The Upper Verde River and Sycamore Creek are facing environmental threats, prompting a diverse coalition to seek federal protection. This alliance, comprising environmental groups, cities, local businesses, and chambers of commerce, is advocating for a Wild and Scenic River designation to safeguard these waterways from the detrimental effects of groundwater pumping and prolonged drought.
This sought-after designation is exclusive to free-flowing rivers and would mandate the formulation of a comprehensive management plan. Such a plan would focus on preserving the river’s “outstandingly remarkable values,” which include not only its wildlife but also its scenic beauty and recreational offerings. Importantly, this designation would not alter existing water or property rights.
Rachel Ellis from American Rivers emphasizes the broad and bipartisan backing for this proposal. She notes, “What makes it really unique, in the broader spectrum of this type of designation work, is the depth of engagement and care by the local communities… It’s unequivocally supported.”
Highlighting the urgency, Joe Trudeau, a consultant with the Wilderness Society, points out that sections of the Upper Verde may dry up within the next two decades. He states, “The challenges we’re facing on the Verde are systemic across the Southwest. Most of our rivers are diminishing before our eyes.”
Trudeau also views this Wild and Scenic designation as just one of many tools necessary for river conservation. Currently, Arizona is home to two designated Wild and Scenic Rivers: the Lower Verde and Fossil Creek.
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