Contract awarded for next phase of the Tres Rios project
By Jennie Ayala

LOS ANGELES ---The Corps awarded a $3.9 million civil works construction contract to ERS-JV of San Pedro, Calif., for the second phase of the levee on the Tres Rios project in Maricopa County, Ariz.

ERS-JV will construct a one-mile levee between 115th Avenue and El Mirage Road (123rd Avenue) along the Gila River.  This levee is a part of the overall seven mile multi-purpose project designed to address flooding problems, restore critical natural riparian and wetland habitats and improve water quality along the river.  Agricultural and residential areas near Tres Rios, located at the confluence of the Salt, Gila and Agua Fria Rivers, have been prone to severe flooding since 1978.

“Securing the completion of the Tres Rios project has been one of my priorities in Congress, and I’m pleased with its progress,” said U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, whose 4th congressional district includes the project area west of Phoenix.  “Not only will it address flood control issues, but Tres Rios will restore natural habitats once known in these parts, and improve our water quality,” said Pastor.

The project provides a 100-year level of flood damage reduction for more than 2000 acres of highly productive agricultural land.  When complete, the project will remove approximately 700 residential and municipal structures from the flood plain.  “This contract brings us one step closer to assessing the needs of the residents in this community that have been subjected to so many floods in the past,” said Mike Ternak, the Corps’ Tres Rios Project Manager.

Phoenix City Council member Claude Mattox, who chairs the city’s Land Use, Environment and Natural Resources subcommittee said, “This project will create another asset to the community by bringing flood protection, habitat restoration and recreational opportunities to our customers in the area.”

The Water Resources Development Act of 2000 authorized the design and construction of this project, which paves the way for an additional levee and the development of constructed wetlands using reclaimed water at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

For information on other Corps of Engineers projects or to learn more about Los Angeles District contracting visit our website at http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/.

Rio Salado nominated for Valley Forward Environmental Excellence Award
By Jennia Ayala

The Rio Salado (Tempe) Habitat Restoration project is a contender for Valley Forward’s 27th Annual Environmental Excellence Award.  The project was selected as a finalist in the Environmental Technologies Category for 2007. 

This restoration project represents a balance between the needs of Tempe as an urban community and the natural environment.  The Army Corps of Engineers partnered with the City of Tempe to design and build a multi-purpose project to address flood damage reduction, restore the natural habitat of the Salt River and create regional and urban recreational opportunities. 

Project features include drought-tolerant plants, flowering shrubs and native trees.  Multi-use recreational paths, picnic areas and interpretive signs with information on plant species also enhance the project area.  A 40-foot wide low flow area designed to hold storm discharges has resulted in a lush greenbelt along the center of the riverbed.  Water for a 93-acre area is provided by a drip-irrigation system pumped from the Tempe Town Lake.

The Salt River has experienced degradation of wetlands and riparian vegetation within the existing flood control channel. Approximately 90 percent of all wildlife species in Arizona depend on riparian habitat for their survival. Before the start of the project, only sporadic vegetation existed in the Salt River.

The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration project applies simple technology that recreates the connection between nature and a community bound by the Salt River.

The project was designed by the joint venture of McGann Associates and Novak Environmental, Inc.  Contractor Macro Z Technology handled construction.

The awards ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Col. Thomas Magness, Los Angeles District Commander, chats with ATV-riding U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents while visiting Corps projects in the San Diego area in September.  Magness said he was impressed with the dedication to duty the agents bring to the job of making America and her border environment a better, safer place to live.

Postcards from Iraq
YES it Matters!!
By Barbara Cover Spear

Click on image to enlarge - 196KB PDF

Air Show Scheduled at Los Alamitos
The California National Guard's Joint Forces Training Base and the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce will host Wings, Wheels and Rotors on Sunday October 28 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event will take place at Los Alamitos Army Airfield, Joint Forces Training Base at 11200 Lexington Drive, Los Alamitos.

Attendees can view military aircraft; civilian, public safety and military helicopters; radio-controlled airplanes; military equipment; and classic cars and motorcycles. There will be military flyovers and static displays of an Air Force Reserve Boeing C17 Globemaster III and other aircraft.

Proceeds will benefit Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) funds for the military personnel on the base. The event is open to the public and admission and parking are free. Picture I.D. required for entrance at Katella and Lexington avenues.

For more information, visit their website at www.WWREXPO.net