Bob Appel "Friend of the Arkansas" Award
This award is presented annually to honor an individual who has provided extraordinary
service and worked to improve the condition of the Arkansas River stretch through Colorado. The award is in memory of Bob Appel who, as
Coordinator for the Southeast Colorado RC&D Council, tirelessly provided leadership for the
Arkansas River Basin Water Forum.
The award is funded by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District and the Board of Water Works of Pueblo.
Past Recipients: Past recipients of this award have gone to the following longtime “friends of the Arkansas”
- 2005 – Mike Conlin
As the coordinator of the Lake County Open Space Initiative, Conlin was recognized for bringing local, state, and federal partners together to preserve 7,600 acres of ranchland near the Arkansas River headwaters. This area is highly regarded for its important for its recreational, wildlife, historical, and aesthetic value - 2006 – Denzel Goodwin
As a Fremont County Rancher, Goodwin has a storied history of involvement on water issues throughout the state dating back 50 years in the Arkansas Valley. He was integral to the formation of the Fremont County Water Users Association in 1956, later bringing one of the earliest groundwater cases to trial under the auspices of the association. In 1979, Goodwin helped to found the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, serving as its chairman for 25 years. He later served for 16 years on the Board of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. - 2007 – Paul Flack
Flack was recognized for his years of work on projects up and down the river. As a state water expert and hydrologist for Colorado State Parks, Flack was also instrumental in organizing the Arkansas River Basin Water Forum from its inception. - 2008 – Reed Dils
An outfitter from Buena Vista, Dils has spent more than 30 years working on both recreational and environmental issues associated with water, originally as one of the first to represent the fledgling whitewater rafting industry on the Arkansas River. In the mid-1980s, he was involved in the formation of the Arkansas River Headwaters Recreation Area, and subsequently helped to develop the voluntary flow program for the Upper Arkansas River in 1990. Dils was also instrumental in forming the Buena Vista State Wildlife Area Habitat and Access Improvement Project. He was a founding member of Collegiate Peaks Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He has also served on the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, and the Arkansas Basin Roundtable. - 2009 - Carl Genova
As a farmer for more than 50 years, Genova has been a longtime advocate for agricultural water rights. He was recognized for his work on the winter water storage program, which he regards as his most significant accomplishment. Genova served on the Arkansas Valley Ditch Association (1970-1990), as a board member of the Bessemer Ditch for 38 years, and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District for 20 years. Genova always was appointed by Gov. Roy Romer to the Arkansas Valley Compact Administration (1993-1997). He was also president of the Pueblo County Farm Bureau (1969-1970) and a member of the Colorado Cattle Feeders Association and Colorado Water Congress.
Criteria: This award is meant to recognize someone who has helped to promote the best management practices in the usage of water in the Arkansas River Basin. Their efforts may include contributions in the general areas of development, preservation, conservation and/or leadership. The ability to reach out to as many constituents as possible, and cooperation and consensus building, is an important aspect in the consideration of this award. Other considerations include, but are not limited to, the nominees length of service in the area of water resources, the impact of their accomplishments, and their respect within the water community of the Arkansas Basin.
Guidelines: Upon receipt of all nominations, a committee will review them and the recipient will be announced at the Forum.
Nomination Process: If you wish to nominate someone, please download a copy of the Nomination Form. Nominations should include a thorough description of why the individual is being nominated as well as any testimonials or letters of recommendation.
Deadline: February 26, 2010
Nomination materials may be sent to:
Phil Reynolds
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
31717 United Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81001
Phone: (719) 948-0069
Email: phil@secwcd.com