Riparian areas are among the most biologically rich habitats, and once represented a much large portion of the Phoenix area. Aided by community leaders, the city recognized the importance of these areas and worked with various partners to restore these areas. Two key award winning projects, the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project and the Tres Rios Project, have been completed after much hard work, and serve as a credit to the many involved residents and agencies. These areas are now lush riparian corridors open to the public with numerous environmental educational opportunities. The city is also working with other agencies to preserve habitat and ensure the environmental health of the valley's watershed.
Rio Salado
The 595-acre Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project has yielded both environmental and economic benefits. Once a deteriorated dumping site along the Salt River, it has now been restored to a native wetland with riverbank habitats, a lush riparian corridor of stream, wetlands, trees, and desert grasslands for visitors to enjoy. The project includes a flood control feature, five miles of trails, and a wildlife habitat. This urban wildlife and habitat resource spans five miles along the Salt River from 24th Street to 19th Avenue. The inspiration and vision for the park started over 40 years ago and has included thousands of residents and numerous government agencies. Rio Salado represents a careful balance between water conservation and the use of water to sustain wildlife habitat. Future plans are for an additional eight miles downstream, the Rio Salado (West).
Nearly 60 percent of the water applied to the project returns to the aquifer through incidental recharge and its quality is naturally improved by filtering through the wetlands. Irrigation water is only released to the habitat as needed through canals and pipes designed to be protected from periodic flood waters. Non-potable water pumped from the groundwater aquifer is used for the project and then recharged through an innovative reclaimed water exchange program with the Roosevelt Irrigation District (RID). Future elements include an Audubon Arizona Nature Center to promote environmental education.
Tres Rios
The city of Phoenix is the lead with its Sub-Regional Operating Group (SROG) partners on the Tres Rios Project, which includes restoration of 1,500 acres for native riparian habitat, water quality improvement, flood damage reduction, recreational expansion, and environmental education. Starting with a small demonstration project, Tres Rios is expanding to use reclaimed water to enhance the sustainability of an important riparian area. Additionally, the city is pursuing a Safe Harbor Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a net conservation benefit for endangered species while still performing maintenance work. The project partners include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Flood Control District of Maricopa County.
City of Phoenix Section 404 Program
The Office of Environmental Programs helps departments with Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act, which helps protect rivers, streams, and washes by establishing guidelines for projects to have the least possible impact on these important environments and providing for restoration as appropriate. In Arizona, the 404 program focuses on fragile desert washes that are key wildlife habitat and movement corridors. The city of Phoenix 404 program helps departments review projects and address the impacts of construction or maintenance on desert washes. The program was established in 1998, and by 2006, more than 5,000 employees and consultants have been trained. The program also helps to ensure that other natural and cultural resources are addressed.
Water Protection: Stormwater
The Phoenix Stormwater Protection Ordinance helps protect the waterways and riparian areas though regulation of stormwater discharges. The Street Transportation and Engineering and Architectural Services Departments work together to identify and eliminate sources on pollutants entering storm drains. The program includes public information and education activities and a hotline for the public to report dumping or other activities that may pollute stormwater. Other departments, such as Aviation, Public Works and Water Services, have separate "industrial source" storm water permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as required, and have instituted their own compliance programs.
Roosevelt Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
The city, with Salt River Project, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and other Valley cities are addressing habitat protection and endangered species issues through the HCP for Roosevelt Lake. The participating entities funded the purchase and management of land along some remaining free-flowing rivers in Arizona to help ensure habitat preservation.
Verde Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
The city and Salt River Project are completing a HCP for Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs to provide habitat protection for endangered species. Selected land is being purchased and managed along Arizona's rivers for this effort. Additionally, habitat improvements and other programs to benefit native fish species are being implemented.
River Sustainability
The city is participating in collaborative processes to enhance the health and sustainability of the State's watersheds. The city has been actively involved in the discussions and the need for the State to address how pumping wells affect stream flow.
Burrowing Owls
Since October of 2002, the Parks and Recreation Department (Parks) has partnered with Wild at Heart and Partners in Flight to relocate displaced burrowing owls to the Reach 11 Recreation Area. These small ground dwelling owls have been forced from their habitat by various types of construction around the valley. Parks has been providing a habitat friendly location at the 1,500-acre multi-use park at Reach 11 to create new homes for these owls. Wild at Heart and Partners in Flight provide the supplies, expertise, and collect the owls. To date, 16 relocation sites have been established and over 40 birds introduced to the new sites at Reach 11. Success has been limited but several of the sites have produced young owls over the last few breeding seasons. In October 2007, Parks met with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Reclamation to discuss a proposed five year study and possible relocation of the unsuccessful nesting sites.