http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/documents/2011.03.11CommMtgMinutes.pdf
Note below that the Community Fishing Pond - Town of Eagar and Lee Valley Lands - Proposed Municipal Fishing
Pond both refer to the same parcel.
Pages 35-36:
Community Fishing Pond – Town of Eagar
The Department is continuing its efforts with the Town of Eagar (Town) toward the creation of a
2-acre fishing pond. The conceptual agreement is that the Town would provide the water, as
well as maintenance of the grounds. The Department would construct the pond on Department
property, provide fish and lease the property back to the Town at a nominal cost. The property
identified is the 26-Bar property in Eagar. The Department has forwarded a draft cooperative
agreement to the Town for their review.
Department personnel have conducted water quality monitoring of White Mountain area lakes
that have the potential to winterkill (Crescent, Carnero and Lee Valley Lakes). Monitoring
results indicate that none of these lakes have winterkilled so far. Based on current projections,
Crescent Lake is unlikely to winterkill this year. There is still a chance that Carnero and Lee
Valley lakes may experience winterkill.
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Lee Valley Lands – Proposed Municipal Fishing Pond
The Lee Valley Lands property was acquired in 1960 for its associated water rights.
Subsequently, the water rights have been severed and transferred to Lee Valley Reservoir.
Currently the property has been passively managed with little significant wildlife or habitat value
and has been identified by the Region as a candidate for disposal. It is located within the city
limits of the Town of Eagar (Town). Fisheries Branch, Region I and the Town are in support of
constructing a municipal fishing pond on a portion of the property. The Department would
construct the pond and parking area, and manage the water quality and fish community, while
the Town would provide the water and manage public use and maintenance of the property. The lake would be approximately 2 acres in size and be placed on less than 10 acres of the 71 acre
site. Fisheries Branch has approximately $70,000 of Dingell-Johnson Sportfish Restoration
funds to designate to initial construction of the site. The pond and related improvements would
create recreational and fishing opportunities for area residents and local youth groups. An
estimated increase of $30,000 per year in fishing license sales is anticipated and as much as
$60,000 to 150,000 annually into the local economy.
The obligations of each party will be captured in a Cooperative Agreement between the
Commission and the Town which will be presented to the Commission for approval. A Lease
Agreement authorizing the town to manage the site will be executed after site construction has
been completed. The Lease Agreement would include the terms and conditions of site
management.
One option is to eventually convey the proposed 10 acres of the subject property to the Town of
Eagar. This would be predicated on having received benefit from the facility commensurate with
the value of the property at that time. Increased fishing license sales (estimated above) could
suffice as the measure of “benefit”. The Town is receptive to this option. Because this property
was purchased with federal funding, federal aid approval and reimbursement will be necessary.
The amount to be reimbursed would be based on the appraised value of the property at the time
of disposal. A Cooperative Agreement will be presented to the Commission for consideration at
the April Commission meeting.
