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Ecosystem Protection Projects
Region 8 versions of the Resource Protection and Stewardship Unit Fact Sheets are provided below in the Adobe PDF format. To view these files, it may be necessary to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Cherry Creek State Park Stewardship and Smart Growth
Chery Creek State Park is the State's most used state park, but the surrounding
and upstream areas have very rapidly urbanized. Cherry Creek Reservoir is the
Park focal point with fishing, boating, and swimming uses. Water quality in
the reservoir has been seriously degraded from nutrient and sediment impacts
due to population growth. There has been a recent positive turn around in cooperation
and resources dedicated to watershed protection.
The Missouri River Basin: Ecosystem Stewardship
EPA Regions 7 and 8, along with various state agencies, have partnered together to develop an approach to encourage successful ecosystem stewardship of the Missouri River Basin. This approach is implemented through the use of a combination of voluntary and regulatory approaches. A multi-program Missouri River Team has been established in Region 8 to maximize results across the basin.
Red River/Devils Lake Basin: Land and Water Stewardship
The EPA promotes land stewardship in the Red River/Devils Lake Basin and provides
ongoing support.
Willow Creek Reclamation Project
The primary goal of the Willow Creek Reclamation Committee is to restore the
natural environment in the Willow Creek flood watershed, and preserve the characteristics
of the historic mining district.
Yellowstone River: Partnerships for Stewardship
and Ecosystem Protection
The Yellowstone River Task Force seeks to ensure that future activities affecting
the Upper Yellowstone are planned and conducted in a manner that will preserve
the river's integrity, beauty, values, and function.
Region 8 Targeted Watershed Grants
EPA's Targeted Watersheds Grant program builds on existing partnerships that are ready to implement actions to protect critical watersheds. While national standards and regulations are essential to make our waters clean and safe, EPA must also rely on the active participation of many partners at the federal, state and local level to meet our clean water goals. These partnerships bring together a broad spectrum of interests to achieve a common vision for watershed protection and restoration. The grants are awarded to watershed organizations and coalitions that are in the best position to make on-the-ground improvements to water quality. Since 2002, EPA has awarded nearly $30 million in TWGs to support projects that protect watersheds valued for drinking water, fisheries, recreation, and other important uses.
Projects in Region 8 include:
Upper South Platte River: Colorado
Clark Fork, Pend-Orielle Watershed: Montana, Idaho, Washington
