Report strongly supports need for further technical study
NEWS RELEASE
February 25, 2014
A recent study by the United States Army Corps of Engineers concludes that a significant flood event along the Lower Santa Cruz River would cause enormous property and economic damage. The Study, under Section 206 of the Flood Plain Management Services Program, found that total structures and related damages could reach $186 million for a single flood event.
Since 1887, 34 major floods have occurred on the river, an average of one every four years. Six of the seven most damaging floods have occurred in the last 50 years. Today, with the area’s rapid growth and development, damage from a major flood could devastate the entire region. In recognition of the high risk to the region and state, strong support has come from the Arizona legislature, which voted unanimously on a related Concurrent Memorial, a Proclamation signed by Governor
Brewer, the Congressional delegation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has made this FPMS study one of its highest priorities in the southwest region.
The study notes that the flooding in 1983 and 1993 were “especially devastating”, with “areas…inundated for up to seven days leading to widespread crop damage and significant disruptions to transportation, business, and communities as a whole”.
“We want to commend the Corps of Engineers for its hard work and active engagement with regional stakeholders, which resulted in a high quality study that demonstrates an urgent need to move forward with a comprehensive solution to protect the region from a future flood”, said Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance Board Chairman, Mark Killian.
“The Lower Santa Cruz River runs through the heart of Arizona’s fastest growing region and part of my district and this study represents an important step in our efforts to protect the people, businesses, homes and farms in this region from future floods,” said Pinal County Supervisor, Anthony Smith.
FPMS studies are limited in scope and do not include other quantitative damage estimates in key areas, especially impacts to tribal lands and critical infrastructure, the damage to which could equal or exceed the $186 million structure damage estimate. The study notes that the region “…continues to be susceptible to disruption or damage to transportation along major regional and national conduits, regional public utility services, extensive agricultural infrastructure and production, and a range of tribal infrastructure and services.” The study further states: “Damages and disruptions to critical infrastructure would likely be significant and clearly demonstrate that total damages…would be larger than can be demonstrated by quantified results alone.”
Among the many affected communities, three Indian Tribes – the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community and Tohono O’odham Nation – are severely impacted by flooding on the lower Santa Cruz River. “We are pleased this study recognizes that a major flood could devastate the economy of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, especially our agricultural industry, substantial new developments and critical infrastructure,” said Ak-Chin Indian Community Chairman, Louis J. Manuel, Jr.
A number of municipalities are also impacted, including the fast-growing cities of Casa Grande, Eloy and Maricopa. “The Santa Cruz River has a long history of flooding that adversely impacts the residents, businesses and agriculture in the City of Maricopa. This important Army Corps of Engineers study points out that any major flood event in the future will have a devastating economic consequence to the City of Maricopa. It is my hope that the federal government can expedite the funding for this critical project before a major flooding event decimates our communities.” said Maricopa Mayor Christian Price.
Contacts:
Steven Bloch, President, Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance: (480) 518-6363
Joe Pyritz, Pinal County Communication Director: (520) 866-6226
Abbie Fink, Public Information Officer, Ak-Chin Indian Community: (602) 957-8881 (x-208)
Paul Jepson, City of Maricopa: (602) 672-6024
The Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance is a 501(c) (6) non-profit Arizona corporation established to secure a comprehensive regional flood control solution for the 5,000 square mile lower Santa Cruz River watershed. The Alliance consists of 20 public and private member organizations representing thousands of stakeholders, including local governments, tribes, farmers, and land owners. For more information on the Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance, please visit our website: www.santacruzalliance.org.
