Environment & Water
Individuals, institutions and companies involved in the provision of environmental services, sale and distribution of environmental equipment, environmental research, development and construction, and environmental infrastructure, and individuals involved in the buying, selling and supplying of services to the environmental industry. Individuals, institutions and companies engaged in water management planning in the Arizona-Sonora region that emphasizes collaboration on programs for the advancement of economic, social and environmental benefits of both states, and that arise from constructive solutions to shared water supply issues.
How To Get Involved
By serving on the Environment & Water Committee, you can participate in grassroots policy development, exchange ideas and information through cross-border communication and collaboration, and contribute to the implementation and advancement of cross-border projects. Contact your co-chairs today!
Arizona Co-Chairs
Sandra Fabritz-WhitneyDirector
Arizona Department of Water Resources
(602) 771-8426
safabritz@azwater.gov
David RobertsManager, Water Rights and Contracts
Salt River Project
(602) 236-2343
Dave.Roberts@srpnet.com
Sonoran Co-Chairs
Enrique Alfonso Martinez PreciadoVocal Ejecutivo
Comision Estatal del Agua
enrique.martinez@ceasonora.gob.mx
Roberto Molina AcedoDirector General de Desarrollo y Fortalecimiento Institucional
Comision Estatal del Agua
roberto.molina@ceasonora.gob.mx
Resources
- Environment Committee: Nogales, Sonora Los Alisos Wastewater Treatment Plant, June 2012-Spanish
- Environment Committee: US-Mexico Border 2020 Env Program, June 2012
- Environment Committee: Arizona/Sonora Environment Infrastructure Needs Report, June 2012 – English & Spanish
- Environment Committee: Sonora Climate Action Plan, June 2012-Spanish
- Environment Committee: Mexico Environmental Permitting Process for Mines
- Environment Committee: Ecosystem Services of Binational Effluent in Santa Cruz River Watershed
- Environment Committee: Binational Assessment of San Pedro & Santa Cruz Rivers
AMC Grant Project
Click here to view the Environment & Water Grant Project
Current Action Items
Action Item 1
Due Date: June 30, 2013
The Environment Committee will identify datasets at its disposal to improve the functionality of the U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystem Portfolio Model for the Santa Cruz River watershed. By incorporating environmental monitoring data, the model can evaluate the environmental services generated by the river’s ecosystem and the economic value of the wastewater that supports it.
Tactic A
Due Date: December 31, 2012
100% complete
Identify missing environmental quality datasets to include in the model.
Steps Taken: The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has performed quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) checks on various sampling results from monitoring performed along Santa Cruz River through a volunteer monitoring program by the Friends of the Santa Cruz River from 1986 through the present. Staff with the Sonoran Institute also assisted with QA/QC of monitoring data. Additionally, ADEQ has reviewed flow and water quality data from the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission related to their monitoring requirements in Arizona. All data pertain to sampling of points in Arizona along the Santa Cruz River and its tributary – the Nogales Wash. The U.S. Geological Survey will use the completed dataset to amend a Source Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) currently in development for the Santa Cruz River. The SWAT will help border stakeholders with the management of binational wastewater that, once treated, supports the perennial reach of the Santa Cruz River.
Tactic B
Due Date: June 30, 2013
10% complete
Incorporate missing datasets and update the model.
Steps Taken: The missing dataset has been delivered to the U.S. Geological Survey to update the Source Water Assessment Tool for the Santa Cruz River. This tactic is anticipated to be completed on or before the due date.
Action Item 2
Due Date: June 30, 2013
Water Focused Mixed Use Development in Urban Environments: The City of Tempe is a land-locked community, surrounded on all sides by neighboring cities and Indian communities. As such, it has had to look inward for economic development opportunities. The dry Salt River bed bisected the northern portions of the City from east to west and, while serving as vital conveyance of infrequent flood events, offered few other benefits to the City’s residents and visitors. Enhancement of the Salt River into a community amenity has been studied since the mid-1960s and culminated in the construction of Tempe Town Lake in 1999. Completion of the Lake has spurred residential and commercial development and serves as a recreational amenity both on, and adjacent to, the water. Ciudad de Hermosillo is bisected by the Rio de Sonora. Development of the lands adjacent to the river has begun. A new baseball stadium for the Hermosillo Orange of the Mexican League has been constructed and opened. A new water reclamation facility is nearing completion and operation that can serve as a water source for amenities in and along the stream channel. Representatives from Mexico requested a tour of the Tempe Town Lake.
Tactic A
Due Date: April 30, 2013
100% complete
Informational Meeting and Tempe Town Lake Tour
Steps Taken: An informational meeting and lake tour were held on April 16, 2013. The meeting was hosted at Salt River Project (SRP). Participants were provided with an overview of permitting, technical and financial details of construction of the lake and the pending replacement of the downstream dam. Representatives from the City of Tempe, SRP, and the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) participated in the presentation. Five Mexican representatives from Comision Estatal del Agua and Comisión de Cooperación Ecológica Fronteriza were in attendance. Following the presentation, the participants were provided a tour of the SRP control room which serves as the control system for the lake water supply and dams under a service contract between the City and SRP. The participants were then escorted to tour elements of Tempe Town Lake and nearby amenities, including the downstream dam and pedestrian bridge, Tempe Arts Center, and Tempe Beach Park. Following the tour of the Lake, the participants traveled to a low-head hydroelectric generation facility located on the Arizona Canal at Arizona Falls. Many of the Action Item participants will be attending Water Transfer workshop in Hermosillo (see Action Item #4). A tour of the proposed project location is incorporated into the field excursions planned for this event.
Tactic B
Due Date: June 30, 2013
0% complete
Tour of Puerto Oeste, Hermosillo
Steps Taken: Many of the Action Item participants will be attending Water Transfer workshop in Hermosillo (see Action Item #4). A tour of the proposed project location is incorporated into the field excursions planned for this event.
Action Item 3
Due Date: December 31, 2013
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the State of Sonora Commission of Ecology and Sustainable Development will foster the increase of environmental ethics in schools on both sides of the border by providing technical support and educational materials to interested municipalities.
Tactic A
Due Date: December 31, 2012
0% complete
Develop a pilot plan to foster an environmental culture and sustainability practices at elementary and middle schools on both sides of the border.
Steps Taken: Lead staff with the Sonora Ecology and Sustainable Development Commission for this action item and overall is no longer with the agency. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, however, published the 2013 edition of an Arizona/Sonora Binational Clean Air Calendar. The calendar was distributed to schools, libraries, and city/municipal offices in the areas of Ambos Nogales, Douglas and Agua Prieta, and Yuma and San Luis Rio Colorado.
Tactic B
Due Date: December 31, 2012
Identify schools on both sides of the border to present an action plan and its objectives, and obtain commitments for participation.
Tactic C
Due Date: December 31, 2012
Develop project to increase environmental ethics at interested schools and assist in its implementation with support from technical experts as necessary.
Action Item 4
Due Date: June 30, 2013
The Arizona-Mexico Commission Water committee will conduct a binational workshop in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico to share water management experiences in Arizona and Sonora by exploring examples and opportunities of agriculture to urban water transfers. Day one o f the workshop will include a tour of facilities and lands that are subject to the Si Sonora. Day 2 will include a discussion of previous and planned agricultural to urban transfers in Arizona. These shall include: Chino Valley Irrigation District to City of Prescott purchase and retirement; Salt River Project Ag to Urban transition; Wellton Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District to Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) water rights settlement; and CAP Non-Indian Agriculture to Indian Water Right Settlements with M&I Leases. Presentations on the process and examples from Mexico will also be included.
Tactic A
Due Date: June 30, 2013
50% complete
Meeting Planning: Logistics and Technical Program
Steps Taken: Planning for the workshop in Hermosillo in May 2013 has taken place. Final preparations are being completed to hold the workshop.
Tactic B
Due Date: June 30, 2013
0% complete
Prepare and distribute workshop materials and technical presentations.
Where: Arizona-Sonora