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Jacques Marsh Wildlife Area History

 

GooseTo solve pollution problems in local streams and lakes from sewage overflows, in the Pinetop-Lakeside area, special meetings were held with the U.S. Forest Service, Pinetop-Lakeside Sanitary District, Arizona Game and Fish Department and consulting engineers. After evaluating several alternatives to create a wetlands marsh for wildlife habitat from effluent, the present site of Jacques Marsh was selected. Cooperative agreements were signed between the Pinetop-Lakeside Sanitary District, The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and the Arizona Game and Fish Department on July 15, 1978. Actual construction costs were borne by the Sanitary District and the Apache-Sitgreaves, who also supplied the land. The Arizona Game and Fish Department agreed to maintain the area for 20 years for waterfowl habitat using this effluent system. Construction began in 1978 and was completed by 1979, with 7 ponds and 18 islands created. Effluent was introduced by 1981, but substantial effluent flow did not occur until 1982.

Description

Jacques Marsh is located 2 miles north of Lakeside, Arizona, and consists of 130 acres of National Forest land. Pond areas total 96 acres containing 7 ponds and 18 islands. Fifty acres surrounding the marsh are protected from livestock grazing. The topography is gentle rolling land with a pronounced northerly slope. Elevation is 6,600 feet. The vegetative communities are predominantly those of the Montane Conifer Forest and meadow, with lesser areas of riparian deciduous woodland and juniper-pinyon woodland.

Funding:

FoxFunding for the marsh structures was provided by the Pinetop-Lakeside Sanitary District and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, who also supplied the land. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has assigned maintenance cost from the Federal Pittman-Robertson Program for Aid to Wildlife Restoration.

Goal: The goal is to maintain and improve waterfowl nesting, feeding, and resting habitat using available treated effluent; and to provide hunting and educational use by the public.

Hunting: Major Species: Waterfowl. Hunting is in accordance with R12-4-301-304 and Commission Order 1.

jacques mapOther Activities: Trapping: Open season. R12-4-301, Commission Order 13.
Fishing: No. Camping: No
Grazing by livestock prohibited.
Wildlife Species: Ducks, geese, shorebirds, rabbits, coyote, fox, bobcat, elk, non-game birds, raptors, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals.

If you would like to know more about Jacques Marsh and how it was formed and is operated, click here!

See also: Pintail Lake for species and wildlife information regarding this restoration project!

Information courtesy: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Game Branch, 2222 West Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85023. Phone: (602) 942-3000
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