Repairian: Gila River Restoration and Recreation Study in Kearny, Arizona

“REPAIRIAN”

Gila River Restoration and Recreation Study in Keary, Arizona

Prepared by:

Prepared for:

Acknowledgements List of Authors Shane Ohlhausen Mitch Buglewizc Edwin Espino JosĂŠ Quintero

Instructor and Contact Information

Chingwen Cheng, PhD, PLA, LEED AP Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, The Design School Senior Sustainability Scientist, School of Sustainability Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Chingwen.Cheng@asu.edu

I

Table of Contents COVER PAGE...............................................................................................................

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................IV INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................1 BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................................2-4

PROJECT LOCATION...............................................................................................................2 TOWN BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................3 WATERSHED STUDY AREA & FIRE RESTORATION AREA......................................................4

DESIGN PROCESSES AND APPROACHES...................................................................5-8

EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLET.......................................................................................................5 SITE VISIT..................................................................................................................................6 COMMUNITY WORKSHOP I....................................................................................................7 COMMUNITY WORKSHOP II...................................................................................................8

VISION & MISSION.......................................................................................................................9 GOALS & OBJECTIVES.........................................................................................................10-12 CASE STUDIES.........................................................................................................................13-15 CASE STUDY 1.......................................................................................................................13 CASE STUDY 2.......................................................................................................................14 CASE STUDY 3.......................................................................................................................15

ASSESSMENTS........................................................................................................................16-18

DEMOGRAPHICS, POLITICS & EQUITY............................................................................16-17 TRANSPORTATION.................................................................................................................18

KEY FINDINGS..............................................................................................................................19 OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS......................................................................................19

DESIGN STRATEGIES/RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................................20-31

DESIGN PROGRAMS AND PROBLEMS.................................................................................20 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT........................................................................................................21 DESIGN CONCEPTIONAL DIAGRAMS.......................................................................22 DESIGN PLANS.......................................................................................................23-24 DESIGN SECTIONS................................................................................................25-27 DESIGN PERSPECTIVES.........................................................................................28-29 DESIGN CONCEPTUAL DETAILS................................................................................30 DESIGN EVALUATION PLANS................................................................................................31

ACTION PLANS............................................................................................................................32 IMPLEMENTATION PHASES...................................................................................................32

II

Executive Summary Background Problems Throughout the years, the town of Kearny has been prone to fairly regular, yet unpredictable flooding and wild fire events.

Purpose of Report This report is an attempt to gather information, synthesis analytical data and provide possible solution ideas and/or concepts for the Town of Kearny to implement in future development.

Brief Details of the Approach/Method The overabundance of an invasive plant, Tamarix (Salt Cedar) has out competed and drowns out the native riparian habitat along the Gila River. This has caused an imbalance in the structure of the river along with causing an increased vulnerability to fires due to the extreme flammability of the Salt Cedar. These issues have driven a large majority of the solutions within this report.

Important results and/or findings Through careful research along with community workshops, it has been identified that a complete eradication of the Salt Cedar within this area is a must. Mechanical (physical) removal of these plants along with a beetle harmful only to the Salt Cedar, are the main tools to battle the rapid growing Salt Cedar. Time is yet another crucial tool, as they can grow extremely fast. Strategically and immediately planting native plant species in areas where the Salt Cedar has been removed to prevent the aggressive Salt Cedar from sprouting back up.

Major conclusion By removing the Salt Cedar throughout the region, the risk for starting and/or rapidly spreading fires will be reduced due to the re-introduction of higher water holding capacity native species. The risk of floods will also be reduced due to the less dense properties of the native vegetation. This will allow the flood waters to flow faster down the river, and not build up, or increase water levels due to slower water velocities.

III

Introduction

Repairian is a General Masterplan for Kearny, Arizona.

The focus of this masterplan include a proposed trailhead, educational trails, firebreaks, and restoration of disturbed areas along the Gila River. The restoration portion includes removal of tamarisk, invasive plant species in first phase of the masterplan proposal.

Achievements of Repairian include innovative design solutions for water management. The methods for the water management involve low impact materials including a series of boulder dams and detention ponds which respond to small and large storm events contributing to flood management.

The boulder dams are located within a major wash that flows into the Gila River on the southeastern side of Kearny.

1

Background Project Location

The location of this project is in Kearny, Arizona, located approximately 86 miles Southeast of Phoenix and approximately 80 miles northwest of Tucson. The town of Kearny is found in the “transition zone” of the Sonoran Desert at an elevation of 1860 feet above sea-level covering an area of 2.8 square miles. The town sits alongside the Gila River in the Copper Basin, at the base of the Pinal Mountain Range. Kearny is part of the heart of the copper mining of Arizona and provides an easy get away destination for the major cities surrounding it. Do to Kearny’s location, it provides many different recreational activities for many different skill levels.

2

Background Town Background

Going back to the early 1800s, Father Kino came to the area to convert the Apache Indian communities to Christianity. In the late 1800s, Gen. Stephen W. Kearny arrived near the Gila river at the base of Pinal Mountains. The town of Kearny was founded by the Kennecott Mining Company after expanding and realizing the Sonoran, Ray, and Barcelona communities would be engulfed by the mining. A new community named Kearny was developed and people began moving in around 1954.

3

Background Water Study Area and Fire Restoration Area

Kearny, Arizona has been through some natural disasters in the recent years. The map above shows the affected area in the fire of 2015. We took this information into our designs for the correct placements of firebreak trails. The two images to the right reflect the magnitude of power the floods have on the region. Our general masterplan is designed to work with and mitigate the impacts of these floods.

4

Design Processes and Approaches Educational Pamphlet Key Species Close to Home

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (coccyzus americanus) Threatened

Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) Endangered

Reptiles Northern Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops) Threatened Lesser Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae) Endangered

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) Endangered

Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta) Candidate

Introduced to U.S. in the 19th century as erosion control agent. Since then has spread throughout the west and caused major changes to natural environments.

An Invasive Species Consumes 200 gallons a day

Can sprout 5 years after removal

Each tree produces hundreds of millions of seeds which are spread by wind, water and animals.

Control Methods

Tamarisk Beetles (Diorhabda carinulata)

Project Team Members: Mitchell Buglewizc Edwin Espino Shane Ohlhausen Jose Quintero

Kearny, Arizona

Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) Candidate

Tamarisk (Salt Cedar)

Burns 10x more frequently

Dr. Chingwen Cheng

Fear that when done feeding on the tamarisk, they are likely to move onto other trees but are known to only to eat the Tamarisk -Chemical/Herbicides -Hand/Mechanical Removal

Flood Control

Fire Control

-Hard structural measures (Water-gates, dykes, levees and dams)

Cut back and/or prune/thin vegetation.

Typically 30’ to 200’ or more in width from area wanting to protect (i.e. houses, town, riparian river area. To maximize this buffers functionality it is recommended to remove any dead wood and combustible litter from this area, but not required

-Soft structural measures (Diversion Canals and wetland storage)

Vegetated Swales Wetland Storage Accommodate Helps not only to surface water for reduce the rate/ high rainfall, flooding speed of water flow can be managed by but also has the designing safe and potential to help resilient flood routes. clean the waters.

Flood Resilient Designs

romote some flooding as desirable.

-Create designs and spaces that can withstand flooding and/or minimize the damages during a flood event.

-Design “Fail-safe” systems by planning for failure, limiting the opportunity for risk.

-Floodplains provide fertile agricultural land promote a variety of ecosystem services, maintains vital ecosystems and reduces flooding elsewhere.

Overdesign Build in Redundancy

tilize Fire Resistant lants Choosing plants that have a higher water content will reduce the rate and intensity at which the fire will burn and spread. tilize Grey Water backups for fire control Increased access.

Maintaining some vegetation as opposed to bare soil is a better solution as the plants will reduce soil erosion, increase slope stability, protect watersheds, maintain livable habitat for animals and adds to overall visual appeal to the buffer.

5

Design Processes and Approaches Project Understanding-Site Visit

During the course of the semester, between January and April, 2016, three visits were made to the Town of Kearny. The first visit consisted of meeting with the stakeholders of the region including the Mayor and Town Manager Anna Flores.

Students hiked along the Gila River to investigate the current state of the vegetation after the fires. After the meeting, students were taken to important spots along the Gila River to discuss ideas and points. The second visit consisted of a community workshop to get ideas from the community. Lastly, the students returned with a preliminary masterplan for the Gila River and recieved feedback from the community on their respective plans.

6

Design Processes and Approaches Community Workshop I

1. Add Access via roads to River 2. Add foot access to River a. Loop system (smaller sub loops) – through golf course 3. Trail adjacent to rail road (on south side of tracks) 4. ATV trail as fire break trail?

5. Lake has bacterial (algae) problems, not an aeration problem a. Cannot dump water from Lake into River without filtering b. Cannot put water into lake from streams due to constant water level requirements in c. Lake is a “dam” and cannot have plants next to it by code/law to avoid damaging the d. Possibly crease raised or sunken planters to avoid “dam” damage through the roots?

6. Current berms work well (particularly south of the baseball fields) 7. Cannot change flow of River.

8. Mesquite are particularly good for bees (pollinators) 9. Beetles and mites may effect bees (pollinators) (look up the study; “The Disappearance”) 10. Indians own River water (Gila Indians mainly) 11. How to connect to AZ Trail… a. Negotiate through private land – Kelvin to south rail roads?

(Oracle to Kearny?)

12. Trash is mainly from outside Kearny (people bring their own snacks, etc. from home and leave a. “Pack it in, Pack it out!”, educate the population to maintain Kearny’s appearance 13. Ranch doesn’t want people in their land for many reasons a. Only develop in terms of keeping people out.

14. Ranchers got grant to clear 500 acres of land just west of Kearny and the Lake 15. Phase 1: Fire Break (Clean-up) 16. Phase 2: Vegetation and Infrastructure (trails) 17. Phase 3: Flood Control

7

Design Processes and Approaches Community Workshop II & III

The second workshop was held with only a few of the stakeholders from before, and many community members from Kearny. During this meeting we held various workshops in small groups striving to gather as much preferential data as possible from the community. These workshops included; mapping out favorite locations in and around Kearny, mapping daily routes to determine which areas to focus attention, an extensive survey was also given to the workshop participants to aid in gathering useful information not just for this project but for Kearny’s future use as well.

The third and final Workshop held was to review initial designs with the community, in order to gauge if the designs were headed in the right direction and gather even more community feedback. As each design was quickly presented to the community, notes were taken in regards to their likes, dislikes as well as additional information possibly missed during the last workshop sessions. These notes and comments were then utilized to then modify and correct the four designs developed by the Senior ASU Landscape Architecture Studio.

The workshops held, weighted heavily on the designs developed by the students and helped greatly in the understanding of the wants and needs of Kearny’s community, ultimately aiding in stronger final designs. These workshops not only helped with the development of the designs, but also in the development of the students involved in terms of dealing with real-world issues and scenarios, ultimately helping to prepare the students soon to graduate for what is to come in their future careers.

8

Vision and Mission Statements Vision Statement

“REPAIRIAN” enhances the community by converting it into a resilient environment. The river will become the focal point of the community where people are going to recreate. Sustainable design will strengthen the connection between Kearny and the immediate environment around it. Looking to weave the natural environment with Kearny, a flood-resistant design will withstand a 100 year flood and also be sensitive to wildlife habitat. To become an economic driver “REPAIRIAN” will attract hundreds of people by turning into a great destination to camp or hike the riverbank.

Mission Statement

Kearny has become an epicenter of sustainable resilient design.

The space is used as community destination for events turning into a great area for social gatherings. Drawing in people to experience the beauty of the Gila River, tourist learn about the history of Kearny, its floods, fires and how they have overcame these situations.

9

Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Develop an accessible, interconnected system that brings together Kearny with the natural environment around it and the Gila River.

Objective 1.1: Establish 3 key linkages for road and pedestrian access to the Gila River.

Objective 1.2: Establish a network of trails which incorporates into the Pinal County Open Space and Trails Master Plan, 5 Mayors.

Objective 1.3: Provide a variety of trail usages including hiking, equestrian, and mountain biking.

Objective 1.4: Establish a clear separation of non-motorized and motorized trails networks and corridors.

Objective 1.5: Provide standards for planning, designing, and developing trails that ensure compatibility with the natural environment.

Goal 2: Develop a plan to preserve and protect natural, physical, cultural and social resources.

Objective 2.1: Preserve, protect, and provide areas for traditional cultural activities.

Objective 2.2: Preserve, protect, or conserve the existing natural drainage system.

Objective 2.3: Preserve, protect, enhance, and promote local histories, cultural, and agricultural resources designated at risk within existing and new developments.

Objective 2.4: Preserve, protect, or conserve areas of critical habitat, high habitat value and wildlife corridors.

Objective 2.5: Provide and develop passive recreational activities of quality user experiences that are sensitive to the environment.

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Goals and Objectives Goal 3: Develop a plan to implement native vegetation to preserve water resouces and exhibit native flora and fauna.

Objective 3.1: Establish a plan that reintroduces native vegetation to the area.

Objective 3.2: Develop a plan to maintain existing natural wildlife corridors through the region.

Objective 3.3: Establish a plan that eliminates the invasive plants.

Objective 3.4: Promote the usage of plants with low water usage.

Objective 3.5: Develop a plan for phasing for which plants are to be introduced and taken out.

Goal 4: Develop a resilient plan to protect residents of possible dangers caused by floods and fire.

Objective 4.1: Establish a plan that creates a fire break for future fires.

Objective 4.2: Incorporate a resilient flash flood plan that can easily be used after high floods.

Objective 4.3: Implement a safety guide for quick and easy evacuation in case of possible flash floods.

Objective 4.4: Develop a wildfire management plan for the town to minimize hazardous conditions for the natural environment.

Objective 4.5: Promote collaboration between residents to create a safe environment.

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Goals and Objectives Goal 5: Develop a plan to make the project as an economic driver.

Objective 5.1: Provide a recreational park system that residents and tourist can visit and explore the Gila River.

Objective 5.2: Establish a trail head for hikers and equestrians to explore the natural environment.

Objective 5.3: Provide camping grounds in the vicinity for residents and tourists to rest and explore.

Objective 5.4: Establish a plan for management of the Gila River and its surrounding area.

Goal 6: Develop a plan to enhance the identity of the town.

Objective 6.1: Promote a natural feel of the town within the desert.

Objective 6.2: Implement an educational design to inform visitors and residents of the history of Kearny and the Gila River.

Objective 6.3: Establish a destination which will attract people from Phoenix and Tucson.

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Case Studies Case Study 1 - Yanwiezhou Park, China

Water resilient terrain and plantings are designed to adapt to the monsoon floods; A resilient bridge and paths system are designed to adapt to the dynamic water currents and people flows. The bridge and paths connect the city with nature and connect the past to the future.

13

Case Studies Case Study 2 - Buffalo Bayou Promanade

In its design the main focus looked at withstanding flooding with engineering mitigating the collateral damage natural disasters bring to the area. It’s planted slopes weave the waterway back into the urban experience as a strip of recreational space at the center of Houston.

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Case Studies Case Study 3 - Glencoe Rain Garden

The Glencoe Rain Garden is a vegetated infiltration basin designed to store, infiltrate, and filter street runoff. Because of their ability to control peak flows, flow volume, and pollutants, infiltration basins are a versatile option in efforts to control basement sewer backups, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), open channel erosion, and effluent water quality. This type of low-impact approach is proving to be a valuable development strategy in Portland’s urban environments.

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Assessments Demographics, Politics, and Equity DEMOGRAPHICS

ALL DATA IS REPRESENTATIVE OF SURVEY GROUP ONLY

Recreation

ALL DATA IS REPRESENTATIVE OF SURVEY GROUP ONLY

Our group was responsible for the survey portion in the second visit to the Town of Kearny. Above are some of the results from the surveys taken community members and people who participated in the workshops.

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Assessments Demographics, Politics, and Equity TRANSPORTATION AND LOCATION

ALL DATA IS REPRESENTATIVE OF SURVEY GROUP ONLY

GILA RIVER USE

ALL DATA IS REPRESENTATIVE OF SURVEY GROUP ONLY

Our group was responsible for the survey portion in the second visit to the Town of Kearny. Above are some of the results from the surveys taken community members and people who participated in the workshops.

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Assessments Transportation

High Intensity Medium Intensity Low Intensity

In the second Community Workshop, one of the findings we came across was the main routes taken by people in the community as well as people who came every now and then. With these findings we were able to decide where we could locate new access points to the river and proposed trailhead. The main street used was Tillbury Dr going from the main hub of Kearny to the Gila River. We propsed to convert this and another street into complete streets. It would enhance the experience people have on their way down or from the river as well as exposing them to the beautiful flora of the region.

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Keyfindings Opportunities and Constraints TRAIL

RAY HIGH SCHOOL LEGEND

Flood Area Fire

OPPS_Location for Interpretive Trails

Existing Trails CHURCH

Proposed Trails Complete Streets

OPPS_Location for Interpretive Trails

MUNICIPAL TRAIL

Re-vegetation Zone

HOSPITAL

Major Washes

OPPS_Location for Complete Street

100 Year Flood Plain

OPPS_Location for parks and recreation

SR

WATER TANK

17 7

OPPS_Create bird habitat

CONS_Golf Course Improvements has limited functionalility and as a public and ecological amenity CONS_ Tamarisk choking out native vegetation and poses fire risk

OPPS_Expand Campground

KEARNY LAKE

RA

IL

WA Y

CAMP GROUND

GOLF COURSE

OPPS_Wetland buffer zone with tarracing

CEMETERY

CONS_Landing Strip is within 100 year flood plane LANDING

OPPS_Hazard Mitigation Area CONS_ Developement is too close or inside of 100 year floodzone

STRIP

SAL T RI VER

CONS_ Land on south side of GIla River is private land

Through a process of community participation workshops, and site analysis studies, we determined critical areas in Kearny. We identified critical areas to increase water management strategies, increase access and trail connectivity, and provide recreation opportunities. We identified an opportunity to connecting Ray High School to the Gila River through educational and interpretive trails. We also recognized opportunities to create wetlands on the northeast side of the landing strip. The wetlands will be fed using effluent water with existing pipe systems. It will also provide storm water management strategies through the use of vegetated terracing. We found an opportunity to connect Kearny Lake to the Gila River by increasing access with a proposed trail head. A constraint that was identified is that Kearny Airport and a few neighboring buildings fall within the 100-year-flood zone.

All these variable suggests a need for a water management strategy and recreation opportunities.

19

Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Programs and Problems

In taking on this project, one of the main focuses we took was flood control being that the Town of Kearny had experienced very severe history in the recent years.

The photos above show how high the water reaches during these floods and the destruction they bring. On our first visit, we were taken to the bridge seen above and the water level was around 20 to 30 feet below the bridge. In our design we created a design that seeked to lower the impact of these floods while creating an opportunity for new vegetation to grow. These design cues can be found in different places on the proposed masterplan including the trailhead, wetlands, golf course, and dry retention areas.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Conceptual Diagrams

This diagram shows how the design would work when floods from the Gila River come from the south. The design is made up of multiple boulder dams which slow down the floods, capture sediment and seeds coming from both directions and with time will allow new vegetation to grow. Furthermore, with new vegetation, the soil becomes more resilient to floods in that they can both slow down the floods and also consume more water. In events where there are flash floods and the water is rushing down the stream, the design would work in the same fashion. The intent of this design is to simply slow down floods while growing new vegetation.

21

Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Master Plan

In the Masterplan the main focuses we were looking at were fire control, tamarisk removal, flood control and accessibility. The masterplan includes four different types of trails being the paved, unpaved, firebreak and education trails. Giving a variety of users the option to chose. The golf course as well as the area located south of the air strip were redesigned to be dry retetion areas. Kearny Lake is design to give users more shade with trees lined up along the path.

22

Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Plans-Trailhead

This designed seeked to combined several aspects of the masterplan in one design.

To the north a complete street is adjacent to terraced planters as well as specially designed planters for Kearny Lake. Across the train tracks we proposed a viewing tower, boulder dams for flood control, a visitor center connected by different types of trails (paved, unpaved, and firebreak trails). This design allows water to be captured in certain areas after floods have past creating vegetated areas which make the area more resilient to floods.

23

Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Plans-Wetlands

The Wetalnds were placed in areas which could capture any excess water from floods coming from the golf course. The design includes an elevated path which goes over the wetlands below. Plant islands are created along with making the soil more resilient and healthy.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Sections Education Trails

Education Trails

The Education Trails connect the local school to its immediate natural environment.

On the trail will be signage displaying information about the native flora and fauna.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Sections Firebreak Trails

Complete Streets

Firebreak trails are designed to create a buffer from any future fires and are placed strategically to provide users a unique experience while also giving the community a peace of mind.

Complete streets give people an enhanced experienced on their way to their destination. LED tools such as no curbs on the paving allow plants to take in water from rains or runoff.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Sections Paved Trails

Unpaved Trails

With Paved Trails, pavers make up the path making the feeling of walking along more friendly to the user. Lighting allows people to feel comfortable using the path at night and it would be designed to not cause much light pollution.

Unpaved trails are for users that like to hike, run, walk or use their bike. They are surrouned by native flora which seeks to give the user a pleasant experience.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Perspectives

The above perspective is taken at the trailhead site from the visitor center looking towards the viewing tower.

The perspective below is of the wetlands showing how water moves through the site and the different plant islands which area created.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Perspectives

In this perspective, the main elements of the design are seen being the boulder dams located throughout the site. A viewing tower allows people to see floods from afar and a visitor center gives user a resting stop to learn about the Town of Kearny and its history.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Development-Conceptual Details

To the left is a plant detail which is design to move the roots of the Willow tree away from Kearny Lake. This design would allow people to receive shade while they take a stroll around the lake.

To the right are sections showing how the boulder dams would over time allow vegetation to grow with sediment and seeds being deposited during floods.

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Design Strategies/Recommendations Design Evaluation Plan Categories

Design Strategies

Sun

Group 1 - Design Strategies and Evaluation

Sun Exposure Mitigation

Circulation

Complete Streets Education Trails

Connect Kearny Town Aesthetic & Protect Resources to Nature & Gila Identity River

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Habitat

Trail & Street Connections to Gila River

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Comfortable (human)

Restoration

Cultural

Environmental

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Economic Driver Hazard Mitigation

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Add 1 mile of interactive signage trails within 5 years of project start.

Why?

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Riparian Revitalization

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Endangered Species Habitat Restoration

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Use terracing to stabilize immediate designated recreational spaces along the river, to be completed with each space.

Methods of Measuring

Extreme heat in summer months.

Count trees along walkways and trails.

Improve walkability of one of the most used streets.

Increase learning/educational opportunities & helps identify the town's history and culture for visitors.

Count number of users & count number of functions

Demand of recreation areas are focused Add 5 trail access points and 1 street access around River and will require more access to river within 5 years of project. (per workshop results).

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Increase shade by 25% over walkways and trails within 10 years of project start.

Convert Tilbury Dr. Within 2 years of project start

Vegetated Terraces

Mechanical Salt Cedar Removal

Objectives

Measure linear distance of trails and count quantity of signs.

Count current and new access points.

To minimize erosion and hazards along riverbanks (per workshop results; people Calculate water flow and soil degradation. wanted hazard mitigation above most else)

Remove invasive species by 75% & increase Increase species diversity and resiliency native riparian species by 75% within 10 (biodiversity). years of project start.

To serve as temporary housing during Install 250 bird houses for endangered Tamarisk removal and native species species revitalization process.

Volunteers to remove Salt Cedar in active To reduce fire hazards and remove invasive recreation areas by 100% during species. Increases native species and construction process of each designated increases circulation possibilities (human area. and animal).

Count number of plants and animals. Count variety of species.

Count number of installations and number of occupied with birds.

Visual count of Salt Cedar.

Bioswales

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Revegetate all existing swales and berms. Reduce runoff and soil erosion. Promote Calculate water flow, soil degradation and Revegetated and new bioswales to divert natural vegetation and wildlife ecosystems. contaminants.

15% of runoff from reaching the Gila River. Reduce contaminants in surface water.

Retention Basins

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Convert golf course to retention park/golf course and to retain up to 200 year flood.

Reclaim Water

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Increase use of reclaimed water by 80% within recreation areas.

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Plant 50 Willow and Cottonwood trees around the lake. Plant other native vegetation to increase habitat function of the lake. Aerate/circulate the lake through the use of windmill (mechanical means). To be completed within 5 years of project start.

To allow the river to support life again and revitalize it as a destination (per workshop Count number of plants and test water results; many people like using it and want quality for livability. to fish there)

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Old lake to be converted into new wetlands.

Reduce risk of flooding and works as a fire break.

Count plants and calculate water flow, soil degradation and contaminants.

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Create a fire break trail that works in conjunction with the river its self.

Reduce risk of fire reaching the town.

Measure linear width and possibly a stress test (controlled burn). Measure burn temperatures.

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Rework the golf course to serve more The golf course does not serve most of the Measure water flow, soil degradation and functions such as flood control, public open residents and only caters to a specific contaminants. Count number of people and space and habitat. animals using the space. group of people.

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Kearny Lake Revitalization

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Construction of New Wetlands

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Fire

Fire Path/Breaks

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Cultural

Water

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Revitalize Golf Course

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Reduce risk of damages through flooding (per workshop results; people wanted hazard mitigation above most else).

Water is important within Arizona, and it will reduce the water demand burden on the town.

Calculate water flow, soil degradation and water levels.

Calculate water levels.

In this plan we break down how will achieve certain objectives as well as how they benefit the Town of Kearny. Different categories include sun, cultural, fire, water, habitat and circulation.

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Action Plans Implementation Phases 1.Tamarisk Removal and Firebreak:

Removal of Tamarisk is first step towards better flood control. A firebreak allows people to have a peace of mind with future fires in the area.

2.Revegetation and Trails:

Creating an infrastructure of trails along with replanting the affected area with new native vegetation will allow users to connect again with nature.

3.Flood Controls:

This includes the site trailhead, golf course, wetlands and dry retention areas.

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Appendix Survey Questionaire

33

Gila River Restoration & Recreation Study – Town of Kearny, Arizona PUBLIC SURVEY

February 24, 2016

Please check one answer that most closely applies. All information provided is confidential.

ID

Part A – Demographics & Do You Know 1. Gender 2. Age

3. Ethnicity

4. Education

5. Marital status

6. Number of children under age 18 in household 7. How long have you lived in Kearny?

8. What is your total annual household income?

9. What is your occupation?

10. What is your address?

Male O Less than 18 O Caucasian

Female O 19-21

22-34

35-45

46-65

O Hispanic

O Asian

O Other

O Grade School O Never Married O 0 O

O High School O Married

O Associate Degree O Divorced

O African American O Bachelor’s Degree O Separated

O Graduate School O Widowed

O 1 O

O 2 O

O 3 O

O 4 O

0-5 years O Less than $35k O

6-10 years

11-20 years

21-30 years

O $35$50k O

O $50-$100k

O $100$200k O

More than 30 years O More than $200k O

O

Greater than 65 O

5+ O

Fire Scale 1 to 5, 5 being the most, 1 being the least. Please check one answer that most closely applies.

11. Are you aware of the Gila River Restoration Plans after the June 2015 fire?

12. How well do you know about Tamarix (Salt Cedar)?

13. How well do you know the fire danger associated with amarix?

Yes, attend meetings O

Yes, don’t participate O

Not aware O

No, won’t participate O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

Prepared by LDE462S16 Landscape Architecture IV Senior Studio The Design School at Arizona State University

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Gila River Restoration & Recreation Study – Town of Kearny, Arizona PUBLIC SURVEY

February 24, 2016

Water Scale 1 to 5, 5 being the most, 1 being the least. Please check one answer that most closely applies.

14. How well are you aware of the flooding risk from the Gila River?

15. How well do you know where Kearny’s water supply comes from?

16. How well do you know where Kearny’s waste water goes?

17. How well do you know where the used water goes after mining use?

18. How well do you prepare for and mitigate floods?

19. How well do you know Stormwater BMPs (best management practices)?

20. How well do you know Landscaping BMPs (best management practices)?

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

21. Please tell us what prevents you from installing Stormwater and Landscaping BMPs on your property:

22. Please tell us what you would do to help prevent future fires:

*****************************************************************************************************

Part B – Informational Tamarix/Native Vegetation, Methods of Flood Control, Methods of Fire Control, Birds/Key Species Prepared by LDE462S16 Landscape Architecture IV Senior Studio The Design School at Arizona State University

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Gila River Restoration & Recreation Study – Town of Kearny, Arizona PUBLIC SURVEY

February 24, 2016

Part C – How You Feel Scale 1 to 5, 5 being the most, 1 being the least. Please check one answer that most closely applies.

Visioning 23-27. Please rate each of the picture about how strongly you agree with the Town of Kearny becoming in the next 20 years: 23. Picture 1

24. Picture 2

25. Picture 3

26. Picture 4

27. Picture 5

5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O

4-Agree

3-Neutral

2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O

O

O

1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O

5-High Priority O 5-High Priority O

4-Medium Priority O 4-Medium Priority O

3-Neutral

2-Low Priority

1-No Priority

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Low Priority

O 1-No Priority

O

O

O

5-Very Likely

4-Likely

3-Neutral

2-Unlikely

O 5-Very Likely

O 4-Likely

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Unlikely

O

O

O

O

1-Very Unlikely O 1-Very Unlikely O

5-Very Much O

4-Much O

3-Little O

2-Very Little O

1-None O

Water 28. How important is water quality of the Gila River to you?

29. The Gila River is home to many endangered species and wildlife habitat.

How do you feel about protecting them?

30. How likely are you going to install Stormwater BMPs on your property?

31. How likely are you going to install Landscape BMPs on your property?

Mining 32. How much do you feel environmental impacts from mining in Kearny?

Prepared by LDE462S16 Landscape Architecture IV Senior Studio The Design School at Arizona State University

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Gila River Restoration & Recreation Study – Town of Kearny, Arizona PUBLIC SURVEY

February 24, 2016

River Accessibility & Recreation 33. What times a year do you go? (select all that apply) 34. How often do you go per month?

35. How much time do you spend per visit?

36. How do you currently utilize the Gila River?

37. How do you currently gain access to the river? (check all that apply) 38. What mode of transportation do you use to get to the river?

39. What outdoor recreation activities do you and your family like to do? (Check all that apply)

40. What is your preferred recreation intensity level (skill level)

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

O 1-2 times

O 3-5 times

O 6-10 times

O Less than 30 minutes O Industrial O Roads

O 30-60 minutes O Commercial O Trails

O 1-2 hours

O 11-15 times O 2-4 hours

O Car/Truck

O ATV/ Motorcycle O Picnicking O Bird Watching O

O Biking O Parks/ Playgrounds O Others: Please specify 5-Very High O

16-20 times O 4-8 hours

Daily

O Other O

O

O 8+

O Recreational O Make own path O Bike

O Views O Other

O Hiking O Canoeing O

O Camping O Running/ Jogging O

4-High

3-Medium

2-Low

1-Very Low

O

O

O

O

O Foot

Plane

Other

O Shooting O Fishing

O Hunting O Off-Roading

O

O

Natural & Cultural Character 41. The natural environment and scenic beauty of this area are important to our quality of life.

42. Uncluttered views of natural features such as forests, lakes, open ridges and farmland, help to make our area an attractive place to live.

43. More public parks and recreational areas are needed in our community.

44. We have enough public access to waterfront areas.

5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O

4-Agree

3-Neutral

2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O

O

O

5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O

4-Agree

3-Neutral

2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O

O

O

Prepared by LDE462S16 Landscape Architecture IV Senior Studio The Design School at Arizona State University

1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O

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Gila River Restoration & Recreation Study – Town of Kearny, Arizona PUBLIC SURVEY 45. The design and appearance of new buildings is not important to the community or tourists.

46. New development is acceptable only if it blends with the historic character of the surrounding area.

47. There should be little or no restriction on the type and location of development in our community.

February 24, 2016

5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O 5-Strongly Agree O

4-Agree

3-Neutral

2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O 4-Agree

O 3-Neutral

O 2-Disagree

O

O

O

1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O 1-Strongly Disagree O

Events/Festivals/Holidays 48. Do you like the idea of community events/ festivals/ holidays?

49. Time of year preferred to celebrate? (check all that apply) 50. Days of the week preferred? (check all that apply) 51. Preference on celebration location.

Strongly Agree O Spring O

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

O Summer O

O Fall O

O Winter O

Sun O

Mon O

Tue O

Wed O

Indoor

Outdoor

O

O

Mix of Both O

No Preference O

Strongly Disagree O

Thu O

Fri O

Sat O

52. Please identify any holidays and festivals you would want to publicly celebrate.

53. Please let us know any ideas or preferences you have for such occasions.

Favorite Places 54. Where are your favorite places in or around Kearny 55. Which season do you go? (select all that apply)

Spring O

Summer O

Prepared by LDE462S16 Landscape Architecture IV Senior Studio The Design School at Arizona State University

Fall O

Winter O

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Gila River Restoration & Recreation Study – Town of Kearny, Arizona

56. How often do you go to your favorite places?

57. How much time do you spend per visit?

PUBLIC SURVEY

February 24, 2016

Daily

2 times a week O 1-2 hours

1 time a week O 2-4 hours

Less than once a week O 4-8 hours

O

O

O

O Less than 30 minutes O

3-4 times a week O 30-60 minutes O

More than 8 hours O

58. What activities do you do there?

59. What makes this place your favorite?

60. What can make this place better? What don’t you like about it?

Community Involvement Which of the following programs would encourage your participation in our community involvement effort (check all that may apply) 61. Are you interested in potentially volunteering during construction?

62. How much time would you be able to volunteer per month (2 hours each time)?

Organized communitywide volunteer events and opportunities O 0 O

Organized local school volunteer events and opportunities

Rewards and recognition program for volunteerism

Events that include family and others

Other (please specify below in 63.)

O 1-2 O

O 3-5 O

O 6-10 O

O 11-15 O

15+ O

63. Other volunteer activities: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Prepared by LDE462S16 Landscape Architecture IV Senior Studio The Design School at Arizona State University

Page 6

Gila River Restoration & Recreation Study – Town of Kearny, Arizona PUBLIC SURVEY

February 24, 2016

Part D – Open Response 64. Please tell us what prevents you from accessing the Gila River:

65. What makes the Gila River great? And what would you like to see the river being improved?

66. What do you like about Kearny? And what can be improved about Kearny?

67. Please tell us your specific concerns about issues related to Risk Management (preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation):

68. Additional Comments:

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the community participation process and this survey!

Prepared by LDE462S16 Landscape Architecture IV Senior Studio The Design School at Arizona State University

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