Summer 2018 River Roundup Is Here!
In this issue: President’s Report… August Work Day… Board Election & Annual Meeting… St David Birding with Tucson Audubon… 30th SPRNCA Anniversary… June Work Day… BLM Draft Resource Management Plan Comments Sought… SPH Signage… Volunteer & Staff Kudos… Service Ethic… Members… Calendar… ContactsMembers… Calendar… Contacts
More grazing in SPRNCA? Comment on draft RMP!
AZ Supreme Court opens door to Tribute
Thursday, August 9th, was a sad day for the Friends of the San Pedro River and everyone who cares about the continued existence of the San Pedro, a rare, functioning desert riparian area, and the wildlife it supports. By the slimmest of majorities, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled against a lawsuit that sought to force consideration of groundwater usage as part of the approval of the Tribute residential development project in the Sierra Vista area.
The Friends hoped the plaintiffs would prevail in order to require that the Arizona Department of Water Resources consider the federal water right for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in determining whether there was 100 years of adequate and legally available water supply for Tribute. Instead, the court ruled that ADWR is under no obligation to consider the impact of additional pumping by Tribute on the San Pedro River. Owners of residential wells in the area should be concerned because this means they too have no protection for their water source from prospective deep groundwater pumping associated with Tribute.
Pumping in the Sierra Vista area is already withdrawing more groundwater from the aquifer than is replenished. The result is a cone of depression where the aquifer is being drained. This cone of depression is spreading and adversely affects the flow of groundwater to the San Pedro River. Tribute will add 7,000 new homes that will require additional groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer. The end-result is sadly easy to anticipate.
Upcoming events in January
Latest edition of River Roundup
Video: Summer on the San Pedro
Mike Foster and the FSPR Education Committee recently completed the video “Summer on the San Pedro River” which is available on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/104340462. Check it out!
Volunteer at Fairbank Schoolhouse!
It’s so isolated out there! It’s too far! It’s too boring! Those are reasons I hear from volunteers about not working at the Schoolhouse. I find them pretty amazing because I have found the volunteering there to be fascinating, peaceful, and a great learning experience. I have met people from all over the world there, and they all love to talk. It is fun to watch the kids that come in and decide to play school. They are so excited! And the adults are really impressed with our museum displays and our new brochure. Continue reading
2014 Southwest Wings Birding Festival
July 30 through August 2, 2014. The 23rd Annual Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival. Another great year for Field Trips, our great assortment of Free Programs, Vendors, Exhibitors and Keynote Speaker. Registration for Southwest Wings is open. Learn more about Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival…
Video: Return of Beaver to the San Pedro
Mike Foster and the FSPR Education Committee recently completed the video “Return of the Beaver to the San Pedro River” which is available on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/84733621. Check it out!