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Long-Term Agreement Reached For Funding Yuma East Wetlands Maintenance
Released by Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area |
Historic Multi-Party Agreement includes Quechan Indian Tribe, City of Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Heritage Area, and Bureau of Reclamation's Multi-Species Conservation Program
The Yuma East Wetlands is considered a model for wetlands restoration in the desert Southwest and has succeeded in the face of significant obstacles. From a technical standpoint, high soil salinity and reduced river flows made “experts” question the project’s viability. Back in 2001, this 1,400 acre area was a jungle of non-native vegetation, hobo camps, and trash dumps, which had literally cut the Yuma community off from the river.
More than 350 acres have been restored, with approximately 250,000 trees, plants, and grasses planted. The success can be traced to a strong partnership forged among the major stakeholders--the Quechan Indian Tribe, the City of Yuma, the Heritage Area, Arizona Game and Fish Department—along with grant funding from 16 different sources.
A longstanding concern is how to ensure that areas once restored will stay restored. With invasive species like salt cedar so dominant, areas cannot be left without some level of maintenance. Several years ago, the Lower Colorado River Multi-species Conservation Program (MSCP)--a coalition of the federal government, southwestern states, and irrigation districts committed to restoring more than 8,000 acres of wetlands—approached the Heritage Area about participating in the program.
After much discussion among the stakeholders, an historic agreement was reached which will make available 50 years of maintenance funding. The MSCP will provide 70% of the annual maintenance funding, while the Heritage Area, Quechan Indian Tribe, and the City of Yuma will provide 10% each. The Heritage Area will manage the area on behalf of all the partners. It is a credit to all the partners who have provided so much of the leadership to make this project a reality.
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Long-Term Agreement Reached For Funding Yuma East Wetlands Maintenance
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