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Dear Friend,
We've got a ripple effect going.
Arizona's desert nesting bald eagle remains on the endangered species list as their status is reviewed. Last week, Arizona Game and Fish announced it had completed the purchase of 292 acres of The Nature Conservancy property to include in their already existing Upper Verde River Wildlife Area.
And all through April, you can find ways to TAKE ACTION for the Verde River:
A flood of fun and festivities is just around the corner!
April River Days: April 11 to 20
Celebration and action for the Verde (activities in GREEN on Calendar). Contact Edie at edillon@biologicaldiversity.org or (928) 277-9155 for more information or to say you'll help make this celebration a big success. Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival: April 24 to 27. A unique recreational experience for anyone interested in the natural world. Contact Joanne at joellers@biologicaldiversity.org or (928) 772-8204.
We invite you to take the plunge and tell us you'll help promote the Verde River during these celebrations and spread the word about habitat conservation by tabling at an event, helping with publicity, or putting any of your talents to work to SAVE THE VERDE.
If you've missed an update or are new to the list, check out our archives.
Let's Get Wild (& Scenic)!
The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, a showcase for award-winning films and the largest traveling festival of its kind in North America, will inspire you to action! This year the emphasis is on rivers, wilderness, and wildlife, issues that are so relevant to us here in arid Arizona. Join the Center and others as Arizona Wilderness Coalition hosts this environmental film festival at Sedona Dream Theater on Saturday, April 5. Doors open at 4 p.m. with live music and art, and the movies begin at 5:45 p.m. Cost: $10 advance, $12 at door. For tickets: (928) 284-0005 or at the Sedona Dream Theater Web site, www.sedonatheater.com/buytickets.html. Contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204 to help table at this fun event.
Next Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition Meeting March 26
Please attend the next UVRWPC meeting at the Prescott City Council Chambers (201 South Cortez, Prescott) at 2 p.m. There is no substitute for watching the action face-to-face. Listen and learn and ask questions of the group charged to "balance the reasonable water needs of the residents of the Upper Verde River Watershed Area with the need to preserve the vitality, health, and future flows of the Upper Verde River." One hot question: should preservation include water quality as well as quantity? (see "So you want your steaks well done," below) Tell 'em what you think! And while we're at it, let's put some pressure on the Coalition to work to develop that Habitat Conservation Plan they recently learned about. You can call Joanne and together we can put your feelings into action. Agenda and meeting minutes are posted here.
"Fishing for Answers" Quiz!
Question: Which of these processes does NOT jeopardize native fish populations?
a. water diversion
b. damming
c. seasonal flooding
d. alteration of stream channel
Another Look at Arizona's Eagle
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scrambles to reassess the desert-nesting bald eagles endangered species status. Environmentalists, Indian tribes, scientists and Mary Murguia, U.S. District Court Judge, are on the record as criticizing the delisting process used by U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Even though more than 11,000 pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states were delisted in January, in a March 5 ruling, Murguia found violations by Fish and Wildlife and ordered continuing protection for Arizona's birds that number around 40 pair. She called the federal agency's rejection of a petition submitted by conservation groups to be "arbitrary and capricious." Two major blunders in the process to delist the desert nesting bald eagle were the illegal inclusion of Arizona Game and Fish Department in the decision-making process and not including consultation with tribal leaders and scientists. In 2004, the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon requested a review to decide whether these eagles, which have unique traits such as small size and an earlier nesting season, should be protected as a distinct population. It took almost 3 years, but this month, Murguia ordered Fish and Wildlife to go forward with the review of the birds' status. In December, Fish and Wildlife will recommend whether to list Arizona's bald eagle and then a public comment period will follow.
What's Behind the Number?
Baseline regional population estimates that run through 2050 to be used in a new water use model were approved by the Yavapai County Water Advisory Committee Wednesday. The number of residential wells and the estimates for gallons of water used by each type of well are being added to the estimate which is planned for completion by early April and will be followed by submission to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The General Plans for Yavapai County, Prescott, and Prescott Valley predict growth estimates less than the water committee's of 429,542, yet the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization which plans roads estimates more - 439,389 for the quad cities by 2030! Obviously some political calculations going on...
We need to realize that we continue to lap up our rivers as our population grows, while it is the rivers that restore us and make us feel whole and healthy.
Verde River Gets Boost From $13 Million Grant
Last week, the Nature Conservancy transferred ownership of 293 acres, located 25 miles north of Prescott, to the Arizona Game and Fish Department to extend its Upper Verde River Wildlife Management Area. The state's Heritage Fund Program provides the resources for Game and Fish to preserve and manage this land. Supported by funds from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation grant, the Conservancy will retain 20 acres at the river's headwaters as its new Verde River Springs Preserve. Also along the upper Verde River where it joins Sycamore Creek, The Trust for Public Land will match Doris Duke Charitable Foundation funds to purchase 139 private acres and convey that to the United States to become part of the National Forest system and extend the boundaries of the Coconino and Prescott National Forests.
"So You Want Your Steaks Well Done"
This suggestion comes from Tom Slaback who along with other Sierra club members have been monitoring the water quality and quantity of the Upper Verde for more than a year. They recorded increases in nitrogen and phosphate at a collection site just below Stillman Lake and detected a common detergent compound and endocrine disrupter known to cause sex change in fish. Class B sludge (dried human waste commonly applied to agricultural and other lands as a means of "disposal") is recognized as a harbor for bacteria and parasites, but another concern are the harmful pollutants remaining in land-applied material left after treatment by cities and towns. More troubling is the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot assure the public that these land application processes protect human health and the environment. The Sierra Club is pushing local municipalities to review their contracts with a company that the state accuses of improper practices while spreading municipal wastewater treatment plant sludge near Paulden. The company spreads Prescott and Prescott Valley sludge on the Big Chino Wash floodplain about a half-mile above Sullivan Lake - within a mile of the Verde River headwaters - where cattle graze.
Baseflow Sacred Earth Coop Endurance Run for Verde River
As part of April River Days and the community Earth Day celebration on April 19, Prescott resident Thomas Arnold plans to run 24 consecutive hours, covering 100 miles of the Granite Creek watershed from Granite Creek Park in Prescott to the Verde River headwaters near Paulden. And he wants you to join him! Arnold is running to "generate energy and awareness" about the Verde River. The run also raises funds for our Save the Verde campaign. Runners, bikers, and hikers will take off together along with the Earth Day parade at Granite Creek Park on April 19 at 10:30 a.m. Arnold will be available to custom design routes (specific length, particular section) and answer questions at a pre-run meeting to be held at the Raven Cafe, 142 N. Cortez St., Prescott, on April 2 starting at 7 p.m. Thomas says, "You have to be extreme to make a statement." Want to learn more? Contact Joanne at (928)772-8204.
Watershed Wednesday Series: Connie Fisher's World and Celtic Music for the River
Connie sings a diverse repertoire of world music, featuring the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland and Wales and a collection of the traditional music of the Old World and the Ancients. The magical blend of Connie's voice and classical guitar captivates the audience with a lush soundscape, while transporting them to a time of long ago. Come and enjoy her music April 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Raven Cafe 142 N. Cortez St., Prescott.
Calendar
Don't miss this month's calendar of events! To contribute calendar items or to ask questions, please contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204 or Michelle at (602) 628-9909.
Make a Contribution
The Center for Biological Diversity appreciates your interest and involvement in the Save the Verde campaign. Please visit savetheverde.org for other news and updates. You can make a donation to this campaign from the secure Web site. Please contribute today!
"Fishing for Answers" Quiz Answer: c. seasonal flooding
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