6.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 07/08/2014
- Co-Submitter:
- Nicole Woodman, Sustainability Manager
- From:
- Nicole Woodman, Sustainability Manager
- Department:
- Public Works
Co-Submitter:
TITLE:
Walnut Canyon Study Update
DESIRED OUTCOME:
The intent of the July 8, 2014 presentation is to receive direction from the Council regarding protection of the federal land surrounding Walnut Canyon National Monument. Staff from the US Forest Service and Flagstaff Area National Monuments will provide an overview of the study and the three management options. Staff from Utilities and Community Development will discuss considerations pertaining to the management options.
INFORMATION:
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 February 3, 2014, representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service presented an update on the Study to the Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors. On February 25, 2014, staff presented a brief presentation to City Council highlighting the three protection options recommended in the Study. City Council requested an additional work session to discuss the options and impacts in greater detail.
On April 15, 2014, the Coconino Board of Supervisors adopted resolution 2014-17 regarding Walnut Canyon. The resolution supports option two as outlined in the Walnut Canyon Special Study, which provides the highest level of protection for Federal land that Congress can bestow and to continue existing access and uses.
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 February 3, 2014, representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service presented an update on the Study to the Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors. On February 25, 2014, staff presented a brief presentation to City Council highlighting the three protection options recommended in the Study. City Council requested an additional work session to discuss the options and impacts in greater detail.
On April 15, 2014, the Coconino Board of Supervisors adopted resolution 2014-17 regarding Walnut Canyon. The resolution supports option two as outlined in the Walnut Canyon Special Study, which provides the highest level of protection for Federal land that Congress can bestow and to continue existing access and uses.