[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Owens Announces $35, 000 Grant to Hualapai Tribe to Protect Grand Canyon Waters

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Director Owens Announces $35,000 Grant to Hualapai Tribe to Protect
Grand Canyon Waters 

PHOENIX (July 22, 2008) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Director Steve Owens announced today that ADEQ is awarding a $35,000
grant to the Hualapai Tribe in Mohave County to protect Diamond Creek,
which flows into the Colorado River on the tribe's northwestern Arizona
reservation.
 
The funds will be used to reduce soil erosion that occurs when drivers
on the unpaved Diamond Creek Road cross the creek in an area of about
one-third of a mile where the creek and road are in close proximity.
Sediment traps will be constructed at smaller crossings along the length
of the road. 
Diamond Creek Road is about 12 miles long. 

"We are pleased to work with the Hualapai Tribe to support this
important effort," Director Owens said. "It will help to reduce
potential pollution to a main tributary of the Colorado River and help
protect the Colorado River itself, which is vital to Arizona and the
West." 

The road begins in Peach Springs and is the only road access point to
the river between Lees Ferry in northern Coconino County and Lake Mead.
An estimated 2,400 vehicles traveled the road last year, and more are
expected in years to come because of the anticipated growth of the
river-tour industry. 

The project will divert water from the road. Sediment traps also will
help reduce erosion into Diamond Creek and the Colorado River. Water
quality and aquatic insects will be monitored and education efforts will
be directed to drivers and river visitors. 

Both volunteers and paid employees will work on the project. 

The grant is funded with federal dollars provided to ADEQ 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
communications@azdeq.gov.

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR 
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific 
individual(s) to whom it is addressed.  It may contain information that is 
privileged and confidential under state and federal law.  This information 
may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be 
subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the 
information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-
mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-
mail, and then delete the original e-mail.  Thank you.