Volunteers to Chart Water Flow in Agua Fria River

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Phoenix District

Release Date: 06/14/12

Contacts:		Pamela Mathis	, 623-580-5509	, Media Contact
		Steven Brown	, 928-899-6184	, Volunteer Information

Volunteers to Chart Water Flow in Agua Fria River

Phoenix/Black Canyon City – The Friends of Agua Fria National Monument (Friends) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) gather this Saturday, June 16, for the Fifth Annual Wet/Dry Mapping of the Upper Agua Fria River. The river runs through the Agua Fria National Monument north of Phoenix, Arizona.

Volunteers were trained earlier this month to use Global Positioning Survey (GPS) units as they walk portions of the river to record the presence of water in river and stream channels. This exercise is referred to as “Wet/Dry Mapping” and is essential to accumulate scientific data required to obtain water rights and ensure sustainable water within the National Monument. Twenty three sections of the river are to be mapped this Saturday.

To register to participate or for more information:
Email: steven@aguafriafriends.org

Visitors to the Agua Fria National Monument will notice green ribbons of lush vegetation, known as “riparian vegetative communities” that are critical habitat for numerous Threatened and Endangered species.

The Wet/Dry Mapping is coordinated by the Friends of Agua Fria National Monument and its volunteers in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Non-point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO). The mission of the NEMO Network is to help communities protect their natural resources while still accommodating growth. The goal of NEMO is to educate land use decision makers to make choices and take actions that will lessen nonpoint source pollution and protect natural resources.

For more information about the Friends and to get on the email list to receive updates on hikes and other events on the Monument, go to the Friends web site at: www.aguafriafriends.org.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.

--BLM--

Phoenix District 21605 North 7th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85027

Last updated: 06-14-2012