Consideration and Approval of Agreement:  Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) Participating Agreement Supplemental Project Agreement (SPA)14-PA-11030408-013: Boundary Line Survey with U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest (Approve agreement with USFS for reimbursement for survey work to be implemented by USFS in connection with the FWPP). 

Approve FWPP SPA 14-PA-11030408-013 Boundary Line Survey with U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest.

In Nov 2012, 74% of Flagstaff voters approved Forest Bond #405, now known as the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP).  The Boundary Survey for the identified locations are currently out-of-date, and must be redone before any forest treatments can occur on adjacent national forest lands.  In accordance with the FWPP goals, the forest treatments, once completed, will improve overall forest health and reduce the probability of a destructive wildfire, helping to protect the City’s north side and adjacent neighborhoods.

 

Coconino County will do the actual survey field work and recording for the U.S. Forest Service under a separate Agreement.  The County's involvement in the effort, as an FWPP partner, will save the City approximately $75,000.  (The survey was initially going to be conducted by Bureau of Land Management surveyors at a not-to-exceed cost of $141,000.) 

  4. Complete Rio de Flag - FWPP City/Dry Lake Hills related activities
10. Develop an ongoing budget process - FWPP expenditures and transparency
11. Effective governance. - overall completion of FWPP

Not on this specific activity.  Council was involved in the Bond effort, and has been kept updated on the resulting FWPP process.

Two options exist: 1) Approve Agreement, permitting the survey to proceed; 2) Revise the Agreement to include new provisions/conditions to be decided upon later; or 3) Reject the Agreement, to include the work being paid for by bond funds. 

The FWPP is an innovative and unique method of treating forested lands at high risk to damage from serious wildfire events.  As far as is known, this is the first bond-funded program to address this issue in the country.  As such, it has garnered a high level of interest at both the State and National level.  Since the bond's passage in Nov 2012, some field operations have occurred, but much of the effort has been behind-the-scenes in the realms of planning, public outreach, development of agreements, and other support activities designed to permit efficient and effective forest treatments throughout the project area.  

In 2013, City staff and key partners completed 26 major actions: In 2014, another 21 milestones have been identified: some have been completed, many are underway, and still others are planned for later this year.  One of those planned is the completion of the Boundary Line Survey. 

The U.S. Forest Service is providing all posts, signs, and monuments as required at no expense to the City.  The City (Flagstaff Fire Department - Wildland Fire Management division) will notify all adjacent property owners of the survey effort, in advance of any survey work being undertaken.   

Multiple community partners have been engaged in the FWPP effort, including the Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership (GFFP), Friends of the Rio, and NAU's Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI).  The campaign to pass the bond also included the citizen-led "Yes on 405" group, the Grand Canyon Trust, and The Nature Conservancy. Successfully completing the planned forest treatments will enhance protection of adjacent neighborhoods from destructive wildfire, and promote the vigor, resiliency, and sustainability of the forest itself.  

Inform - In the months leading up to the vote (July-Nov 12), 50 public outreach events were held throughout the community.  In 2013, post-election, over 1,500 people visited the Project's website.  In addition, FWPP has received coverage in local/regional media on numerous occasions.  Before the survey begins, the City (Fire Department - Wildland Fire management division) will notify adjacent property owners of the pending work - it's purpose, methodology, and timeframe.
Consult - City staff, and our many partners, worked extensively with community members in shaping the scope of the bond question.  GFFP hosted and lead a local focus group.  Over 50 public comments were received during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement's public comment period.  All planned work is in accordance with the Greater Flagstaff Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and the Flagstaff Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUI Code), both adopted by City Council in 2005 and 2008, respectfully.
Involve - In 2013, 15 separate public meetings, presentations, and/or field trips were conducted in the area.  Between Jan-May 2014, another 15 such events were held.  In addition, 13 Native American tribes were approached with project information and encouraged to participate.
Collaborate - Since Mar 2013, fourteen separate workshops have been held with various community members and groups to develop the soon-to-be completed FWPP Monitoring Plan, designed to provide accountability and documentation to the voters that what we said would occur as a result of the forest treatments actually is delivered.
Empower - 74% of those who participated in the Nov 2012 election voted in favor of the project.