Phoenix – Assistant Army Undersecretary for Civil Works Michael Connor led a team of the US Army Corps of Engineers to review several civil engineering project sites from August 31st to September 31st. 1 Northern and Central Arizona.

Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Barten and District Civil Works Chief Darrell Buxton accompany Conner to detail the flood mitigation, ecosystem restoration, water resilience and economic impacts of the project on communities. Did.

“I wanted to highlight the projects, to better understand the communities they benefit from, and to highlight the Legion’s support for this area,” Connor said. It was all about seeing the different projects that the Corps is involved in, from management to ecological restoration.”

Conner serves as the Chief Advisor to the Secretary of War on Civil Engineering Programs. His responsibilities include establishing policy direction and overseeing War Department functions related to all aspects of the Corps’ civil engineering programs.

Winslow’s Little Colorado River

The team met at Winslow City Hall before touring the Winslow Flood Control Project. The project area includes approximately 4.3 miles of flood risk reduction dikes and improvements located along the Little Colorado River near Winslow.

The approximately 5,000 people who live, work and call home in Winslow are located within the floodplain and at potential flood risk, along with critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes and utilities. increase.

“Completion of this project will be a win for this community by not only mitigating potential flood risks associated with the river, but also by creating regional stability, economic vitality and future growth.” Barten said in an earlier statement. Year.

The $65 million funding for the project, announced by the Army in January, was received through the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Investments and Jobs Act. The bill provides full funding for the project to complete both design and construction.

“We will reduce flood risk, protect supply chains, remove invasive species, protect Winslow’s people and infrastructure, while reducing flood insurance costs,” Conner said. increase.

Flagstaff Rio Defrag

After leaving Winslow, the team met with City of Flagstaff leaders to discuss the Rio de Flag Flood Risk Management Project.

“It will help save our homes and businesses,” said Stacey Brechler-Naggs, Flagstaff’s head of emergency management, after a meeting with the assistant secretary and city leaders. “It can save our entire economy — downtown corridors, hotels, restaurants, community hospitals.”

After severe fires, the city and surrounding areas are being flooded by tributaries of the Rio de Flag and Clay Avenue Wash rivers. The project plan consists of channel modification, bridge strengthening, and construction of a reservoir and a flood barrier.

The LA District has been allocated $79 million in federal funding for the Rio Defragmentation Project and plans to award the first construction contract for Lower Rio Defragmentation and Clay Avenue Washreach in 2023.

Cyrene water facility in Tempe

One day and 210 miles later, Connor joined us. Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton Other State and Local Leaders for Press Conferences on Cyrene Water Treatment Plant in Tempe.

At a press conference, Stanton announced $37 million in funding for the Cyrene project. He later thanked Connor and city leaders on Twitter, writing, “Our work is paramount in shaping a more sustainable future for the next generation.”

The facility opened in 1991, expanded in 2006, and then closed in 2010 due to the economic downturn. This project was established to enable the City of Tempe to collect, treat and use reclaimed water so it can be made more water resistant.

Torrerios Wetlands near Phoenix

After the press conference, Stanton and Connor met with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego to go over the details of the Tres Rios wetlands project. The wetlands project is located southwest of the Phoenix metropolitan area in Maricopa County and includes his eight-mile stretch of the Salt and Gila rivers.

“The Tres Rios project has three benefits: flood control, ecological recreation, and public recreation,” says Balten. “The flood mitigation portion of the project has already been completed.”

The design includes construction of an artificial embankment, restoration of 1,200 acres of riparian and wetland habitat, and a recreational development consisting of hiking trails, nature walks, comfort stations, and a ramada.

“The Tres Rios project is a perfect example of the innovative, multifaceted solutions that are essential to addressing our water challenges,” said Connor.

The project is operating on annual carryover funds allocated in 2010. Tres Rios also received funding in the 2022 appropriations bill.

For more information on LA District programs and projects, please visit: www.spl.usace.army.mil.