Little Colorado River Watershed Coordinating Council (LCR-WCC)

3rd Quarter Meeting 2006

Holbrook City Hall Council Chambers, Holbrook, AZ

July 13, 2006, 10:00 am

Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions: Larry Winn, Council Chairman, called the meeting to order at approximately 10:10 am, and attendees introduced themselves.

RC&D Coordinator’s Report: Dennis Chandler reminded contributors of the "humble beginnings" of the LCR-WCC. It started in a meeting with approximately five persons and is now a large group of contributors collaborating together to solve issues. Much progress has been made, though we still only have a portion of those who should be at the table.

Implementation of the LCR Watershed Management Plan and its associated model will be significant milestone, and it only signals the beginning of LCR-WCC efforts.

The hiring of Ron Smith, as Watershed Project Director, has been in important step in moving the council forward. Ron has brought passion and energy to the table, and is helping to keep us focused on the tasks at hand. Good things are happening.

Chairman’s Report: Larry Winn indicated that the continuously climbing price of oil is creating within us a greater appreciation of what we have in this country and this region. There is significant reason to try to be more efficient about planning to protect the lifestyle we enjoy.

Larry expressed appreciation to the council’s federal partners and added that the council is continuously seeking to increase their participation and the participation of state governments. Arizona and New Mexico are currently in a fairly good position in relation to other states, and the council should continue to work with officials in Phoenix and Santa Fe for assistance and resources. Water decisions are in large part being primarily made in the capital cities. We need be at those tables to influence decisions.

The Statewide Water Resources Advisory Group (Arizona) is critical. J.R. Despain, Navajo County Supervisor, concurred and stated that legislative changes and funding decisions are expected. Both Supervisor Despain and Mayor Dyson actively serve on this advisory group.

Larry reported that he and Ron Smith met with the Arizona office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). There is money available for watershed restoration; however, there is not a single CRP contract in Arizona. A rate structure is not yet established for various types of restoration work in Arizona. These rates in Northeastern Arizona should be set by local county committees. By working with these committees and applying for CRP funds for LCR-WCC projects, the council can pioneer a statewide watershed restoration approach. It was agreed that LCR-WCC representatives should meet with county committee members in the near future, and invite them to the next quarterly meeting.

Watershed Project Director’s Report: Ron Smith thanked contributors for their photographs of the LCR watershed. Using these photos, a banner for the Council has been designed and is nearly complete.

Ron and Larry Winn met recently with Congressman Renzi, who expressed support and excitement for LCR-WCC projects. Additionally, letters were sent to other Arizona and New Mexico Senators and Representatives to request support and federal funding. Funding approval for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would greatly assist the Winslow and Watershed Management Plan projects.

Ron met in recent weeks with the Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Committee, the Navajo and Apache Counties Mayors and Councilmembers Association and city of Flagstaff. He reported that additional partnership agreements have been received, including those from local communities and the Navajo Nation, and reiterated the need for collaboration, "None of us are as smart as all of us."

Ron introduced Doug Ressler, of Northland Pioneer College, as Stakeholder Education Committee Chair.

Ron reminded contributors to track their volunteer hours on the volunteer record sheet, to document the organization’s grant match commitment.

The LCR-WCC is in need of a power point projector. Anyone wishing to donate should contact Ron.

Review and Approval of April 13th Meeting Summary Notes: Contributors voted to approve the April 13 minutes.

Agency Spotlight

Dr. Douglas Gann/Linda Marie Golier, Center for Desert Archaeology "Status of the LCR National Heritage Area"

Dr. Gann indicated that he has previously resided in Flagstaff, and has done much work at Homolovi State Park. Accordingly, he has personal interest in the LCR watershed.

The Center for Desert Archaeology is seeking to establish a National Heritage Area (NHA) in the LCR Valley, modeled after the proposed Santa Cruz National Heritage Area. The proposed boundary mimics the LCR watershed boundary.

An act of Congress is required to establish a NHA, and a National Park (Petrified Forest National Park in this case) is needed as a guiding partner. The steps include: 1) feasibility study report; 2) public involvement; 3) demonstration of public support; and 4) commitment from key organizations. The feasibility study is expected to be ongoing for two years. Partnerships are needed, and the Center will be soliciting letters of support to go along with the forthcoming feasibility study report.

The establishment of heritage areas is a relatively new, regional approach to rural community development. Currently, only two National Heritage Areas exist west of the Mississippi River, including the Yuma Crossing NHA in Arizona. NHAs celebrate patterns and traditional landscapes (natural or anthropogenic) across an area (e.g. ranching). They have the effect of freeing up grant monies and enhancing economic development, and no federal land use restrictions are created. If approved by Congress, a non-profit organization would be established, tied to Petrified Forest National Park, whereby $750,000 may be granted for eligible projects (with a 100 percent federal match requirement).

Linda Marie Golier is the contact for this ongoing effort.

Larry Winn thanked Dr. Gann and Linda Golier for their presentation. He added that the LCR-WCC will look at this effort with increasing care and cooperation.

Watershed Management Plan Technical Advisory Team Report: Darlene Tuel and Ron Smith reported that the team is working on items 7 and 8 of the Watershed Management Plan, outreach and funding strategies. The goal is to obtain the hardware and software needed to model and display watershed data (NEMO data and additional data) in a visual format. The Bureau of Reclamation is instrumental in this process, and is preparing a matrix to select the most useful model.

Darlene reminded contributors to visit the NEMO Web site: http://www.srnr.arizona.edu/nemo/ for various watershed maps and the Watershed Based Plan documents (coming soon).

David Newlin reiterated the importance of being able to model the effects of groundwater withdrawl on the water table.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources’ Water Atlas for the LCR region is available in draft form at www.azwater.gov. The public may comment on this draft.

Spike Simmons reminded contributors of the importance of including LCR watershed data from New Mexico whenever possible.

There is a possibility of utilizing Northland Pioneer College students for gathering additional data, as needed.

Winslow/Holmolovi Riparian Ecosystem Restoration Project Action Team Report:

New partnerships continue to come forth. Recently, representatives from the governor’s office and Congressman Renzi’s office have joined the project action team.

Navajo County and the LCRWCC are attempting to engage the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in providing assistance and funding for the project, including the levee repair and upgrade portion of the project. The timeline for design and construction is approximately six to eight years, and county cost share will be needed for the levee work.

Larry Winn indicated that the Winslow Project is a matter of combining significant interests for safety, riparian restoration, trail systems, economic development, education enhancement, recreation enhancement, archaeological and historical restoration and protection, etc. The Winslow project is large and spans the spectrum of human needs.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) continues riparian restoration along the Chevelon Creek portion of the project area. Livestock fencing, aerial photographs, salt cedar inventories and project design activities have all begun. Also, AGFD has been encouraging upstream landowners to restore their own lands, and thus broaden the project scope and outcomes.

Woodruff Project Action Team Report: No report.

Leroux Wash Project Action Team Report: David Newlin said the goals behind this project are to more efficiently use effluent, including expansion of the golf course to 18 holes, enhance enjoyment of the area (e.g. further development of the petroglyph park), and improve development potential on either side of Leroux Wash. One of the most important first steps is to evaluate the alkali soil problems in the area.

The city recently bulldozed 5 acres of Salt Cedar, and will observe the rate at which the plant returns.

Springerville Marsh Project Action Team Report: Mayor Dyson indicated that, due to efforts to seal the liner, pond #1 is now retaining water and useful vegetation is growing. The wildlife area has already been improved, with more improvements expected.

The ultimate goal of the project is to better manage two adjacent, yet separate, sewer systems and develop an efficient method of effluent reuse in Round Valley. This is taking place one step at a time.

David Newlin suggested that, if grain is available, the relatively close proximity of the Holbrook and Springerville marshes would create a great birding area.

Mayor Dyson also thanked Tom Subirge and the U.S. Forest Service for the Upper Little Colorado River Watershed Partnership watershed-based plan.

Project Evaluation and Rating Procedure Process: Ron Smith addressed the need for evaluating and rating future projects and ensuring that they are consistent with the LCR-WCC vision and mission. The Watershed Health and Restoration Projects Committee will be preparing a manual to evaluate and prioritize proposed projects for LCR-WCC support. This manual should be available for review by the next quarterly meeting.

New Business from Contributors

Mike Ingraldi reported that the Arizona Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working cooperatively on a map of watershed restoration projects within the watershed. He asked that contributors supply information on project locations. He displayed several maps that are currently under development.

Sarah Harris, of Western Weed Eaters (www.westernweedeaters.com), reported on her use of goats to restore the LCR banks and eradicate salt cedar and noxious weeds in the vicinity of McClaws Rd., in Holbrook. 750 trained goats are clearing unwanted vegetation at a rate of 1.5 acres per day. Goats prefer to browse by eating brush and trees from top to bottom, and to leave grasses alone. They effectively dry out and damage salt cedar stands. Once the plants are damaged, they can be cut and removed. Fencing is flexible to keep goats from foraging useful and endangered plants. Sarah’s costs per acre of treatment depend on site conditions, but a rough estimate is $500 per acre, not including tree removal costs.

Byron James reported on an initiative of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to help small communities comply with environmental laws, including a new agency policy and several new brochures. This information may be accessed on-line at: www.azdeq.gov. Also, it is expected that ADEQ will be accepting Water Quality Improvement Grant applications by the time of the next quarterly meeting.

With respect to the Winslow Standin’ on the Corner Park, Byron reported that, on July 17, Governor Napolitano will present a check for $96,600 to the city of Winslow for clean up of burned debris.

Larry Winn reported that the McKinley Soil and Water Conservation District will soon complete treatment of 700 acres of salt cedar near Gallup, via aerial pesticide application. Also, the district has submitted a grant application for a mulcher for efficient disposal of dead wood.

Next Quarterly Meeting Date: Wednesday October 11, 10:00 am, Holbrook City Council Chambers.

Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:15 pm.