City of Phoenix Invests Into Northern Arizona Forests

By Andrew Bernier
Published: Friday, May 29, 2015 - 5:05am
Updated: Friday, May 29, 2015 - 9:47am
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Andrew Bernier/KJZZ
Fossil Creek in Coconino National Forest.
(Photo by Andrew Bernier - KJZZ)
Hellsgate Wilderness in Tonto National Forest.

The national forests in Arizona give Valley residents a place to camp and escape the heat, but they also give birth to the Valley’s water. Now the Valley is investing back into the health of those forests.

The Phoenix City Council has approved a three-year partnership with the National Forest Foundation to help protect the city’s water supply, investing $200,000 annually in projects across forests in northern Arizona.

Marcus Selig is with the National Forest Foundation. He said the funds will help local businesses, agencies and residents conduct forest restoration projects.

“When we have these large-scale wildfires, and following that we get significant erosion and flooding, that can cause sedimentation into streams and reservoirs reducing storage capacity, reducing water quality," Selig said. "So it’s an important investment that can reduce costs down the road.”

Selig says two projects are underway. One is at Oak Creek to reduce sedimentation from forest roads, which can increase E. coli levels. Another is at Upper Beaver Creek to reduce wildfire risk and restore Mexican Spotted Owl habitat. Both creeks drain into the Verde River, which feeds public utility Salt River Project's canal system, which is also part of the project.

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