Bureau of Reclamation Grant for Yuma East Wetlands Operations and Management

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) is a partnership of Federal and non-Federal stakeholders responding to the need to balance the use of Lower Colorado River (LCR) water resources and the conservation of native species and their habitats in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. This is a long-term plan to conserve at least 26 species along the LCR from Lake Mead to the Southerly International Boundary with Mexico through implementation of a Habitat Conservation Plan.

In 2000, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, City of Yuma and the Quechan Tribe collaborated to analyze the potential of restoring the local wetlands along the Colorado River by removing non-native plant species, trash dumps, and make-shift hobo camps. By excavating and dredging backwaters and choked river channels, the partners have re-established natural water flows through a degraded wetland and marsh, and revegetated a 350-acre area with riparian plants.

Located in downtown Yuma, the site has become an integrated mosaic of land cover types, including cottonwood-willow, honey mesquite, and marsh. The project is restoring historic river channels, and establishing wetland, riparian and upland vegetation habitat suitable for multiple wildlife species including the Yuma clapper rail and migratory birds such as the southwestern willow flycatcher. Management of the site is overseen by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization.

The partnership has matured and a land use agreement between Reclamation, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation, Quechan Tribe, City of Yuma, and Arizona Game and Fish Department was executed in April 2013. This agreement designates the site as a conservation area and establishes long-term funding commitments for the partners. Through this agreement the LCR MSCP has agreed to fund 70 percent of the operations and maintenance costs for the restored areas. The remaining 30 percent will be funded equally by the Quechan Tribe, City of Yuma, and Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation. These contributions will be used for trail maintenance, upkeep of adjacent lands, law enforcement presence and outreach to local stakeholders.

The purpose of this project is to provide annual funding to the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation to support of on-going operations and maintenance at the project site. Operations and maintenance activities include, but are not limited to, providing support for project coordination, administrative, technical and general labor for the site; irrigation system infrastructure repair and rehabilitation; application of herbicide; repairs to vehicles and equipment used on the site; site signage; and other related operations and maintenance activities associated with a large native habitat area.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The recipient will be responsible for managing and coordinating all site operation and management activities, managing project contractors and for obtaining all required approvals and permits from site owners, operators and agencies. In addition, the recipient shall:

1. Plan, implement and monitor project activities in accordance and compliance with Federal, Tribal, State and local laws, regulations and ordinances.
2. Provide access to the 350-acres of restored habitat available to conduct native land cover type management activities.
3. Work with entitled water contract holders regarding water committed for irrigation purposes and coordinate the issuance of irrigation water reports to Reclamation annually.
4. Adhere to the project’s scope of work including target dates for achievements of milestones.
5. Meet with Reclamation technical staff quarterly (by phone or in person) to discuss prior current and future site activities, as well as any other issues, concerns, ideas, etc. that may be of importance to the project.
6. Make technical staff available to assist in coordinating upcoming fiscal year annual budgets and major work activities to be budgeted for the following fiscal year.
7. Provide all services, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies and personnel required to accomplish project goals.
8. Consult with and coordinate with Reclamation prior to any change in management operations or land use that may impact habitat management activities.
9. Collect, review, maintain and make available to Reclamation, as requested, financial records supporting in-kind and/or cash cost-share contributions from the Quechan Tribe, City of Yuma and Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation, as outlined in Reclamation Contract No. 01-30-L0766 – Land Use Agreement For Restoration Activities.
10. Coordinate irrigation water reporting from the entitled holders to Reclamation annually.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, Reclamation will be responsible for the following:

1. At the Recipient’s request, Reclamation will provide technical assistance to the Recipient in support of the scope of work and objectives of this agreement.
2. Reclamation’s LCR MSCP staff shall participate in annual planning efforts including work planning and budgeting processes. Reclamation shall follow the LCR MSCP’s annual work plan and budget process to describe planned management activities and provide funding for the project.
3. Meet with the Recipient’s technical staff quarterly (by phone or in person) to discuss work to be undertaken in the next six months, to discuss work completed during the past six months and any other issues, concerns, ideas, etc. that may be of importance to the project.
4. Collaborate with the recipient to ensure the habitat conforms to the species standards outlined in habitat conservation plan. This cooperative management allows for the successful implementation of the Lower Colorado Multi-Species Conservation Plan.
5. Reclamation will work with the recipient to change and modify and management practices that will benefit of threatened and endangered species.
6. Reclamation will provide technical expertise for the upkeep, repair and rehabilitation of pumping systems located on the project.