- The
AZ NEMO Program is conducting watershed assessments throughout
the state in an effort to help communities develop watershed based
plans. They have identified watershed vulnerability to nonpoint
source pollution from abandoned mine sites, erosion due to grazing
and contaminants due to septic failure, and are creating GIS maps
for watershed documents. With an average watershed size of 7,000
square miles, the program has completed and posted on the web maps
covering about 23,000 square miles of the state.
- The
AZ NEMO Program, in partnership with the Arizona Department
of Environmental Quality, has worked with local watershed groups
to develop watershed-based plans for the Bill
Williams, Verde and Upper Gila watersheds. Covering a little
over 19,300 square miles, the watersheds have been mapped under
the AZ NEMO Program and hydrologic modeling performed to identify
areas susceptible to water quality impairment. The plans lay
out the origins of nonpoint pollution and recommend management
measures that should be put in place. NEMO is beginning this
planning process for the Little Colorado, the Middle San Pedro
and the Upper Agua Fria Watersheds.
- In
2004, the Governor appointed the AZ NEMO coordinator to the Arizona
Water Protection Fund Commission, which oversees funds
for measures to maintain, enhance and restore rivers and streams
and associated riparian habitat. In addition, thanks to NEMO’s
classification and modeling for the Bill Williams, Verde and
Upper Gila watersheds, the state has decided that restoration
projects in those “NEMO” watersheds will be considered
priorities for the state’s 319 nonpoint pollution program
under the next round of funding.
Back
to Top |
|
