Colorado River Refuge (continued)

The Refuge received enthusiastic community support at well-advertised public meetings (4900 landowners invited to each) sponsored by BCWCID#2 and the Tahitian Village Property Owners Association in 2004. Representatives from City and County of Bastrop, Texas Forest Service, Lower Colorado River Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service's "Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program", several non-profits and many individuals reviewed and improved the draft Management Plan for the CRR.

PPLT has embarked on a major fundraising campaign to develop and operate the Refuge. Approximately $45,000 per year for the first five years will be needed. Major components of the project for which funding is being sought include:

Improvement and rehabilitation of .75 miles of existing natural surface trail, including 800 feet of wheelchair-accessible trail from one accessible parking area to at least two river access points

• Construction of .9 miles of natural surface trail
• Construction of several short trail access points to the Colorado River
• Stabilization of all floodplain trail surfaces to prevent erosion and wash-out
• Closing off and re-vegetation of "informal" trails (due to erosion and poor location)
• Clearing of trailside undergrowth
• Three parking areas, accommodating up to 20 vehicles, at least 1 of which will be wheelchair accessible
• Three trailhead kiosks with educational information and property use requirements
• Twelve interpretive signs along the trail highlighting natural and cultural features
• Natural and cultural resource evaluation

The trail construction plan for the Colorado River Refuge includes the leadership of trail construction crews of American YouthWorks and volunteer labor from within the Bastrop community. American YouthWorks trail crews are trained to develop trails that encourage public access to natural settings with minimal impact to the environment by addressing trail erosion issues, decreasing trail maintenance needs and minimizing user conflict.