For years, individuals, organizations, and governmental entities have recognized the value of the Verde River and its remarkable resources. Protection and conservation efforts took on a national perspective near the turn of the century with cultural resources as the focal point. More recently, fish, wildlife, and riparian ecosystems have garnered widespread support and concern, with resulting action. The desire to enhance recreation use and access, and protect and conserve the instream flows of the river have initiated several tangible actions.
These actions are being undertaken by a variety of people and groups. Many of the actions are cooperative efforts or partnerships with others. The following protection and management actions are several examples that demonstrate the incredible interest and support generated by concern and caring for the Verde River.
CULTURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION
There have been several successful efforts to protect the significant cultural resources found in the Verde Valley. For example, in 1906, the Sinagua cliff dwellings, known as Montezuma Castle and located along Beaver Creek, became a National Monument under the protective management of the National Park Service. In 1933-34, the pueblo dwellings perched atop a hill along the Verde River were excavated, and then became a National Monument in 1939. Fort Verde, a late 1800s military reservation located along the Verde River at what is now Camp Verde, is a State Historic Park.
Land trusts and conservancies are achieving considerable success in protecting our precious cultural heritage. The Archaeological Conservancy, a national non-profit preservation organization based in Santa Fe, has begun efforts to acquire and protect the Sugarloaf Ruin along Oak Creek near Cornville.
Individuals, organizations, towns, and agencies have made cultural resource protection and restoration a priority. Several public and private historic sites in the Verde Valley have been nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The State Historic Preservation Office coordinates the cooperative Arizona Site Steward Program which strives to prevents vandalism and destruction through site monitoring (see the Cultural Values section).
VERDE RIVER GREENWAY AND DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK
Arizona State Parks currently manages 26 parks statewide with several more to be opened in the near future. Many of Arizona's state parks were established to protect unique natural features such as the riparian habitat along Oak Creek at Red Rock State Park and the incredible cave formations at Kartchner Caverns State Park near Benson. There has been an emphasis within Arizona recently to protect its diminishing riparian resources. The Arizona Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan identified the need for the protection of wetland and riparian communities in the state. The need to protect open space in growing communities and provide access to streams and rivers is also stated. The changes in the State Parks System will include expansion, protective management, and development that provides for these issues.
In 1986, House Bill 2510 was passed requiring the State of Arizona to establish the Verde River Protection Fund. The bill provided the authority and the appropriation for ASPB to acquire real property, improvements, and easements to enhance and protect the riparian habitat along the Verde River. The Verde River Greenway is the result of this legislation. It represents a continuing effort by State Parks to acquire and protect riparian lands along the Verde. Acquisitions have been and shall be consistent with the following criteria:
- providing protection and preservation of the Verde River;
- providing habitat enhancement and/or habitat protection; and
- can be managed most efficiently by the Arizona State Parks Board.
To date, over 295 acres have been purchased or donated. A substantial percentage of that acreage was donated or bought at less than full appraisal with full concurrence of the landowners who felt that the Greenway was a very worthwhile endeavor. Additional riverfront acreage has been acquired as part of Dead Horse Ranch State Park and should be considered as part of the Greenway. Conservation easements, cooperative agreements, and donations, as well as other non-traditional mechanisms in cooperation with willing participants will be pursued to protect and manage the lands within the Greenway. A basic stipulation was that only willing sellers would be approached. The Greenway will also provide public access to the river for certain recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and bird watching.
The Greenway is managed as a special management area of Dead Horse Ranch State Park. The Greenway covers a six-mile segment of the Verde River beginning at the Tuzigoot Bridge and continuing downstream to the Bridgeport Bridge at 89A Highway. The stand of Fremont Cottonwood/Goodding Willow riparian gallery forest within this stretch of the Verde is one of only five remaining extensive stands in Arizona of this community type. This community type is considered globally threatened. To increase awareness of the unique nature of the Verde River Greenway, State Parks' first full color poster was produced and made available to the public.
ASPB is currently developing a Master Plan for the Verde River Greenway. The master plan represents an opportunity to demonstrate sound natural resource planning and management principles structures to protect the natural ecosystem while providing for public use and enjoyment. Connections from the towns along the river to the Greenway will be explored. Members of the VRCP Steering Committee will serve on the master plan steering committee. The public will be involved throughout the development of the master plan, which should continue into late 1992.
TAVASCI MARSH WILDIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Tavasci Marsh, located on the Verde River near Tuzigoot National Monument, is one of Arizona's few remaining wetland areas. Wetlands have been defined as "the lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water" (Cowardin, et al, 1979). Wetlands are further defined by a periodic presence or amount of water, hydric soils, and aquatic vegetation. These areas are frequently drained to make them more "productive" from a development or human land use perspective. In Arizona, these areas are also extremely valuable for their water supply and wetlands are frequently pumped dry during drought years. These practices have resulted in a substantial loss of wetlands and wildlife habitat throughout the state. Even Tavasci Marsh, which receives its water from Shea Spring and Peck's Lake (an old oxbow lake of the Verde), has undergone alterations to make the land more productive for livestock grazing.
The Arizona Game & Fish Commission formally recognized the immense value of the perennial waters and associated riparian ecosystems of the Verde River through the passage of a Commission Position Statement on the Verde River. The Commission statement says "Under established policies, the Arizona Game & Fish Commission requires the Department to recognize these unique habitats as areas of critical environmental importance, to protect instream flows, and in accordance with the compensation policy to establish a compensation goal of no loss of existing in-kind habitat values in these Resource Category I habitats. Further, the Commission supports the establishment of the Verde River Greenway and all efforts to preserve riparian habitat in the Verde Valley. It is the position of the Commission to oppose any projects that would result in significant environmental impacts to the ecosystems associated with the Verde River."
On January 15, 1990, the AGFD and Phelps Dodge Corporation entered into an agreement to cooperate in the management of Show Low Lake, a riparian area near Tuzigoot National Monument known as Tavasci Marsh, and another riparian area on the Verde River upstream from Tavasci Marsh known as Packard Ranch, and to cooperate in conservation programs and quality real estate developments at Show Low Lake and Verde Valley Ranch.
The AGFD plans to restore the wetland character of the riparian lands at Tavasci Marsh and Packard Ranch. The AGFD will carry out habitat improvement and modification by vegetation control, drainage modifications, and transplantation of species. Portions of the areas will be fenced to protect the lands from livestock grazing. The public will be allowed to use the sites for wildlife observation and hiking.
VERDE RIPARIAN PROJECT
The Verde Riparian Project is a cooperative grants project headed by the Verde Natural Resource Conservation District and the Environmental Education Center. Other cooperators include Arizona State Parks Board, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Arizona Conservation Corps, Environmental Protection Agency, and Cocopai Resource Conservation & Development. Many other individuals and groups have also participated in this project. The following summary was submitted by Verde Riparian Project Farm Manager, Dena Greenwood.
The Verde Riparian Project is a 13-month federal grant/demonstration project funded from September 30, 1990 to September 30, 1991. It was created to restore riparian vegetation and improve water quality on the Verde River, generally between Clarkdale and Camp Verde.
It has been shown that a factor in reducing nonpoint source pollution is creating riparian vegetation along streambanks. This has the effect of removing and transforming impurities as well as stabilizing streambanks, which in turn affects erosion, sediment loads, and turbidity levels.
The purpose of the demonstartion project is fourfold:
- To establish a woody riparian plant materials nursery and demonstrate its horticulture feasibility.
- To revegetate an already disturbed area along the Verde River.
- To involve and educate the public about demonstration project activities and the beneficial effects on water quality.
- To monitor nursery planting success, revegetate site planting success, and nonpoint source pollution reduction.
Eight months into the grant the Verde Riparian Project has achieved the following:
- A ten-acre parcel at Dead Horse Ranch State Park was planted during the tree- dormant months (January-March) with 41,200 native riparian trees. Tree species planted include: Fremont Cottonwood (77%), Narrowleaf Cottonwood (.6%), Goodding Willow (15%), Coyote Willow (2%), and Bonpland Willow (.6%).
- An experimental furrow was planted to test the feasibility of non-willow riparian species propagated through pole planting. Those species planted were: Arizona Sycamore, Arizona Alder, Box Elder, and Velvet Ash. Also Fremont Cottonwoods were planted upside down, halved, quartered, and horizontal to the ground. Some of the successes have been surprising!
The trees will continue to grow through the summer reaching an estimated height of 6- 10 feet. During the tree-dormant months of 1992, the trees will be harvested as six- foot poles and sold to land agencies where they will be planted along Arizona's rivers.
- During March 1991, a 1,200-foot section of Forest Service land on the Verde River, locally known as Skidmore, was planted. Approximately 650 Fremont Cottonwood, Goodding, and Coyote Willow trees were planted along the river bank. "Beaver cages" were constructed and placed around most every tree.
- Several elementary school classes and a scout troop participated with the tree planting at the nursery. In-class programs (K-6) were developed and presented on riparian issues. A curriculum guide for teachers is currently being developed on "The Care of Rivers."
- Public education consists of ongoing radio, TV, and adult organization talks about the Project.
- Weekly and quarterly water monitoring continues at the Skidmore site. These tests include: pH levels, air and water temperatures, turbidity, electrical conductivity, and bacteria counts.
Planting success monitoring at the nursery is an ongoing process. March statistics showed 13% were budding. Our last monitoring count in May showed 52% had leafed out. Our next monitoring count will be in July, hopefully with a success increase.
The Arizona Conservation Corps Crew was instrumental in the procuring, processing, and planting at the Dead Horse Ranch State Park nursery and at Skidmore. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Manager, John Clow, and State Parks staff have been invaluable in the success of the Verde Riparian Project.
ADVANCED IDENTIFICATION (ADID) FOR FUNCTIONS AND VALUES OF THE VERDE RIVER, ARIZONA
This project is a cooperative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). In general, it is an environmental study of a selected segment of the Verde River.
The intent of ADID studies is to provide the public and prospective Clean Water Act, Section 404 permit applicants with advanced information about the potential for permit issuance and to seek avoidance of those areas designated unsuitable because of their special environmental values. The ADID for the Verde River is intended to increase public awareness of the resource values associated with the river, increase public awareness of the Section 404 program, and serve as a source of information in developing a comprehensive management plan for the river.
The purposes of the Advanced Identification studies are to identify sites which are considered as:
1) possible disposal sites, including existing disposal sites and non-sensitive areas, or
2) areas generally unsuitable for disposal site specification.
It is the hope of the FWS and EPA that this ADID process will result in better protection of valuable wetland and riparian habitats in the Verde Valley.
Advanced Identification (ADID) is described in Section 230.80 of the Guidelines for Specification of Disposal Sites for Dredged or Fill Material. The purpose of the Guidelines is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of waters of the United States through the control of discharges of dredged or fill material. Fundamental to the Guidelines is the precept that dredged or fill materials should not be discharged into the aquatic ecosystem unless it can be demonstrated that such a discharge will not have an unacceptable adverse impact to the aquatic ecosystem. The guiding principle is that degradation or destruction of aquatic ecosystems may represent an irreversible loss of valuable resources. ADID studies must be consistent with the Guidelines.
If persons propose activities that involve discharge into waters of the U.S., they must apply for a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps and the EPA, with input from the FWS, AGFD, ADEQ, and other agencies and entities, determine if the activity will have adverse impacts on the ecosystem and if a permit should be granted. The ADID process enables more effective advance planning, increases public awareness of the importance and value of aquatic ecosystems, and provides the regulated community with an indication of the likelihood of permit issuance. Identification or specification of sites is generally based on an assessment of the functions performed by the ecosystem and the values it maintains.
The results of the ADID studies are informational and advisory, not regulatory; any person may still submit an application for a Section 404 permit for sites that have been identified as generally unsuitable for discharge. Conversely, individuals applying for permits in areas identified as generally suitable may, in some circumstances, not receive a permit.
Wetland functions are the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of a wetland, and wetland values are those characteristics that are beneficial to society. Functions and values typically associated with wetlands are: ground water recharge, ground water discharge, flood flow alteration, sediment stabilization, sediment/toxicant retention, nutrient removal/transformation, production export, wildlife diversity/abundance, aquatic diversity/abundance, uniqueness/heritage, and recreation.
The Verde River ADID study is intended to be an advance planning tool that will allow the Corps and EPA a means of anticipating and preventing the loss of these types of habitat on the Verde River. The objectives are to:
1) Assess the performance and maintenance of functions and values of the Verde River ecosystem.
2) Qualitatively rank the performance and maintenance of functions and values so that decisions regarding the appropriateness of fill activities in the river ecosystem can be made.
3) Assess impacts to the Verde River ecosystem with particular reference to activities regulated under the Guidelines for the Specification of Disposal Sites for Dredged of Fill Material.
Functions and values of the Verde River will be assessed from Sullivan Lake to Horseshoe Dam, which constitutes 125 river miles. The lateral boundaries of the assessment area will be the upland edge of the riparian or wetland habitat as defined in revised FWS National Wetland Inventory maps and as determined from ground truthing of the maps in the field. Function and value assessment will extend one mile up major tributaries of the Verde River.
NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SYSTEM
Verde Wild and Scenic River
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 was a far-sighted expression by Congress of national policy to protect, "for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations," selected "rivers . . . and their immediate environments [that] possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values." (16 U.S.C. 1271)
Over the last 23 years, Congress has implemented this policy by designating over 100 river segments and 9,000 river miles as part of the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System (ARC, 1991). This activity has, however, largely bypassed the Southwest, and particularly Arizona.
The Verde River was recognized in the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI), which was prepared by the National Park Service to identify rivers and river segments that are eligible for further study and potential inclusion in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. Only 14 rivers in Arizona made the NRI list. A federal study on the Verde River was completed in 1982 .
In 1984, Arizona's first Wild & Scenic River segment, a 39.5 mile stretch of river immediately below Beasley Flat, was designated by Congress. The Scenic River Area begins near Beasley Flat and continues approximately 14.5 miles downstream where the river enter the Mazatzal Wilderness Area. The remaining 25.9 miles of the Verde River to the mouth of Red Creek, is classified as "Wild." This places the entire Wild River Area within a Wilderness Area with completely compatible management direction. The area encompassed within the boundaries is approximately 12,640 acres of National Forest land and includes about 26 acres in private ownership. The private lands remain in private ownership and management. Existing use of the land is not affected by designation.
The Forest Service released a draft implementation plan for the management of the Verde Wild and Scenic River in 1990. The Verde Wild and Scenic River falls under the jurisdiction of three national forests, Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto.
Many other Arizona rivers and streams qualify for national Wild and Scenic River designation.
New Proposals
The Arizona Rivers Coalition has recently proposed 40 river segments, totalling approximately 1,700 river miles throughout the state, for Wild and Scenic River designation by Congress. This citizen's proposal recommends the inclusion of two additional segments of the Verde in the National Wild & Scenic River System: 33 miles of the upper Verde as "recreational" from the National Forest boundary near Paulden to the northern edge of Clarkdale, and nine miles of the lower Verde as "wild" from Red Creek to Horse Creek Canyon at the Sheep Bridge. Several tributaries to the Verde are also being proposed: Beaver Creek, East Verde River, Oak Creek and West Fork of Oak Creek, and West Clear Creek.
The Arizona Rivers Coalition feels that Congressional designation of certain free-flowing rivers and streams in Arizona as components of the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is the most effective way to preserve the natural values of those streams. To be designated, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires the river to be free-flowing, and have at least one "outstandingly remarkable value." Those values are "scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values." A Wild and Scenic River corridor is an average of one-quarter mile wide on each side of the designated river.
Wild and Scenic River designation will protect recreation, wildlife, and cultural values along the designated river for the future. Designation would honor existing water rights, but would prevent new dams and diversions from degrading the flows in the future. In addition, Wild and Scenic River designation would help protect water quality necessary to maintain the natural and recreational values in the river. In addition to preventing new water projects, Wild and Scenic River designation will restrict or prevent harmful new mining operations within the designated river corridor.
Major new developments along the river may be restricted, but existing homes and other structures on any private property will not be affected. As long as the river segment has over 50 percent federal land there can be no condemnation of private property by the government.
This citizen's initiative to protect some of Arizona's important rivers and streams is a grassroots effort that has included a wide range of interests and organizations. The coalition has worked with many of the user groups normally opposed to environmental protection efforts. Members from "both sides" have discussed concerns and fears and found areas of mutual support. The proposal has also been well received by several members of Arizona's Congressional delegation.
RECREATIONAL RIVER ACCESS
State Lake Improvement Fund
The State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF) program was established in 1960 by the Arizona State Legislature to assist State and local units of government to improve boating related resources and facilities and to assure the safe use of lakes and rivers where boating is permitted. State Lake Improvement Fund revenues are derived from a portion of watercraft license taxes paid by boaters at the time boats are registered and from State taxes collected on motor fuel which is used to propel watercraft. SLIF grants are allocated by the ASPB as approved by the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC).
Eligible participants include ASPB, AGFD, Board of Supervisors of any county, and the governing body of a city or town. However, eligible participants may also sponsor a SLIF application through an intergovernmental agreement on behalf of a third party, such as the Forest Service, National Park Service, or an Indian Tribe. SLIF grants may be used for eligible improvements which are designed to increase or enhance boating opportunities.
The Prescott National Forest, in cooperation with the Town of Camp Verde and City of Cottonwood, is currently designing and developing nine river access sites along the Verde River with SLIF monies. In addition, several other projects along the Verde River have been funded including portions of the City of Cottonwood's Riverfront Park and Dead Horse Ranch State Park/Verde River Greenway.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578) provides financial assistance to states, their political subdivisions and Indian Tribal Governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Revenues for the program are derived from the sale of surplus federal properties, a special marine fuel tax, the sale of entrance permits and user fees at federal outdoor recreation areas, and lease fees associated with the Outer Continental Shelf Act. The National Park Service is responsible for administering the program on a federal level. The ASPB is responsible for administering the LWCF program in Arizona and preparing and maintaining the required statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan (SCORP). Eligible applicants under this program include incorporated municipalities, counties, state agencies, and tribal governments. Eligible activities under this program include, but are not necessarily limited to : park development and land acquisition to serve future outdoor recreation purposes.
In 1986, Congress passed the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act. The purpose of this Act is to promote, in concert with other federal and state statutes and programs, the conservation of the wetlands of the nation in order to maintain the public benefits they provide. The Act provides for federal wetlands acquisition and gives equal consideration to acquisition involving the purchase of wetlands with LWCF monies. While acquisition of wetlands for public outdoor recreation purposes has always been eligible for LWCF assistance, they are now specifically highlighted under this new Act.
Arizona Heritage Fund
The Arizona Heritage Fund was voted into law November 6, 1990. The Fund provides $20 million annually from state lottery revenues to be divided equally between the ASPB and AGFD. There are many components of the Fund. Among other components, the Arizona Heritage Fund created several grant programs. Two grant programs are specifically related to recreational activities and facilities and could be used to enhance recreation access and opportunities along the Verde River. Arizona State Parks Board administers the Local, Regional, and State Parks grant program and the Trails grant program. For the first year, both of these grant programs will be generally based upon the provisions of the LWCF. Heritage funds for these two programs are allocated by AORCC. It is expected that Arizona State Parks will award an estimated $6.5 million from the Fund to eligible grant applicants during the 1991-92 fiscal year to be used to acquire and develop local, regional, and state parks and trails throughout the state.
The remainder of the fund allocated to ASPB is to be used for historic preservation, acquisition and development of state parks, environmental education, and acquisition, operation, and maintenance of natural areas. Several of these components will also be developing a grant program. The funds allocated to AGFD are to be used for habitat acquisition, identification, and inventory, habitat evaluation and protection,urban wildlife, public access, and environmental education.
Both agencies are currently developing guidelines and programs to utilize these monies to benefit of the state and its people, and its natural, cultural, and recreational resources. For more information, please contact ASPB and AGFD.
WATER CONSERVATION PROPOSAL
The following was written by Deborah Moore, staff scientist for the Environmental Defense Fund. This executive summary, Opportunities for Riparian Ecosystem Preservation in the Verde River Basin, Arizona, was presented at the American Water Resources Association's Symposium on Headwaters Hydrology, Missoula Montana, June 26-30, 1989.
In Arizona, 95 percent of the riparian habitat has been lost due to impoundments, surface water diversions, groundwater pumping, and land conversions. The Verde River, located in the Gila River basin in central Arizona, provides much of the remaining five percent and its headwater are home to the threatened native fish species, the spikedace. Yet, the Verde River's precious instream flows are still in danger of being depleted by exchanges of surface water to fulfill Central Arizona Project allocations and increased groundwater pumping to satisfy both local growth and exports.
A case study of this region is presented in an effort to identify creative solutions to such problems through the use of conservation and incentive -based mechanisms as alternatives to more conventional water-supply planning approaches. The study examines the desert riparian ecosystem of the Verde River, current water supply and use, and future water supply scenarios that try to resolve conflicts among environmental, rural, Native American, and urban interests. Alternatives discussed include (1) investments in water conservation in exchange for rights to the saved water and (2) acquisition and transfer of senior water rights to instream uses, considering in each linkages between cumulative impacts and the economic and institutional structures that control water use.
A water-balance model was developed to describe quantitatively the current and future water use and supply situations in the upper Verde River basin. This approach balances demand for water with available supply. An estimate of the potential amount of water available from savings through conservation and reallocation can be made by examining water-use efficiencies and other variables in the system. The water balance uses information on water supply and demand from 1985 as the baseline case, and then compares this case to current projections for future water supply and demand in the year 2025. Alternative scenarios for the future are developed using different assumptions about municipal and agricultural demands, levels of conservation, surface water exports, and groundwater mining.
If growth occurs in the Verde Valley and Prescott areas as anticipated and all increases in water demand are met, the model predicts that by 2025 instream flows in the Verde River could be reduced by up to 21,000 acre-feet instream flows in the Verde River could be reduced by up to 21, 000 acre-feet per year. However, there is a potential to reduce the increase in demands through conservation. The efficiency of water use in the municipal and industrial sector could be increased by almost 100 percent with current water- conserving technologies. In the agricultural sector, irrigation efficiency could potentially be increased by twenty to thirty percent. Finally, alternative water supplies could be found to satisfy CAP allocations. If these changes are incorporated, the model predicts that Verde River instream flows could not only be maintained, but could potentially be enhanced by about 21,000 acre-feet per year.
In order to maintain the integrity of headwater environments, or better yet to restore degraded riparian habitats, instream flows must be preserved. To accomplish such preservation goals, alternative supplies of water to meet future demands must be provided. The water balance approach used in this paper shows that implementation of agricultural and domestic conservation within the Verde Valley could "free up" enough water to meet future local demands while simultaneously enhancing instream flows.
In addition to enhancing water supplies in upstream area, the alternative scenarios provide numerous benefits to downstream interest as well. By enhancing instream flows, the Wild and Scenic reaches of the Verde River will certainly be maintained and the recreational potential in the lower Verde River will be increased. Furthermore, enhanced instream flows could provide water to fulfill the reserved-rights claims of the Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Tribe, who are currently involved in settlement negotiations. Yet another beneficiary could be the Salt River Project or Phoenix, whose firm yield supplies would be increased by enhanced flows.
More specific plans would need to be developed in order to implement the alternatives discussed. The potential for specific on-farm conservation measures—such as laser- levelling, drip irrigation, and crop switching—needs to be assessed in order to better estimate the water savings available from the agricultural sector. Municipal and industrial conservation measures—such as low-flow shower head and toilets, effluent re-use, and xeric landscaping—also need to be evaluated. More importantly, methods of financing such conservation measures must be identified. Financing options could include arrangements between downstream entities, such as Phoenix, that need an incentive to conserve. In addition, public and private entities interested in preserving Verde River habitats could invest in conservation measures and directly acquire the saved water for instream flow purposes. Finally, prospects for settlement of Native American water rights claims along the Verde River could be enhanced by these water conservation and instream flow opportunities.
ARIZONA WATER RESOURCES PLAN
In January, 1990, the Governor of Arizona directed the Arizona Department of Water Resources to develop a comprehensive statewide water resources plan. The Arizona Water Resources Plan will provide current and projected water supply and demand data, and analyze institutional arrangements. It will identify issues and concerns statewide and by planning areas (Phase I). The plan will then identify and recommend alternative management strategies for each planning area, and the state as a whole (Phase II).
The objectives of the plan are to:
1) Establish an ongoing communications process that includes all major water users from all areas of the state.
2) Provide a comprehensive and concise database that is necessary for the planning process.
3) Provide an analysis of water resources institutions, and whether decisions on future water resources needs can be met by these institutions.
4) Provide a plan that recognizes water resources related planning activities on a statewide and local level.
5) Identification of where data is inadequate and where further research is required.
6) Establish a flexible and responsive plan that is maintained and updated in accordance with changes in assumptions and data.
The first planning area that is being studied is the Central Highlands Area which includes the Verde River Basin. The outline prepared for this study includes:
- Introduction and Background
- Statewide Physical, Demographic, Economic, and Environmental Considerations
- Statewide Water Supplies and Demands
- Statewide Legal, Regulatory, Institutional Considerations
- Planning Area Analysis
- Statewide Issues and Challenges
- Potential Alternative Strategies