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The Logan River Task Force: Making the Logan River a showcase of ecologically viable, socially beneficial river restoration. |
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Logan River Watershed Plan
Attn: The Langdon Group
466 N. 900 W.
Kaysville, UT 84037
Dear Langdon Group,
I want to thank NRCS, Cache Water District and other project sponsors for including the Logan River Task Force in developing the Logan River Watershed Project Environmental Assessment. I would also like to offer our information and resources where appropriate in the development of this critical project.
Here are some of the initial recommendations the Logan River Task Force has for the EA.
First and foremost, river flow (i.e., water level) impacts nearly all environmental and recreational aspects of the Logan River as outlined in the Logan River Conservation Action Plan. As such, we suggest that the primary goal of the project should be to leave as much water as possible in the river as far downstream as possible. We believe this can be done without negatively impacting water available to irrigators.
To that end, we recommend that you consider diversion placement options as far downstream as possible even if they include pumping. While this may increase project cost, such cost is offset by the environmental and social benefits of leaving more water in the river farther downstream. Also, given the successful partnerships and collaborations demonstrated so far by the Logan River Task Force, we believe that environmental and recreation funding sources could be found to help fund the cost of pumping.
The Task Force has developed the Logan River Conservation Action Plan which identifies over 20 indicators of ecological and social values of the river. This was an exhaustive process that involved many experts and resulted in a science-based, long-term management plan for the river. We highly recommend that you use the Logan River Conservation Action Plan as a standard by which to assess environmental and recreational impacts and benefits of the watershed project. We would be happy to assist with this.
We would also be happy to work with you on all aspects of planning and design related to the Logan River. The Logan River Task Force represents an impressive level of expertise in nearly all aspects of Logan River ecology, hydrology, and social values and was formed specifically to provide advice on balanced river management to agencies and governments.
In addition to an environmental goal, I am happy to hear that you are considering recreation as another priority objective. The Logan River Conservation Action Plan has several recreation goals. Also, as a “spinoff” to the Action Plan, the Task Force collaborated with Cache County and Logan City in developing the Logan River Blue Trail Master Plan. The Blue Trail Plan includes goals and recommendations for enhancing river-oriented recreation along the Logan River. We recommend that you incorporate the Logan River Blue Trail Master Plan into the Watershed Project wherever possible and we offer our assistance towards that end.
We also suggest that you consider developing terrestrial trails where possible in association with the watershed project. These trails would be most beneficial if they could connect existing trails along the river or connect established parks and trails to the river thereby enhancing river access. Where feasible, we suggest that trails be established by placing them on top of or directly adjacent to buried pipelines and/or in abandoned canals. For example, a trail could be established from River Hollow Park to Canyon Road at approximately 500 E and 200 N by following the existing Crockett Canal/North Branch of Logan River. This would effectively connect the Boulevard Trail to the Logan River. This trail could be extended further along Crockett Canal/North Branch of Logan River to Merlin Olsen Park.
Thanks again for inviting the Logan River Task Force to participate in the Logan River Watershed Project Environmental Assessment process. We appreciate your considering our recommendations and look forward to working with you.
Yours truly,
Frank P. Howe, Ph.D.
Chair Logan River Task Force