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“The Lower Santa Cruz River runs through the heart of Arizona’s fastest-growing region, and has a history of flooding that places countless homes and businesses at risk,” said Governor Brewer. “This Proclamation represents my pledge to see that the federal government joins us in addressing this critical safety issue before another devastating flood strikes the Lower Santa Cruz.”
Since 1887, 34 major floods have occurred on the river, an average of one every 3-4 years. Six of the seven most damaging floods have occurred in the last 50 years. Today, with the area’s rapid growth and development, and river flow changes, damage from a major flood could devastate the entire region. Pinal County was the second fastest growing county in the U.S. during the past decade, more than doubling its population.
Governor Brewer was joined today in the ceremony by a host of elected officials, and business, community and tribal leaders, including representatives from the Gila River Indian Community and Tohono O’odham Nation, as well as Supervisor David Snider (Pinal County Supervisor, District 3), Supervisor Pete Rios (Pinal County Supervisor, District 1), Supervisor Bryan Martyn, (Pinal County Supervisor, District 2), Mayor Robert Jackson (City of Casa Grande), Mayor Pro Tem, Matt Herman (City of Casa Grande), Mayor Anthony Smith (City of Maricopa), Vice Mayor Edward Farrell (City of Maricopa), Council Member Marvin Brown (City of Maricopa), Council Member Alan Marchione (City of Maricopa), and Council Member Belinda Akes (City of Eloy).
“Arizona has a long and successful history of working together to solve critical water issues in our state and this project is no exception,” said Alliance Board Chairman, Mark Killian. “We are honored to add Governor Brewer to the list of leaders who recognize the importance of this project to our state, including a unanimous state legislature, local and county government, and Congressmen Paul Gosar and Raul Grijalva from our Delegation.”
“The Santa Cruz River has a history of flooding, adversely impacting residents, businesses and agriculture. Pinal County has been seeking federal involvement to assist in flood mitigation, with the Board of Supervisors identifying this as one of its top federal priorities for several years,” said Greg Stanley, Pinal County's Public Works Director. “The Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance is a great example of a Public-Private Partnership working to engage federal assistance to ultimately reduce flooding risks through the areas of Red Rock, Eloy, Casa Grande and Maricopa.”
Santa Cruz River flooding has also caused severe damage to local cities and Native American communities, including the Gila River Indian Community and the Tohono O’odham Nation.
“As the downstream receiver, the Santa Cruz River has continually impacted our Community from flooding our developable lands, agricultural fields, roadway systems and this is the opportunity to properly address this flooding issue during these complicated economic times,” said Jonathan Thomas, Gila River Indian Community’s Flood Control Management Task Force Chairperson.
“The elimination of flooding along the Santa Cruz River is as challenging as it is historic,” said City of Maricopa Mayor Anthony Smith. “Governor Brewer’s proclamation and appearance here today signify the wide range of support that the Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance has harnessed. It is that support that will ultimately help us secure a lasting solution to protect the region from severe flooding.”
