Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2015-03:  A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council Regarding Walnut Canyon. (Adopt resolution supporting Congressional designation of a special management area for protection of lands surrounding Walnut Canyon National Monument). 

Subsidiary Decisions Points: The U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service jointly initiated the Walnut Canyon Study in February 2010 to explore management options for the Study Area, per the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009.  The City of Flagstaff signed on as a cooperating partner and has been a participant throughout the process.

At this time there are no known costs to the City of Flagstaff.  Staff time may be required in the future to assist with review of Congressional legislation.

REGIONAL PLAN:
Goal E&C.4. Integrate available science into policies governing the use and conservation of Flagstaff's natural resources.
Goal E&C.5. Preserve dark skies as an unspoiled natural resource, basis for an important economic sector, and core element of community character.
Goal E&C.6. Protect, restore, and improve ecosystem health and maintain native plant and animal community diversity across all land ownerships in the Flagstaff region.
Goal E&C.7. Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process (Policy E&C.8.2).
Goal E&C.8. Maintain areas of natural quiet and reduce noise pollution.
Goal E&C.9. Protect soils through conservation practices.
Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped  natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.
Goal LU.3. Continue to enhance the region's unique sense of place within the urban, suburban, and rural context (Policy LU.3.3).

On December 17, 2002 the Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors passed a joint resolution supporting federal authorization for a special resources and land management study of federal lands surrounding Walnut Canyon National Monument for purposes of determining how best to protect these lands from future development. 

On December 16, 2014 staff presented boundary alternatives in support of Option Two as outlined in the Walnut Canyon Special Study.  City Council directed staff to return with a resolution in support of this option based on the Study Area Boundary.

Option 1: Adopt Resolution No. 2015-03
Option 2: Revise Resolution No. 2015-03
Option 3: Do not adopt Resolution No. 2015-03 

The Walnut Canyon Study was compiled by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) for purposes of determining how best to manage the USFS lands adjacent to the Walnut Canyon National Monument.   The Study was authorized in Section 7201 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Public Law 111-11, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 30, 2009. The text of Section 7201 requests that the Study aim to assess “the suitability and feasibility of designating all or part of the study area as an addition to Walnut Canyon National Monument, continued management of the study area by the Forest Service or any other designation or management option that would provide for (i) protection of resources within the study area; and (ii) continued access to, and use of, the study area by the public.”

The Study was supported by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and Flagstaff City Council in a joint resolution numbered 2002-65 and 2002-92, respectively. In the joint resolution, the City Council and the Board of Supervisors supported a federal authorization for a special resources and land management study of federal lands surrounding Walnut Canyon National Monument for purposes of determining how best to protect these lands from future development. 
 
The final Walnut Canyon Study was released on January 31, 2014. On April 15, 2014, the Coconino Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 2014-17 regarding Walnut Canyon.  The resolution supports Option Two in the Study, which could provide the highest level of protection for Federal land that Congress can bestow and to continue existing access and uses.

If the Walnut Canyon Study Area were to receive a special management designation, Option Two could provide the highest level of protection for lands that surround the Walnut Canyon National Monument.

Involve
Collaborate

The public, stakeholders, tribes, organizations, and other agencies were engaged throughout the Walnut Canyon Special Study.  A Study website was established and meetings were held in the Flagstaff vicinity.  Meetings were held and public comments solicited during three phases of the project - at the beginning, when draft management options were developed, and when the report was released.  During the final phase, comments received on the draft report were incorporated into the final report as appropriate to the scope of the study (page 9 of the Walnut Canyon Special Study).

Option 1: Adopt Resolution No. 2015-03.  Adoption of the resolution will uphold previous support offered by the City Council in 2002 and help to ensure that existing and future water rights are recognized by Congress if legislation is drafted.
Option 2: Revise Resolution No. 2015-03.
Option 3: Do not adopt Resolution No. 2015-03.