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.