Army Corps of Engineers Commits $36.4m to Phoenix

Stimulus to fund additional construction at Tres Rios environmental restoration project

Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced federal stimulus dollars for the city of Phoenix. The Corps is committing $36.4 million for additional construction at the Tres Rios environmental restoration project.

The project will restore the ecosystem in this 8-mile reach of the Salt River, including re-establishment of native vegetation and wildlife habitat. The wetlands will work in conjunction with a regional wastewater treatment plant that currently services about 2 million residents in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon was quick to say, “We are thankful to the Army Corps of Engineers for recognizing the importance of this project and to Congressman Ed Pastor (D-AZ 4th) for his help and support.”

The additional funding means that work will continue on what will someday total 380 acres of wetlands, riparian habitat and trails at Tres Rios. When completed, the project will be a multi-purpose environmentally effective way to treat wastewater, which is sustainable and more cost effective than traditional treatment methods. The source water for Tres Rios is highly treated wastewater from the 91st Avenue wastewater treatment plant which is located on the northern bank of the Salt River.

“Three hundred eighty six jobs will be maintained or created due to this funding, so we are not only able to continue with this critically important project, but keep people at work as well,” said Councilman Claude Mattox, chairman of the National League of Cities’ Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Advocacy Committee.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Commander, Colonel Thomas Magness said today, “We will do some remarkable work and employ a whole lot of people. So everyone, get your hard hats ready.”

Source: City of Phoenix

Technorati Tags: Arizona, Army Corps of Engineers, City of Phoenix, Colonel Thomas Magness, Ed Pastor, Phil Gordon, Phoenix, Salt River