Despite the odd title – “A downside to downing dams?”
– the relatively positive restoration story provided a glimpse into
the inherent complexity of dam removal (HCN,
10/01/07). But there is much more to the Fossil Creek story.
Getting to the point of dam removal is seldom easy. The
Fossil Creek power plant decommissioning (done) and dam lowering
(not yet completed) took years of discussion between Arizona Public
Service and conservation groups and included the intervention in
relicensing by two organizations. A settlement agreement was
reached. But even then, it took several more years for various
agencies to sign off on the plan and allow for the final Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission approval of the decommissioning. It is
due to the dogged efforts by conservationists that scientists are
now able to study the results of flow restoration and dam lowering
on Fossil Creek.
All of the marvelously rapid
self-healing and scientifically interesting things that are going
on in Fossil Creek could be lost, however, if the Forest Service
doesn’t step up and properly manage this area. Since the return of
full flows to the creek, visitation has increased dramatically. Our
groups have formally requested that the Coconino and Tonto forest
supervisors immediately issue an emergency order to manage some
recreational uses and to provide porta-johns and water quality
monitoring in heavy use areas.
Fossil Creek Wild and
Scenic designation bills are currently before Congress (S. 86 and
H.R. 199). They must be heard by assigned committees and approved
by Congress so that the Forest Service will get additional funding
to enhance management of the area and deal with recreational
abuses. People can contact Sen. Jeff Bingaman, chairman, Energy and
Natural Resources Committee at 202-224-5521, and Rep.
Ra√∫l Grijalva, chairman, Natural Resources
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands at
202-225-2435, to request these bills be heard.
All of the
time and money invested in the restoration of Fossil Creek will
mean nothing if the creek is trashed by overuse, recreational
abuse, human waste and litter. The creek’s critical importance as a
native fishery is yet to be fully realized despite adequate funding
and agreement among biologists. We celebrate the return of full
flows to Fossil Creek, but we must be ever vigilant in assuring
that this resource is restored and protected fully.
Michelle Harrington
Rivers Program
Director,
Center for Biological Diversity
Phoenix, Arizona
On behalf of Arizona Riparian
Council,
Arizona Wilderness Coalition, Arizona Wildlife
Federation,
Center for Biological Diversity, Maricopa
Audubon Society,
Northern Arizona Audubon
Society,
and Sierra Club – Grand Canyon
Chapter
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Don’t pop the cork yet.
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