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Dear Friend,
With warm summer weather upon us, the great outdoors beckons even more. Fossil Creek is being loved to death, off-road vehicle use devastates Verde wildlands, and open grasslands in Paulden (north of Chino Valley) are being grabbed by municipalities for Big Chino pipeline easements. But it's not all bad news. See, you have the power to make a difference. It can be as easy as signing a petition or as nerve-rattling (or boring, depending on your perspective) as attending a public meeting and speaking out for what you believe in. We hope you'll feel inspired to make the most of summer and do something positive for the Verde River.
If you've missed an update or are new to the list, check out our archives.
Calendar
Don't miss this month's calendar of events! To contribute calendar items, ask questions, or volunteer to help, please contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204 or Michelle at (602) 628-9909.
"Fishing for Answers" Quiz!
Question: How does public usage of Fossil Creek affect native fish habitat? (Answer located at the bottom of the page.)
Fossil Creek: Beautiful and Besieged
The Center for Biological Diversity recently filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service for Endangered Species Act violations at Fossil Creek. The notice states that the Forest Service has failed to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the repatriation of native fish while management strategies continue to adversely impact the fish and their habitat. The loach minnow and spikedace -- two Arizona native fish species that are federally listed as "threatened" -- were returned to Fossil Creek last November.
"The Forest Service has exhibited an incredible lack of ability or desire to take the management actions necessary to preserve this wonderful place or the spikedace and loach minnow," said Michelle Harrington, rivers conservation manager for the Center for Biological Diversity. "We have repeatedly asked for an emergency closure to overnight camping to reduce the amount of traffic and waste in and along the stream, but the agency continues to drag its feet and offers no solutions or commitments." more...
Upper Verde River: Beautiful and Beleaguered
When you think "Verde River," what comes to mind? A rugged hike to a gentle river with irreplaceable features such as Cottonwood gallery forests and sensitive native fish? A birders and photographers paradise with the potential for the appearance of a bald eagle, black hawk or green heron. Or a playground for water sports in your all terrain vehicle. Did you know that the upper Verde River from Sullivan Canyon down to Perkinsville is closed to motorized vehicle use? The public has a responsibility to understand usage designations for these Arizona Game and Fish, Nature Conservancy, and Prescott National Forest properties. Even when "area-closed" signs are absent and roads are actively being used, you must enter by foot or horseback only. There can be severe financial penalties for you, irreversible damage and erosion to the streambank, and harm to the species that call the Verde home.
The Forest Service and conservation groups hope to increase the public's awareness of lawful and unlawful ORV use. And we need your help. You can start by supporting an Arizona Senate bill 1167 (L. Gray). This, from the Sierra Club, provides more info:
SB1167 provides funding for law enforcement, mitigation, and restoration of areas damaged by off-road vehicles plus includes limitations on where new trails can be built with the grant dollars. It is a step in the right direction to help better protect important public and private lands from irresponsible off-road vehicle activities. It also includes safety provisions. It would be a shame to see the bill die after all of the work and extreme effort it took to get people on the same page and to get the needed improvements for land protection.
Please take the time to send a polite email or make a phone call encouraging Senator Huppenthal to allow this bill out of the Republican Caucus soon, so it can make its way to the floor for a vote. You can reach him by clicking on Senator Huppenthal or by calling (602) 926-5261. Also contact Senate President Tim Bee and ask him to please help the bill get through the process and to the Floor for a final vote. You can reach him at Senator Bee or call (602) 926-5683.
When you're done, check out the video by concerned citizen Gary Beverly entitled Upper Verde River, Beautiful and Beleaguered as featured on The Daily Courier's Web site.
Paulden Protests
Despite delay in pipeline construction and complaints from Paulden area landowners, City of Prescott representatives continue to make offers to purchase property for pipeline rights-of-way. Attorneys representing these citizens have stepped forward to examine the legality of this operation.
Earlier this month, a presentation was made to the Paulden Area Community Organization members about what citizens can do to make sure they get reasonable offers on their properties and fair treatment by the city, as well as the facts about eminent domain. Depending on interest, we may help coordinate future meetings to assist property owners. Please contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204 for more information and to find out your rights as a property owner.
State Agency Waiving its Rights?
In a proposed agreement between Prescott Valley and the Arizona State Land Department, Prescott Valley will provide nearby trust lands with up to 2,000 acre-feet/year of water. In exchange, the Department agrees to "cooperate" and to "execute such further or additional documents as may be necessary or appropriate to fully carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, providing rights of access to, use or ownership of portions of Trust Land needed for installation of Town infrastructure." That has red flag written all over it. Essentially, Prescott Valley is promising the State Land Department water that it doesn't have on hand. In return, the Department is giving up their right to deny pipeline easements across their properties if those easements have anything to do with that future water supply. One thing they can't do, however, is allow the pipeline without just compensation. You can read more in a Daily Courier article here.
Next Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition Meeting June 25
Please attend the next UVRWPC meeting at the Prescott City Council Chambers (201 South Cortez St., Prescott) at 2 p.m. What's next? Come watch the action. Agendas and meeting minutes will be posted here: www.uvrwpc.org/id1.html.
Verde Mini Series
With all three parts of Katie Borman's mini series ready to view, you can enjoy your own mini film festival.
• "The Water's Edge" - Joanne Oellers tours the Verde River ecosystem at high water.
• "Drop by Drop" - Tom Slaback, of the Sierra Club's Yavapai Chapter, runner Thomas Arnold, and Verde River area farmer Brenda Houser demonstrate different ways to preserve our desert jewel.
• "The Sacred Earth Endurance Run" - documents Earth Day 2008 and the Sacred Earth Endurance Coop's 24-hour/100-mile run to the Verde Headwaters.
Say it in a Letter
April saw Governor Janet Napolitano proclaiming the month as "Arizona Rivers Month," and we celebrated Earth Day and April Rivers Week. Yet every minute continues to count in our fight to keep the Verde flowing with plenty of clean water. Write Governor Napolitano and other decision makers now about protecting the Verde River by visiting our new action page.
Sign the Petition!
Signing a statement of support for Verde River protection and sustainable planning for the region is a powerful act, and can really make a difference. Click here to add your name to the petition.
We hope to collect thousands of names/signatures through the web site and other outreach events in preparation for a demonstration of public support for comprehensive mitigation plan(s) regarding proposed Big Chino pipeline and pumping projects prior to construction to ensure that the Verde continues to support the people and wildlife that depend on it. If you'd like to help collect signatures, contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204.
More Summertime Opportunities
Do you know that volunteering for the Save the Verde campaign this summer increases your chances to win the lottery and makes your hair shiny? You'll never know unless you give it a try! Contact Joanne at 928-772-8204 for a special volunteer assignment customized for your schedule. Join the volunteers whose lives have been transformed by knowing they helped Save the Verde.
Upper Verde Field Trips
Be part of the Verde River habitat. With several dates available now and more to come through fall 2008, you can get down to the Verde and see for yourself what we are working to protect. Photos, films, music, and slide shows are wonderful, but they don't come close to the experience of the real thing. Please see calendar for details.
Current dates:
JUN 21 - Saturday
JUL 12 - Saturday
JUL 26 - Saturday |
AUG 23 - Saturday
AUG 30 - Saturday
SEP 28 - Sunday |
OCT 25 - Saturday |
Greywater-Harvesting and Rainwater-Harvesting Tax Credits in Arizona
Effective January 1, 2007, Arizona taxpayers who install a "water conservation system" (defined as a system to harvest residential greywater and/or rainwater) in their residence may take a one-time tax credit of 25% of the cost of the system (up to a maximum of $1,000). Builders are eligible for an income tax credit of up to $200 per residence unit constructed with a water conservation system installed. Note that a misinterpretation of the tax credit used to only give the credit to greywater systems, but thanks to efforts by Representative Steve Farley, the tax credit can now also be used for rainwater harvesting systems, and it is now retroactive to January 1, 2007. So anyone who has purchased water-harvesting systems from that point onward will get Arizona tax credits until the annual amount allotted to the credit has been filled. For application forms and further information go to: www.azdor.gov, click on "credit pre-certification" on the left hand side of the home page, and click on "gray water conservation tax credit." There is general information and applications for corporations and for individuals.
Check the Pulse of the Salt and Verde Rivers
Now at your fingertips - data for the Salt and Verde watersheds collected by the USGS and Salt River Project at www.watershedmonitor.com. Find precipitation and flow data throughout the watersheds of the Salt and Verde Rivers allowing the public to "check the pulse" of the watersheds. This is great information for citizen activists!
Volunteer Tool Kits - Back by Popular Demand
Requests are increasing for our toolkits! And one is ready and available for you right now! Get our convenient folder including essential information: talking points, Top 10 Ways to Save the Verde, a simple hydrology lesson, bumper sticker, printed letters to send to elected officials, water droplet to decorate and add to our display, and a calendar of events where you can make a difference. Contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204.
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: The "leave no trace" types of uses are generally compatible with protecting Fossil Creek habitat. But kayaking may inhibit fragile re-building of travertine and the newly created pools and habitat for native fish. Care should also be taken to stay on established trails, refrain from trampling streamside vegetation and creek banks, and remove all trash and waste. Horses should be kept out of the creek itself.
The Center for Biological Diversity sends out Verde updates through DemocracyinAction.org. If you'd like to check your profile and preferences, click here. To stop receiving action alerts and newsletters from us, click here.
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