Letter from the President 2008

By Jan Allbright, VRCA president

Here we are in 2008. Hard to believe that more than six years ago many of us gathered at the gazebo at Deadhorse Ranch State Park to form the VRCA.

Since that time, the VRCA has become a moving force of the future of the Verde River. With the hard work of the past Presidents, officers, and the members of the VRCA, we have become recognized as the heart and soul of our beloved river. I tip my hat to all of you (or is that “all you all”?).

Let me take a little time to explain what I think the issues are that the future brings.

The future of the Verde River is under more pressure than ever. Between the Gila River Adjudication, Salt River Project, status of the Verde as a “navigable river”, Prescott’s intention to pump the Chino Basin, and the recent uncontrolled growth in the Verde Valley, the Verde River could easily be turned into a dirt lined water distribution channel.

As a State Registered Environmental Health Specialist and State Licensed Water Systems Operator, I fully understand the possible impacts of the above-mentioned issues. Let me take them one-by-one and fill in some background information.

The Gila River Adjudication has been working its way through the process of certifying surface water usage. To date there have been over 400 documents published by Special Water Master Edward P. Ballinger, Jr. These documents make for some pretty dry reading, but I have read every one of them. If you think that geology deals in extended periods of time, water law in Arizona has nothing on geology. Significant findings by this august body include unlawful pumping of the Verde River by the Shield Ranch (in Camp Verde); placing Kovacovich, Wiertzema and NBJ Ranch on the docket for Injunctive Relief on behalf of the SRP (read illegal river diversion); and berating the Water Resources people (ADWR) for not having enough money to execute the necessary studies so that the court has the required information it needs to make judgments.

The SRP has been both a friend and an opponent. On one hand, they have pressured the courts to defend against illegal river diversion. On the other hand, they represent a real threat to the growth of the Valley. I do think (in my humble opinion) that SRP would be much happier if the Verde River became a simple pipeline to supply Phoenix.

As I type this missive, I find that the Arizona Navigable Stream Adjudication Commission has made the finding that “The Verde River is not, nor has it ever been, ‘navigable.’” So what does that mean? Does it mean that paddle wheel steamers can no longer use the Verde? No. What it means is that a couple of companies (Valley Concrete and Superior) can now dredge the Verde for rock and gravel. Not exactly, in my opinion, what the Verde needs. All parties have nine months to make an appeal.

Prescott’s intention to pump is moving forward. The Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended that the town council issue a conditional use permit to the City of Prescott for two of its wellheads. So now Prescott will most likely install the Arsenic Treatment plants at the sites. With the installation of these plants, the pumping makes a significant step to the completion. And what is the Verde River Basin Partnership doing?

Speaking of basin pumping, it turns out that our good friend Lucy Mason (Chairperson of Water and Agriculture) has fully backed ADWR’s finding that allowing Williams to slip a straw into the Verde Basin (violating cross basin water transfer) was a simple “woops” and will never be repeated. So, if the Chino Basin is the source of the Verde headwaters, how does this jive? Ms. Mason, by the way, is a Master Watershed Steward. Master Watershed Stewards have been specially trained to be lay specialist by the University of Arizona to protect our states watersheds. Go figure.

So now we get to the topic of uncontrolled growth in the Verde Valley. How do we allow a group of development companies to cover the valley with pavement? The real question is how can we stop it. The only source of new tax revenue comes from new building (lacking a new Google office in town). Thus without restraint every possible square foot of the Valley is up for grabs. Despite the hardships generated by the recent economic downturn it is possibly (in my humble opinion) that could happen to the river. Now why is that? Conversion of raw land to housing and business space turns the land to impermeable surface (roofs, pavement, etc). This impermeable surface increases storm water runoff. Increased storm water runoff causes increasing high flow spikes in the river. Higher flow spikes cause river “down cut”.

As a result the Verde has been changed from a slow and wide river to an narrow and deep channel. This is an irrevocable change. Once down cut, the river can never recover. The growth has also been accompanied with the addition of more wells and septic tanks. The developers have gone out of their way to establish lot sizes such that all of these lots get septic tanks (as opposed to making them build a centralized wastewater treatment plant). Septic tanks generally issue water that is an order of magnitude more “dirty” than a centralized wastewater treatment plant. The combination of the increased pumping with a proliferation of septic tanks just about guarantees that septic tank water will find its way to the pumps. That ain’t opinion, that is hydraulic fact.

So there you go. Is the Verde safe? Do we still need the VRCA? More than ever (in my humble opinion). If you are a member with outstanding dues, please write that check today. If you get a “free” issue of this newsletter please make the decision to join the VRCA. Your help is needed to help us “Keep the River Flowing.”

I look forward to meeting you in person at our monthly meetings!

Jan, VRCA President

Thank you Chris Hulse for the photo to create the VRCA banner and the background.- 03-11-08.

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