Projects related to Colorado River salinity and environmental restoration will be discussed at the March public meeting of the Colorado River Citizens Forum (CRCF). The CRCF was established by the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) to facilitate the exchange of information between the community and the Commission about USIBWC activities and related projects in the region. The meeting will take place Monday, March 8, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. MST at the Bureau of Reclamation Yuma Area Office, 7301 Calle Agua Salada in Yuma, Arizona.

Reclamation’s Yuma Area Manager, Jennifer McCloskey, will give an update on plans for a pilot run of the Yuma Desalting Plant (YDP) starting later this year. The YDP was constructed to treat saline agricultural return flows from the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District as part of the water delivered to Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty, allowing a like amount of water to be retained in Lake Mead. Construction of the plant was completed in 1992 but it has only operated for two periods since then. The plant has been maintained but largely not operated as water supply conditions on the Colorado River have allowed treaty deliveries to be made through other water sources.

Reclamation’s Assistant Area Manager, Maria Ramirez, will discuss Yuma Area Office American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the Department of the Interior will invest $1 billion in Recovery Act funds in America’s water infrastructure to create jobs and get the economy moving again. With an array of projects identified by stakeholders as critical, the Bureau of Reclamation worked through a merit-based process to identify projects that address priority needs, generate the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time, and create lasting value for the American public. In the lower Colorado River region, Reclamation’s projects include overhauling critical water infrastructure that has deteriorated over time, dredging to improve the efficiency of water delivery, and bridge repair.

In other business, Kevin Eatherly, Deputy Director of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, will give a presentation about the Yuma Wetlands Projects on the lower Colorado River, including the status of the Yuma East Wetlands Project and plans for bank stabilization work that will include both sides of the river between the 4th Avenue Bridge and the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge. Additionally, there are plans to complete restoration of the Yuma West Wetlands from 17th Avenue to 23rd Avenue. The presentation will include information on a new partnership project between the Bureau of Land Management, City of Yuma, and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area to restore Paradise Cove and create additional marsh habitat.

A complete meeting agenda is attached. Members of the public who would like more information about the meeting may contact the USIBWC’s Yuma Office at 928-782-1598 or Public Affairs Officer Sally Spener at 915-832-4175 or sallyspener@ibwc.gov.

COLORADO RIVER CITIZENS FORUM
Monday, March 8, 2010
4:00 - 6:00 P.M. MST
Bureau of Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office
7301 Calle Agua Salada
Yuma, Arizona
AGENDA

• Welcome and Introductions – Anna Morales, Yuma Area Operations Manager and Citizens Forum Co-Chair, USIBWC

• Desalting Plant Activities Update – Jennifer McCloskey, Area Manager, Yuma Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation

• Yuma Area Office American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Projects – Maria Ramirez, Assistant Area Manager, Yuma Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation

• Yuma Wetlands Projects – C. Kevin Eatherly, Deputy Director, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

• Public Comment

• Suggested Future Agenda Items

• Board Discussion

Contact:
Sally Spener, 915-832-4175, sallyspener@ibwc.gov