[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Awards Water Quality Improvement Grant of $12, 850 to Town of Gila Bend to Preserve Soil at Hohokam Village Site

Tue Jun 16 12:13:44 MST 2009

PHOENIX (June 16, 2009) - The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality has announced a $12,850 Water Quality Improvement Grant to the
Town of Gila Bend to protect the ruins of a thousand-year-old Hohokam
village from erosion and runoff from storm water. 

The ancient Hohokam village, known as the Gatlin Site, has been
designated a National Historic Landmark by the State Historic
Preservation Office. The site is located 2 miles north of downtown Gila
Bend in southern Maricopa County.

Five to eight acres of the archaeological site are threatened by storm
runoff and eroding soil, which during severe thunderstorms enters
neighboring irrigation fields and sometimes the Gila River. 

The ADEQ grant funds two projects to stabilize the soil and reduce
erosion and runoff. Volunteers will fill in soil and reshape the
landscape at two sites located in one of the drainage areas. Groups that
have committed volunteers include the Arizona Archaeological Society and
the Southwest Archaeological Team.

The grant also will fund public-education activities, including
workshops, a brochure, and signs that explain the project for visitors. 

"Erosion-control projects in 2004 and 2005 have improved conditions at
this historic site, but more work needs to be done," said ADEQ Acting
Director Patrick J. Cunningham. "ADEQ is pleased to fund this project
and help save an important historical site."

ADEQ's Water Quality Improvement Grant program is funded by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency 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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