Minutes of the Meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission

http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/documents/2011.04.15-16CommMtgMinutes.pdf
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5. Request for the Commission to Approve a Cooperative Agreement with the Town of Eagar to
Manage a Community Fishing Pond to be Constructed on a Portion of the Commission’s Lee
Valley Land.

Presenter: Josh Avey, Habitat Branch Chief

Mr. Avey provided a Power Point presentation to the Commission that included the following
information: The Lee Valley Lands property was acquired in 1960 for its associated water
rights. Since that time, all water rights have been severed and transferred. Currently the
property has been passively managed with little significant wildlife 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
community fishing pond on a portion of that property. The Department would construct the
pond and manage the water quality and fish community, while the Town would manage public
use and maintenance of the property improvements. The pond and related improvements would
create recreational and fishing opportunities for area residents and local youth groups. 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 indicated they will lead the effort to identify funding for the initial
construction and provide fish stocking activities. Obligations of each party and the terms and
conditions of the arrangement will be specified in the Agreement to be executed by both parties
prior to any expenditure of funds by the Department.

Commissioner Husted spoke in support of this agreement and commended the Department, but
he requested that the Department not be deterred or forget about the upgrades they committed to
at Becker Lake.

Motion: Husted moved and Freeman seconded THAT THE COMMISSION VOTE TO APPROVE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF EAGAR TO MANAGE A COMMUNITY FISHING POND TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON A PORTION OF THE COMMISSION’S LEE VALLEY LAND, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR, AS SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION, TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT AS APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

Vote: Unanimous