1. Nature, Not Humans, Has Greater Influence on Water in the Colorado River Basin Findings Come From Study That Takes the Most Comprehensive Look at Vital Southwest Water Source. AUSTIN, Texas — Researchers have found that the water supply of the Colorado River basin, one of the most important sources for water in the southwestern United States, is influenced more by wet-dry periods than by human use, which has been fairly stable during the past few decades.
The study, led by The University of Texas at Austin, took the most comprehensive look to date at the state of a water source that serves 40 million people in seven states. The researchers used 30 years of local water monitoring records and more than a decade of data collected from the NASA satellite system GRACE to reconstruct changes in the basin’s water storage since the 1980s.
The team found that water storage decreased by 50 to 100 cubic kilometers (enough water to fill Lake Mead as much as three times) during droughts that occur about every decade. The big difference between recent and previous droughts is that there have been few wet years since 2000 to replenish the water. In contrast, multiple wet years followed drought years in the 1980s and 1990s. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA, UT Center for Space Research, the Arizona Department of Water Resources and Tsinghua University were part of the team. The findings were published online in Water Resources Research Journal on Dec. 10. REad more at ws.utexas.edu/2015/12/10/nature-has-greatest-influence-on-water-in-coloradoriver
2. What Is The Current Cost Of All Of The Items In The Twelve Days Of Christmas? What Is The Current Cost Of All Of The Items In The Twelve Days Of Christmas?
a. $12,489.16
b. $114,651. 17 Answer at bottom of Page three d. $43,612
c. $45,312.83
3. Recycling Tips For A Green Holiday – Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans generate 25 percent more trash than other times of the year. Many items used during the holidays can be recycled, including greeting cards, wrapping paper, cardboard, glass and metal food containers, and some packing materials. Exceptions include tissue paper, tinsel, ornaments, styrofoam blocks or peanuts, paper towels, napkins, plates, cups, and anything with food residue. For a complete list of recyclables, please follow the link below or call the Recycling Infoline at 520-791-5000. Do More Blue recycling list: http://1.usa.gov/1P9knUu
The WRRC is now accepting abstracts for the poster session at its March 21, 2016 Annual Conference, “#AZwaterfuture: Tech, Talk, and Tradeoffs.” The deadline for submitting an abstract is Monday, Feb. 15.
Interested students, researchers and practitioners are invited to submit poster abstracts on research related to the conference theme of innovation in water resources, including but not limited to: water technology, communication and engagement around water, new or newly reevaluated approaches to water quality, supply, climate, environment, the role of governments and markets, and water management and policy. Students are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts. More information on the WRRC Conference can be found at: wrrc.arizona.edu/conference-2016.
Quick Facts:
Prizes will be awarded to the top three student posters.
Submission Process: Fill out the online format:
wrrc.arizona.edu/conference-2016-poster-abstract- submission.
Submission Deadline: Abstracts should be submitted no later than Monday, Feb. 15 for review by the WRRC Poster Committee. Notification: Submitters will be notified of the committee’s decision on or before Friday, Feb. 19.
Poster Setup: Posters should be set up by 8:15 a.m. on March 21. Easels, poster boards (40”x60”), and pins will be provided. Please ensure that your poster fits the board dimensions.
Presenters must register for the conference and attend the poster session
Posters will be on display throughout the conference, and the scheduled poster session will follow lunch. During the day, a team of experts will judge student posters. Posters will not be judged on oral presentation.
Poster Removal: Posters can be taken down after the end of the afternoon break at 3:30 p.m. and no later than 5:30 p.m.
Student Poster awards will be presented at the reception following the conference.
Contact: Marie-Blanche Roudaut ([email protected])
5. Arizona Outdoor Enthusiasts, Pilots and Drone Operators Asked to Avoid Bald Eagle Breeding Closure Areas. PHOENIX — Each year as part of its highly successful program to manage and conserve bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department asks outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to help this magnificent bird in Arizona. These groups are asked to honor the closure of 23 areas across the state that are important bald eagle breeding sites.
Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas during the birds’ breeding season to protect the state’s 59 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located near popular recreation sites. “Cooperation from outdoor recreationists has been a major reason that the bald eagle population continues to grow, and now we’re working to create more awareness among aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders. Pilots should maintain the FAA-recommended 2,000-foot above ground level advisory when flying over bald eagle habitat, and drones and paragliders are asked to avoid the areas completely,” says Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program.
Bald eagles are sensitive to even short durations of low-flying aircraft activity near their nests and just a few minutes of disturbance can lead to a nesting failure.
In December, Arizona bald eagles begin rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. The birds nest, forage and roost at the rivers and lakes that have become some of Arizona’s most popular recreation spots, and this time of year can be challenging for the birds.
Game and Fish’s bald eagle management efforts are supported by the Heritage Fund, an initiative passed more than 20 years ago to provide for wildlife education and conservation through Arizona lottery ticket sales.
AIRSPACE ADVISORY
Statewide
Statewide – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established a 2000-foot above ground level (AGL) advisory along the Salt and Verde river drainages. When traveling in these drainages or near riparian habitat statewide, aircraft should maintain a minimum of 2000-foot AGL to ensure compliance with state and federal law
SEASONAL CLOSURES
Tonto Creek
Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch is closed to vehicle, foot entry, and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District (928) 467-3200.
Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1000 feet of the nest on land, and to watercraft within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District (928) 467-3200.
Verde River – A closure for the Verde River below Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is not planned this year unless the eagle pair resumes nesting. Contact Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District for updates, (928) 282-4119.
Verde River near Chasm Creek is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 15. Floating through is allowed. Contact Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, (928) 567-4121.
Verde River near Cold Water Creek, allows watercraft to float through but no stopping on the river or landing is allowed Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, (928) 567-4121.
Verde River upstream of the East Verde confluence is closed to vehicle and foot entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landingpermitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
Verde River below Horseshoe Dam is closed to vehicle or foot entry on the southwest side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the southwest side of the river is allowed. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595- 3300.
Verde River below Bartlett Dam is closed to foot or vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing is permitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480)595-3300.
Verde River at the Needle Rock Recreation area is closed to foot and vehicle entry on the east side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on east side of river is allowed. A small area on the west side may also be closed depending on nesting locations. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
Tonto Creek – Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch is closed to vehicle, foot entry, and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District (928) 467-3200. Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1000 feet of the nest on land, and to watercraft within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District (928) 467-3200.
Salt River – Salt River from Horseshoe Bend to Redmond Flat allows watercraft to float through, but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, (928) 402-6200.
Salt River near Meddler Point is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1000 feet of the nest on land, and to watercraft within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District (928) 467-3200.
Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam is closed to vehicle or foot entry on the south side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, (480) 610-3300.
Salt River near Goldfi eld-Kerr Fire Station is closed to foot and vehicle entry on the north side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, (480) 610-3300.
TIPS FOR VISITING EAGLE AREAS
If you are visiting bald eagle country, an advance call to the local land management agency (U.S. Forest Service district, etc.) or the Arizona Game and Fish Department may help you plan your trip to avoid disturbing bald eagles. By following these simple guidelines, we can all help ensure that our living wildlife legacy will last for generations to come:
Enjoy bald eagles from outside the closures, which are marked with signs and/or buoys. Watch from a distance using a spotting scope, binoculars or telephoto camera lens.
Anyone approached by a nestwatcher and asked to cease an activity or leave a closed area should comply. A few good places to see bald eagles without disturbing them (during December and January) are at Lake Mary and Mormon Lake near Flagstaff or on the Verde Canyon Train in Clarkdale.
Bald eagles protecting an active nest will let you know if you are too close. If a bald eagle is vocalizing and circling the area frantically, you are too close and need to leave the area quickly. Bald eagles incubating eggs or brooding small young should never be off the nest for more than 15 minutes.
Pilots should maintain the FAA-recommended 2,000-foot AGL advisory when flying over bald eagle habitat such as along the riparian areas of the Salt and Verde Rivers and Lakes such as Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt lake, and Alamo Lake. These areas are designated on the Phoenix Sectional Aeronautical Map. Special brochures for pilots regarding this advisory can be obtained by calling the Arizona Department of Transportation or the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (623) 236-7506.
Help from anglers is especially needed. Fishing line and tackle have killed two nestlings and been found in two-thirds of all bald eagle nests in the state. Every year biologists remove these lethal hazards from nests and/or entangled nestlings. Discard of any fishing line properly in specially-marked recycling containers or at fishing stores. Also, use fresh line that isn’t old and brittle. Use the correct test line for the fish you are trying to catch. Also, do not cut the line when an undesirable fish is caught and return it to the water with the hook and line attached.
You can help bald eagle research and recovery efforts by reporting any harassment or shooting of bald eagles. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief Hotline at (800) 352-0700 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement at (480) 967-7900. Read more at http://www.theoutdoorwire. com/story/1449792822qv9a06u3825.
6. Group Ranks Arizona As Country’s Top ‘Water Hog.’ A campaign to encourage people to conserve water on behalf of wildlife has identified Arizona as one of the top water wasters in the country. The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity is sponsoring the “Don’t be a Drip” campaign to make consumers aware that using too much water can harm critical habitats.
7. Agriculture Growth Spurs Calls For Groundwater Regulation In Rural Arizona. Political leaders, farmers and residents in several Arizona counties want to crack down on unchecked groundwater pumping as fears rise in rural areas that the lawless access to water they enjoyed for decades may leave future generations scrambling.
The call comes from places that weren’t included in reform that swept Arizona’s most populated areas in the 1980s to regulate groundwater withdrawal.
Places such as the Kingman area, in Mohave County, where farmers last year sank a record number of new wells into an aquifer with diminishing water. Places that aren’t supplied by the Colorado River and depend on groundwater to survive.
“I think the future of Kingman and the surrounding area are in jeopardy,” County Supervisor Buster Johnson said.
Aquifers nationwide can be a volatile source for water as groundwater levels even in wetter climates have dropped over the last two decades, according to U.S. Geological Survey data obtained by USA TODAY
The Phoenix and Tucson areas bucked that trend, as water levels in more than half of the wells in their basins documented by the USGS actually rose. These areas are under tight groundwaterpumping restrictions and depend heavily on the Colorado River for supply.
Wells showing some of the sharpest declines in water level are mostly in unregulated lands. The data include wells where researchers observed change over a 10-year period or more.
Kathy Ferris, who helped drive groundwater-management rules 35 years ago, said Arizona needs its next wave of groundwater protections for rural areas to keep their economies from tanking.
The Arizona Town Hall, a non-profit organization that delivers annual policy recommendations, concluded this year that the state should allow new groundwater frameworks to be established.
“There are no limits in most of these areas about who can drill a well where and how big and how much they can pump,” said Ferris, who is the director of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association. “It’s a recipe for disaster.”
In Mohave County, agriculture has expanded so rapidly that 101 new irrigation wells were planned in 2014 for one of the area aquifers. Previous years in the Hualapai Valley basin yielded no more than seven new irrigation wells if any at all, according to Arizona Department of Water Resources data. Domestic wells made up the majority of new wells for that basin up until 2014, according to the data.
Fearful residents fl ocked to their county supervisors last year only to learn that they don’t have the power to do anything because only the state can regulate groundwater.
“The people that live out here, they’re not going to be able to afford to drill deeper and get water,” County Supervisor Johnson said. Read more at ww.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/investigations/2015/12/09/agriculturegrowth-spurs-calls-groundwater-regulation-rural-arizona/76738342/
