Camp Verde Council approves MOU with The Nature Conservancy to support Verde River conservation
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Summary
The council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with The Nature Conservancy to collaborate on stormwater recharge projects and regional groundwater modeling aimed at protecting the Verde River and local water resources.
The Camp Verde Town Council on Jan. 15 approved a memorandum of understanding with The Nature Conservancy to coordinate regional water-conservation efforts. Utilities Director Jeff Low told the council staff have been “actively working with The Nature Conservancy on upcoming stormwater recharge projects” and hope to participate in a regional groundwater model to help conserve and manage the Verde River.
The agreement, presented by Utilities Director Jeff Low, frames collaboration on projects intended to support "a healthy and flowing Verde River," according to the materials and Low's summary. Councilor Wendy Escoffier moved to approve the MOU; Councilor Robin Godwin seconded. The council instructed staff to correct clerical dates in the document and to include a town attorney signature line before final execution. The vote was unanimous, 7-0.
Why this matters: the Verde River and its tributaries are a major local water source and ecological resource. The MOU formalizes cooperative planning on stormwater recharge projects and regional data-sharing that town staff said will inform water-resource management.
What the council directed next: staff were authorized to finalize the MOU with the date corrections and attorney signature; the motion did not commit the town to specific capital expenditures or projects beyond collaborative planning described in the document.
The council moved to the next agenda item after the unanimous approval.