Save the Verde!
Center for Biological Diversity 
Update & Calendar November 27, 2007

Greetings,

In this edition, we help you stay hydrated with updates on Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic designation and information on a kickoff event for Save the Verde - Watershed Wednesdays at The Raven. As mentioned in the last update, Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) continues its public hearing for water adequacy for Prescott and Chino Valley, but an uncertain allocation amount doesn't stand in the way of the City of Prescott and their pipeline plans. However, the threat of a kibosh on certain annexation plans might – at least that's what some council members want you to think (see The Price of Water below). The Council is also entertaining the idea of a public/private partnership with Global Water for Big Chino water delivery. As development continues and our water resources are further stretched, we must continue to DEMAND A PLAN and hold elected officials accountable for their actions that affect the future of the Verde River and let them know we are watching.

If you've missed an update or are new to the list, check out our archives!

Next Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition meeting – TOMORROW!
Please come to the Prescott City Council Chambers (201 South Cortez, Prescott) at 2 p.m. on November 28 where the Coalition plans to set up and discuss tasks for its new Technical Advisory Committee. Attend this meeting and encourage the timely implementation of management and protection for the upper Verde River and Big Chino Sub-basin, including responsible growth measures. Click here to view the agenda.

And the Proud Winner of "Sunrise on the Lower Verde" is ...
Tucson resident Saundra Smith, who said the Verde River's beauty inspired her participation in our raffle. Thanks to all who helped make the raffle a great success -- Ida Kendall, and Russ Smith of the Frame and I Gallery, the entire Harvey family, and all of YOU who supported our event or are watching for the next chance to TAKE ACTION. Visit this Prescott Daily Courier link for the full scoop with photos of the drawing. To find out more about Ron Harvey and the Verde River Network visit www.myspace.com/theverderiver.

"Fishing for Answers" Quiz!
Question:  What native species is commonly called "the Verde Trout"?  Why?
(Answer located at the bottom of the page.)

Proudly Show Your Support!  (BUT PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE)
Our fabulous SaveTheVerde.org bumper stickers are now available, and we want you to display them proudly! But it seems some stickers have been stuck on vehicles without the owners' permission. We want you to take action for the Verde, but not at the expense of anyone else's personal property. Got Courtesy?  

Please stop by the Aspen Conference Room at 119 Grove Ave., Prescott, or contact Joanne to get bumper stickers for you and your friends, and make your car or bicycle a moving advertisement for Verde River conservation.

Volunteer Toolkit Making Waves
Requests are increasing for our toolkits! And one is ready and available for you right now! Get our convenient folder including essential information: talking points, Top 10 Ways to Save the Verde, a simple hydrology lesson, bumper sticker, printed letters to send to elected officials, water droplet to decorate and add to our display, and a calendar of events where you can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  Contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204.

Calendar
Check out the latest calendar of events! If you have an item for the calendar or want more information, please contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204 or Michelle at (602) 628-9909.

Verde River Lovefest
Watch for news of the amazing, inspiring, something-for-everyone 9-day celebration of the Verde River! We're banking on a FLOOD OF FUN and festivity in the Prescott area and environs. Plan to get involved with the Verde River April 12 to 20. Details coming soon...

Verde Fish to Swim in the Prescott Christmas Parade 
What swims on land and asks Santa for habitat for Christmas?  Papier mâché fish people on Christmas parade day! We plan to make a point about water conservation as we school around the courthouse square. Join us on December 1.  Got questions about the event? Contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204.

Watershed Wednesdays Series at the Raven Café - Make a Date with the Verde
Join Save the Verde and Friends for the kickoff event for a season of Theatre! Dance!  Enlightenment! Celebrate the Verde River on December 12 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Raven Café, 140 N. Cortez St., Prescott.  Check out the calendar for details.

Fossil Creek – Maybe Wild, Definitely Scenic, and Fish-filled
Fossil Creek is finally on its way to receiving status it well deserves – designation as a Wild and Scenic River.  The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recently heard the bill and took testimony in favor of the designation by the U.S. Forest Service. If it's going to happen this year, only a few weeks remain. Click here to request the National Parks Subcommittee move the bill forward.  Any personal appreciation or stories about the Creek will help the committee understand the needs for this designation.

Another bit of recent Fossil Creek news is that after much delay native loach minnow and spikedace have been restored! These fish, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, were once plentiful throughout the Verde and Gila River systems. Habitat loss has reduced their range by 80% or more. Restoring them to the Creek was a big step forward. You can read more about the "homecoming" here.

The Price Of Water
A New York-based investment company produced the winning bid for 1,103 acre-feet of Prescott Valley effluent credits during an auction of Prescott Valley. Investors LLC of Port Washington, N.Y., prevailed by offering $24,650 per acre-foot for the effluent credits that the town government sold to finance water infrastructure, namely the Big Chino Pipeline.

The sale of the entire 2,724 acre-feet credits could generate more than $67 million in revenue for the town. In the language of Prescott Valley, water = growth. But a twist to the story of financing the Big Chino Pipeline came in the form of comments at a Prescott City Council meeting where two council members questioned the feasibility of pipeline construction (thus partnership with Prescott Valley) in light of obstacles relating to annexation of property. A portion of impact fees from annexed property development is earmarked for financing the Big Chino Pipeline. Read more about that Prescott City Council meeting in The Daily Courier. The plight of the Fann annexation they referred to should be determined at today's City Council meeting.

Election Results In!
With a new Prescott mayor and councilwoman coming on board TODAY, water decisions might take a new twist. Mayor-elect Jack Wilson's perspective on water issues includes sustainable water planning and reestablishment of the Verde River Mitigation Committee. He is concerned that under the current adequacy rules, water can be pumped even if AWDR finds there is an inadequate supply and hopes to guide Prescott to "aim high" in setting the water conservation standard for the area.

Check the Pulse of the Salt and Verde Watersheds
Now at your fingertips - data for the Salt and Verde watersheds collected by the USGS and Salt River Project at http://www.watershedmonitor.com/. Find precipitation and flow data throughout the watersheds of the Salt and Verde Rivers allowing the public to "check the pulse" of the watersheds. This is great information for citizen activists!

We're Talk'n Water!
With the effluent auction, annexation decisions, hiring of pipeline consultants, and local elections, there is SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE to comment about. Visit the links below to see who's saying what. Then let your thoughts flow onto the page!

Online Letters to the Editor:

RESPOND TO A LETTER OR EDITORIAL -
You read em' – why not add your own comment? It's easy. Follow this link to see what's up in the Prescott Daily Courier, then respond with your own opinion. Most newspapers provide comment space after letters to the editor.

OR SUBMIT YOUR OWN LETTER by clicking on these links -
Prescott Daily Courier

Verde Independent

Prescott Valley Tribune

The Arizona Republic

Blogs and More Blogs links:

Freshwater Footprint *NEW BLOG*

CourierWatch

Press Pass

Waterblogged by Shaun McKinnon
"Follow the currents, from the snowpack to the rivers, to the lakes and aquifers, to the people who control it all."

Verde River MySpace:

Join the "Verde River Network" by becoming a friend of Verde River MySpace Post a comment of your own, add to the conservation message, or say hello to Ron at: www.myspace.com/theverderiver. 

House Party Hosts Wanted
Hosting a house party is one of the most effective ways for our campaign to generate letters to elected officials encouraging their support for habitat protection and regional watershed management. All you have to do is let us know you want to host a party, invite a few friends, provide some food and beverages, and we'll show up with some entertainment, ideas and materials. We want to continue sending letters to elected officials about providing habitat protection for the upper Verde River. If you're short on friends who can help, we'll find some for you — our phone list is growing!  Please contact Joanne at (928) 772-8204 if you're interested in hosting a House Party.

Visit SaveTheVerde.org
And click to Take Action!  From the site you can send letters to the editor of local papers and send letters to decision-makers. You don't have to wait for a house party! Send a letter now!! You can also download a Little Drop of Water to decorate and send us.

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!

"Fishing for Answers" Quiz Answer: Roundtail chub. Like trout, anglers find it a feisty fighter on the line.