HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Presentation 12-04-2018 El RioEL RIO COUNCIL PRESENTATION
Jim Conroy
Parks and Recreation Director
December 4, 2018
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EL RIO COUNCIL PRESENTATION
Background
Today
Future Plans
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EL RIO PRESERVE
WILDLIFE CORRIDOR
Santa Catalina
Mountains
Sweetwater
Wetlands
Tortolita
Mountains
Tortolita
Preserve
Tucson
Mountains
El Rio Preserve
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EL RIO BACKGROUND
HISTORY
The Town of Marana bought the land in 2003
and designated it as a preserve under the
Parks and Recreation Department in 2015.
According to the AZ Riparian Council, Arizona
riparian areas are a resource in crisis (2004).
Arizona is part of the Central Flyway, and migrating
birds often need resting places to recuperate.
A flood event in 2012 made a cut in the
berm, and in 2014, breached the non-
engineered berm between El Rio Preserve
and the Santa Cruz River. The area flooded
again in 2016 and 2017.
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EL RIO
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OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
EL RIO SITE OVERVIEW
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EL RIO TODAY
BANK PROTECTION & STEWARDSHIP
Reduce the amount of trash and
invasive weed seeds that flow in
during storm events.
Forestry stewardship plan allow
implementation of the riparian
restoration plan, with a permanent
supply to support wildlife.
Vector Control / Trash Control
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EL RIO PRESERVE TODAY
BIODIVERSITY
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EL RIO PRESERVE PLANS
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EL RIO PRESERVE PLANS
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EL RIO PRESERVE PLANS
Phase 1A
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EL RIO PRESERVE PLANS
CURRENT FUNDING
Source
•Town received $456,000 from Marana Center through a
Development Agreement for environmental purposes.
Signed December 18, 2007
•Marana used this money to leverage several grants.
Planting a pollinator garden with Tucson Audubon using
Partners for Fish & Wildlife grant funding ($9,900).
Water Infrastructure Financing Authority Grant ($35,000)
Funding
•Estimated Cost to Complete El Rio Project – $2.2 to $2.7M
•Available Funding – $501,000
•Master Planning – $60,000
•Design & Engineering – $94,000
•Remaining Budget – $347,000
•Phase 1A – $298,000
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EL RIO PRESERVE PLANS
Phase 1A
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EL RIO PLANS
THE LOOP CONNECTIVITY
The Loop
Northwest Nature Park
El Rio Preserve
Sweetwater Wetlands
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EL RIO STAKEHOLDERS
Arizona State Forestry and Fire Management
Cortaro Marana Irrigation District
Friends of El Rio Preserve
Marana Disc Golf Club
Marana Unified School District
Tucson Audubon Society
University of Arizona
Pima County Flood Control District
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation
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THANK YOU
Questions & Comments
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