Action 2.
Flood Control District Meeting
Engineering & Natural Resources
- Meeting Date:
- 10/08/2019
- Title:
- Approve 3 Canyons Infrastructure and Monitoring implementation
- Submitted By:
- Karen Riggs, Engineering & Natural Resources
- Department:
- Engineering & Natural Resources
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature NOT Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Jackie Watkins
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Director Engineering & Nat. Resources
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Docket Number (If applicable):
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve the contract with WEST Consultants, Inc. for 3 Canyons infrastructure and monitoring implementation, in the amount of $49,980.
Background:
In November 2013, Cochise County acquired the 3 Canyons property with the assistance of ACUB (Army Compatible Use Buffer) funds. The property consists of 480 acres of abandoned farmland at the southwest corner of Palominas and 3 Canyons Roads, in Palominas. It had been previously farmed in alfalfa. The property acquisition retired the high intensity ag pumping and placed a conservation easement on the property that is held by the City of Sierra Vista. Livestock grazing is allowed under the easement and there is a lessee currently grazing cattle on the property.
In 2017 Cochise County Floodplain analyzed the 3 Canyons recharge property for feasibility of land management treatments to improve native grass cover, soil health and increase infiltration of storm water, while reducing excess runoff, sediment and other contaminants that leave the property. Regenerative agriculture is a method that improves land health, reduces the need for chemical inputs and increases infiltration and profitability. It is still a relatively new practice. The feasibility study established the potential for holistic grazing management to significantly reduce flood runoff while increasing native grass cover, plant and soil health.
This next phase will implement and test that potential. The Walton Family Foundation agreed that the Flood Control District could use $80,000 of funds left over from the Palominas recharge project for infrastructure and monitoring equipment for this effort. This contract will finalize an implementation and monitoring plan and oversee the installation of that equipment.
What we learn here will be directly transferrable to farm and rangeland in Cochise County and other areas with similar climate and soils. Part of this project will be searching out and vetting potential partners who would be able to assist with this methodology transfer to producers. This project's approach has inspired other counties as well as several state agencies as potential partners.
In 2017 Cochise County Floodplain analyzed the 3 Canyons recharge property for feasibility of land management treatments to improve native grass cover, soil health and increase infiltration of storm water, while reducing excess runoff, sediment and other contaminants that leave the property. Regenerative agriculture is a method that improves land health, reduces the need for chemical inputs and increases infiltration and profitability. It is still a relatively new practice. The feasibility study established the potential for holistic grazing management to significantly reduce flood runoff while increasing native grass cover, plant and soil health.
This next phase will implement and test that potential. The Walton Family Foundation agreed that the Flood Control District could use $80,000 of funds left over from the Palominas recharge project for infrastructure and monitoring equipment for this effort. This contract will finalize an implementation and monitoring plan and oversee the installation of that equipment.
What we learn here will be directly transferrable to farm and rangeland in Cochise County and other areas with similar climate and soils. Part of this project will be searching out and vetting potential partners who would be able to assist with this methodology transfer to producers. This project's approach has inspired other counties as well as several state agencies as potential partners.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
The department will work with Procurement to approve a PO for this work based on the parent contract (1604) for on-call services.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The department will not be able to leverage existing Walton funds expressly set aside for this project and will need to return the funds to Walton. In addition, the opportunity will be lost to improve the vegetation and soil health of a very visible County owned property, or to reduce storm runoff and its associated contaminants from adversely affecting the San Pedro River (1 mile downstream from the property).
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
No Board follow up needed.
Fiscal Impact
- Fiscal Year:
- 19-20
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- 49980
- Ongoing Costs? ($$$):
- 0
- County Match Required? ($$$):
- 0
- A-87 Overhead Amt? (Co. Cost Allocation $$$):
- 0
- Source of Funding?:
- See below
Fiscal Impact & Funding Sources (if known):
Adequate funding in 19-20 in fund line 261-4110-9-421.600. This will leverage $80,000 in grant funds from Walton for the infrastructure and monitoring equipment costs.