Consideration and Approval of Contract: An agreement with Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership to implement 528 acres of ecological thinning across Lowell Observatory private land. 
 

The City of Flagstaff is working with Coconino County and Salt River Project to fund 528 acres of ecological thinning across Lowell Observatory-owned private lands. The objective of the project is to restore the forest to a more natural condition while reducing wildfire risk for the historic Lowell Observatory and the greater Flagstaff community. This is the last large parcel of land at Observatory Mesa that is in need of ecological thinning. The Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership is the fiscal agent for the project and has selected Campbell Global to be the Operations Supervisor. The desired condition for the forest at Lowell Observatory is based on the City of Flagstaff Forest Management plan that was approved by Council in November 2024.

The agreement with Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership is being finalized by Legal and will be attached to the final agenda. 

Project Name: Lowell Observatory Thinning Project
City Cost: $100,000
Account Number Budgeted: 407-09-425-3277-1-4290; project GG3277CF
FY Budgeted Amount: $598,432
Grant Funded: No
Funding Source: Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project:  GO Bond Funded

Financial Contributions:
Coconino County: $816,779
City of Flagstaff: $100,000
Lowell Observatory: $50,000
Salt River Project: $50,000

 

While the City Council and the Flagstaff community are familiar with the ecological, economic, and public health benefits of effective forest and fire management, no previous discussions about this specific project have taken place. 

The City Council has the option not to approve this agreement.
This will significantly delay implementation and will result in cost increases. 

The Lowell Observatory Project is in Flagstaff city limits on Observatory Mesa. Four sections on the Mesa, owned by the City of Flagstaff, create the Observatory Mesa Natural Area. According to the City of Flagstaff, “Open space defines the region's quality of life, protects the region's ecological health, supports existing and future economic development, and preserves historic and cultural resources.” The Mesa is a favorite recreational area, and includes the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS), and this asset greatly improves the quality of life for residents and visitors alike in Flagstaff. 

The Observatory Mesa Natural Area consists of four sections (06, 08,12 and 18). Section 17, owned by Lowell Observatory, lies on the south-east corner of the Natural Area, directly east of City Section 18. Through the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project, all four of these City-owned sections have been treated through thinning and prescribed fire. Section 7, which sits in the middle of the Observatory Mesa Natural Area, is owned by the United States Forest Service (USFS). 

Now that most of Section 7 thinning is complete, Section 17 is the only parcel that has not been recently treated on Observatory Mesa and presents increased wildfire risk for the entire mesa, as well as the City of Flagstaff and critical infrastructure that runs through Section 17 (e.g., Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort’s pipeline and buried power lines). 

Observatory Mesa is approximately one mile from City Hall and downtown Flagstaff. A catastrophic wildfire on Observatory Mesa would not only cause damage from the wildfire itself, but also there is a strong possibility that post-fire flooding would follow the wildfire, and flows would run downstream off the Mesa into the underlying Thorpe Park, historic neighborhoods, and into the middle of the City of Flagstaff. 

In addition to the intrinsic values the Mesa holds, Section 17, privately-owned by Lowell Observatory, was established by Percival Lowell on May 28, 1894. For over 100 years, Lowell Observatory has connected visitors and scientists to the universe. Percival Lowell was initially interested in potential life on Mars; thus, as an iconic landmark and renowned overlook famous for its view, it is referred to as “Mars Hill.” In 1965, the Observatory was designated a Registered National Historic Landmark, and in 2005, recognized as an Arizona Treasure by Governor Janet Napolitano. Lowell Observatory itself has a multitude of unique, highly technical, and historic telescopes and instruments. For example, Lowell Observatory is the site of the historic 24-inch Clark Refractor telescope, established on the Mars Hill campus by founder Percival Lowell over 125 years ago. The telescope itself is housed in its original fully wooden dome, including a set of Ford tires on which the dome rests and turns. 

Project Scope: 
The Lowell Observatory Project will complement the treatments that have already occurred on the four sections in the Observatory Mesa Natural Area as well as USFS’ Section 7. Given that this is the only section that has not been treated, or is in the process of being treated, this will further increase the reduction in wildfire risk and the overall resiliency of the forest. Not only will the risk of wildfire be reduced, but also, thinning will decrease the presence of insects and disease, like mistletoe and bark beetle. The project area encompasses approximately 528 acres. 

The project’s on-the-ground prescription will be based on the City of Flagstaff's Forest Management Plan. Thinning operations will occur on 528 acres with conventional mechanical equipment, such as a feller buncher and skidder. In addition, as much biomass (tree limbs and tops) as the budget allows for will be removed from the site, which will further reduce wildfire risk. 

Priority Based Budget Priorities and Objectives:
High Performing Governance: Implement innovative local government programs
Safe and Healthy Community: Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards, rules and regulations, & land use practices
Environmental Stewardship: Promote, protect & enhance a healthy, sustainable environment & its natural resources
Environmental Stewardship: Strengthen Flagstaff's resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems

Environmental Planning & Conservation -- Vision for the Future: In 2013, the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection.
Policy E&C.3.3 -- Invest in forest health and watershed protection measures.
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.6.3 -- Promote protection, conservation, and ecological restoration of the region's diverse ecosystem type and associated animals.
Policy E&C.6.6 -- Support collaborative 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.

HF-1: Protect existing forests, resources, and meaningful open spaces
HF-2: Restore and maintain the natural fire-adapted structure and pattern of the forests of the greater Flagstaff region through collaboration with partners.
HF-3: Educate the public on forest health and wildfire risk reduction.

No direct connection.
Every forest restoration effort, especially one at this scale inside city limits, helps reduce the wildfire risk that is contributing to insurability challenges.

 

Service Level Goals: Increase community outreach and Reduce risks through Prevention and Wildland Fire Management efforts
Standardization and Improved Partnership Goals: Advance Community Risk Reduction measures