SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization

Environmental Planning

Background of Program

SEAGO has always been responsive to the planning needs of its member entities, and the ability to provide environmental planning and assistance has existed since the establishment of SEAGO in 1970. SEAGO was established as a Designated Planning Agency (DPA) for Water Quality Planning by the Governor in 1976, under provisions of Section 208 of the Clean Water Act. The initial Section 208 plan was completed in 1978, and updated in 1980. The latest 208 Plan was published in December, 1994. SEAGO has participated in other environmental studies and planning operations throughout the region, to include:

• Water Quality on the San Pedro River: An Update on Discharges Emanating from Mexico - SEAGO, 1979-80.
• San Pedro River Valley Water Quality Monitoring - SEAGO 1979-80.
• Copper Mining Spills and Water Quality in the San Pedro Basin, Arizona - SEAGO, 1980.
• Sampling Design for the San Pedro River Study - SEAGO and ADHS, 1980.
• Upper Santa Cruz Groundwater Nitrates Conditions: 208 Amendment - SEAGO, 1982.
• St. David Area Nitrates Study - SEAGO, 1985.
• 205(j) Cochise School Wells Study - SEAGO, 1988.
• Regional Solid Waste Study - SEAGO, 1989.
• Wellhead Protection in Nogales, Arizona 1995-96.

Programs and Services

Staff is available to assist member entities in developing and requesting amendments to the 208 Area-wide Water Quality Management Plan. Private individuals, institutions, or developers may request an amendment to the plan, but it is requested that they obtain a sponsor from the member entity most affected by their proposed amendment. Currently, member entities are not charged for processing amendments to the plan, but other agencies that are not members of SEAGO will incur a cost depending on the level of effort required to process a proposed amendment.

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