Action 1.
Special Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 07/24/2012
- Title:
- Authorization to enter into Emergency Watershed Program agreement with Natural Resources Conservation Service to cost share on flood mitigation due to
- Submitted By:
- Katie Howard, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Karen Riggs
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
County Engineer
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Authorize the Flood Control District to enter into agreements necessary to implement Emergency Watershed Protection Program project(s) in partnership with NRCS.
Background:
As a result of recent large amounts of rain and due to the deforestation caused by last year’s fires, particularly the Monument Fire, several areas within the County are suffering severe flooding. This flooding has damaged roads and in some instances houses.
The impact of damaging the roads is not only a matter of monies expended to repair and in some instances replace the road, but more fundamentally cutting off access to and from residential areas precluding emergency vehicles from traversing these roads. Many of these roads are privately held and the County’s role in maintaining this infrastructure is limited.
As you may recall from last year, Cochise County partnered with NRCS to address some of the flooding that occurred in the Miller Canyon area. Use of the program and the corresponding improvements have worked well and staff is now suggesting we resubmit requests through NRCS to explore funding of other areas suffering from flooding.
Staff has received numerous calls over the past few weeks from residents that were either flooded or where access to their homes was severely impacted. Staff will work with NRCS to identify the areas that would qualify for funding and develop solutions to address the flooding of residences and roads in those specific areas. Also, please keep in mind that once the funding is approved for this effort, we would have 10 days to complete the improvements.
Staff recommends the BOS direct staff to explore the logistics of securing funding to address these many areas suffering from flooding as outlined above.
Fiscal Impact:
No project cost estimates have been prepared by staff or NRCS. That will be the next step if the BOS would like to pursue this funding source. Once a project is identified and cost estimates are established, Cochise County would be responsible for a 25% contribution toward the overall cost of the project. The Flood Control District currently has $50,000 budgeted for FY 12-13 for Fire Related Emergency Flood Repairs. This could be used to cover the local match. The grant program is reimbursable. Funding in the amount of $200,000 could be used from Flood Contingency with 75% of that reimbursable after completion.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Staff will immediately formally contact NRCS and ask their assistance in identifying projects including the corresponding cost estimates. Funding to cover the local match would come from Flood Control District Contingency.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Cochise County will not apply for NRCS – EWP funding.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
n/a
Fiscal Impact
Attachments
No file(s) attached.