Legislation recognizes the Arizona Trail as a national treasure and funds a critical study of the San Pedro River
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is welcoming passage of a major public lands bill that recognizes the Arizona Trail as a national treasure and funds a critical watershed study of the San Pedro River, one of the last major undammed waterways in the American Southwest.
The House passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act on Wednesday in a 285 to 140 vote. A similar vote passed the Senate last week in a 77-20 vote.
“In passing this public lands bill, Congress has taken bold action to preserve the beauty of our nation’s public lands for future generations,” said Giffords. “I am particularly pleased that the Arizona National Scenic Trail Act was included in this bill. The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles across our state, passing through some of the most stunning natural vistas in the world. Started a generation ago and built by dedicated volunteers, the trail is a national treasure that now will receive the recognition and protection it deserves.”
In Southeastern Arizona, the trail runs through Pima, Cochise and Santa Cruz counties. It is used by thousands of hikers, bikers and equestrians every year. Giffords introduced a bill granting National Scenic Trail designation to the Arizona Trail in 2007. That measure is part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act.
Dave Hicks, executive director of the Arizona Trails Association, said the trail is worthy of National Scenic Trail designation. “The 1968 National Scenic Trail act explicitly states the need to recognize the valuable contributions that volunteers and private nonprofit trail groups have made to the development and maintenance of the nation’s trails,” he said. “At 95 percent complete, the Arizona Trail is more complete than six of the eight existing National Scenic trails. That accomplishment is the result of a far reaching partnership of thousands of individuals, hundreds of small and large businesses, many clubs and non profits and the cooperative working attitude of the federal, state, county and city agencies through which the Arizona Trail passes. This partnership is exactly what Congress intended when it enacted the National Scenic Trail Act.”
Also included in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act is $1.26 million in federal funds for the Bureau of Reclamation to study the feasibility of several alternatives for augmenting water supplies in the Sierra Vista area. The study is needed because of rising concerns that, without augmentation of local water supplies, the San Pedro River may run dry due to sustained drought and overpumping of local aquifers.
Giffords sponsored legislation authorizing the study in the House; Sen. Jon Kyl sponsored the Senate version. Its inclusion in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act is being welcomed by Mayor Bob Strain of Sierra Vista and Holly Richter, director of the Upper San Pedro Program of The Nature Conservancy.
“I thank Congress for their support of this critical study,” said Strain. “We’re confident it will move us closer to a renewable source of water to sustain the aquifer, protect the river and prevent any unacceptable consequences to Fort Huachuca and the local economy.”
According to Richter, both people and nature will benefit from the act. “For sustainable water management on the San Pedro River we need a road map that considers both how we can reduce water demands, and how we can increase our water supply,” she said. “This study will help get us there.”