Overall Work Program - Pima Association of Governments

11 – Watershed Areawide Planning, Research and Technical Services
Sustainable Environment
Purpose:
To conduct regional water quality management planning in accordance with Section 208 of the Clean Water
Act, and to provide local governments with objective, reliable information; a neutral forum for sharing
information, coordinating activities, advising elected officials, and communicating a regional perspective on
key water issues; and to enable local agencies to pool their resources to address regional needs.
Tasks:
Clean Water Act, Section 208 Planning
• Update, maintain and amend, as needed, the Section 208 Areawide Water Quality Management Plan.
• Respond to regulatory agency and private party inquiries regarding 208 Plan consistency for proposed
discharge permits.
• Review draft permits for Section 208 consistency and provide consistency determinations to the state
and to the permittees.
Hydrologic Data Collection and Drought Monitoring
• Conduct hydrologic monitoring and research along key watercourses and riparian areas, such as
Cienega Creek and Davidson Canyon in coordination with Pima County Regional Flood Control District.
• Track drought indicators on Cienega Creek and provide drought impact evaluations to the State of
Arizona through its Drought Impact Reporting System.
• Conduct monitoring and data analysis in coordination with Tucson Water to track infiltration of CAP
water recharged at City facilities including the Clearwater projects located in southern and central Avra
Valley and at Pima Mine Road.
• Develop and maintain regional databases, GIS coverages and create maps to support regional water
and wastewater planning efforts.
• Upon request from jurisdictional partners, conduct technical research and prepare reports and maps
on various topics such as delineating shallow groundwater areas and identifying subdivisions reliant
on Groundwater Replenishment District membership.
Water Outreach and Coordination
• Provide presentations on water resource or water quality topics to inform groups and the public.
• Coordinate with private and public entities to advance understanding and increase cooperation in
such areas as Low Impact Development, rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure and regional water.
• Maintain a watershed library and website of documents, maps and data for regional water interests.
• Pursue grant funding opportunities to address regional watershed challenges.
• Support pharmaceutical take-back programs and assist in public outreach.
• Provide staff and program support for the Watershed Planning Subcommittee.
• Provide data and maps upon request.
• Work with other groups and agencies to coordinate information sharing in the Cienega Watershed.
Deliverables:
Documents associated with 208 planning including Scope of Work Task Force
minutes and agendas, and 208 consistency recommendations on draft water
quality permits
Interim memoranda and an annual report on isotopic monitoring at the City's
CAP recharge sites
Ongoing
Ongoing
Pima Association of Governments 33 June 28, 2012