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<br />tJ'.IlI I t:<, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />N <br /> <br />E <br /> <br />w <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Arizona Water Protection Fund <br /> <br />LET T E R <br /> <br />Spring 1999 <br /> <br />An Update for Arizonans Concerned with Natural Resources <br /> <br />INSIDE: <br /> <br />GRANT AWARDS FOR 1998 FUNDING CYCLE <br /> <br />PROJECT PROFILES: <br /> <br />. Lofer Cienega Restoration <br /> <br />. Big Sandy River Riparian Project <br /> <br />. Eagle Creek Watershed and Riparian Stabilization <br /> <br />. Completion Phase: Hi-Point Well Project <br /> <br />. Lyle Canyon Allotment Riparian Area Restoration Project <br /> <br />In 1994, the Arizona Legislature created the Arizona Water <br />Protection Fund (AWPF) as <br /> <br />"an annual source of monies for the development and <br />implementation of measures to protect water of sufficient quality <br />and quantity to maintain, enhance and restore rivers and streams <br />and associated riparian habitat" <br /> <br />An annual grant program is offered by the AWPF Commission <br />and administered by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. <br /> <br />FOCUS ON: <br />GRAZING MANAGEMENT <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />The Arizona Water Protection Fund <br />Commission contracted with a private <br />consultant in the spring of 1998 to <br />conduct a public review of its program. <br />A pu blic review once every three years is <br />required by statute. Statewide, <br />respondents most frequently identified <br />two issues of concern: development and <br />grazing. The Spring 1999 issue of the <br />AWPF Newsletterfocuses on the latter, <br />grazing management. <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />We've selected five projects to highlight. <br />All are partially financed by AWPF grants. <br />The applicants are varied, the locations <br />are varied, and the focus of each project <br />responds to the specific situation. These <br />projects illustrate the types of local <br />actions which can have long-term <br />benefits for Arizona's rivers and streams. <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />It's no wonder that grazing management <br />surfaced as an issue of concern. Much of <br />the uplands in Arizona's watersheds are <br />used by livestock and wildlife for grazing. <br />The two often compete for both forage <br />and water. Resource managers must <br />constantly evaluate range and habitat <br />condition and prescribe appropriate <br />actions. <br /> <br />A watershed functions as a unit. If a <br />watershed is in good condition, it is likely <br />that we'll find a functioning stream and <br />healthy riparian areas. Changes in the <br />stream and its riparian areas will occur <br />in response to activities upstream or <br />elsewhere in the watershed. <br /> <br />Continued on Page 2 <br />