Discussion and possible direction on continuing the use of consultants to work on various local, state and federal issues of importance to the County.

Over the past several years, the County has engaged several consultants to assist us in analyzing various local, state and federal land use issues of importance. These include issues relating to the Endangered Species Act and enforcement by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, interactions with the US Forest Service on associated Travel Management Plans and Regional Forest Plans and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) Resource Management Plan, water issues/legislation at the State and Federal level and land use proposals that potentially impact the local economy and the viability of Fort Huachuca. The Board needs to discuss continuing this effort in general and engaging in the below items specifically:
 

• Recently, the County has asked one of our consultants to work more extensively with the Arizona/New Mexico Coalition of Counties on Mexican Wolf issues, specifically related to providing legal support on a pending lawsuit with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.The County has incurred approximately $26,000 to date in that effort and $xxxx in total on all Mexican Wolf-related issues over the past year.Our consultant on Mexican Wolf issues, Mary Darling with Darling Geomatics, has requested an additional $5,000 per month to continue to deliver necessary support to the Coalition’s legal team as well as a new effort involving the Jaguar. The Board needs to determine if this legal support effort should continue and if so, at what level of participation and expenditure.
• One of our consultants has provided technical support to the local (Hereford) Natural Resource Conservation District, a local extension of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.Discussion regarding the continued use of consultants to provide technical support to this and other outside agencies needs to occur.
• In the course of the City of Sierra Vista’s approval of the Tribute development, the Arizona Department of Water Resources issued an assurance of adequate water supply and the BLM appealed that determination.The City has also retained an attorney to advise them on the Gila Water Adjudication, which may impact water rights within the SPNCA. The Board needs to discuss supporting the City in these efforts, which could incur costs of $10,000/year. It should be noted that the Board may need to go into Executive Session to discuss these matters.

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