Arizona Water Resource Mar-Apr 2005

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March -April 2005 Arizona Water Resource 3 Wdtr Vdors r WRRC Conference Addresses Ecosystem Restoration One of the more obvious conclusions arising from the Water Resources Research Center's recent conference, "Water and the Environment: The Role of Ecosystem Restoration," is that ecosystem restoration projects are many, varied and wide- ranging — and many and varied are the organiza- tions and agencies undertaking the work. At least one of the organizations rep- resented at the conference is relatively new to the activity. The conference opened with Bill Dawson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who reflected that his agency has not traditionally been considered an ecosys- tem restorer. That the Corps is now doing its part to restore ecosystems indicates the emerging importance of the issue. Sharing a common commitment with the Corps is rancher Jim Crosswhite, anoth- er conference participant. Like the Corps, ranchers traditionally have not been thought to be committed to ecosystem restoration; yet Crosswhite described at the conference steps he was taking to restore and protect environmental conditions at his EC Bar Ranch in Nutrioso. From a large federal agency to an indi- vidual rancher, those involved in ecosystem restoration activities cover a wide range of interests. From the Lower Colorado River Multispecies Conservation Program to a restored stream channel on the EC Bar Ranch, the types of ecosystem restora- tion projects range far and wide in size and complexity. This then was what the confer- ence was about: a wide range of interests involved in projects ranging far and wide in size and complexity The conference was an opportunity for various agencies or organizations to show- case ecosystem restoration projects in which they are involved. Maricopa County, Pima County, City of Phoenix, Salt River Project, U.S. Geological Survey and researchers at Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona Ecosystem Restoration by the Freeway Photo: Flood Control District of Maricopa County Above was one of the oddest restoration projects discussed at the WRRC conference. Presented by Mike Ellegood of the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, the scene is a study in contrast: a wetland with grasses and trees, with two major Phoenix area freeways, Loop 101 and Loop 202, in the background. Once again, it would seem, the environment is taking a beating, this time violated by the intru- sion of high -rise freeways. But it is not as simple as that. The above is a naturally occurring wetland that formed in the area; it is an environmental restoration project that developed without human intervention, neither designed nor constructed and requiring no funding. Its origins can be traced to described their ecosystem restoration work. Conducted in Tucson, the April 6 event was the latest in WRRC's series of annual the 1993 flood which scoured out an indentation. The indentation then filled with water; birds be- gan showing up, transporting seeds and vegetation grew Beavers now live and reproduce in the wet- land that receives waterfrom the City of Mesas wastewater treatmentplant and freeway drainage. It is known far and wide as an excellent birding site because of the many and various birds it at- tracts. A wetland island serves as a rookery for snowy egrets. Efforts to have the Audubon Society recog- ni fe the wetland as a birding site were unsuccess- ful because of the proximity of the freeway: bird songs are heard against the backdrop of traffic noise, and highway trash litter land and water. conferences addressing state water issues. The series is an outreach service to the Arizona water community and the public : Ar�ona Water $esecurce is �ublishecl' G tunes per dear k��r tk�e Unfvek� of zona�s CX!acen soltrces.Researcll Cuter: AWR aecejstg ews, au� nounceerits and other informaboxn aIl ogaxt�o� Elrt vna ateet R s4str a St FK Air *406 tlVAi r Reset Ecieor Joe Geft Water ResouxGesRese h jgelt a�ag;`arJZo�;edu �ollege�b��uti�e a,� ��, J E&649-, ss]stant ' Gabriel t ea e T1te l v e 1 v 7- t-- WRAC web size 5 r Tucstn'Aoia } k 7�r� ter; W1�R� Dtrecfor Dr. Sh�rofs�lViegd�l _��atl, w`rrc��a1 '�'