PAG’s Watershed Planning program focuses on ways to preserve or improve the water resources in Pima County's watersheds. As the Designated Planning Agency under Section 208 of the federal Clean Water Act, PAG plans for areawide wastewater treatment within Pima County.
In addition, the program provides planning and technical assistance to PAG-member jurisdictions, runs an annual public outreach stormwater pollution prevention campaign, and conducts research on one of the region’s only low-elevation perennial streams, Cienega Creek.
Through PAG’s Watershed Planning Subcommittee and Stormwater Management Working Group, members have an opportunity to gain a better understanding of complicated state regulations that govern the use and the quality of our water resources. They also can develop coordinated input on new regulatory programs and keep informed about watershed policies and issues.
Community interest in preserving and restoring riparian habitats remains strong. While the regulatory structure is in place to ensure that drinking water needs are met, the trade-off has been that groundwater depletion has seriously degraded the quality of the natural stream environment. The future looks more promising as water conservation and water harvesting systems are increasingly being employed and stormwater is increasingly viewed as a viable water resource.
For more information about the Watershed Planning Program, please call (520) 792-1093. |