THE ARAVAIPA WATERSHED CONSERVATION ALLIANCE WILL EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY AND DIVERSITY AND DEVELOP A WATERSHED RESTORATION PLAN FOR ARAVAIPA CANYON IN SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA. ARAVAIPA CREEK IS A TRIBUTARY TO THE SAN PEDRO RIVER AND IN TURN, THE GILA RIVER. THE ARAVAIPA CREEK'S 20-MILE PERENNIAL-FLOW STRETCH HAS SOME OF THE BEST REMAINING HABITAT FOR DESERT FISHES IN ARIZONA, WITH SEVEN NATIVE SPECIES, INCLUDING THE ENDANGERED SPIKEDACE AND LOACH MINNOW. THE ALLIANCE WILL BUILD PARTICIPATION BY INTERESTED LANDOWNERS, INCLUDING CATTLE RANCHERS AND OTHER PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, THROUGH STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND PARTNER MEETINGS. THE ALLIANCE WILL ALSO BEGIN DEVELOPING A RESTORATION PLAN USING DATA AND RESEARCH GATHERED THROUGH A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL DEVELOPED THROUGH RECLAMATION'S INTERNAL APPLIED SCIENCE PROGRAM. THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS, THE ALLIANCE WILL IDENTIFY AND PRIORITIZE PROJECTS FOR EROSION AND FLOOD CONTROL, MITIGATION OF LAND FRAGMENTATION, AND OTHER RANGE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING WATER STORAGE AND DELIVERY TO SUPPORT IMPROVED DISTRIBUTION OF LIVESTOCK FOR BETTER RANGELAND HEALTH.