A watershed moment: Congress passes legislation to address toxic legacy of abandoned mines

Colorado has approximately 23,000 abandoned mines throughout the state, of which, more than 230 are known as draining mines that are currently causing environmental damage. More than 1,600 miles of Colorado streams and rivers are impaired by acid mine drainage.

From Trout Unlimited

Bipartisan “Good Samaritan” legislation will pave the way for long-awaited cleanups of toxic mine waste 

Contacts: 

• Chris Wood, President and CEO, Trout Unlimited – chris.wood@tu.org 

• Corey Fisher, Public Lands Policy Director, Trout Unlimited – corey.fisher@tu.org 

• Zoe Bommarito, National Advocacy Communications Director, Trout Unlimited – zoe.bommarito@tu.org, 517-604-1844 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a historic bipartisan achievement two decades in the making, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act (S.2781 / H.R.7779). The legislation is expected to be signed into law by President Biden. This long-sought legislation will pave the way for Trout Unlimited, state agencies, and other third parties to increase the pace and scale of efforts to clean up abandoned hardrock mines, tens of thousands of which are polluting waterways across the country. 

The legislation was championed by U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Risch (R-ID) and U.S. Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-UT), Mary Peltola (D-AK), and Susie Lee (D-NV). It cleared the Senate by unanimous consent in July. Congress has debated Good Samaritan legislation for more than two decades. Trout Unlimited thanks Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for their bipartisan support in bringing the legislation to the House floor.

“Today marks an important step toward cleaning up our nation’s rivers and streams,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “Over 40 percent of small mountain streams in the West are polluted by heavy metals from abandoned mines. This bill is about clean water and healthy communities. It will make it possible for organizations that had nothing to do with the causes of pollution to make our rivers and streams cleaner. We commend Congress for taking this critical step, and especially thank Senators Heinrich and Risch, along with Representatives Maloy, Peltola and Lee, for their leadership in bringing Good Samaritan legislation over the finish line.” 

Abandoned mines are historic mine sites – often a century old or more – where there are no parties that can be held responsible for cleaning up mine waste. Current federal laws treat organizations that volunteer to clean up these abandoned mines—including state agencies and private non-profits groups like Trout Unlimited—as if they are the very polluters who left behind the mine waste.  

This creates daunting obstacles that prevent abandoned mine cleanups, including complicated permitting and long-term legal and financial liability for any remaining mine pollution.  

“Clean water and healthy fish and wildlife habitat are values that unite us,” said Corey Fisher, Public Policy Director at Trout Unlimited. “For too long, toxic hardrock mine waste has polluted rivers, causing downstream impacts to communities and wildlife. This common-sense law will give us a critical tool to turn the tide, restoring clean water to watersheds across the West and beyond.” 

The Good Samaritan legislation establishes a new program under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), providing limited liability protections for up to 15 low-risk abandoned mine cleanup pilot projects conducted by state agencies, tribes, and qualified volunteer parties.  

Trout Unlimited, the leading conservation organization dedicated to restoring America’s rivers, recovering trout and salmon, and conserving clean water, has long championed the need for Good Samaritan protections to accelerate cleanup efforts. The organization played a pivotal role in advocating for the legislation, drawing on decades of on-the-ground restoration experience to raise awareness about the urgent need for action. 

“Colorado voices have long called for legislation to empower Good Samaritans to conduct mine remediation projects, and with more than 23,000 abandoned mines statewide, the significance for our waters is clear. We look forward to seeing one or more pilot projects under this bill take place here in Colorado, so that we and our partners can finally roll up our sleeves and get to work improving water quality. Colorado’s U.S. Senators have been leaders on Good Samaritan legislation for decades, and we thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for all their hard work and dedication in bringing this commonsense legislation to fruition,” said David Nickum, Executive Director, Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Learn more about Good Samaritan legislation at https://www.tu.org/good-samaritan. 

Frostbite Fish-Off Set For February 1st

The Southern Colorado Greenback chapter has announced it’s annual Frostbit Fish-off is set for February 1st

2025 Frostbite Fish Off Tournament 
Thank you to our Title Sponsor Tim Berdahl and Mountain Aire Mechanical 

The Frostbite Fish Off is a fundraising tournament that offers teams of two anglers the chance to compete for great prizes while raising money for restoration efforts on the Pueblo Tailwater and youth outreach programs in the area.  The "Beat Drawing" takes place Friday, January 31st from 6-8pm and tournament fishing starts promptly Saturday morning at 9am and concludes at 5pm.  The banquet dinner and awards ceremony will be held Saturday evening from 6-9pm.

We're Hiring

Development Director

Colorado TU seeks a candidate with successful fundraising experience including developing strategic fundraising plans for campaigns or organizations, with strong interpersonal skills, and a deep commitment to coldwater conservation, to serve as the organization’s Development Director. Colorado TU relies on a diversified mix of funding including government and private sector grants and other restricted gifts, unrestricted individual and corporate giving, and events including an annual gala.

November Currents Newsletter

This month’s issue features CO Gives Day, CTU Annual Awards, Corral Creek Update, and More!

Restoration on the West Fork of the Dolores River

The Dolores River Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited proudly announces the successful completion of a vital restoration project on the West Fork of the Dolores River. This project marks a significant achievement in their ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance trout habitats in the greater Four Corners area.

The West Fork: A Vital Tributary

Rising in the Navajo Lake basin near Lizard Head Pass, the West Fork of the Dolores River travels approximately 37 miles through diverse landscapes, including forests, ranches, farms, and residential areas, before joining the main stem of the Dolores River. This tributary is essential not only for its length and size but also for its role in delivering supplemental water to McPhee Reservoir and supporting a complex network of water rights and allocations. 

The Challenge

Historically, the West Fork has been a haven for all four species of trout, offering extensive habitats and recreational opportunities. However, human activities and climate change have taken a toll, particularly in the lower reaches, leading to a decline in trout populations. The lower river has suffered from "structural starvation," lacking the diverse features necessary for healthy trout habitats, and "trophic starvation," with an insufficient food chain base to support robust populations. 

The Solution: Process-Based Restoration

To address these issues, Dolores River Anglers implemented a process-based restoration (PBR) approach, which emphasizes working with natural river processes to achieve sustainable outcomes. The project focused on a 500-foot section of degraded riverbank and trout habitat along a meander of the West Fork. 

Restoration Techniques and Success

Using natural channel design techniques, the project team regraded riverbanks to a stable slope, reconstructed the channel width, and enhanced trout habitats with boulder structures and logs. Specifically, they installed three j-hook vanes, nine large-rock clusters, and partially embedded Large Woody Debris. Additionally, the banks were revegetated with willows, shrubs, and grass seed to stabilize the soil. These efforts have successfully recreated diverse trout habitats, including pool-riffle sequences and overhanging vegetation, ensuring a thriving environment for trout. 

Looking Ahead

The successful completion of this project stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Dolores River Anglers chapter. By restoring the structural complexity and food chain base of the West Fork, they have made significant strides in preserving this critical waterway for future generations of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. 

As this win is celebrated, Dolores River Anglers remain committed to ongoing conservation efforts, ensuring that the Dolores River and its tributaries continue to provide essential habitats for trout and other wildlife.

Corral Creek – Another Step Toward Greenback Restoration

Colorado TU staff recently joined colleagues from the U.S. Forest Service for a site visit to the Corral Creek fish passage and temporary barrier project site, to inspect work completed this year. Winter weather has already set into the project area, and driving to the project site proved challenging though the Forest Service jeep, with the assistance of chains, was able to make it.

The Corral Creek fish passage/barrier project is a unique combination of a long-term fish passage structure – a larger culvert with a simulated streambed bottom to facilitate free passage by fish – along with a temporary barrier to isolate the upstream habitat for native fish until downstream areas can also be restored to native fish habitat, at which point the barrier will be removed to reconnect the habitat. The installation is a challenging one, managing a roadway, appropriate culvert and fish passage features, a large steel-plate barrier, and a downstream concrete splash pad and rock apron, all of which need to work together to achieve the required end result. Corral Creek is just one phase of the larger Poudre Headwaters Project, aiming to restore Greenback cutthroat trout to nearly 40 miles of connected habitat in a series of phased restoration efforts.

When we arrived, we were greeted by an impressive sight: the large natural-stream-bottom culvert that was previously installed now has the steel plate fish barrier mounted at its outlet, pooling water up through the culvert and above the road crossing while creating a five-foot drop to prevent upstream movement of non-native fish from below the culvert. With the winter weather, ice had formed all along the face of the barrier wall, creating a frozen waterfall on the downstream side of the road crossing.

The inspection did yield at least one area needing additional work in the new year – the road will need to be widened additionally over the culvert to meet road specifications. Colorado TU’s contractor will work on that final task when weather allows in late spring/early summer of 2025. We will return to the site for further inspection after snowmelt to verify that other aspects of the project are operating as intended. Once work on the barrier is completed and its effectiveness confirmed, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Forest Service, and TU will collaborate on removal of non-native fish above the barrier – followed by reintroduction of Greenback cutthroat trout into their newly restored home in upper Corral Creek.

From Colorado to New Zealand – Treat Yourself to Fishing and Support Conservation

It’s the season of giving, and a few of our partners have some great deals that give back to Colorado TU.

RareWaters Season Pass

RareWaters continues to support CTU efforts in Colorado. For a limited time, all TU members who purchase a 2025 RareWaters Season Pass using code "TU20" will receive 20% off – that’s $500 in savings and RareWaters donates $250 of your purchase directly to CTU. The 2025 RareWaters Season Pass offers unlimited fishing on over 100 miles of epic water with many perks included with your membership, including an introductory membership to Trout Unlimited that you can share with your friends. Enter “TU20” at checkout to grab your 2025 RareWaters Season Pass Membership pass today.

fish new zealand

For a limited time, you can fish New Zealand and support CTU. Distant Waters New Zealand is offering a special limited time trip including airfare. TU members will save $1,500, and a portion of your purchase is donated to CTU.

Colorado Gives Day

You don't have to wait until December 10th to make a difference!

Donate anytime from now until December 10th to support Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Join us in efforts such as reconnecting crucial spawning tributaries, restoring native cutthroat trout populations, educating the next generation, cleaning up abandoned mines, and advocating for water quality across urban fisheries and pristine high-mountain streams. CTU and its 22 chapters statewide are dedicated to the ongoing conservation, protection, and restoration of Colorado's coldwater habitats.

Even a small contribution can create a significant impact. Seize this opportunity to make a difference – it's the perfect day to give back.

We also have two critical matching options this year:

Sacramento Gulch Mill Restoration with Anglers All
The Sacramento Gulch Mill Site reclamation project proposes to reclaim approximately 2,500 cubic yards of mine waste rock, ore stockpile, and a mill pad near the town of Fairplay. Your support will help restore this critical watershed area. Anglers All will match donations up to $10,000!

CTU Headwaters Youth Programs
Empower Colorado's youth through our conservation programs. We have a $7,500 matching gift thanks to generous supporters!

You don't have to wait, you can donate today!

From Eggs to Fry: A Fall Journey in Colorado's Trout in the Classroom Tanks

By Reyna Schedler, Western Colorado TIC Coordinator

Fall is here and will soon be on its way out and Colorado Tu’s Trout in the Classroom tanks are growing and thriving. In 67 bubbling tanks around Colorado, our trout are now swimming their way through their life cycle. Since receiving eggs in mid October and raising the trout through the alevin stage, most of our classroom tanks are at or approaching the small fry stage. 

The alevin stage is a critical phase in the trout life cycle, where the newly hatched trout larvae remain attached to their yolk sacs which provide nutrients for growth and development. Once the alevin have absorbed most of their yolk sac and had the time to develop vital organs, they start swimming up to the surface of the water in search of food.The “swim-up” phase marks the transition from the alevin stage to the fry stage. This significant transition indicates the trout’s readiness to feed independently and interact more actively with their environment. It also marks a transition in the tanks as the young trout begin to explore, establish territories, and engage with the other trout in a more dynamic ecosystem.

The increased activity levels can lead to changes in water quality parameters such as ammonia and nitrate levels, necessitating more vigilant monitoring as well as adjustments in feeding schedules. Regular monitoring ensures that water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, ammonia, and nitrate levels remain within safe ranges. This prevents stress and disease for the trout and creates a more conducive environment for their growth. Consistent checks can help identify and address potential issues early, reducing the risk of mass mortalities and ensuring the success of the program. By prioritizing tank health, educators can provide a stable habitat that supports both the trout lifespan as well as the student’s educational experiences. 

One of the tools that educators and their students are using to track their classroom’s tank health is a global citizen science platform called CitSci. It allows participants to record observations and measurements of their tank’s environmental parameters, providing the opportunity to engage in meaningful scientific work. Educators and students observe the water clarity, fish size, and fish counts, record the frequency of water changes, and take measurements of a variety of environmental parameters, including temperature, Ammonia, pH, Iron, Copper, Nitrates, Nitrite, and Chlorine. With all of these observations and data in one place, participants, employees, and volunteers of the Trout in the Classroom program can analyze the data throughout the year and over multiple years to gain insight into patterns in tank and fish health and better understand how to raise our trout successfully. This platform provides hands-on learning experiences for students, fostering a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the importance of environmental stewardship. Click here to see our awesome data and results.

A portion of the classrooms participating in TIC are using Seneye and WYZE technology as tools for monitoring water quality in their tanks. These technologies have different features and benefits and, when used in conjunction with regular observation, help educators, students, and community members gather information about the wellbeing of their trout and tank environment. Seneye telemetry offers multi-parameter monitoring, while WYZE cams mounted on the tank can send video updates and can even be connected to live streams so that friends, family, and community members can check in on the trout. 

These two technologies can aid in the success of our tanks, especially during school breaks when the most die-offs happen due to lack of everyday observations. While they are helpful tools, the most important tool for success is human participation and observation. Through vigilant tank monitoring and community-driven efforts, educators can create a supportive habitat that fosters the growth and development of trout, also enhancing the educational experience for students. These direct contributions allow us all a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems and inspire us to continue participating in environmental stewardship. 

Colorado TU Annual Awards Honor Contributions to Conservation

At the annual Fall Rendezvous in Glenwood Springs on November 2, Colorado TU presented its annual awards to a slate of chapters, partners, and volunteers whose contributions helped advance the cause of coldwater conservation over the past year and beyond.  Winners of the 2024 annual awards were:

Trout Conservation Award

Representatives Julie McCluskie and Karen McCormick, and Senator Dylan Roberts, were recognized for their collective leadership in passing landmark legislation establishing a state-level program for regulating dredging and filling of waters and wetlands in Colorado. Passage of the bill, HB 24-1379, made Colorado the first state to restore protections to waterways that lost their federal protection under the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v EPA, which rolled back Clean Water Act jurisdiction from isolated wetlands and seasonal streams despite their significant impact on the health of downstream waterways. McCluskie, McCormick and Roberts were the original sponsors and key legislative leaders in shepherding the bill through a challenging and sometimes contentious 2024 legislative session. Thanks to their efforts, Colorado’s waterways once again enjoy water quality protections that will help maintain their health and that of the downstream rivers that sustain our fisheries and communities.

Exemplary Chapter

The San Luis Valley Chapter was recognized for their outstanding work engaging with local communities, landowners, agencies, and other partners to advance conservation efforts in San Luis Valley. The chapter was honored for its strong accomplishments in multiple dimensions of chapter activity – strong growth (4-fold) in Trout in the Classroom programs offered through schools in their region; engagement with the community in promoting conservation and addressing shared battles such as the efforts to export San Luis Valley groundwater to the Front Range; and leadership with collaborative conservation efforts from restoration work on Rio Grande Cutthroat trout populations to flow and habitat efforts on the Rio Grande and Conejos Rivers. The San Luis Valley Chapter has been small but mighty – with a more limited population and membership base, they have made large impacts for the trout and water resources of Colorado’s Rio Grande watershed.

Bruce Hoagland Award for Leadership in Conservation

Long-time TU leader Dave Taylor was selected for this lifetime award recognizing both efforts in promoting trout conservation and in strengthening the capacity of Trout Unlimited in Colorado. Taylor has served with distinction in multiple capacities – as a chapter president in Boulder, as the Executive Director of Colorado TU during the Two Forks battle, as President of the Council Board of Directors in helping to revitalize CTU in the late 1990s, as a grassroots voice with the National TU grassroots board during a nationwide reorganization, and most recently as the chair of the Troutfest Colorado event at Coors Field taking TU community event engagement to a new level.

Exemplary Industry Partner

The St. Peter’s Fly Shop in Fort Collins was recognized for their engagement and support of conservation and education efforts in the northern Front Range of Colorado. St. Peter’s has helped support TU efforts, especially youth education and community engagement. They have sponsored a local film event that helped raise funds for TU activities in the Ft. Collins area but have also contributed time and talent with guides and staff from the shop helping with programs like the local chapter’s annual summer day camp where youth learn about rivers and fly fishing.

Exemplary Landowner

Kay Roth was honored for her participation in mineland reclamation for the Orphan Boy mine site, an abandoned mine located on her property, including entering into a long-term covenant to preserve the restoration work over time. Through her efforts not only will the Middle Fork South Platte watershed benefit from the clean-up efforts, but she is also providing an inspiring example for other landowners with abandoned mine sites on their properties.

Exemplary Project

The Cutthroat Chapter in the south Denver metro area was honored for its rapid and effective response in assisting the US Forest Service and other local partners in stabilizing and restoring the Gill Trail within Cheesman Canyon in the aftermath of a major rainstorm that led to wash-out and mass sedimentation in this high-use hiking and gold-medal fishing destination.

Outstanding Chapter Communications

The Five Rivers Chapter in Southwestern Colorado was recognized for its strong work across multiple communications platforms, including unique efforts to engage and inform constituencies not only in Colorado but in neighboring New Mexico around the shared resource of the San Juan and Animas Rivers.

Exemplary Youth Education

The Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter on the northern Front Range was honored for its diverse education offerings including introduction to fly fishing courses with local rec centers, Trout in the Classroom programs in local schools, and the nation’s only chapter-run youth summer camp.

Outstanding Volunteer

Four local volunteers were selected for this award in 2024:

·         Mark Miller for his work with the Poudre Headwaters Project and in growing the strength of the Rocky Mountain Flycasters Chapter including its northern Colorado fly fishing expo.

·         John Semich for his collaborative efforts in connecting West Denver TU with programs for engagement and education with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Jefferson County, and other local partners.

·         Buck Skillen for his long-time leadership with conservation projects and mobilizing volunteers in support of agency partnerships in southwest Colorado.

·         Michele White for her work with the Pikes Peak Chapter in promoting effective advocacy, youth education and engagement programs, and public outreach efforts including greater angler awareness around stream temperatures.

Silver Trout Award.  In addition to Colorado TU’s annual awards, the Silver Trout Award – a lifetime recognition for contributions to coldwater conservation in Colorado – was presented at the Rendezvous. Recipients of this award are selected by a vote of past Silver Trout recipients. Greg Hardy – current NLC Representative and past president of Colorado TU, and a long-time leader of the Gore Range chapter in Summit County – was honored for his leadership on conservation efforts ranging from habitat efforts with the Blue River watershed, to advocacy on behalf of improved rail safety and emergency response measures in light of oil train deliveries along the Colorado River and Boulder Creek.

Congratulations to all the 2024 award recipients!