Consideration and Approval of Contract: Renewal of United States Forest Service (USFS) Annual Land Use Fee/Master Special Use Permit for Water Transmission Lines and associated fees.
 

1. Approve renewal of USFS Annual Land Use Fee/Master Special Use Permit for Water Transmission Lines and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents; and
2. Approve the expenditure of $40,664.70 annually for the duration of the contract (20 years). Grand total is $813,294 over 20 years.

This Master Special use permit is with the USFS for the following: water transmission lines, wells, well houses, water storage structures, water treatment plant, sedimentation tank, sanitary sewer transmission lines, power lines of less than 33kv, wildlife drinker structures, spring catchments and associated roads and improvements for the transmission of water and sewage. These permits will allow for continuing presence of infrastructure to meet the needs of Flagstaff residents.

This permit includes the right of Ingress and Egress for the purpose of maintenance of the facilities subject to such travel regulations that might be applicable. All activities are governed by the applicable federal, statae and local laws and USFS consent.

Expenditure of $40,664.70 annually for the duration of the contract (20 years). Grand total is $813,294 over 20 years from the drinking water fund.

Account Number Budgeted: 202-08-300-1000-0-4242
FY Budgeted Amount: FY 2025-26 $50,000
Grant Funded:  No
Funding Source: Water Service - Drinking Water

None.

Approve the USFS Annual Land Use Fee/Master Special Use permit for Water Transmission Lines to allow the City to continue to operate water related infrastructure on USFS lands or deny the renewal and thereby eliminate the ability of the Water Services Division to produce and deliver 76% of the City's potable water resources and a portion of the City's sewer services.

The City has owned and operated water infrastructure that is outside of City Limits for over a century; catchments are located at springs in the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks, wells and well houses in the Woody Mountain and Lower Lake Mary areas, a water treatment plant located on Lake Mary Road, all associated transmission mains, power lines and sewer mains. 76% of the City's potable water is imported from the surrounding USFS lands and delivered to the City through various transmission mains. In addition the City owns and operates sewer mains on USFS land. Without this Master Use Agreement Water Services would be unable to meet the potable water demands of the City and would be unable to provide sanitary sewer service to some residents.

High Performance Governance: Serve the public by providing high quality customer service
Sustainable Innovative Infrastructure. Deliver outstanding service to residents through a healthy, well-maintained infrastructure system

Goal WR 1. Maintain a sustainable water budget incorporating regional hydrology, ecosystem needs, and social and economic well-being.
Goal WR 2: Manage a coordinated system of water, wastewater and reclaimed water utility service facilities and resources at  the City Level and identify funding to pay for new resources 
Policy WR2.2: Maintain and  develop facilities to provide reliable, safe and cost effective water, wastewater,  and reclaimed water services.
Goal WR 3. Satisfy current and future human water demands and the needs of the natural environment through sustainable and renewable water resources and strategic conservation measure
Goal WR6. Protect, preserve, and improve the quality of surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water in the region

WS-1 Improve water infrastructure and expand water reuse

None.

Water Service Strategic Goals:
Goal 1: Use Standards and Data to Drive Decision Making
Goal 5: . Accelerate Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement
Goal 6. Ensure Adequate Water Resources and Plan for Climate Change
Goal 7. Maintain Excellent Water Quality
Goal 8. Improve Compliance with Environmental Standards and Protections