- Meeting Date:
- 03/25/2015
- Title:
- Ratify Letter to Griffin, Stevens, Gowan about Governor Budget Proposals
- Submitted By:
- Arlethe Rios, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Submitted for Signature:
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Background:
Arizona Land and Water Trust (ALWT) submitted for a Department of Defense grant last year (it was called the Readiness Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program). It was a nationwide grant, with ALWT being 1 of 11 applicants. In partnership with Fort Huachuca, the project was awarded $5M. These monies would go towards purchasing conservation easements on 5,900 acres of historical working ranches (containing valuable wildlife habitat, prime native grass and preventing the further groundwater depletion resulting from building home sites here). The purpose of REPI is to conserve the missions of surrounding military installations. Here, the project would go to conserve Fort Huachuca, keeping development and encroachment from hindering their 160,000 annual air missions, etc.
Approximately 5,000 acres (of the 5,900) are located in Cochise County. For that REPI grant, we obtained the support (via support letters) from Governor Brewer, Congressman Barber, the Western Regional Partnership, The Cochise Water Project, the Upper San Pedro Partnership, BLM, NRCS, USFWS, to name a few. Obtaining the grant was a big deal since it now gives this focus area nationwide attention from other funders (federal/state agencies, etc.). So, we would like to keep the momentum going – since there is so much focus by funders in this area.
Since the $5M would not purchase conservation easements on this entire 5,900 acres, other funding is necessary. In 2013, ALWT obtained about $800K from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (ADEMA) in what is called the Military Installation Fund (MIF) towards purchasing conservation easements on this acreage. Approximately 396 acres will be conserved (in Santa Cruz County) with this 2013 MIF fund. And another 510 acres will be conserved (in Cochise County) with the REPI funds. I am also utilizing the remaining REPI funds to conserve another 1,100 acres in Cochise County. After the above-mentioned acreage is conserved, there will be approximately 3,900 acres to go.
ALWT would like to again apply for further MIF funding towards this project. And I would like to see if the Cochise County Board of Supervisors would like to provide support (via a support letter) for ALWT’s 2015 MIF application. I have provided a draft letter (for revision at the behest of the Supervisors) for your convenience.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Sharma Hammond Torrens
Land & Water Program Manager
Arizona Land and Water Trust
3127 N. Cherry Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85719
Ph - 520.577.8564
Fax - 520.577.8574
Cell - 602.540.5331