NAWQA Project Begins New Phase

The Arizona section of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment Program is moving from the planning to the study phase. A May 2 meeting of the Liaison Committee featured preliminary plans for a surface water sampling network and groundwater study and land use survey plans. This analysis involves literature searches and data collection on past studies, and maintaining sampling networks for the next several years.

Efforts now focus on choosing sampling sites within the study area. Criteria have been established and field surveys will further narrow the options. A preliminary selection of contaminants to be sampled has been made.

Speakers at the meeting included John Zagorski, head of NAWQA's volatile organic compound (VOC) synthesis, who discussed the national program to deal with VOCs. Patti Spindler, an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality biologist, discussed ADEQ's Biocriteria Program. She reported that a large sampling network is planned to develop baseline data about biological components in water so that water quality biocriteria can be developed. Barry Spicer of Arizona Game and Fish Department described the agency's extensive Biological Data Base for Threatened and Endangered Species available to agencies and the public.

USGS staff available to provide information on the NAWQA study include: Laurie Wirt (surface water study); Dorrie Gellenback (groundwater study); and Gail Cordy (the entire NAWQA program). All are at the Tucson USGS office, 520-670-6112.

Plans Call for Multi-Use Picacho Reservoir

A favorite of local birders for years, Picacho Reservoir, located ten miles east of Casa Grande, may soar out of birdwatching obscurity to become a highly utilized water-based recreation area and an integral part of future water supply plans for Pinal County.

In a recent study (see "Publications"), Pinal County analyzed options to expand and enhance the reservoir currently serving as an irrigation water storage facility for the Bureau of Indian Affairs' San Carlos Irrigation Project (SCIP). The reservoir's role as a storage facility would expand to include groundwater recharge, protection of riparian areas, flood control and recreation. Project expansion could be accomplished through various strategies including dredging the existing reservoir, raising and reinforcing its banks, building a new reservoir, and diverting the McClellan Wash.

Brad Gair, Director of Pinal County's Department of Civil Works, indicated that groundwater recharge is an important component of the proposed facility. Potential sources of recharge water include the Gila River, McClellan Wash, Brady Wash and Central Arizona Project water. Banking of CAP water, the largest potential source of project water, requires an agreement between the Central Arizona Water Conservation District and SCIP, and the resolution of environmental issues associated with the introduction of non-native species in CAP water.

The Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority is currently developing its plan which may involve overseeing and/or financing the Picacho project. Other potential project participants include SCIP, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Pinal County, Arizona Department of Water Resources, and the City of Mesa.

ADEQ Reorganizing

A proposed reorganization plan for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is available for public review. The design scraps the current media-based structure (air, water and waste) in favor of three functionally-oriented divisions: inspections, compliance and enforcement; permits and remediation; and environmental science and planning. In addition, Community Programs (including public information) and Support Services will report to the Deputy Director.

The goal is to improve communication, efficiency and flexibility by consolidating similar functions, thereby improving customer service. After receiving feedback on the plan, ADEQ will begin the implementation phase.

Arizona Rivers Listed as Endangered

Three rivers that run through Arizona have the dubious distinction of being listed as among the Southwest's most endangered streams. The list, compiled by American Rivers, includes the Gila, San Pedro and Virgin rivers.

American Rivers noted that the Gila River is the only U.S. river basin with all 47 of its freshwater fish species either extinct, listed as threatened or endangered or recommended as candidates of such listings. The Gila enters Arizona from New Mexico and flows through metropolitan Phoenix, before joining the Colorado River near Yuma.

The San Pedro is endangered by groundwater pumping in the Sierra Vista area, a large upriver Mexican copper mine and the introduction of non-native fish, according to the conservation group. The San Pedro flows north from Mexico, joining the Gila River southeast of Phoenix.

The Virgin River in northwest Arizona is considered threatened due to increasing demand for its waters by both Las Vegas and southwestern Utah, according to the organization. Increased water demands purportedly threaten several endangered native fish.

Beavers May Again Dam San Pedro

After a long absence, beaver may return to the San Pedro River. Its reintroduction is proposed in the Habitat Management Plan for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

Once abundant in the San Pedro area, the beaver's demise was partly the result of fur trapping during 1820-30. Pressures from settlement -- grazing, water diversion and groundwater pumping -- later sealed the beavers' fate. The military dynamited beaver dams to halt the spread of malaria.

Beavers now are understood as contributing to the health of riparian areas and reintroduction programs have been underway for more than 75 years. By building dams, beavers widen the riparian strip, lessen erosion, slow flood waters, as well as provide new habitat for wildlife and fish.

The Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona Department of Game and Fish propose reintroducing the beaver as part of a strategy to restore the San Pedro River within the National Conservation Area. The first beavers could be released in September, and a total of 30 pairs may eventually inhabit the area.

For information about the project contact: the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Beaver Scoping, 12661 E. Broadway, Tucson Arizona, 85748.

Three Riparian Species Proposed as Endangered

Endangered status is proposed for a salamander and two water plants found only in cienegas in the Santa Cruz and San Pedro river watersheds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) proposed listing the Sonora tiger salamander, Canelo Hills ladies' tresses, a yellow and white orchid, and the Huachuca water umbel, a floating plant. Threats to the species include habitat degradation, illegal collection, disease, predation and competition with non-native species.

The proposed designation has sparked controversy. Ranchers fear special protection for the species will restrict their operations. Irrigators fear groundwater pumping may be cut.

"Grazing does not appear to be a real threat," said Jim Rorabaugh, a USFW biologist, although he noted overgrazing may be an issue. The agency indicated, however, that future increases in groundwater pumping and associated declines in perennial surface water flows may pose a threat to the habitat of the two plant species. The salamander species actually depends on ongoing operation of livestock tanks.

The controversy over potential listing of endangered species usually heats up if critical habitat is established by USFW. At the time of the proposed listing, critical habitat was not designated. Jeff Humphrey of USFW indicated that habitat designation may not be part of the management plan for these species. USFW hopes to cooperate with ranchers and the U.S. Forest Service to improve habitat.

For more information contact State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 West Royal Palm Rd., Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021; phone 602-640-2720.

Owl Proposed as Endangered, Too

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed endangered species status for the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. Ranging throughout much of Mexico into Central America, the owl prefers riparian habitat. Its range within Arizona extends north to New River at elevations below 3000 feet. The Service believes its demise is largely due to destruction of habitat, caused by water pumping and diversion, dams, urban development and overgrazing.

The proposed listing designates the owl as "endangered" and declares certain areas "critical habitat."

The proposed areas include most of the Santa Cruz River and Rillito Creek in the Tucson area and portions of the San Pedro, New, and Gila Rivers. A critical habitat designation primarily affects federal actions in the critical area. Private, state, and local government actions are unaffected, unless those actions require a federal permit or involve federal funding.

Comments range from strong support to strong opposition. Some opponents believe listing the owl is unwarranted because the bird never was common in Arizona, and the Arizona portion of its range is not significant to the survival of the species.

The proposal is in the Federal Register, Dec. 12, 1994 - 50CFR Part 17. For more information contact: Robert Marshall, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, 2321 W. Royal Palm, #103, Phoenix AZ 85021. Phone 602-640-2750.