Community Clean-Up January 27th

Trash along the Santa Cruz River

Community Clean-up of a Big River-borne Trash Pile Sponsored by Friends of the Santa Cruz River WHEN: Saturday, January 27, 9 AM to 12:30 PM WHERE: Behind the Tumacacori Mesquite Sawmill in Carmen, between Tubac and Tumacacori, #2007 East Frontage Road DETAILS: wear long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves, hat. Bring a reusable water bottle please!Warning: uneven terrain and other possible …

FOSCR Statement on the Recent Rupture of the IOI

Friends of the Santa Cruz River has been concerned for some time that the binational sewage pipe, the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI), could be breached by floods in the Nogales Wash under which it lies. A pipe break would spill raw sewage into the communities of Nogales, Rio Rico, Tubac and further north along the Santa Cruz River. Our warning …

“Flirting With Disaster”: How You Can Help!

We need to call for action! Tell these contacts that you want to see the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI) fixed—and soon! Feel free to use the “Talking Points” below in your communications. Senator John McCain: https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/casework-form (you can copy/paste points below onto this online form in “message” box) Tucson office: (520) 670-6334 Senator Jeff Flake: https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-jeff (also an online form where you …

FOSCR’s New Video: “Flirting with Disaster”

Flirting With Disaster: Eroding Sewer Pipe Threatens Santa Cruz River The International Outfall Interceptor (the “IOI”) sewage pipe is in danger of rupturing, spewing raw sewage and industrial waste over the poor border city of Nogales, Arizona, and into the Santa Cruz River watershed. The Federal government needs to fix the problem, caused by years of neglect, overuse, and sediment flows largely …

Press Release Highlights Plight of IOI Pipeline

McCain, Flake, McSally Introduce Bill to Unburden Nogales, Arizona From IOI Pipeline Costs Washington, D.C. ­March 8, 2017– U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) this week introduced in the Senate the Nogales Wastewater Fairness Act, legislation that would transfer the unfair financial burden of maintenance and capital upgrades of the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI) sewage pipeline located underneath the …

Where wild things swim—again

Gila Top Minnow, picture by Bruce Taubert/Arizona Department of Game and Fish

A recent High Country News article entitled, “Where the wild things swim—again. In a borderlands river, improved water quality allows an endangered fish to return” highlighted the return of the Gila Top Minnow. The Top Minnow—an endangered species—has been discovered again in the Santa Cruz River thanks to the release of effluent from the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Read the …