PAYSON, Ariz. — U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary Michael Connor and USDA Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie joined state, local and private partners to sign a new joint watershed restoration agreement for C.C. Cragin Reservoir in Central Arizona, according to a press release.
The restoration agreement is a pilot project of the Western Watershed Enhancement Partnership, aimed at decreasing risk of wildfires and their effect on western watersheds as part of President Obama's Climate Action Plan, stated the release.
The USDA, Interior partnership joins the Salt River Project, National Forest Foundation, City of Payson, Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service in collective efforts to evaluate and implement treatments that protect the municipal water supply and minimize wildfire and flood risks, noted the release.
"This agreement reflects our commitment to work with state and local partners in restoring and improving the health and resiliency of priority watersheds in Central Arizona," said Conner. "Restoration activities and proactive planning help minimize the impacts of the hotter and longer wildfire seasons on western reservoirs and other critical infrastructure, and help water managers avoid costly repairs in the future."
You can find the release here.
