Today, U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) is working to move forward the Rio Reimagined project that will revitalize areas along the Salt River.

In order to further this project, McSally and members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Andrew Wheeler asking him to include the Rio Reimagined project as the 20th designee in its Urban Waters Federal Partnership. 

The project, originally created decades ago by Arizona State University students, would span across a 58-mile stretch of the Salt-Gila river corridor through Maricopa County including six cities and two Native American tribal communities.

“In compliance with the Clean Water Act, UWFP projects successfully address a multitude of challenges including flood control, infrastructure, community engagement and water quality which are critical to the Rio Reimagined,” the members wrote. “To that end, we request that you and your partner agencies officially include the Rio Reimagined project to the Urban Waters Federal Partnership so that this project can successfully utilize your leadership and your partner’s agency’s expertise.”

“Senator McCain had a bold vision for the Arizona communities along the Salt River and he successfully engaged Arizona community leaders about the Rio Reimagined project,” Sen. McSally said. “It is an honor to partner with these communities to move this vision forward. I spoke with EPA administrator Wheeler about Rio Reimagined last week as a perfect fit for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership and look forward to his response to our bipartisan request.”

The letter is available to download HERE.