Consideration and Approval of Agreement: With Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership (GFFP) for Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP).

Approve the Scope of Work Amendment to the existing City-GFFP Professional Forest Restoration Initiative Services Agreement (July 1, 2011), including the attached Amendment Work Plan - FY13, to include signature by the City Manager.

This Amendment, and attached Work Plan, recognizes and initiates/continues specific services to be performed by GFFP in support of forest treatment planning, operations, and monitoring efforts required to implement Forest Bond #405 as approved by 73.6% of the voters in the Nov 2012 general election.  This amendment, and work plan, have been jointly developed by City staff - GFFP members. Activities detailed in this Amendment, and Work Plan, are shown on the following page and include:

This Amendment does not obligate the City to a maximum of $13,750, from Forest Bond #405 funds, during FY13 (Jan-June, 2013) for services underway and/or planned to occur in support of the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project.  expend any of the voter-approved $10 million bond funds.  However, the attached FY13 (Jan-Jun, 2013) Work Plan DOES commit the City to a maximum payment of $13,750 for services underway and planned to occur in the coming months.  Each FY, a new Work Plan will be jointly developed by City staff - GFFP members, which will obligate new funds to specific activities identified as critical to implementation of the FWPP.  The FY14 (Jul 14 - Jun 15) Work Plan will be completed and presented to Council for review/approval soon after the beginning of FY14.

The Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) - Forest Bond #405 - intersects with the following Council Goals:
  4. Complete Rio de Flag;
  5. Retain, expand, and diversify economic base;
  6. Complete Water Policy; and
 11. Effective governance.

In addition, the FWPP seeks to improve public safety by reducing the threat of destructive wildfire and its secondary effects, and leverage our impact and funds by engaging the public and key partners in addressing the threat, restoring our forests, and ensuring community well-being.

In July 2012, Council approved this measure for the Nov 2012 general election ballot.  The measure was subsequently approved by the voters with a 73.6% Yes vote.  In Jan 2013, Council approved three agreements with the US Forest Service for forest treatments on federal lands covered by the FWPP, and was briefed at that time regarding the involvement of GFFP and future development of this Amendment and associated Work Plan. Council also earlier considered an Agreement with the State of AZ (State Forestry and Land Dept) for State lands within the City that will also be treated as part of the FWPP. 

1. Approve the Amendment, and associated Work Plan, as written, thus allowing specific activities to commence/continue; 
2. Modify the Amendment, and/or associated Work Plan, thus requiring slowing planning and delivery of critical tasks; or
3. Reject the Amendment, and associated Work Plan, thus removing GFFP from the project, and requiring City Staff and/or other sources to undertake needed activities. 

In July 2012, Council approved this measure for inclusion on the Nov 2012 general election ballot.  Subsequently, a citizen advocacy group formed to support the issue and urge approval.  In Nov 2012, the bond was approved by a 73.6% Yes vote.

Since that time, City-US Forest Service agreements have been presented and approved by Council, a City-State agreement has been presented for consideration, an organization of City-Agency (US Forest Service and State of AZ)-Key Partners (GFFP and NAU-Ecological Restoration Institute) has formed and is meeting regularly, various Work Groups are working diligently (Communications, Monitoring, Planning, and Implementation), a website and other social media sites have been created and are active, and numerous public outreach and engagement events have either occurred and/or are planned for the near future.

Amendment/Work Plan Details:

• Public Engagement: Facilitate public involvement during the planning efforts -

Scoping - host efforts to build project awareness and build support; and
Review - collect and funnel comments to City regarding planned activities/impacts

• Public Outreach and Reporting: Foster on-going transparency and understanding of project intent and goals, funding allocations and partner matches, treatment plans, accomplishments, and current status.
• Tribal Relations: Approach, listen, seek common-ground, identify concerns and goals that need to be considered, encourage involvement, and keep tribal representatives apprised of project status.
• Financial Leverage: Seek, receive, and manage, if appropriate, other non-city funds to enhance and/or expand activities that will meet the intent of the project.
• Monitoring: Engage needed parties to develop methodology, collect data, document results, and report findings, and recommendations in three areas -

Ecological - to include fire and hydrologic effects;
Social - to include understanding, emerging concerns, and support; and
Economic - to include road impacts.

Recent planning efforts by the US Forest Service have identified slightly over 11,000 acres of federal lands within the overall project area (Rio de Flag and Lake Mary watersheds).  In addition, there are approximately 3,000 acres of State Lands within the City/Rio de Flag watershed. 

This Amendment and associated Work Plan are in support of the planning, operations, and monitoring required to successfully implement the FWPP.  Key aspects of this effort are financial and accomplishment transparency and public engagement throughout the process.

This Amendment has no expiration date - it will remain active as long as the existing City-GFFP Professional Forest Restoration Initiative Services  Agreement remains in effect.  Each FY, a new Work Plan will identify what specific activities will occur for that year, to include standards and costs.  We anticipate that a Work Plan will exist each FY for the overall duration of the project (estimated 8-10 years).

We estimate that if we were to do the work identified in this Amendment and associated Work Plan with city staff, it would require the addition of one full-time employee.

The FY14 (Jul 14 - Jun 15) Work Plan, to include costs, will be completed and presented to Council for review/approval soon after the beginning of FY14.

While this and future Work Plans will not necessarily approach or exceed the amount that would require Council review and approval, our intent here and in the future is to bring these items forward for Council review and discussion so that all may stay informed as to progress, plans, and accomplishments.

Several activities will  occur concurrent with project planning, operations, and monitoring.  In addition to reducing the threat of destructive wildfire and associated secondary events, they include:

• Engagement of volunteers and students in project monitoring;
• Use of a community-based collaborative (GFFP) to review, comment, and assist with crafting forest treatment options;
• Synergy with the Four Forests Restoration Initiative (4FRI);
• Engagement of NAU's Ecological Restoration Institute, School of Forestry, and other professional staff, as needed; and
• In partnership with the above groups, and the State's Forest Health Council, elevating this unique project among regional and national audiences.

Inform;
Consult;
Involve; and
Collaborate

By engaging GFFP in this effort, we enable our ability to protect at-risk neighborhoods throughout the community, show other at-risk communities what can be done to avoid the agony of catastrophic wildfire and damaging flood events, and expand the impact of these treatments with other actions that have already occurred, or will occur as a result of this project. In addition, we will be able to demonstrate viable, cost-effective, and community supported actions, thus increasing the potential of securing additional outside funds to treat other adjacent at-risk sites in the area.

04/02/2013 - EAB - Council approved unanimously.