Save the Verde! News Special & Action Items

Greetings,

"The Battle for the Verde" is the feature story in the May 14 edition of High Country News.  It highlights the many agreements and disagreements between community officials, scientists, regulators, water providers and citizen groups.  It also captures the life that surrounds and relies on the Verde River.

The article quotes Laurie Wirt's USGS report co-author Victoria Langenheim about the impacts to the Upper Verde springs from groundwater pumping in the Big Chino Sub-basin:  "All the water level indicators do suggest that groundwater there is moving towards the river.  If you pump water out of it, it will affect the springs."

NEW THREAT TO THE VERDE:  Chino Valley Approves New Pipeline
Nope, not the "old" pipeline, but a "new" and "entirely-their-own-pipeline."  Last Thursday, the Chino Valley Town Council voted to approve through an emergency clause the lease of historically irrigated acres from the new owners of the CV/CF Ranch, Chino Grande, LLC.  Chino Grande will build a $15 million pipeline from the ranch to Chino Valley which will transport up to 3,000 acre-feet of water per year – enough for 6,000 to 9,000 new homes.  Questions remain as to whether the town provided adequate notice to the public about the agenda changes and whether the emergency clause was necessary.  The public and officials in neighboring communities were caught by complete surprise by Chino Valley's water grab.  You can read more about the action here.

Historically irrigated acres (HIA) are those lands that were in agricultural production between 1975 and 1990.  Transporting water associated with HIA out of the Big Chino Sub-basin removes it entirely from the hydrologic system, whereas irrigation returns around half of the water to the aquifer.  HIA is also not currently irrigated, and pumping water associated with HIA is therefore in addition to current pumping, adding to the deficit.  As Chino Valley transports water from the Big Chino and adds it to their water and sewer system, that water does not return/recharge to the Big Chino aquifer.  Chino Valley had previously approved and begun acquiring 661.3 acres HIA in the Big Chino Sub-basin for nearly 2,000 acre-feet of water per year.

Voice YOUR Opposition to the Chino Valley
Backroom Pipeline Deal at Upcoming Meetings

First Opportunity to Fight Back! Chino Valley "Community Forum" Thursday, May 17
A perfect time to ask questions and demand a re-hearing of last Thursday's vote approving the pipeline.  A Community Forum will be held on Chino Valley's Water Resource Future Watershed Management Efforts and Future Water Resource Plans for the Town of Chino Valley.  The forum is presented by Mayor Karen Fann and Mark Holmes, Water Resource Director, Town of Chino Valley on Thursday, May 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Chino Valley Community Church, 1969 N. Highway 89 (at Rd. 3 North & Hwy. 89).  Please contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204 if you're able to attend.

"Pipeline Protection" Coalition Meeting Wednesday, May 23
Please attend the next meeting of the Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition on Wednesday May 23 at 2:00 p.m.  Be sure to question the impacts that Chino Valley's pipeline will have on the pipeline plans of Prescott and Prescott Valley.  How will the Coalition mitigate this additional groundwater pumping?  Request that Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and the county work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prepare a formal mitigation plan or Habitat Conservation Plan (see letter dated April 29, 2005) prior to construction of both pipelines.  An HCP is the best way to define meaningful protections for the river, provide assurances to the communities and avoid litigation.  The meeting is at the Prescott Town Hall, 201 S. Cortez Street.  Call Joanne at (928) 772-8204 for more information and talking points.

Opposition Rally at Next Chino Valley Town Council Meeting Thursday, May 24
Show your outrage over Chino Valley Town Council's inappropriate approval of the pipeline from CV/CF Ranch.  Demand they come clean about the backroom deal and provide a public hearing before the agreement moves forward.   Request that whether or not this particular agreement does move forward, that Chino Valley work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other communities that plan to transport Big Chino groundwater to prepare a formal mitigation plan or Habitat Conservation Plan.  The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Chino Valley Council Chambers located at 1020 W. Palomino Road, Chino Valley.  Call Joanne at (928) 772-8204 for more information and talking points.

Make a Contribution!
The Center for Biological Diversity appreciates your interest and involvement in the Save the Verde campaign.  Please visit savetheverde.org for other news and updates.  You can make a donation to this campaign from the secure Web site.  Please contribute today!

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