Consideration and Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement:   Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) Intergovernmental Agreement No. 15-1: Section 30 Forest Treatment Agreement with AZ State Forestry Division (Approve Intergovernmental Agreement with AZ State Forestry Division for forest treatment work associated with FWPP).

Approve FWPP Intergovernmental Agreement 15-1 Section 30 Forest Treatment Agreement with AZ State Forestry

In Nov 2012, 74% of Flagstaff voters approved Forest Bond #405, now known as the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP): Section 30 was identified as one of the target treatment areas.  This will be the second FWPP Agreement to conduct forest treatments on State Lands (the first was the Equestrian parcel in 2014).  In accordance with FWPP goals, the work, once completed, will improve overall forest health and reduce the probability of a destructive wildfire in the area, helping ensure the protection of the greater Continental area/neighborhood. 

The two year Agreement establishes a process whereby the State will be reimbursed by the City for forest treatments completed in accordance with FWPP goals and by prior mutual agreement between the State and the City.  Reimbursement will be for a maximum of 300 acres, paid on an actual-cost per-acre basis.  Based upon an average expected cost of $812.50/acre, the total expected cost (City and State funds) is $243,750.

City reimbursement will vary depending upon the FY when the work is done.  In no case will City costs exceed $195,000 (75% of the expected costs) for all forest treatment work, as follow:

1. Specific to FY 15:  The State appropriated one-time funds to the AZ State Forestry Division for forest treatments on selected State land parcels.  Therefore, the City and State will split treatment costs for completed acres on a 50-50 cost-share basis.
2. Specific to FY16-17: Based upon contractor/crew availability and scheduling, however, we expect that some if not most work will occur after June 30, 2015.  Reimbursement by the City for any work completed in this time-frame will be negotiated with the State based upon funding they have for forest treatment activities.   The amount provided by the City will be dependent upon work completed in FY15 in relation to the overall goal of 300 acres. 

The Agreement identifies a reimbursement cycle (no more than once), a minimum completed acreage per invoice (15 acres), and a formal quarterly and final completion reporting process (a description of work completed and a map depicting where it occurred).

Not on this specific activity (Section 30 forest treatments).  Council was involved in the Bond effort, has been engaged in review, discussion, and approval of other FWPP Agreements, and has been briefed/updated several times on the overall process and effort.

Three options exist:
1) Approve Agreement, permitting the forest treatment work planned for this parcel to proceed;
2) Revise the Agreement before planned work can proceed; or
3) Reject the Agreement, and the planned forest treatment work on this parcel.

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, much behind-the-scenes activity has occurred (planning, outreach, agreements, and other support actions), roughly 1,000 acres of cutting/prescribed fire have been completed (all jurisdictions), and nearly $2 million in outside funding has been brought into the effort. 

In 2013, City staff and key partners completed 26 major actions.  In 2014, another 27 were accomplished.  Action benchmarks are being developed for 2015, with the Section 30 forest treatment activity being one of those.   

Specific to Section 30: This is a full 640-acre section.  However, due to the somewhat open/scattered nature of the ponderosa pine overstory, we've calculated that the 300 acres of forest treatment identified in the Agreement is sufficient to treat the areas of concern on this parcel.

The AZ State Forestry Division, working with the AZ State Land Department, will coordinate and oversee/manage all selective thinning, commercial product removal, and piling of debris for later chipping and/or burning.  The City and AZ State Forestry Division will work together to conduct any needed pile burn operations within 18 months following completion of cutting on any given acre.

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, and national media on numerous occasions.
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.  A total of 107 individuals provided 530 separate comments 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 in support of the Flagstaff Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUI Code), both adopted by Council in 2005 and 2008, respectfully. 
Involve – In 2013-14, over 40 separate public meetings, presentations, and/or field trips have been conducted.  Thirteen Native American tribes have been approached with project information:  We have also involved the Navajo Nation in the treatment of the Brookbank Meadow parcel in the Dry Lake Hills area.
Collaborate – Between 2013-14, twenty separate public workshops were held with various community members and groups to develop the now-completed FWPP Monitoring Plan.  This document is 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.