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Press Advisory, February 23, 2009

Contact: Joanne Oellers, Center for Biological Diversity, (928) 772-8204

Verde River Groups Present Endorsements and Petition Signatures

PRESCOTT, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and other groups in support of comprehensive protection measures for the Verde River will present a position statement and a petition with more than 19,000 signatures at the Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition meeting on Wednesday, February 25th.

The “Big Chino Water Pumping and Pipeline(s) Position Statement” has been endorsed by 20 groups, including American Rivers, Center for Biological Diversity, Citizens Water Advocacy Group, Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, River Runners for Wilderness, Sierra Club-Grand Canyon Chapter, and Verde River Citizens Alliance.

The “Keep the Verde River Flowing” petition signatures were collected in the community and online, in response to the Big Chino Water Ranch project and other pumping projects and large developments that have the potential to irreparably harm the flows of the upper Verde River. More than 1,000 of the signatures were collected from local residents and the balance from individuals throughout the United States and beyond who are concerned about the fate of this rare and precious Arizona river. The petition asks the municipalities and large private developers to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake Habitat Conservation Plans or other comprehensive mitigation plans regarding their proposed pumping projects prior to construction to ensure that the Verde continues to support the people and wildlife that depend on it.

The presentation will take place during the “call to the public” portion of the Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition meeting just after 2:00 p.m. at Prescott City Hall, 201 S. Cortez Street. For more info, call Joanne at (928) 772-8204 or email joellers@biologicaldiversity.org.

WHAT: Presentation of position statement endorsements and petition signatures for Verde River protection

WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, approximately 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition meeting at Prescott City Hall, 201 S. Cortez Street, Prescott

WHO: Center for Biological Diversity, Citizens Water Advocacy Group, Paulden Area Community Organization, Sierra Club-Grand Canyon Chapter

CONTACT: Joanne Oellers, (928) 772-8204, joellers@biologicaldiversity.org

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