Action 6.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Facilities
- Meeting Date:
- 04/23/2013
- Title:
- Approve Cooperative Agreement #L13AC00052 with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a Countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
- Submitted By:
- Lisa Marra, Facilities
- Department:
- Facilities
Presentation:
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Lisa Marra
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Grants Administrator
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Docket Number (If applicable):
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve Cooperative Agreement # L13AC00052 with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a Countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan, accept funding in the amount of $20,000, secure funding from the AZ Forestry Division in the amount of $14,500, and provide additional funding of $34,103 to complete the first phase of the Plan.
Background:
In January 2003 Congress implemented the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA). This program was to identify and analyze Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) for the potential to support wildland fire and assist communities at risk from catastrophic Wildland fires by providing assistance for activities that include assessment and planning, mitigation activities, community and homeowner education, hazardous fuels reduction, monitoring, and maintenance, training, and equipment purchases.
Efforts to minimize the disastrous effects of wildfire in Cochise County have been underway for many years; these efforts have resulted in communities within Cochise County developing their own approaches to preparing for Wildland fire. Developing a county wide CWPP was initiated in 2011 by the Emergency Services Department of Cochise County to bolster the efforts of large communities and incorporate smaller communities into a larger plan. BLM has been working since that time to develop available funding specifically for Cochise County.
The plan will outline, with maps and detail, what areas in the County are most in jeopardy by wildfire. It will provide information for forest thinning and the different types of vegetation in County. The Plan gives insight to resources available to fight fires and provided emergency corridors and access, ensuring one common goals. Identification of infrastructure (roads, cell towers, water) within the County for additional long term planning and development is another asset. It provides community outreach and education which has been successful in many other counties in the State and across the Nation.
This program will bring together Federal, State, County, and local partners to maximize efforts to prepare private property and adjoining public lands to allow fire to play it’s natural role in ecosystems without the devastating effects on life and property. Cochise County has been identified as an “at risk” community under this Cooperative Grant Agreement.
The Agreement with BLM that is the subject of this agenda item provides the County with $20,000 towards development of the Plan. The Arizona State Forestry Division has also committed grant funding in the amount of $14,500 towards development of the Plan. A preliminary estimate of the cost to retain a consultant to develop the Plan is $68,603, which would mean that the County would need to contribute $34,103 or find other sources and partners, such as other local governments and businesses that have a stake in protection from wildfires.
BLM has indicated that it will provide up to $80,000 in additional funding through 2018 to help implement the Plan.
Efforts to minimize the disastrous effects of wildfire in Cochise County have been underway for many years; these efforts have resulted in communities within Cochise County developing their own approaches to preparing for Wildland fire. Developing a county wide CWPP was initiated in 2011 by the Emergency Services Department of Cochise County to bolster the efforts of large communities and incorporate smaller communities into a larger plan. BLM has been working since that time to develop available funding specifically for Cochise County.
The plan will outline, with maps and detail, what areas in the County are most in jeopardy by wildfire. It will provide information for forest thinning and the different types of vegetation in County. The Plan gives insight to resources available to fight fires and provided emergency corridors and access, ensuring one common goals. Identification of infrastructure (roads, cell towers, water) within the County for additional long term planning and development is another asset. It provides community outreach and education which has been successful in many other counties in the State and across the Nation.
This program will bring together Federal, State, County, and local partners to maximize efforts to prepare private property and adjoining public lands to allow fire to play it’s natural role in ecosystems without the devastating effects on life and property. Cochise County has been identified as an “at risk” community under this Cooperative Grant Agreement.
The Agreement with BLM that is the subject of this agenda item provides the County with $20,000 towards development of the Plan. The Arizona State Forestry Division has also committed grant funding in the amount of $14,500 towards development of the Plan. A preliminary estimate of the cost to retain a consultant to develop the Plan is $68,603, which would mean that the County would need to contribute $34,103 or find other sources and partners, such as other local governments and businesses that have a stake in protection from wildfires.
BLM has indicated that it will provide up to $80,000 in additional funding through 2018 to help implement the Plan.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Seek additional partners for funding. Hire a consultant to develop the Plan.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
If a Plan is not developed, the County will lose the opportunity to discover vegetation mitigation assessment in our area which includes hazardous fuels reduction and educational opportunities for land owners.
If the Plan is not developed, the County will lose future funding from BLM. The County and other jurisdictions within the County would not be able to take advantage of grant funding specific to State fire grants.
Acceptance of the award is defined upon beginning work on the project, which will begin upon retaining a consultant. We are under no funding obligation until we begin the project.
If the Plan is not developed, the County will lose future funding from BLM. The County and other jurisdictions within the County would not be able to take advantage of grant funding specific to State fire grants.
Acceptance of the award is defined upon beginning work on the project, which will begin upon retaining a consultant. We are under no funding obligation until we begin the project.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Nothing at this time. (BLM does not require the County to sign the Agreement).
Fiscal Impact
- Fiscal Year:
- 2014
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- Ongoing Costs? ($$$):
- County Match Required? ($$$):
- 34,103
- A-87 Overhead Amt? (Co. Cost Allocation $$$):
- Source of Funding?:
- Sales Tax
Fiscal Impact & Funding Sources (if known):
BLM will provide $20,000. Az. State Forestry Division has committed $14,500. The County could be responsible for up to $34,103 to fund the balance of the cost of the consultant to develop the Countywide Plan Phase One. Additional partners and stakeholders will be solicited to attempt to mitigate the cost to the County. A potential list of possible donors is attached.