Dear Friends of the Verde River,

The push is on to get the upper watershed municipalities to join the Verde River Basin Partnership.  Partnership Structure Committee Chair Doug von Gausig, mayor of Clarkdale, is giving a series of presentations to Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley in an effort to get them comfortable with the new watered-down structure that limits conservation groups to a total of two votes.  (See the calendar for presentation schedule.) 

The municipalities named membership by "groups who want to sue them" as the reason they refused to join in the past.  The Center does not currently sit at the table in hopes that the municipalities will become responsible members of the partnership.  We also have great faith that the current conservation group members will work in the best interest of the Verde River, and we will continue to work with them to protect the watershed.

The partnership meetings are open to the public.  If you're interested in attending, please check its website for meeting dates and times: http://vrpartnership.com/.  Those meetings are also listed in our calendar.

Hot JOB Opportunity!
The Save the Verde Campaign has a position open for an outreach organizer for 30-40 hours per week. Responsibilities include: tabling at events, recruiting volunteers and maintaining the volunteer database, organizing attendance at important water related meetings, giving public presentations, coordinating rallies or events, possible research, and other outreach as necessary.  The ideal candidate has good organizational and time management skills; an understanding of local politics and water policy (including knowledge of the Big Chino Water Ranch Pipeline Project and the Prescott AMA); exceptional communication skills (especially verbal); the ability to recruit and utilize volunteers, organize activists and plan rallies, work in coordination with other advocacy groups, take direction, and work independently; and a love for the Verde River ecosystem.  Send a cover letter and resume or inquiries to: Michelle Harrington, Rivers Program Director; 602-628-9909; mharrington@biologicaldiversity.org; Center for Biological Diversity, PO Box 39629, Phoenix, AZ 85069.

Volunteer Opportunities
Give the campaign a couple hours and help us hand out flyers, make phone calls or write letters.  You will also make a big difference by attending public meetings.  Just showing up lets city and county decision-makers know that you're paying attention and care about the issues!  Contact Ashley Fine at 928-533-4309 or creasotebsh@yahoo.com for more information.

Comments Needed
The Arizona Department of Water Resources' Statewide Water Advisory Group (SWAG) is taking public comments on a "straw proposal" for rural water management.  The proposal includes overlay management districts for rural water supply development and management that would address water adequacy; acquiring additional water supply, treatment and recharge; importation of water; non-exempt well metering; and water development fund creation.  Though the proposal has a number of good measures, it does not require exempt well metering (or even volunteer exempt well metering), well-spacing requirements or other significant measures to protect the health of the state's rivers and springs.  Download the proposal here.

Submit your comments to swag@azwater.gov.  Make sure to include your concerns for the Verde River and adverse impacts of the Big Chino pipeline project, as well as the adverse impacts of groundwater pumping on connected rivers, seeps and springs in areas across the state.  Ultimately, Arizona water laws must be changed to recognize the connection between groundwater and surface water where it exists, and to protect the state's remaining riparian habitat.

See the department's website for more information about the SWAG:  http://www.azwater.gov/dwr/Content/Hot_Topics/SWAG/default.htm

Calendar
Please check out our updated calendar of events. Note the numerous volunteer opportunities to help the campaign with outreach!  If you have an item for the calendar, please contact Michelle Harrington at 602-628-9909 or mharrington@biologicaldiversity.org.

Little Drop of Water
The Center has collected more than a hundred beautifully decorated “Little Drops” as part of the Little Drop of Water project!  Our goal is to gather at least 2,000 droplets, and that’s where you come in.  Download your own droplet today from the savetheverde.org web site.  Write your notes for the Verde, promise to conserve water or request protection of the river’s flows, and mail them to us at: Little Drop of Water; Center for Biological Diversity; P.O. Box 39629; Phoenix, AZ 85069.

Let the Money Flow!
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 also make a donation to this campaign from the web site!  Please contribute today if you haven't done so already.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Ashley or Michelle.