Recovery money awarded for restoration project along Salt River in Mesa

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District has announced that $645,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been awarded for the Va Shly’ay Akimel Salt River Ecosystem Restoration Project located along the Salt River that borders Mesa and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 

“Getting recovery money from ARRA is great news for the partnership between the City of Mesa and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for this project,” Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said.  “The Va Shly’ay Akimel Restoration along the Salt River will support native wildlife and vegetation and return this area to a more natural condition.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen connections between the City of Mesa and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community as well as restore a river habitat that will be enjoyed by generations to come,” Mesa District 1 Councilmember Dave Richins said.     

The project involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would utilize construction to bring surface and/or ground water to the river to nourish vegetation.  When completed, the Va Shly’ay Akimel Salt River Ecosystem Restoration Project would add approximately 1,487 acres of habitat, including 883 acres of cottonwood and willow trees, 380 acres of mesquite bosque, 200 acres of wetlands and 24 acres of Sonoran desert scrub, thus restoring functioning riparian areas.  In Arizona, more than 90 percent of riparian areas have been lost due to impacts from modern settlement and urbanization.  In addition, the plan would provide recreational opportunities consisting of approximately 5.1 miles of multi-use decomposed granite trails, parking lots with trailheads, rest stops and interpretive signs.

Mesa has now been awarded $55.7 million in federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the largest combined spending and tax bill in U.S. history.  Information about money received from ARRA can be found at www.mesaaz.gov/recovery.  Mesa’s economic recovery Web site also has links to the state and federal recovery Web sites.  Arizona’s Web site is www.az.gov/recovery while the federal government’s Web site is www.recovery.gov/.

Source: City of Mesa

Technorati Tags: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Arizona, City of Mesa, Mesa, Salt River, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Scott Smith, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Va Shly'ay Akimel Salt River Ecosystem Restoration Project