News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Fish Barrier in O’Donnell Canyon

Media Contact: Patricia Cox , (623) 773-6214 , pcox@usbr.gov
John McGlothlen , jmcglothlen@usbr.gov

For Release: October 25, 2013

PHOENIX - Reclamation is proposing construction of a fish barrier in O’Donnell Canyon, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. There are two potential sites approximately 10 miles southeast of the town of Sonoita. One is within the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area and the other on National Forest system land administered by Coronado National Forest. The action is intended to protect existing populations of Gila chub and Gila Topminnow. The proposed action may consist of a new fish barrier or repair of an existing, but eroded, Bureau of Land Management dam.

Reclamation is seeking public input to aid in the identification of key issues and possible alternatives related to the proposed project that should be considered in an upcoming environmental assessment.

Details of the proposed project can be found in a Public Scoping Notice, which can be obtained by calling Reclamation’s Environmental Resource Management Division at 623-773-6251, e-mailing jharagara@usbr.gov, or by downloading it from the Phoenix Area Office website at www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix.

Comments should be mailed to John McGlothlen at the Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, PXAO-1500, 6150 West Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, Ariz. 85306-4001or faxed to (623) 773-6481, no later than November 22, 2013.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.