As we pass the halfway point in 2020, a year which so far has been very difficult for people around the globe, throughout the US, and here in Summit County, we are grateful for some of the good things happening here locally. Despite these uncertain and turbulent times, we have continued to make headway on the Swan River Restoration Project. So on with the good!

Swan River Restoration Reach B RFP 
At the end of June, Summit County released a Request for Proposals soliciting responses from design-build teams with specific expertise in stream assessment, design, restoration, and construction to complete the final design, permitting, and construction for Reach B. Following a similar approach to the successful Reach A restoration, we are optimistic that once a design-build team is onboard, the remaining work will go forward smoothly and swiftly. 

Reach B ?Gravel Removal
With less than a year remaining on Summit County's Conditional Use Permit to crush gravel on the Reach B site, and less than two years remaining on the County's gravel removal contractor, Schofield Excavation's lease agreement, Schofield is working diligently to complete the ongoing mass excavation. The Contractor is performing gravel removal operations in such a manner so as to facilitate the final restoration construction by rough grading in specific site features (e.g., wetland areas, riparian floodplain, etc.), as well as adjusting operations so that the restoration construction can occur simultaneous with any ongoing gravel removal work. 

?Community Support
The Swan River Restoration Project is only possible because of the ongoing coordination with, and support from, diverse partners and stakeholders. Like all projects of this scale and complexity, there have been numerous bumps in the road and lessons learned along the way. However, throughout the more than a decade of planning and implementation completed thus far, we have been overwhelmed by the support of a community that cares so much about this project and place. Comments like the following mean a lot to us:

"I visited the Swan River Restoration site this weekend for the first time since before the project was started.  My initial perspective on the project was one of skepticism.  However, after seeing the amazing transformation, I am now a true believer.  We fished it for brookies, and were impressed by the diversity of trout habitat that was created." - Carol Northcut, Keystone, CO 

?New Trailhead Signage
A huge thank you to the Summit County Open Space and Trails seasonal trail crew for doing an amazing job installing some new trailhead kiosks and signage! An important aspect of this project is to help visitors better understand what happened and is happening at the Swan River restoration site. We hope these new installations help better share this project information.  

Keep in touch; exciting things are in store for the Swan River Restoration Project! Additional information about Swan River Restoration Project is available on the Open Space and Trails Special Projects web page. If you have additional questions about the restoration project, you can contact Summit County Open Space and Trails Director Brian Lorch, or Open Space and Trails Senior Resource Specialist Jason Lederer, or call 970.668.4060.