1/29/2009 10:58:00 PM Groups rally for pipeline mitigation plan
Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier
Michelle Harrington of the Center for Biological Diversity dressed up as a desert nesting bald eagle at Wednesday’s rally on the courthouse plaza in Prescott.
A woman dressed as a water-guzzling man shouted to another woman dressed as a fish on Prescott's courthouse plaza Wednesday.
"I've got a mitigation plan! It's right here," said the costumed person holding a 'guzzler' sign and a huge mug marked 'Verde.'
"Show us your plan! There's not very many of us left!" responded the fish.
"Gimme a minute! It's in here somewhere!" said the guzzler, clearly a representation of the City of Prescott and its plan to build a water pipeline from the Big Chino Valley to the city.
The phrase "mitigation plan" was the repeated theme for the day Wednesday as several environmental groups staged skits on the plaza and then presented more detailed arguments that evening.
The groups are highlighting their call for a detailed written mitigation plan to protect the Verde River before Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley build any pipelines to the Big Chino aquifer.
Scientists generally agree that Big Chino groundwater supplies at least 80 percent of the flow of the Upper Verde River during dry seasons.
The groups rolled out a petition that they said at least 900 people personally signed, with 16,000 more online signatures. The petition also calls for a comprehensive mitigation plan.
About 60-70 people attended the noon rally. A dozen or so of them, led by Michelle Harrington of the Center for Biological Diversity dressed as a desert bald eagle, then crossed the street to Prescott City Hall and presented the roll of petitions to the city clerk.
Is a plan necessary?
Prescott is leading the pipeline efforts, and its officials have said repeatedly that they have mitigation ideas even though they are not presented together in a document or even necessarily in writing.
Chino Valley Mayor Karen Fann says her town will produce a mitigation plan before moving ahead on its pipeline plans.
Prescott Mayor Jack Wilson, who did not attend either of the events, called Wednesday's plaza rally a "completely one-sided affair" and a "publicity stunt." He questioned the need for a detailed written mitigation plan.
"Why would Prescott and Prescott Valley do that?" Wilson said. "Other than, we've got some eco-nuts telling us to do it."
Wilson's comments were a stark contrast to his written comments to The Daily Courier while running for office in August 2007.
"Prescott needs a mitigation plan and environmental impact statement before pumping begins," Wilson said. At that time, Wilson was a member of the Citizens Water Advocacy Group, which helped lead Wednesday's events.
"The only thing I changed my mind on is the EIS (environmental impact statement study), because I listened to the lawyers on that and I understand the law," Wilson explained.
Prescott at one time had a stakeholders' group working on a draft mitigation plan, but disbanded those talks before Wilson took office.
Others call for plan
Besides the environmental and conservation groups, those calling for a detailed written mitigation plan include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, downstream Town of Camp Verde and the Salt River Project, which uses the river water for its Phoenix-area customers.
In written protests to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, other governments including the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Yavapai-Apache Nation have predicted dire consequences to the river if Prescott builds a pipeline.
The pipeline design is nearly complete and Prescott officials say they have spent $34.7 million on the project so far. They expect the pipeline to cost more than $170 million.
Arizona Game and Fish predicted that if Prescott moves ahead with its plan to use as much as 14,000 acre-feet annually from its Big Chino wells, it will "substantially reduce baseflow in the upper Verde River, resulting in significant impacts to wildlife habitat, as well as direct impacts to the department's Upper Verde Wildlife Area."
U.S. Fish and Wildlife has stated in writing that the pipeline "could result in take of federally listed species," which would violate the Endangered Species Act.
That agency repeatedly has urged the Prescott-area communities to create a Habitat Conservation Plan with the agency, a formal mitigation plan that could protect the cities from potential lawsuits. The Salt River Project, the City of Phoenix and Pima County have created such plans.
Panel discussions
At Wednesday's panel discussion attended by at least 150 people, Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) member John Zambrano outlined numerous potential elements for a mitigation plan.
"We know a mitigation plan will be difficult and perhaps costly, but without it, we're going to lose the river," Zambrano predicted. (See related downloads below.)
Several speakers said the alternative will be to spend money on lawsuits instead. The Salt River Project already has filed a lawsuit related to the pipeline.
CWAG member Howard Mechanic said the cities have plenty of time to work on a mitigation plan, since they have enough water to last another 16 years even if historical years of rapid population growth continue.
CWAG member Ken Janacek urged the municipalities to wait on any pipeline construction until the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation completes a broader study of regional water needs.
He suggested this region could partner with Coconino County on a Colorado River pipeline. Coconino County, its municipalities and Navajo officials are farther along in a similar study. (See related downloads below.)
Sierra Club member Gary Beverly, a former chemistry professor, asked the audience to help his efforts to get Congress to designate the Upper Verde as a Wild and Scenic River.
"Take some personal action to save this river," he said.
Posted: Sunday, February 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom Steele
quality of life for people living here is on the line. Our bought and paid for politicians who lobby for development and therefore additional lost water reserves need replacing. George Seaman has tried to be Supervisor district One and address these issues. How hard did "YOU" work to elect him? Then consider yourself part of the problem.
Posted: Saturday, January 31, 2009
Article comment by:
Bobby Fields
Mayor Wilson disgraces the people of Prescott every time he calls 911 for some idiotic reason, won't let people speak before the council without him personally insulting them, or fails to stand behind his election promises. If only I lived within the city limits, it would be my pleasure to vote him out of office. Jack Wilson needs to go, regardless of what happens with this issue. As for me, I support safe yield at the lowest possible economic cost to the taxpayers, with the lowest environmental cost to Yavapai County and the Verde River. Nobody can convince me yet that pumping 1400 acre feet per year from the Big Chino Aquifer and piping it to Prescott & Prescott Valley is the answer. Why on earth would any reasonable person be AGAINST a mitigation plan? Looking at the referenced presentations helped a little as to educating me on the current "hydrologic reality", but there is one thing we have yet to hear. What is the estimated number of acre feet per year that we can safely pump from the Big Chino WITHOUT significantly affecting the flow of the Verde River? It seems to me that might be a good starting point for a mitigation plan. It is unreasonable to focus so intently on a single course of action when it does not appear the affected parties have given enough consideration to alternative courses of action. A mitigation plan is the first step to exploring ALL of our options. I could be wrong, but this is the single biggest proposed expenditure I can recall in many years. It would be foolish to keep moving this train forward without doing a little more homework.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
The Verde River Network
It was those "eco-nuts" who did the legwork to get Wilson elected. He won by barely more than 40 votes. I did a significant amount of legwork for his campaign, and the two words I would like to say to him here can not be printed. Suffice to say, I would like the knife to be removed from our collective backs now, thank you.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
William Wallace
Dear Harry,
Back in 1999 when the farmers were notified that they were going to lose ten percent of their water rights each year until they were gone, I tried so hard to help them. It was so unfair, and their farms were so beautiful. They had been through so many hard times on that land, and had worked it for generations. They ended up with a 10-year reprieve. Back then Jim Holtz tried to pull me into some acre foot math formula equation conversation. I told him, "I don't have to know your math. I know right from wrong."
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Rancher up north
Was the "publicity stunt" Jack was referring to the one he and his cronies pulled to get him elected? If he wants to salvage any part of his reputation and political career, he needs to get back to the basics and decent leadership. You can only sell 'em worthless snake oil "cure all" remedies for so long before they wise up and run you out of town! Just ask Blagojevich!
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
H
The mayor is listening to lawyers?? Who's best interest do they look out for other then their own? The longer they can drag things out the more they make.
Start listening to the people in the county for Pete's sake not the lawyers that are looking to line their pockets!
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Harry
To Voice of Reason: Doesn’t matter what the total storage is… because the Verde is the discharge point. Here's a simple math lesson. Historic pumping in the Big Chino has been recorded as around 14K-20K acre-feet/year. About half of that, 7K afy, because it was irrigation water, seeped back into the aquifer. Current usage is about 12K afy counting irrigation seepage. Recharge in the Big Chino is about 25K afy, discharge to the Verde about 15K afy. The basin is “close” to sustainable use now, though the Verde is getting the short end of the stick. Add 14K afy to that? Bye-bye Verde.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
George
To the "Voice of Reason", There may be that much "recoverable water" in the aquifer, but there is definitely NOT that much water that can be pumped before it begins to affect the flow of the springs. And of course that is what the entire discussion is about. The flows of the springs occur near the top of all of that water, draw it down to a level that is below the springs and voila! No river.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Just another local Prescottonian
Mayor Wilson is a complete disappointment and disgrace to this community. Mayor Wilson just step down because you are surely not stepping up and supporting us as you said you would before you were put in office! It is a very sad day in Prescott Politics. Get in a boat and float down the Verde then make your decision after experiencing the only perennial river in Yavapai County it would be very hard to accept this pipeline as justifiable . One more note.. 16 years of water left...then what...what happens then, to the children, pets, plants, gardens, quality of life when the water is gone and we are left with Restrictions and all the Lawyers, Mayor Wilson, and all the other people unaffected by their actions are gone looking for other sources of water because they used all of ours...
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Off the deep end
I've supported Mayor Wilson before, but now I think he's off in the deep end. What was once (in my mind) a conscientious man is now one corrupted by politics.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
William Wallace
I am so amazed that the Prescott City Council does not seem to have noticed that the market collapsed. The money for the pipeline cannot possibly come from new construction. Prescott Valley only had one housing start during December. It is going to be at least four years before people start building again. Where is the $170 million going to come from? Where did the $34.7 million that the City of Prescott has already spent on the pipeline come from? How about a mitigation plan for the taxpayer.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
P.O.'d in Paulden
"Eco-Nut" ? If Wilson calls me an "Eco-Nut" because I don't want my well to dry up, so be it. But I've got names for him and all his little buddies too, but you wont print them in a family newspaper. I hope that SRP and all the other entities going to court bleed every last dollar you have set aside so far. After all, it's not your money or the money of your developer friends that will be used, it's the hard working taxpayers of your "Kingdoms" that will suffer.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Pike's
MayorWilson is obviously a man atuned to nature and in touch with the people. His intellegent and sensitve comments regarding the silly issue of water and the guaranteed future of Prescott is sheer genius. The people are lucky to have been blessed with such an incredible visionary. His attempts to defuse a small "publicity stunt" by publicly commenting on it is laughable. He comes across like some silly park bench wino/curmudgeon who only makes things worse for himself whenever he opens his mouth without thinking first. Nice one Mayor, you've instilled confidence in us all!
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Voice of Reason
According to Ed McGavock, former USGS hydrologist, currently with a hydrology consulting firm, there are more than 10,000,000 acre-feet of recoverable ground water in the Big Chino Aquifer. The pipeline is going to use 14,000 acre-feet per year, which by the way has been historically pumped out of the aquifer from ranches that have sold their water rights to the towns involved. If the Verde did not dry up when the ranches were pumping the water, why will it suddenly dry up now?
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
One-term Jack
Mr. Mayor, you don't know Jack! Way to go, alienating all sides. The eco-nuts understand the law -- and a lot more -- better than you do. Good luck back in civilian life after the next election!
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom Steele
I like Mayor Wilson, but he is wrong. He should listen to the professional hydrologists and not water attorneys. A mitigation plan is appropriate to say, legally, if "X" happens, we agree to do "Y" to correct. Everyone verbally is saying if the Verde recedes in flow to a certain point; we will stop pumping. So; put it into writing! Bottom line, it's the development interests versus the needs of those who want to preserve "Quality of Life" for all.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
MIKE B.
WHAT COMES NEXT? BURN YOUR BRA'S TO SAVE THE VERDE. THIS IS NOT THE SIXTY'S
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
R
Let me get this straight. Perfectly straight. Human beings who care about our natural resources and specifically our beautiful Verde River are 'eco-nuts' and should be belittled and ignored. Much like the Bush administration our city council has chosen to ignore facts and re-write science to fit their own ends. Their ends are to grow Prescott for the benefit of the investor/developer/construction interests ... ignoring our present quality of life and the beautiful area we inhabit. Mayor Wilson, and most of the Prescott city council (and those of Prescott and Chino Valleys) have completely lost touch with the people they were elected to represent. The incumbents who are running in the upcoming election (and I include the Great Pontificator Blair) should not and must not be elected this time around.
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
Article comment by:
George Seaman
Joanna, Again a very good job covering this complex issue in one article. I think you did a wonderful job. Now the question that is burning in my mind..."eco-nuts"? Did our illustrious mayor resort to name calling yet again?!?! I guess if he doesn't have anything constructive or informative to tell us, like exactly why he has made a 180 on his position regarding the river and the pumping, he is left with nothing else to do except call his former friends and allies names! It is really a sad day in Prescott politics. I would suggest to the mayor that the answer to his question about why the cities should do a mitigation plan is not because some "eco-nuts" are telling them to, but rather because it would make almost all of the litigation simply go away and save the city millions of dollars in unnecessary legal fees. Instead he'd rather listen to these high dollar Phoenix lawyers about what they think needs to be done right here in Yavapai County than talk to the people that put him in office. I suppose he should already understand that the reason they want there to be no mitigation plan is so that they can spend the next generation defending the city against lawsuits and racking up tens of millions of dollars in legal fees in the process. Way to go Mr Mayor!
