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Home  News Room Stories Corps, Pima County dedicate Rillito River project
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Corps, Pima County dedicate Rillito River project |
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Written by Daniel J. Calderón
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Monday, 20 October 2008 |
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 Dr. Josephine Axt, chief of Planning for the Los Angeles District, speaks with the audience of local residents, Pima County officials and representatives of local Congressional offices at the dedication ceremony for the Rillito River/Swan Wetlands Ecosystem Restoration Project held in Tucson Oct. 17. The project modified more than 30 acres around the Rillito River to provide restored riparian habitat and improved ecosystem function. (Photo by Daniel J. Calderon)
The gathering took place at the South bank of Rillito River Park at the end of Columbus Road. On hand were area residents along with Pima County Board supervisors and representatives from local Congressional representative offices.
“I think this is a fine project,” said Hugh Morris, a resident who lives along the Rillito River. “We have high hopes of reforesting and replenishing the area along the Rillito. I think this is a good project and a good use of public funds.”
The project was authorized by Section 1135, Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (PL-99-662). The purpose was to modify the existing Rillito River, north of downtown and restore the degraded reaches.
The project, which cost a total of about $4.5 million, was divided into three separate areas covering more than 55 acres along the Rillito River located in urban Tucson. Riparian and wetland communities have experienced extensive historical losses due to channelization and other flood control measures in the region.
“I really see this as a victory for 1135 projects everywhere,” said Josephine Axt, chief of Planning for the Los Angeles District. “Look around and you can see the Corps does have sound environmental operating principles and a burgeoning environmental ethics policy that permeates our work. It’s exciting for me.”
The project modified the existing area to restore habitat and ecosystem function. This included replacing straight channels with meandering channels and constructing micro-basins and drop structures among its many features. The Corps also planted native species and both removed and controlled invasive species. Water harvesting features and the Riparian vegetation planted will increase habitat value and wildlife diversity along these portions of the Rillito River. |
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