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.