Male 1: The San Pedro is a rarity among rivers. For one thing, it flows North of Mexico into the United States. One of only two rivers to do so. And it is also one of the last un-dammed rivers in the Southwest. Now, another four miles of this jewel are being protected as part of the State settlement with the Asarco mining company.
Patrick Cunningham: The settlements we’re announcing today are two in nature, the first one is for damages caused to saint lands by Asarco and the rate hate in mind over the years, that’s the natural resource damages. And the second is a trust settlement.
Male 1: The natural resources damage settlement, provides for the transfer to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission of three parcels of land totaling about 1,000 acres along the lower San Pedro River. The transfer also includes moneys for the restoration and maintenance of the land in order to safeguard water resources and protect the wild life.
Larry Voyles: This particular acquisition gives us an opportunity to take extensive conservation actions to benefit five different federally listed species that are listed into the endangered species act. And also eight species that we have identified, species of critical concern within the State of Arizona.
Male 1: The three parcels that border the river are located south of the mining towns of Winkelman and Hayden near the congruent of aero vital creek.
Larry Voyles: The San Pedro River is a rush river forms in Oasis in the mix of two of North America’s largest deserts. Liberian habitats are the most critical habitats or Liberian odd species which include many of our more rare and in many cases threatened alien species. And it’s critically important to the aquatic habitats which contains some of our most rare and threatened fish species.
Probably the biggest beneficiary in this acquisition will be the Southwest little flycatcher. The habitats along San Pedro River are outstanding flycatcher habitats, the parcels being acquired at outstanding opportunity, the restoration of those habitats that little flycatchers are depended upon and we’re particularly excited about the opportunity of being able to do those types of restorations.
Male 1: The settlement represent many years of work and cooperation among several State Agencies a circle and other cooperative states. After the mining giant file for bankruptcy in 2005. Besides the natural resources settlement, Arizona will also receive $23 million to clean up three historic mining sites in the southern part of the state.
Now with this latest land acquisition, approximately 54 miles of the San Pedro are under some form of protection. For the threatened and endangered species that rely on this for survival this is nothing but good news.
Larry Voyles: All rolled together, this is probably one of the most significant opportunities for recovery of species, conservation of migratory water fell and the ability to take care of fish species all in one acquisition process. We’re excited about the prospect, we’re going to roll up our sleeves and we’re ready to go to work.
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