Arizona Water and Pollution Control Association Recognizes Pima County

The Arizona Water Pollution Control Association recently acknowledged Water Policy Manager Kathleen Chavez, P.E. with the Environmental Steward Award. The Award is given to anyone who has contributed significantly to the protection and/or enhancement of the water and wastewater environment in Arizona. AWPCA Vice President, John Warner, noted Ms. Chavez's role in the Ed Pastor Kino Environmental Restoration Project (KERP).

KERP is a multi-departmental effort among the Regional Flood Control District, Stadium District, Natural Resources Parks and Recreation and the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers. KERP is a multi-purpose facility designed to create native ecosystems, harvest urban storm water and control flooding.

In accepting the award, Ms. Chavez said, "We are fortunate to work in an atmosphere where innovative ideas are fostered and encouraged. KERP is a flood control facility that exists in harmony with the natural environment while making optimum use of storm water and reclaimed water. Many creative, dedicated county employees make this project a success. The Regional Flood Control District's innovation in integrating riparian restoration into a flood control facility, the Stadium District's dedication in operating the project and the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department's diligence in working through the complex water quality permitting requirements are all to be commended."

The award was presented at the AWPCA Annual Conference on May 7 in Glendale, Arizona. KERP is located at Ajo Way across from the TEP Sports Complex.

For more information on this award winning project is available at the RFCD website.

Intrepid Volunteers Battle Invaders

Volunteers from the Pima County Regional Flood Control District (RFCD), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Tucson Audubon Society worked with private property owners on Saturday, May 30th, to remove an invasive plant known as Arundo donax (giant reed) from the Bear Canyon Wash. RFCD, the Tucson Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy provided the workers, along with equipment needed to remove the cane and rhizomes, and RFCD removed it from the site.

Taller than Ann!
(Ann Moynihan, P.E. is a Flood Control Civil Engineer and manager in the District's Planning and Development Division)

Arundo is a tall grass that resembles bamboo. It was originally imported into the U.S. from the Mediterranean for use as erosion control and as a windbreak along irrigation canals to reduce damage to crops.

A stack of cane and rhizomes large enough to fill the back of a full-sized pick-up truck was removed from the wash on Pima County, TNC and private properties. The arundo removal on the District's property will be followed-up with an application of herbicide this summer and again in the fall.

Bushwhacked.

Identified as an invasive weed, Arundo donax is spreading throughout the Southwest and consuming large quantities of water in our precious riparian areas. Arundo displaces native vegetation that provides food and shelter for wildlife, reducing the value of riparian habitat for our native wildlife species. Additionally, arundo alters the natural function of the floodplain, potentially increasing flooding and erosion problems. Like buffelgrass, arundo is a non-native, rapidly growing species that is highly flammable and can act as a “fuel ladder,” creating intense fires that threaten native vegetation and nearby development.

Although a large amount of arundo was removed, there is still much work to be done, and there are plans to resume this effort in the fall. Jim Washburne, Associate Director for Education with SAHRA (the Center for Sustainability of Arid Region Hydrology and Riparian Areas) and Assistant Adjunct Professor with the University of Arizona’s Department of Hydrology has been working with Coronado National Forest, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists, and Friends of Sabino Canyon to remove arundo in the Sabino Creek Recreation area. He was instrumental in organizing this event, serving as ambassador between the volunteers and the adjoining property owners.

The SAHRA website explains his work and gives more information about arundo at: www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo/

Anyone interested in being contacted about future removal efforts can call Marisa Rice, Flood Control District Senior Hydrologist at 243-1800.

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