About the LHC/AWR Bill Williams River Diversion Project and Current Staus.

Introduction: Lake Havasu City (the City) and Arizona Water Resources, LLC (AWR) have joined together to develop the Bill Williams River Diversion Project (Project) to divert a small part (8,000 AFY average) of water from the Bill Williams River before it enters the Colorado River and is lost to the State of Arizona.
The City needs the water to offset likely Colorado River shortages as the elevation of Lake Mead declines. The Project consists of a sub-surface diversion facility and fish barrier located in the narrows about 4 miles upstream from the Highway 95 bridge. A pumping plant and 5 mile long 42-inch diameter pipeline would deliver the diverted Bill Williams River water to the Central Arizona Project (CAP). The CAP would use the Bill Williams River water and, by exchange, allow Lake Havasu City to divert an equal amount of CAP’s water from the Colorado River. In addition to needed environmental approval by the United States, an exchange agreement with the CAP and a revised water right application must be approved by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
Project Cost and Financing: The Estimated cost is $42 million ($50 million if Native Fishery Restoration Program is included). AZW suggests that the Project be paid for by the City through assessments on new developments. The full faith and credit of the City would secure AWR’s issuance of industrial revenue bonds that would be paid off over a 10 to 30 year period, depending on the rate of new development in the City.
US FWS Denial: The application of the City and AWR for a Refuge Compatibility Determination has been denied by the Refuge Manager, even though all environmental impacts would be avoided or fully mitigated and the application meets all requirements published in the FWS Manual.

Lake Havasu City Chamber of Commerce requests Favorable Determination from Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge Manager

Lake Havasu City: Because Lake Havasu City is a growing community which thrives alongside the Colorado River, the Chamber being the leading advocate for business in the City, wrote to the Refuge Manager urging a favorable decision through President/CEO Lisa Krueger that it has a mission to enhance and promote a healthy economic environment.
The Chamber fully supports Lake Havasu City's proposal related to the Bill Williams River diversion project.
Contact: LHC Chamber Govt. Affairs: Carl Flusche

Doris Goodale, District 3 Arizona House of Representatives Urges Refuge Manager to OK phase one of Diversion Project.

Phoenix, AZ: Representative Goodall who serves on the Water and Energy Committee, endorsed the Project at the Determination of Compatibility Phase so that we can "start planning for the future now."

In her letter to Refuge Manager Gilbert, in addition to urging approval to move forward at this critical step, the Representative while referring to the Wildlife Refuge as a "treasure that must be respected and preserved," she indicated that following a positive ruling, and "by working together through the review process, we will learn what steps need to be taken to advance the refuge mission and to minimize the impact."

Legislative District 3 includes all of Mohave County, a large portion of La Paz County and the City of Page in Northern Coconino County.

Arizona State Senator Ron Gould, 3rd District, Encourages Refuge Manager to Determine Project Compatibility.

Today, Senator Gould requested that a Determination of Compatibility be issued by Richard Gilbert for the proposed diversion facility to be constructed within the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge.

The Senator added that the Bill Williams River and the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge are treasurers that must be respected and preserved and that through the environmental review process "we will be able to learn exactly what steps must be taken to advance the refuge mission and minimize the impact to the refuge."

"A novel project such as the diversion facility will not be realized unless local, state, and federal stakeholders are committed to working together."

The Senator closed by adding that "We must start planning for the future now. I look forward to working with you to achieve our mutual goals."

The Honorable Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona
The Honorable Jon Kyl, U.S. Senator
The Honorable John McCain, U.S. Senator
The Honorable Trent Franks, U.S. Congressman
Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Larry Voyles, Arizona Game and Fish
Herb Gunther, Arizona Department of Water Resources
The Honorable Mark Nexsen, Lake Havasu City
The Honorable Buster Johnson, Mohave County
were all coppied the February 11, 2009 letter.

Lake Havasu City and AWR Appeal Refuge Manager’s Determination.

Lake Havasu City and Arizona Water Resources, LLC, are appealing the Refuge Manager’s decision, citing both procedural and substantive defects. They contend that the Refuge Manager failed to comply with a provision of the Administrative Procedures Act that requires decisions of federal officials to be made only after consultation with interested parties, and that he neglected to consult with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Arizona Department of Water Resources and in particular, the people of Lake Havasu City who are seeking the water that would be supplied by the project. Substantively, the appellants argue that the Refuge manager also failed to analyze relevant criteria, that he mischaracterized the project itself and both minimized project benefits or exaggerated project impacts in order to support his conclusion.

Refuge Manager Blocks Lake Havasu City’s Effort to Obtain Bill Williams River Water.

On February 4, 2009, Richard Gilbert, Refuge Manager of the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge, blocked an application to divert a small portion of the Bill Williams River water for Lake Havasu City’s use. As Refuge Manager, Gilbert contends that he had the authority to take this action under the Public Laws, Executive Orders and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policies. Gilbert found the proposed project for use of a small portion of the river water by Lake Havasu City not to be an appropriate use.

Arizona water chief to House panel: Easy supplies running out.

ANDREA WILSON
Cronkite News Service
PHOENIX - Tapping the ocean and seeding clouds hold promise as ways to bring more water to Arizona, but the state needs to make tough choices to ensure a sustainable supply, the state's top water official told lawmakers Thursday.
"We are spoiled by cheap, readily available water supplies, and we're going to have to start biting the bullet because we're going to run out of those supplies," Herb Guenther, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said while briefing the House Committee on Water and Energy.
Guenther said Arizona has plenty of water now, but it isn't necessarily where it's needed. That's left areas such as Mohave County, the Verde Valley, the Mogollon Rim and the Coconino Plateau in northern Arizona and the upper San Pedro region in southern Arizona needing to import water to have sustainable supplies, he said.

Read full Article HERE

Rotarians back City's Bill Williams River Diversion Project Plan!

7:00am Meeting L.H.C. Sunrise Rotarians:

Less that 24 hours after the City announced its Stimulus request and the inclusion of the BWR Diversion Project, Mike Clinton of Arizona Water Resources presented at the Sunrise Rotarian's morning meeting. Among other things, Clinton explained water shortage statistics, benefits to the City including eventual ownership and an estimated 800 jobs, as well as benefits to the Refuge which include reducing the current fire hazard, increasing the public access, and protecting the Refuge from future claims that it can't protect itself from. Following the discussion and Q&A, Sunrise Rotarians signed up and subscribe to the LHC/AWR stimulus plan. Several other important projects and events were discussed during the breakfast meeting. For more info. on these important events please check in with the Sunrise Rotarians.

City submits Bill Williams Project to United States Conference of Mayors for Stimulus Package to bring estimated 800 jobs!

From the Havasu News

Tonite, at a Special City Council meeting, the Bill Williams diversion project was added to the City's wish list for investment. Among other things, it is estimated that the project would consist of 800 jobs which makes it a priority for stimulus requests.

Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, Mayor Mark Nexsen, all of the LHC Council Members, and City Manager Kaffenberger worked tirelessly on the Submissions.

Read more at the Havasu news.