The Camp Verde Town Council discussed the West Clear Creek recreation and restoration plan and the town’s water master plan at its meeting on April 5.
The council accepted the draft plan produced by the Nature Conservancy for the West Clear Creek recreation and restoration plan.
West Clear Creek is within the boundaries of the Verde Lakes and Sierra Vista neighborhoods of Camp Verde and has a history of flooding, destroying homes and roads as well as unmanaged recreation areas along the creek corridor.
Managed recreation and preservation of water flow to the Verde River are listed as priorities in the town’s voter approved general plan. The plan also complements the existing 2016 Verde River Master Recreation Plan and Urban Upland Trail Plan.
The Conservancy’s plan intends to address restoration and recreational infrastructure to reduce the effects of flooding on surrounding communities, as well as developing a shared vision for management of the creek to balance the water needs of both people and nature and to connect wildlife corridors.
Projects will include a trail corridor concept plan, habitat restoration, a Bullpen Wash sediment catchment and a highwater crossing over Verde Lakes Drive.
One resident stated that the Nature Conservancy is exceptional in its planning abilities and even used local workers for a previous project in town.
Other Business
The town is also implementing a water master plan to study the existing water systems in Camp Verde as well as Geographic Information Systems development. The council approved a contract for engineering services needed to support the plan.
The proposed master plan will determine current production needs, future storage needs, future service areas, review distribution system and system pressures and create a water system model that will be updated as needed for development. It will include a capital improvement program covering the next five to 20 years that will focus on new production facilities, new storage facilities, a water main replacement program and more.
The council also issued three proclamations designating April 23 to 29 as National Library Week, April 16 to 22 as National Volunteer Week and the entire month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
“This is a clear declaration to join hands across the Camp Verde area to prevent sexual violence and support survivors,” said Tracey McConnell, Community Development director at Verde Valley Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter. “It is critical for each of us to stand up and acknowledge this issue, improve the laws and services available to survivors and to change the culture and attitudes that allow this violence to proliferate.”
Verde Valley Sanctuary will be holding a meetand-greet to discuss the topics of better understanding sexual violence and how to support oneself and others at the Camp Verde Community Library on Wednesday, April 19.
