Skip to main content

AgendaQuick™

View Agenda Item

Back to View Meetings Back to Minutes
Previous Item Next Item
6.C.
City Council Meeting - FINAL (AMENDED)
Meeting Date:
06/02/2020
From:
Neil Chapman, Forest Health Supervisor

Information

TITLE:

Consideration and Approval: Flagstaff Fire Department Fire Management Agreement with The Nature Conservancy

STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the Fire Management Agreement between The Nature Conservancy and The City of Flagstaff Fire Department

Executive Summary:

This agreement will facilitate cooperation of the two parties in wildland fire management through the use of prescribed fire (to include associated wildfire suppression efforts), and forest stewardship activities. The agreement provides for the limited interchange of personnel, equipment, and information to obtain this goal.

Financial Impact:

This agreement will increase the capacity of the City of Flagstaff to implement fire management projects without adding additional costs. This agreement does not approve the direct exchange of funds.

Policy Impact:

Implementation of this agreement will meet Council goals related to environment and natural resources as well as Public Safety.
1. Supports the Regional Plan (2013)
2. Supports the Climate Adaptation and Action Plan (2018)
3. Supports the Greater Flagstaff Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2005/2018)
4. Supports the Wildland - Urban Interface Code (2008)

Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan, CAAP, and/or Strategic Plan:

Council Goals: Regional Plan:
  • Policy E&C.1.5. Seek feasible alternatives to reduce the smoke produced through prescribed burns and slash piles while continuing efforts to return fire to its natural role in the ecosystem. 
  • Policy E&C.2.2. Promote investments that strengthen climate resiliency.
  • Policy E&C.3.2. Review and revise existing regulations, standards, and plans (codes, ordinances, etc.) to reduce the community’s vulnerability to climate change impacts.
  • Policy E&C.3.3. Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
  • Policy E&C.3.4. Increase the region’s preparedness for extreme climate events
  • Policy E&C.4.1. Assess vulnerabilities and risks of Flagstaff’s natural resources.
  • Policy E&C.6.1. Encourage public awareness that the region’s ponderosa pine forest is a fire-dependent ecosystem and strive to restore more natural and sustainable forest composition, structure, and processes.
  • Policy E&C.6.2. Encourage all landowners and land management agencies to emphasize forest ecosystem restoration and catastrophic fire risk reduction for the lands under their respective jurisdictions.
  • Policy E&C.6.3. Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region’s diverse ecosystem types and associated animals.
  • Policy E&C.6.4. Support collaborative efforts to return local native vegetation, channel structure and, where possible and applicable, preservation and restoration of in-stream flows to the region’s riparian ecosystem.
  • Policy E&C.6.5. Preserve Flagstaff’s wetland areas and discourage inappropriate development that may adversely affect them and the ecosystem services they provide.
  • Policy E&C.6.6. Support cooperative efforts for forest health initiatives or practices, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), to support healthy forests and protect our water system.
  • Policy E&C.10.2. Protect, conserve, and when possible, enhance and restore wildlife habitat on public land.
 
This effort supports the Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan Mission and Vision. Protecting our watersheds and water infrastructure from the impacts of catastrophic wildfire enhances the quality of life for Flagstaff citizens while providing “a balance of economic, environmental, educational and cultural opportunities” for all.

Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:

No.This is a new agreement.

Options and Alternatives:

Two options exist:
  1. Approve agreement, permitting collaborations to take place
  2. Reject agreement

Background and History:

The City and The Nature Conservancy have been collaborating on forest restoration and fire management projects for over 20 years.  The management of many Conservancy and City lands requires proper use of fire including prescribed burning and wildfire suppression, in a manner that considers natural resource needs. The Conservancy and the City have expertise in fire management, including prescribed burning and wildfire suppression, and currently employ or have under contract personnel and equipment capable of performing wildland fire management activities. The City and the Conservancy benefit from experiences and training gained during wildland fire management activities.

Key Considerations:

This agreement will permit fire collaborations that will:
  1. Increase the acres treated by the City of Flagstaff at no additional cost
  2. Support training opportunities for the application of controlled burns in the wildland urban interface
  3. Help transform reactive fire management systems to proactive systems that favor resiliency and adaptation to fire
  4. Restore landscapes such that they can be maintained with ecologically appropriate fire, and when undesired fire occurs, suffer less damage and pose less risk to communities and fire manager
  5. Enable and inspire Flagstaff to increase its capacity and ability to co-exist with – and have a role in the management of – fire in our landscape.

Community Benefits and Considerations:

In discussions between the City and The Nature Conservancy regarding how best to manage fire collaborations, it was decided that this agreement was needed to document organizational roles and responsibilities. 

Community Involvement:

This agreement will support fire operations that enhance the protection of our forests, adjacent neighborhoods, and the community’s viewshed, while promoting the vigor, resiliency, and sustainability of the ecosystem.

The proposed agreement is in-alignment with The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and US Forest Service fire management efforts.  It will complement the implementation of the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project and the Four Forest Restoration Initiative.  It is in accordance with the Greater Flagstaff Area Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and supports the City’s Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code (WUI), adopted by Council in 2005 and 2008, respectfully.
 

Expanded Options and Alternatives:

Over the last 6 months, Wildland Fire Management Staff have led several targeted discussions with partners about this agreement. Information was shared, feedback was requested and received, and opportunities for expanded collaborations were discussed.

 

Attachments