IN THIS ISSUE:
County Factsheets, 2021 in Review, ISMAR11, APW, Upper Verde River, Nikki Tulley
First Installment of County Water
Factsheet Series Released
The WRRC is pleased to announce its first publication in a series of Arizona Water Factsheets. The Maricopa County Factsheet packages concise water information and builds on previous collaborative water education efforts with the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. The Arizona Water Factsheets aim to answer common questions about water resources at the county level. Tailoring information for a local audience within the broader context of the state, these snapshot resources address basic water supply and demand, regionally relevant challenges, and sustainability issues for the future. Additional factsheets are well underway for Cochise, Graham, Mohave, and Greenlee Counties as part of the WRRC’s goal to engage and connect with communities throughout Arizona in water resource planning, conservation, and outreach.

EVENTS
Bureau of Reclamation Infrastructure Act Webinar

Date: Jan 7, 2022

The last in a series of webinars hosted by Reclamation to discuss its implementation of the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. 

For additional information, visit: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
NEWS
A WRRC Retrospective: Looking Back at 2021

As this year comes to a close, we would like to reflect on our work in the context of its unprecedented events. In 2021, the US Bureau of Reclamation declared a Tier 1 Shortage on the Colorado River—a historic moment that generated international media attention and many requests to the WRRC for comment. As climate change, drought, and water scarcity challenges mounted, public engagement in water conversations became more important than ever.

Registration Open for ISMAR 11
 
The 11th International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge (ISMAR11): A Key to Sustainability will be held April 11-15, 2022 in Long Beach, CA. The conference is being hosted by the Groundwater Resources Association of California, Arizona Hydrological Society International Association of Hydrogeologists, and Orange County Water District. The ISMAR11 program includes pre-conference workshops, multi-track technical sessions, post-conference field trips, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities. The WRRC’s director, Sharon B. Megdal, has organized one of the pre-conference workshops on April 11 and will moderate a plenary panel on April 12. Her workshop, Meeting Water Measurement Objectives and Managed Aquifer Recharge: The Role of MAR Governance and Policy, will cover the features of successful MAR frameworks. Mary-Belle Cruz Ayala, who recently joined the WRRC as a postdoctoral researcher, will also be presenting at the conference. In addition, Bruce Babbitt, former Arizona Governor and Secretary of the Interior will be the opening keynote speaker and will deliver an address on leadership in water. The Super Early Bird registration rate ends January 15.
 
APW’s Wild Ride Through 2021
 
Like a river swollen with spring runoff, Arizona Project WET (APW) sped from Zoom classrooms to outdoor field trips and in-person learning. Changes in leadership and staff occurred with the exiting of two veteran staff members (including the director of 20+ years). Partnerships grew stronger and helped APW form valuable new relationships in water stewardship. The year 2021 brought a flood of unprecedented changes and new challenges, and APW is grateful to all who were there to “ride the wave” and bring outstanding water education to Arizona. Additionally, the APW staff is filled with gratitude for the community that makes their work successful, meaningful, and FUN.
Upper Verde Study Initiated for Wild and Scenic River Suitability

The US Forest Service (USFS) is conducting a suitability study on portions of the Upper Verde River, the last step in determining inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS). This process was initiated in response to a US Bureau of Reclamation proposal to construct fish barriers in parts of the river identified as eligible for listing in the NWSRS. Suitability studies are required when proposed actions could impact the wild and scenic eligibility of a river, such as restricting the free flow of water. The USFS is looking for input from the public regarding the “suitability study process, methods, and suitability factors that should be taken into account.” Comments can be directed to Jason Williams by phone at (928) 777-2220 or via e-mail at jason.a.williams@usda.gov. Emailed comments should list “Upper Verde WSR Suitability Study” in the subject line. The deadline for providing feedback is January 3, 2022.

UA Grad Student Spotlighted in 1st National Space Council Meeting

When US Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland spoke at the inaugural meeting of the National Space Council, convened by Vice President Kamala Harris, she took several minutes to talk about the work of UArizona PhD student Nikki Tulley. Secretary Haaland spoke in support of the US Geological Survey’s Landsat data program and new NASA Landsat satellite mission, which launched in September. Frequent droughts on the Navajo Nation create an urgent need for resources at the local scale to help decision-makers evaluate drought conditions. Ms.Tulley’s research uses Landsat imagery in projects for the Navajo people that provide data to improve water resources management. Ms. Tulley presented her research at a WRRC Brown Bag in January 2021. The National Space Council, which is composed of Cabinet-level secretaries and senior executive branch officials, is the White House policy council that “advises and assists the President on the development and implementation of space policy and strategy.”

Image: Nikki Tulley with her grandmother, Courtesy of NASA / Nikki Tulley

WATER JOBS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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