Ameron International Water Transmission Group Phoenix Plant is supplying Reinforced Concrete Cylinder Pipe (RCCP) for another reach of the Gila River Indian Community’s Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP). The Westside Area Pipeline project will consist of 12,241 feet of 90”, 12,394 feet of 84” and 5,507 feet of 78”. Ameron is scheduled to complete production by August, 2004. Kiewit Companies is the general contractor.

But what is the P-MIP Project?
In the mid-80’s, the Akimel O’odham and Pee-Posh people (Pima and Maricopa tribes) of the Gila River Indian Community, wanted to restore their agricultural economy The missing element was water for the massive irrigation project In turn, the water would encourage new growth in commercial, industrial and recreational areas.

The Community placed their rightful claim for the Gila River water. In exchange for a waiver of the tribe’s claim to water, the Gila River Community, the United States government, the Central Arizona Water Conservation District and several other “non-Indian” parties worked toward an agreement for the Gila Community’s water rights to the Gila River and its tributaries.

The Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project was begun in 1995. The agreement would convey 173,100 acre feet of water from the Central Arizona Project.

The master planned irrigation project will consist of 30 miles of pipeline and canals, along with lateral delivery system to convey the water to the fields.

The water will irrigate 146,330 acres of Community lands.
In 1995, the Community took over the management of the project.

This is unique because it was the first irrigation system being planned, constructed and maintained by an Indian nation through Self- Governance, thus showing other Native American communities that they can do it as well.

Information for this article taken partially from the Gila River Community web site, www.gilariver.com.