Numerous groups, including the Arizona Riparian Council, American Rivers, The Nature Conservancy (Arizona Chapter), Center for Biological Diversity, Northern Arizona Audubon Society and the Yavapai-Apache Nation, have lauded APS’ efforts as "a rare, expensive and beneficial environmental leap forward."

The leap was rare because although the Childs-Irving hydropower facility has been generating electricity for nearly 100 years and still runs, APS voluntarily decided to decommission it. It was expensive because decommissioning is estimated to cost between $8 million and $15 million, depending on future decisions about one of the dams. And it was environmentally beneficial because it restores a dwindling Arizona resource: a native riparian area, 90 percent of which has been lost, altered or degraded in the past 100 years.

Immediately after it announced its decision, APS began discussing details of the decommissioning through a partnership with environmental organizations. These included 14 state and federal agencies, local landowners and ranchers. Among the details the partnership decided upon was a timetable to return Fossil Creek to full flows by Dec. 31, 2004. After flows are returned to the stream, APS will begin deconstruction of the plant and restoration of the site. The utility will transfer control of the area to the U.S. Forest Service upon completion of its restoration work, targeted for Dec. 31, 2009.

While the restoration of Fossil Creek to its original flow has been hailed by environmentalists, the historic value of the power plant has not been ignored. The facility’s structures are an integral part of the region’s history and culture, and some of the buildings will be preserved and maintained by local historical groups. APS will work with these organizations and the surrounding communities to preserve as much of the facilities as possible.