[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Owens Announces $136, 900 Grant to Improve Water Quality in Graham County

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Director Owens Announces $136,900 Grant to Improve Water Quality in
Graham County

PHOENIX (Aug. 14, 2008) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Director Steve Owens announced today that ADEQ has awarded a $136,900
grant to Noland Ranch, northeast of Safford in Graham County, to improve
water quality in the Bonita Creek and Gila Box Riparian National
Conservation Area.

The funds will be used to rebuild an old 7.4-mile fence, which will
prevent about 200 cattle from disturbing the soil in the Gila River and
Bonita Creek sections of the about 36-square-mile area. 

The disturbance of riparian areas by cattle drinking from the water
source loosens the soil. That increases the sedimentation in the
immediate area and down river and can carry nutrients, fertilizer and
micro-organisms into the water.  

The site is in northeastern Graham County near the border with Greenlee
County.

"We are pleased to support this effort to protect this precious water
body in this very important part of our state," Director Owens said.
"This is another example of how we have been working with local ranchers
and others to protect critical riparian areas from sediment pollution."

The grant, which also includes public education about protecting
watersheds, is funded with federal dollars provided to ADEQ under the
Clean Water Act. 

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News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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