ARENA Events of Interest -- Feb. 23 Edition

[ARENA-WhiteMountains]

Of Interest

New Website on Potash Mining in the Holbrook Basin, www.holbrookbasin.org

The Little Colorado RC&D recently announced a comprehensive new website, Holbrook Basin Horizons: Guide to Potash. The website is intended to help everyone, but especially those in local communities, become aware, get educated and keep track of events as they unfold. The website features information about the Holbrook Basin potash deposit; different types of mining; the life of a mine; potential impacts and ways of addressing potential impacts. It also features publicly-available information from American West Potash, Passport Potash and HNZ Potash, as well as a calendar of events, news articles, links, background reading and a glossary. The purpose of the website is to enable stakeholders, especially the local communities, become engaged in planning processes in order to make the most of opportunities and minimize risks. For more information about the website, see the RC&D press release.

Holbrook Community Forum on Potash Mining: Wednesday, February 29th

The Holbrook Business Development Group is hosting a community forum on the potential impacts of potash mining on the economy and the lives of people in Holbrook. Featured speakers are Joshua Bleak, President, Passport Potash and Pat Avery, President, American West Potash. The meeting will be held from 6:00 - 7:30 pm at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center at 8th Avenue and West Buffalo, behind the Holbrook High School. Informational booths will be set up in the foyer and the doors will open at 5:15.

Public Meetings in Apache & Navajo Counties on Plans of American West Potash

Public meetings about American West Potash' plans for the Holbrook Basin Project are scheduled in March, April and May in both Apache and Navajo counties. Of the three companies pursuing potash mining in the basin, AWP's plans have progressed the furthest and it is entering permitting processes. These meetings provide an important opportunity to learn about what potash mining can mean to the counties, and how to influence decision-making during the planning and permitting stage. The meetings will feature presentations by Pat Avery, President, American West Potash, and question and answer sessions. Apache County meeting dates are on Mondays -- March 19, April 23 and May 21. Navajo County meeting dates are on Tuesdays --  March 20, April 24 and May 22. All meetings are scheduled from 6-7:30 pm. Locations are to-be-announced. For more information, contact the Little Colorado RC&D, in...@littlecolorado.net, 928.524.2912.

Legislation Introduced for Navajo, Hopi Water Rights Settlement

US Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain recently introduced the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Rights Settlement Act, which is legislation that would settle the legal claims of northern Arizona tribes to water from the Little Colorado River. According to the proposed settlement act, the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe waive their claims to the Little Colorado River in exchange for three water-delivery projects. In addition to bringing drinking water to the reservations, the bill would provide certainty for non-Indian communities trying to plan their water future. The introduction of the settlement act is a major milestone in a two-decades-long process.

Ed McGavock's Investigations: Water Quality in the Southern Coconino Aquifer

A synopsis of Ed McGavock's ongoing investigations into water quality in the Coconino Aquifer in Navajo and Apache Counties are available now. According to McGavock, hydrologist at Montgomery and Associates, groundwater in the southern part of the Coconino Aquifer doesn't meet drinking water standards in about 30 percent of off-Reservation Navajo County, and 65 percent of off-Reservation Apache County. Additional ongoing analyses, including a water-quality monitoring network, are needed in order to track changes over time, and to better predict future pumping impacts on water quality. These results reflect work in progress that McGavock presented in a poster session at the Arizona Hydrological Society 24th Annual Symposium in Flagstaff, September 18-20, 2011.Thanks are due to the many local community members who provided water samples and water quality test results for this investigation.

Presentations from the 5th Annual Winter Watershed Conference

Presentations from the Little Colorado RC&D's 5th Annual Winter Watershed Conference (February 1-3, 2012) are available now. Among the presentations included are "Potash in the Holbrook Basin," by Lee Allison, PhD, Arizona Geological Survey; "Putting the Water Resources Development Commission (WRDC) Report in Context," by Ed McGavock, Montgomery & Associates; and "Overview of Water Resources of the Little Colorado River Basin with an Emphasis on the C Aquifer in the Holbrook Area," by Don Bills, USGS.

BLM DEIS on Renewable Energy on Public Lands in Arizona

This month the Arizona Bureau of Land Management released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that identifies public lands across the state that are most suitable for the development of renewable energy, and addresses environmental protection measures that would apply to such lands.

BOS Hearing for Met Tower for Apache District Wind Farm: Tuesday, February 28th

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a public hearing for a special use permit for a meteorological tower for juwi Wind's Apache District Wind Farm project. The project is located approximately 13 miles southwest of Holbrook, on the east side of State Route 377. The hearing is on the agenda for the BOS meeting at 9 am in the Supervisors' Chambers at the Navajo County Complex in Holbrook.