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<br />U U iJ '12 7 <br />Arizona Water Protection Fund NeAtter <br /> <br />Hi-Point Well Project <br /> <br />From Page 6 <br /> <br />The delivery system would provide water <br />to 26 previously unwatered sections. <br /> <br />The Navajo County NRCD applied to the <br />AWPF for a grant to construct pipelines, <br />water troughs, cross-fencing, and a <br />storage tank. AGFD agreed to cost-share <br />the 1 OO,OOO-gallon storage tank. AGFD, <br />SLD and NRCS would conduct biological <br />monitoring and the O'Haco family would <br />be responsible for maintenance of the <br />water system. The AWPF Commission <br />rejected the NRCD's first proposal. A <br />second grant application was submitted <br />the following year and was successful. <br />The Navajo County NRCD was awarded <br />a $78,000 grant in the 1996 funding <br />cycle to execute the completion phase of <br />the Hi-Point Well Project. The water <br />distribution system is operating and the <br />cross-fence, the last component of the <br />project, will be completed soon. <br /> <br />The Hi-Point Well Project was conceived <br />in response to deteriorating watershed <br />conditions due to increased use by big <br />game animals on an area grazed by <br />domestic livestock. The project area <br />provides habitat for domestic cattle, elk, <br />antelope, mule deer, and other wildlife. <br />With improved vegetative cover, there <br />will be reduced erosion and sediment <br />yield to the Little Colorado River. . <br /> <br />Mark Haver, NRCS Range Conservationist, <br />manages this project for the NRCD. You can <br />contact Mark in Holbrook at 520-524-2652. <br /> <br />Lyle Canyon Allotment <br />Riparian Restoration Area Project <br />BYRD LINDSEY <br /> <br />The Lyle Canyon Allotment is located on <br />the Coronado National Forest on the <br />west side of the Huachuca Mountains in <br />Cochise County. The 11,500 acre <br />allotment is divided into eight pastures. <br />Water from Lyle Canyon flows to the <br />Babocomari River, a main tributary of the <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />San Pedro River. The purpose of the <br />project is to restore and protect the <br />riparian areas including obligate riparian <br />species u sycamore, willow, walnut, and <br />cottonwood trees -- in the Lyle Canyon <br />Allotment through improved grazing <br />management. <br /> <br />The Lindseys, a five-generation ranching <br />family, had recently acquired the grazing <br />permit for the allotment. The previous <br />permittee had left the allotment <br />(especially the riparian areas) in very poor <br />condition. The primary cause was <br />uncontrolled grazing although human <br />recreational activities (camping and <br />A TVs) had also negatively impacted the <br />area. <br /> <br />According to USFS range and watershed <br />staff, "The allotment had a history of <br />poor management and grazing related <br />problems. In the short time the Lindseys <br />have had the allotment, they have done <br />a tremendous amount of work to bring <br />the existing fences and water develop- <br />ments into working order so the cattle <br />can be managed properly." <br /> <br />The Lindseys demonstrated good land <br />stewardship. They were already <br />practicing responsible grazing on <br />adjacent allotments and on their deeded <br />land. The ranch utilized a rest-rotation <br />grazing method. To continue their <br />restoration efforts on the Lyle Canyon <br />Allotment, the family asked the AWPF for <br />$ 55,500. Fences, two wells, a water <br />storage tank, pipelines and drinkers were <br />proposed. The family would provide most <br />of the labor and maintain the <br />improvements. <br /> <br />Water developments would allow <br />utilization of previously unused upland <br />range. Riparian fencing would limit <br />access to previously overused riparian <br />areas during the growing season. <br />However, flexibility to graze the riparian <br />pastures during non-sensitive times was <br />needed to reduce fire hazards. <br />Continued on Page 8 <br /> <br />Spring 1999 <br /> <br />Problem: Poor fencing <br />and lack of fencing have <br />allowed the cattle to <br />range freely for the last <br />100 years. Solution: <br />Install fences in strategic <br />areas so the cattle can <br />be moved away from <br />the riparian area during <br />sensitive times. <br /> <br />Problem: Lack of <br />developed water in the <br />uplands of some <br />pastures have forced the <br />cattle to remain in <br />riparian areas. Solution: <br />New well, pump, storage <br />tank, pipeline and <br />drinkers to keep cattle in <br />uplands. <br /> <br />Problem: The riparian <br />area was the only source <br />of water in one of the <br />pastures. Solution: New <br />well, pump and pipeline <br />to usually dry dirt tank. <br /> <br />Problem: A dirt tank <br />immediately upstream <br />from a riparian area had <br />been washed out. <br />Solution: Clean out <br />existing dirt tank to <br />facilitate recharge and <br />improve riparian area <br /> <br />"We know we can once <br />again obtain a balance <br />in the ecosystem if we <br />can control the cattle <br />ranging patterns with <br />better management <br />and rotation. " <br /> <br />Byrd Lindsey <br /> <br />7 <br />