News Release Archive

Reclamation, City of Yuma Area to Hold Open Meeting on Colorado River South Levee Road Dust Abatement Options

Media Contact: Doug Hendrix, 702-293-8391, dhendrix@usbr.gov

For Release: July 11, 2016

Yuma, Ariz. – On July 21, Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office (YAO) and the City of Yuma (City) are hosting a public meeting at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, 289 N. Figueroa Avenue at 4:00 p.m. in Yuma, Arizona to discuss the ongoing issue of increasing traffic and high levels of dust and air pollution along the Colorado River South Levee Road (South Levee Road).

Widespread use of the South Levee Road by the public and farmers’ heavy machinery is resulting in airborne dust creating vision, safety and air quality concerns for drivers, pedestrians and seasonal residents who commonly use the road to access the Colorado River or nearby recreational venues. The road’s original purpose is to provide YAO personnel only with access to the Colorado River for performing levee and bankline maintenance.

One proposal is to close the South Levee Road to all vehicle traffic by installing gates at 22nd Avenue adjacent to the Joe Henry Memorial Park and at Figueroa Avenue. An additional gate would be placed at the bridge that crosses the canal between 22nd Avenue and Figueroa Ave. The City approached Reclamation to consider closing the road using the gates as a control measure to reduce traffic, minimizing dust and air pollution particulate matter along the South Levee road.

Members of the public, organizations, and agencies interested in the possible closure of the South Levee Road, or those who want to offer any alternative viable ideas on mitigating the continuing safety and health problems created by the dust, are invited to attend the meeting. Staff from the City and YAO will be present to discuss the gate installation option, any new approaches to addressing the dust problems and future management options for the road. Comment cards at the meeting will be used to gather input and ideas from attendees.

For those unable to attend this meeting, YAO is accepting written comments until Friday, July 24th. Please send comments to Mr. Doug Hendrix, Reclamation Public Affairs Specialist, Lower Colorado Regional Office, P.O. Box 61470, Boulder City, NV, 89006 or email dhendrix@usbr.gov.

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