater that we cannot see. • Highway & road building • Off-road & off-trail recreation Even if wetlands are not directly touched, activities such as road, • Poor agricultural practices parking lot, and building • Excessive livestock grazing & excavation can change surface logging and/or groundwater flow patterns • Mining and dry up wetlands (see diagram).

• Damming of rivers (a riparian Indirect effects to a wetland's water source may harm a wetland. The water source might not be area threat) visible. It may come from groundwater flow underground, as shown in these simplified diagrams. • Diverting water from rivers & A) Groundwater flow is the source of water for a wetland at the bottom ofthe slope. B) Excavation streams and building underground may disrupt the groundwater flow and dry out the wetland. ^ r^ Off-road and off-trail vehicle use can damage weflands. Excessive livestock grazing damages Motorized and non-motorized travel (trucks, SUVs, Jeeps, ATVs, weflands by killing plants, compacting mountain bikes, and horses) tear apart wetland plants, compact soils, and creating trails, which can drain soils, and alter water flow patterns. These changes can drain the the wetland of its water. wetland of water and expose it to erosion. Scars are visible in Excessive logging increases erosion by wetlands for decades. Off-road vehicle use has damaged important removing vegetation, compacting soils, wetlands in San Juan County. In some cases, public dollars were and increasing water runoff Resulting used to restore the wetlands, which were engineered to reduce sediment deposition may drown a metal concentrations in streams. wetland in mineral sediment.

If riparian vegetation and soil are not protected, eroded hanks may occur and water qucdity max decline. Vehicle damage in wetlands of San Juan County. A) Riparian fen near Cement Creek, B) Wetlands at the ^ Lackawanna Mill Site in Silverton, Historic mining activities may and C) Kohler Fen on Red concentrate acidic, metal-rich water in I Mountain Pass. Photcs by Bill Simon. areas that naturally received lower inputs and may starve other areas of groundwater. c 17 Dams and water diversion upstream can rob riparian habitat of floodwaters, which are crucial for maintaining natural wetland communities such as willow and cottonwood. Groundwater pumping also can intercept water that sustains marshes, fens, and wet meadows.

In the San Juan Mountains, high-elevation streams are mosfly free-flowing, although small mountain towns may divert water for municipal use. Lower down, however, many rivers have dams, such as the Vallecito, Lemon, and McPhee dams on the Florida, Pine, and Dolores Rivers, respecflvely. The Sun Miguel River (pictured above) is one of three relatively free- flowing rivers in Colorado. The Nature Conservancy protects three reserves along the San Miguel River, all of which are open to the public. Photo of San Miguel River Preserve © Harold E. Malde.

Non-native species, such as tamarisk (also called salt cedar, pictured left) and Russian olive (right) can invade and take over natural vegetation once the natural flood cycle is altered. Photos by C. Ortega. 18 WHY SHOULD I CONSERVE There are also LEGAL REASONS to protect wetlands. Under Section 404 of WETLANDS ON MY LAND? the Clean Water Act, you MUST obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before altering wetlands and stream channels. If you think you Conserving wetlands can: may have a wetland, contact the U.S. Army Corps before altering it. • Recharge groundwater, which is U.S. Armv Corps of Engineers - Colorado Regulatory Offices important if you have a well. Website: https://www.nwo.usace.army.inil/html/od-tl/coloreg-hoiTie.htm • Moderate floods that can damage property. Southwest San Juan Mountains Durango Regulatory Office (Sacramento District) • Help filter out water pollutants, Phone: (970)375-9509 which might come from leaky septicI tanks, concentrated livestock areas, Southeast San Juan Mountains or acid-mine drainage. Durango Regulatory Office (Albuquerque District) • Provide habitat for wildlife and birds Phone: (970)375-9452 that you enjoy watching. Northern San Juan Mountains • Provide excellent areas for hunting Colorado/Gunnison Basin Regulatory Office (Sacramento District) and fishing. in Grand Junction. Phone: (970) 243-1199 • Provide healthy forage for livestock. The U.S. Army Corps can help determine if you have a jurisdictional wetland. This mapping process is called wetland delineation and is performed -^.- iff by a professional based on three criteria: plant community, soil type, and water flow patterns (hydrology).

••^:- The U.S. Army Corps may be able to provide technical assistance to dehneate wetlands on non-commercial properties. They also can provide lists of wetland environmental consulting companies. JQ SiC_,..-. "^ WAYS TO CONSERVE WETLANDS • Do not select wetland sites for development projects and avoid wetland alteration or degradation during project construction. • Protect wetland water sources and flow patterns (both surface and ground waters). • Maintain wetlands and adjacent buffer strips as open space. • Avoid excessive livestock grazing, logging, or other human-caused disturbances. Fence off sensitive areas from livestock. • Keep vehicles, bicycles, and horseback riders out of wetlands. • Restore degraded weflands. Plant native vegetation to stabilize soils and attract wildlife. Motor vehicles are restricted from traveling • Encourage neighbors, developers, and in wetlands in Silverton federal, state, and local governments to protect the function and value of wetlands in your watershed and region. J Eagle Scouts restore riparian habitat hy planting native vegetation at the James Ranch. Photos by C. Ortega. 20 LANDOWNER EXPERIENCES... James Ranch - La Plata County "We were in a bad situation with our water table dropping Garcia Ranch - Archuleta County due to gravel over-harvesting by another landowner. The "Originally, our creek was in real disrepair. The land was roots of our established cottonwoods could not keep up with overgrazed. There were deep-cut banks, a lot of erosion, and the receding water table. I had done some work with our poor water quality. We controlled the grazing, and almost irrigation tail water and a track hoe but wanted some immediately the willow growth started coming back. The professional guidance and a way to fund more work. water table started to rise. We had less erosion and water Gratefully, the Southwest Wetlands Focus Area was quality improved. The end result is that we re-established a recommended to us. We have taken advantage of their trout fishery. Besides the agricultural and water quality expertise, volunteers, and funding connections. Our cows benefits, the most satisfying thing was the aesthetic benefit. have been excluded from the area for four years and we have Now 1 can look outside my window and see all the wildlife 5-12 foot cottonwoods and willows growing all up and down and waterfowl that are attracted to our property. It's a the project area. The beavers have discovered the stream and beautiful place to take a walk." - Larry Garcia two have been built. We only lost a few of our old established cottonwoods and more importantly we now have a multi-generational stand. The biodiversity in the area is fantastic and continues to improve." - Dan James

Willows line the creek ill the Cnircia Ranch GETTING ASSISTANCE: There are many government agencies and non-profit groups that provide landowners with funding and technical assistance for wetland protection and restoration.

The U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY provides information on a variety of programs: • EPA Wetlands Hotline - Call toll free at 1-800-832-7828, email [email protected], or visit the EPA Wetlands Website: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/ • EPA-Region 8 (includes Colorado) Website: http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/wetlands/wetlands.html • EPA Environmental Information Service Center - Call toll free at 1-800-227-8917. • EPA Five Star Restoration Grant Program brings together students, conservation corps, other youth groups, citizen groups, corporations, landowners and government agencies to provide environmental education and training through projects that restore wetlands and streams. The program provides challenge grants, technical support and opportunities for information exchange to enable community-based restoration projects. Contact: Matthew Hurley, National Fish and Wildlife Foundadon, Washington, DC; Phone: (202) 857-0166. Email matthew.hurley@nfwf org; Website: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/restore/5star/

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program. Helps fund voluntary wetland restoration on private and tribal lands. Contact: Rick Schnaderbeck, Monte Vista Nadonal Wildlife Refuge. Phone: 719-852-0124. Website: http://www.fws.gov/partners/OurPartners/individuals.htm

Wetlands Reserve Program (part ofthe 1996 Farm Bill). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's voluntary program offering financial and technical assistance to agricultural landowners. Contact: Leslie Deavers; Phone: 202-720-1062. Email: [email protected] 22 GETTING ASSISTANCE Continued...

Colorado Wetland Focus Areas. Animas Conservancy. Non-profit working with The Colorado Division of Wildlife works with private landowners to develop conservation partnerships of voluntary and willing participants to strategies in the Animas River Watershed and preserve wetlands, riparian areas, and associated Greater La Plata County. Phone: (970) 259- uplands through incentives, community partnerships, 0522. Email: [email protected]; conservation, enhancement, restoration, and education. Website: Contact: Bill Goosmann, Wetlands Coordinator. http://www.animasconservancy.org/index.html Email [email protected]. Website: Conservation Easement http://wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/WeflandsProgram/ Program. Phone: 1-800-45DUCKS or • Southwest Wetlands Focus Area: Southwest Colorado 901-758-3825; Website: and its drainages that extend into New Mexico and Utah. http://www.ducks.org/conservation/easeinent.asp Contact: Dr. Catherine Ortega, Biology Department, San Juan Fen Partnership works to study and Fort Lewis College; Phone: (970) 247-7393. protect wetlands in the San Juan Mountains. Email: [email protected]. Website: Contact: Art Goodtimes, Coordinator. http://www.southwestcoloradowetlands.org. Email: [email protected] • San Luis Valley Wetlands Focus Area: San Luis Valley Website: east ofthe San Juan Mountains. Website: http://www.mountainstudies.org/Research/wetLa http://coloradopartners.fws.gov/co34.htm. Contacts: ndMonitoring.htm Scott Miller, Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, Phone: (719) 852-012; Email: [email protected]. Rio de la Vista, Committee Coordinator. Phone: (719)850-2255. 23 Photos and diagrams by Koren Nydick unless ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS otherwise noted. Other photos by; This brochure was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection • Robert W Freckmann Herbarium. University Agency-Region 8, with help from the Ballantine Family Fund. of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. • Grea Frvback - searchduran20.com It was created by the Mountain Studies Institute (MSI). • Michael Luth, UW-Stevens Point Freckmann Text by Koren Nydick with help from the Southwest Weflands Focus Area Herbarium. (SWWFA) Committee, Claudia Capiflni, and Megan Daly. • Harold E Malde. Thanks to the review panel: David Cooper (Colorado State University); • Robert H Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. 1992. Catherine Ortega (Fort Lewis College/SWWFA); Rosahe Phillips (landowner/ Western wetland flora: field office guide to SWWFA); Gene Reetz, Darcy Campbell, and Paul Mclver (U.S. EPA-Region plant species. West Region, Sacramento, CA. 8); Bill Simon (Animas River Stakeholders Group); Ellen Stein (MSI); and • Gary A Monroe, Brother Alfred Brousseau & Rio de la Vista (San Luis Valley Wetland Focus Area). Larry Allain @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database. www.m0untainstudies.0r2 • Catherine Ortega, Fort Lewis College and Southwest Wetlands Focus Area. >/nV[ountam^Studies Institute • Rio de la Vista, San Luis Valley Wetlands SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO Focus Area. • Kipp Schoen, Longmont. Colorado. Silverton Headquarters Fort Lewis College Campus • Bill Simon, Animas River Stakeholders Avon Hotel Field Station c/o Geosciences Department Group. 144 East 10* Street Rms. 412 & 413, Berndt Hall • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hurd, EG. Post Office Box 426 Fort Lewis College NL Shaw, J Mastrogiuseppe, LC Smith-man, Silverton, Colorado 81433 Durango, Colorado 81301-3999 & S Goodrich. 1998. Field guide to Ph. (970) 387-5161 Ph. (970) 247-7071 Intermountain sedges. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMS- GTR-10. USDA FS RMRS. Ogden, UT.

© Mountain Studies Institute. 2006 24