February 9, 2012 - 3:40 pm

Gov. Janice K. Brewer signed a proclamation Thursday in support of a comprehensive regional flood control project to protect the Pinal County area from severe flooding along the Lower Santa Cruz River.

The watershed, encompassing thousands of square miles, runs through the heart of Arizona’s fastest growing region and connects its two largest metropolitan areas. A major flood today could destroy critical infrastructure, residential areas, schools, businesses and agriculture, and result in billions of dollars in damage.

“This proclamation represents my pledge to see that the federal government joins us in addressing this critical safety issue before another devastating flood strikes the Lower Santa Cruz,” Brewer said.

Since 1887, 34 major floods have occurred on the river, an average of one every three to four years. Six of the seven most damaging floods have occurred in the past 50 years.

With the area’s rapid growth and development, and river flow changes, damage from a major flood could devastate the entire region. Pinal County was the second fastest growing county in the U.S. during the past decade, more than doubling its population.

Mayor Anthony Smith said eliminating flooding along this river is “as challenging as it is historic.”

“Gov. Brewer’s proclamation and appearance here today signify the wide range of support that the Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance has harnessed. It is that support that will ultimately help us secure a lasting solution to protect the region from severe flooding,” Smith said.

Greg Stanley, Pinal County’s public works director, said the county has been trying to get federal assistance in flood mitigation, with the board of supervisors identifying it as one of the county’s top federal priorities for several years.

“The Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance is a great example of a public-private partnership working to engage federal assistance to ultimately reduce flooding risks through the areas of Red Rock, Eloy, Casa Grande and Maricopa,” he said.

Santa Cruz River flooding also has caused severe damage to local cities and Native American communities, including the Gila River Indian Community and the Tohono O’odham Nation.

“As the downstream receiver, the Santa Cruz River has continually impacted our Community from flooding our developable lands, agricultural fields, roadway systems and this is the opportunity to properly address this flooding issue during these complicated economic times,” said Jonathan Thomas, Gila River Indian Community’s Flood Control Management Task Force chairman.

Brewer was joined Thursday by elected officials, and business, community and tribal leaders, including representatives from the Gila River Indian Community and Tohono O’odham Nation, as well as Mayor Smith, Vice Mayor Edward Farrell and councilmen Marvin Brown and Alan Marchione. Other officials at the signing included: Pinal County supervisors David Snider, District 3, Pete Rios, District 1 and Bryan Martyn, District 2; Casa Grande Mayor Robert Jackson; Casa Grande Mayor Pro Tem Matt Herman; and Eloy Councilwoman Belinda Akes.