PRESERVING THE WATERWAYS

Conservationists discuss EPA’s impact

AMADO—Scores of conservationists and politicians including U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., discussed ways to preserve the Santa Cruz River Friday afternoon.

The meeting took new meaning because earlier in the week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency assumed control of the sometimes-flowing stream from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

If the Corps prevails, it may declare parts of the river a “navigable” stream and require pollution controls on those parts, But other sections and other tributaries would not be so protected.

Many of the 75 people meeting at the Rex Ranch expressed fears that if the river’s not so protected, people could dump pollution into it.

That includes fears that mine developers could drop mine tailings and other mining detritus in parts of the river, whether flowing or not. Others said home builders could also get rid of trash in the river or its tributaries.

Grivalja called on swift action, saying work to preserve the river should by done by the U.S. House of Representatives, and “not that black hole of the Senate.”

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