[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Awards $212, 000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to Provide Toilets for Campers, Hikers Visiting Fossil Creek

Tue Jul 14 09:28:51 MST 2009

PHOENIX (July 14, 2009) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Director Benjamin H. Grumbles announced today the award of a $211,825
grant to Coconino National Forest to set up as many as 10 portable
toilets along the middle reach of Fossil Creek, a tributary of the Verde
River, during a press conference at Fossil Creek.

Fossil Creek, which is on the federal roster of Wild and Scenic Rivers,
has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. Natural flows
were restored to the creek in 2005 after its waters were diverted for
nearly a century for hydropower generation. Non-native fish were removed
from 9 miles of the creek in 2004.

However, because no restroom facilities are available in much of the
area, Fossil Creek has been threatened by overnight camping and day-use
activities. Coconino National Forest officials have recorded more than
100 campsites marred by trash, including human waste, along the creek in
Gila and Yavapai counties. 

Money from ADEQ's Water Quality Improvement Grant will be used to
determine the best locations for toilets along a 4.6-mile stretch of
Fossil Creek. The facilities will be installed by a Forest Service
contractor and the sites will be monitored by Coconino National Forest
staff and researchers with Northern Arizona University's School of
Forestry to determine if the toilets are being used and recreation
patterns in the area.

In addition, the Forest Service will launch a "Leave No Trace" public
awareness campaign, which will include posted signs to remind campers
how to properly dispose of human waste and trash. Forest Service
officials discussed that campaign and other Fossil Creek updates at the
Tuesday press conference.

"Great progress has been made in restoring this riparian area, and it's
essential that the gains are not lost," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H.
Grumbles. "Fossil Creek is one of the crown jewels of Arizona's back
country and ADEQ is pleased to provide funding for this project."

The project is also funded by the Arizona Water Protection Fund and the
U.S. Forest Service. ADEQ's Water Quality Improvement Grant program is
funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water
Act. 

-30-

"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
ms15@azdeq.gov."

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