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 http://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 http://www.az.gov/recovery while the federal
government’s Web site is http://www.recovery.gov.

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