Yuma Crossing granted over $3 million

The federal government has given more than $3 million in grants to the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area this year to continue restoration of the Yuma East Wetlands.

The funds, from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will go toward restoring the North and South Channel area of the 1,400-acre project, according to Charles Flynn, executive director of the Heritage Area. He said they usually tackle about 50-75 acres of land to restore each year.

In 2008, he said they plan to reclaim about 150 acres.

"It's definitely our most ambitious year," Flynn said.

The Yuma City Council authorized acceptance of the grants at its regular Wednesday meeting.

The effort has been under way since 2004 and is expected to be complete within the next two or three years.

It was stalled last year due to a lack of appropriation money for the project.

"We sort of had to idle for about a year. We cleared the land, we did some design and so forth, but we really didn't have the money to do the project," Flynn said.

The overall East Wetlands restoration project, coordinated by the Heritage Area, consists of 1,400 acres between the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge and the confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers.

The goal is to clear out non-native vegetation, trash and debris that has grown up along the river, restoring the native plants and returning water flow to the Colorado River's channels.

The effort involves agreements with the city of Yuma, the Quechan Indian Tribe and private land owners.

Though the private land is not specifically part of the project Flynn said owners have helped by clearing non-native plants out and converting those areas to farmland.

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Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.