Monthly Archives: March 2012

USGS: Cinder Lake Adequate to Contain Schultz Floodwater

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—– A federal study funded by Coconino County determined Cinder Lake, a dry volcanic cinder bed capable of storing 3,960 acre-feet of water, is adequate to contain floodwater from the 2010 Schultz Fire burn area.

Results from the Cinder Lake Study, compiled by hydrologists and scientists with the US Geological Survey, substantiate that Cinder Lake serves as a significant element of the larger flood mitigation efforts to protect residents and property in the Doney Park area from ongoing flooding.

“Armed with this new information, the County, and our federal and state partners, are in a better position to fine tune projects aimed at ensuring floodwaters travel in the least destructive path as possible,” said County Supervisor Liz Archuleta, whose district includes the flood area.

The study was in response to extensive flooding in the wake of the 2010 Schultz Fire that charred more than 15,000 acres of forest on the eastern face of the San Francisco Peaks. As summer rainfall came, flood waters quickly ran through neighborhoods, decimating properties, roadways, utility lines and claiming the life of a 12-year-old girl.

The scientific geologic study found that flood water is naturally flowing into Cinder Lake and into the subsurface.

USGS subsurface surveys estimate the lake can hold approximately 1.3 billion gallons of water. The flood events during the 2011 summer monsoon season produced about 16 million gallons of water, which eventually made its way into Cinder Lake.

“These events have greatly impacted our residents who constantly have a cautious eye skyward,” said County Supervisor Mandy Metzger, whose district is also impacted by the floods. “This study provides a critical piece of information and reinforces our early belief that Cinder Lake had the capacity needed to develop a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy.

The entire Cinder Lake Study can be found at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1018/ . To view the USGS’s press release, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3113 .

Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner at the Williams Methodist Church

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WILLIAMS—The Williams Community United Methodist Church on the corner of Second Street and Sherman in Williams will be hosting a Saint Patrick’s Day dinner on Saturday, March 17th.

The dinner will consist of corned beef and cabbage, deserts and beverages. The dinner will run from 5 to 7 pm or until the food runs out.

They ask your most generous donation for the dinner.

Williams Senior Center March for Meals pancake breakfast

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WILLIAMS—The Williams Senior Center will be holding a March for Meals pancake breakfast this Saturday, March 10th from 9 am to 11 am. The Senior Center is at 850 W. Grant Street next to Safeway. Grant Street is one block down from Route 66.

The breakfast will consist of Pancakes, Hash Browns, Bacon, Sausage, Biscuits, Eggs and Yogurt, Orange juice, coffee and tea will also be served. Generous donations for the breakfast will be matched by the Meals on Wheels Association of America and benefit the Williams Senior Nutrition Program.

The Senior Center provides lunches in-house for seniors in Williams and delivers lunches to seniors who cannot make it to the Senior Center. The Senior Center has a thrift store which also supports their activities and provides other activities for seniors in Williams.

Too many nonviolent offenders stuck behind bars

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Policy Change Could Save State $30 to $73 Million Annually and Maintain Safety

PHOENIX — Ten years ago the state’s three universities received 40 percent more funding from the General Fund than did the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC).  Today, it’s reversed; corrections receives 40 percent more than universities.  No one voted to change priorities, rather a new report from the Grand Canyon Institute, a centrist think tank, argues Arizona’s rigid approach to sentencing nonviolent offenders is a significant cause.

The Grand Canyon Institute Monday released its report “Reducing Incarceration While Maintaining Public Safety: From Truth in Sentencing to Earned Release for Nonviolent Offenders.”   Says report author, Dave Wells, a Fellow for the Institute, “Arizonan is the only state in the country that requires nonviolent offenders, regardless of risk or programs they complete while in custody, to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence behind bars.  That’s neither cost effective nor best practice.  Arizona can learn from other states that have moved toward earned release with appropriate community supervision and drug treatment and save between $30 and $73 million annually while maintaining public safety.”

Former Republican State Representative Bill Konopnicki, who serves on the Institute’s Board, notes, “Our prisons can be a revolving door.  Last year 19,055 people left the Arizona Department of Corrections and another 18,759 people replaced them.  At least three in four have significant substance abuse issues, yet last year only 1,810 received treatment.  It’s no wonder that repeat offenders make up seven out of every 10 inmates.”
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