Rio Salado Update March 1998

The following also is provided in Spanish. Lo siguiente también es provisto en Español .

Residents provide valuable input
Selected comments and responses
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Residents provide valuable input

"My wife and I are wholeheartedly in favor of this project."
- Robert Brophy

"I really believe that Rio Salado is the most meaningful land-use project in the Valley and the state. It could be a landmark for Arizona, a place for people to visit from around the world, a point of civic pride and neighborhood revitalization and an environmental demonstration project like, literally, no other."
- Diane Brossart, President, Valley Forward

An enthusiastic crowd of more than 300 citizens gathered on Jan. 8, 1998, in the Phoenix City Council Chambers to express their thoughts at the public hearing for the Phoenix Rio Salado Habitat Restoration project. The meeting was hosted by the city of Phoenix and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who provided the responses included below.

Videos and displays describing the project were available at an open house prior to the public meeting. Congressmen Ed Pastor, Bob Stump and Matt Salmon, who were unable to attend, forwarded their comments for the record.

Fifty-four residents spoke at the hearing, providing valuable input, and many others left written comments. Numerous residents expressed excitement at the possibility of bringing new life to the Salt River and creating a revitalized five-mile corridor running through the city.

South Phoenix resident Dr. George Brooks shares his support of the project and "building bridges" to the community.

All comments will be included in the Corps of Engineers’ Feasibility Report that will be forwarded to Washington, D.C.

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Selected comments and responses:

"I live south of the Salt River, and there was a time that we fought for bridges to cross the (river) when we had floods and rains. Tonight I am here to express my appreciation to you for the recommendation that is being (presented) at this community meeting to build another kind of bridge. This bridge says that we are one city. The Salt River will become walkways and habitats for animal species long removed from the area. I support this project. Thank you very much."
- South Phoenix resident Dr. George Brooks

"My husband and I currently live in north Phoenix, but we have family and friends that live in the area of Rio Salado ... I was active 11 years ago against the previous Rio Salado project due to what I considered to be the over-commercialization plans of the area ... I feel a mixture of excitement and yet concern ... My concerns are principally regarding the welfare of people living along the Rio Salado River."
- North Phoenix resident Celeste Minzikah

Construction of the project will not require the acquisition of any homes and only a portion of one business. The city is proposing a citizen-driven effort during the design phase to address the community planning issues raised by the project.

"My wife and I are residents of South Mountain Village. Let me preface my statements by saying my wife and I are wholeheartedly in favor of this project ... We do have ... a concern with the possibility of disease coming from the river ... and potential mosquito infestation. How will the government take care of that?"
- South Phoenix resident Robert Brophy

Impact on landfills: Disease associated with landfills can occur when wastes are left exposed to the atmosphere and when water infiltrates the waste materials and later pools at the surface. Of the 24 landfill sites adjacent to the Salt River, only five are considered active and are now covered to prevent water from getting into them. Groundwater withdrawals proposed for the project will lower the water table an average of one to two feet over the area near the river, reducing the chances that groundwater will rise into the buried wastes during flood events.

Mosquito problem: The project will be designed to minimize the suitability of the area for mosquito breeding and to enhance the opportunities for natural predators, including birds and mosquito fish, to control mosquito populations. If necessary, mosquito control methods that are non-toxic to other insects and aquatic creatures will be used. The existing Tres Rios artificial wetland project near 91st Avenue in the Salt River currently is implementing a mosquito control program. It is anticipated that the experience gained at this location will be utilized in the Rio Salado project.

"I strongly urge the Corps of Engineers to proceed expeditiously on the Rio Salado wetlands restoration project. The Sonoran Desert and the Salt/Gila watersheds have lost approximately 90 percent of their historic wetlands due, in part, to water engineering projects of the federal government. The Rio Salado Project will help restore a portion of this valuable habitat lost along the dry riverbed of the Salt River ... As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, I thank the corps for its dedicated attention and hard work on this project. I look forward to seeing this project become a reality."
- Congressman Ed Pastor

"I have been in the area at least 35 years ... I have an interest in the citizens and your project ... (concerned the project) will go nowhere until you clean your shelters out ... in the summer it gets warm, so you have a lot of homeless people in that area ..."
- South Phoenix resident Ethel Lane

The improvement of the condition of the riverbed could lead to changes in surrounding areas. The city of Phoenix has stated it will initiate a planning process for the land beyond the banks of the riverbed. This "Beyond the Banks" planning will involve all those people potentially impacted by the project. Many neighborhood residents have expressed concerns about the large number of homeless people who have taken up residence in the riverbed. The city is aware that relationships with providers of support services will need to be initiated before construction begins.

"I’m a citizen, a property owner, a business owner ... I’ve lived here for 50 years at the same address and have watched the river change. My children played, hunted, fished and we enjoyed the river ... I would like to see it return to a natural habitat where children could play and enjoy the natural vegetation and see what the desert and river is all about. I have some concerns ... we turned it down once before because of the property taxes. We cannot afford any more property taxes in the area."
- South Phoenix resident Helen Brock

The project is proposed to be funded 65 percent by the Federal Government and 35 percent locally. The city has requested financial participation from the Flood Control District of Maricopa County. The funding difference between these sources would have to be made up by local resources, such as the city of Phoenix, Maricopa County or the state of Arizona. Construction will not occur until the city has an agreement which assures the availability of funds for its share.

"The Phoenix Rio Salado project is truly visionary and I am pleased to see the thoughtful and detailed work that has gone into making the feasibility plan. It is this very care in planning that will make the Phoenix Rio Salado project a gem in the scenic desert for all to enjoy and not a mirage. Residents and visitors to the Valley of the Sun will be able to enjoy the desert riparian habitat of the Phoenix Rio Salado project and the recreational opportunities that it will afford ...
"I commend all who have worked so diligently to prepare the feasibility plan that sets the foundation for bringing this project into fruition. Best wishes."
- Congressman Bob Stump

"I’m the chair for the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board, and I’m privileged to speak here on behalf of the members of our board. The project complements what we are doing as a city to protect the mountain preserves and to create a safe and life-enhancing national public amenity. The project is in connection with the work of the Parks (Recreation and Library) Department to create opportunities for the citizens to enjoy our unique desert environment, and we very much look forward to working with the Corps of Engineers to make a revitalized Rio Salado a reality."
- Phoenix resident Flo Eckstein

"I have been a supporter of the Rio Salado project since entering Congress three years ago. This project will help restore a portion of valuable lost wetland habitat along the dry riverbed of the Salt River. It also will provide national environmental benefits, and it will encourage community development in the areas surrounding the project. I look forward to the realization of an important environmental and economic project in the 1st District of Arizona."
- Congressman Matt Salmon

Other written comments offered include:

"I support the planned project and believe it will be an asset to the surrounding neighborhoods. I appreciate the opportunity for citizen participation in the project."
- Terry L. Davis, Phoenix Revitalization Corporation

"We must move forward to create a world-class city. This is as important of an image event as the mountain reserve movement of the 1960s."
- Gary Smith

"I think it is time we turn our attention to building something that is beautiful, green and modifies oxygen into the polluted air of our city."
- Charlotte Harrison

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Forward to the future...

You gather up the family and head down Central Avenue to the Salt River. Are you up for a Sunday afternoon nature hike? Just park the car and pick a trail. Check out the rows of cottonwood and willow trees, some towering 60 feet. Watch for the many birds flying overhead and nesting in the trees. Marvel at the lush vegetation along the riverbank and listen carefully for rabbits and other critters scattering through the brush. Get a good look at the marshes, ponds, streams and other wetlands, and you’ll likely see even more wildlife.

A dream, you say? In the near future, this could be our reality.

If you were unable to attend the public meeting in January, or still have questions and concerns and would like to meet personally with our staff to discuss the project, call Karen Williams in our Neighborhood Services Department at (602) 262-4717.

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