Oak Creek CanyonTask Force
Residents of Oak Creek Canyon
The Canyon Grapevine
(A newsy update from the OCWC)
Jul 1, 2009
Greetings from the Oak Creek Watershed Council. Here’s what’s happening…
Our group was very busy in 2008, and the pace hasn’t let up in 2009. Here’s what’s happening:
- Our KEEP OAK CREEK CANYON BEAUTIFUL anti-litter program is in full swing, and we will be sponsoring a 40 yard dumpster at Indian Gardens on this long weekend from July 1st to 7th. You’re welcome to deposit your trash, but no chemicals please.
- Through an Education Grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) we have created a student Ambassador program that is designed to teach children of high school age about the Canyon environment and outdoor ethics. The students will be also disseminating information to Canyon visitors throughout the summer. (See our NEWS RELEASE.)
- Our web site is completed, and we’re very pleased to report that it is receiving over 5000 hits a day on the average. We have at least 15 other high volume web sites linked to it including the popular Arizona Highways. Please encourage your family and friends to visit www.oakcreekcanyontaskforce.org for Canyon news you can use.
- We are submitting our application for a targeted watershed improvement grant this week by the ADEQ and EPA. The Oak Creek Watershed Improvement Plan Grant is being created to identify and prioritize water quality improvement projects critical to restore water quality. The goal of this plan implementation is to reduce pollutant loads from nonpoint sources causing Oak Creek to be listed as “impaired” or “not attaining.” The grant will be awarded around Aug. 1st, and the project will last for two years. The amount of the grant is $311,600 in direct funds, and $519,300 in total.
- Last, but not least, our Board of Directors has approved the expansion of our group’s jurisdiction to include the entire length of Oak Creek, and our new name will be the Oak Creek Watershed Council by the end of 2009.
Thank you for your continued support.
Barry Allan, Co-Chair and Morgan Stine, Co-Chair
Past Issues of The Canyon Grapevine
May 2009 PDF
October 2008 PDF
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