Consideration and Approval of Grant Application:  Arizona State Parks FY 2015 Recreational Trails Program Grant for Picture Canyon.

Since 2012, the City of Flagstaff has acquired 2,700 acres of open space through the Arizona State Parks Growing Smarter Grant process in conjunction with City open space bond funds. City staff are now faced with the challenge of how to properly manage and maintain Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve and Observatory Mesa Natural Area within the guidelines of the conservation easements while taking into account public access and the protection of cultural resources. The goal of this resolution is to offset a portion of the significant costs associated with trail construction and signs with a grant through Arizona State Parks. Staff recommends that Council support the grant application to fund some of the extensive access and infrastructure improvements required at Picture Canyon, covering costs we would have to cover without it. 

In the event of a successful grant application, it is anticipated the estimated $54,060 in matching funds will comprise of $32,000 from the National Park Service, $5,000 from the Flagstaff Sustainability Program Open Space budget, and $17,060 from volunteer work. 

COUNCIL GOALS:
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.

8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments.

9) Foster relationships and maintain economic development commitment to partners.

REGIONAL PLAN:
Goal E&C.6. Protect, restore, and improve ecosystem health and maintain native plant and animal community diversity across all land ownerships in the Flagstaff region.

Goal E&C.8. Maintain areas of natural quiet and reduce noise pollution.

Goal E&C.9. Protect soils through conservation practices.
 
Goal E&C.10. Protect indigenous wildlife populations, localized and larger-scale wildlife habitats, ecosystem processes, and wildlife movement areas throughout the planning area.

Goal OS.1. The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands, and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health.

Goal LU.3. Continue to enhance the region's unique sense of place within the urban, suburban, and rural context (Policy LU.3.3).
 
Goal WR.6. Protect, preserve, and improve the quality of surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water in the region.
 
Goal CC.2. Preserve, restore, and rehabilitate heritage resources to better appreciate our culture.
 
Goal ED.7. Continue to promote and enhance Flagstaff’s unique sense of place as an economic driver.
 
Goal REC.1. Maintain and grow the region’s healthy system of convenient and accessible parks, recreation facilities, and trails.

On June 7, 2011, Council adopted Resolution 2011-22 in support of the preservation of Picture Canyon. On April 3, 2012, Council adopted Resolution 2012-12 to reclassify Picture Canyon for conservation purposes. On July 15, 2014, Council adopted Resolution 2014-29 in support of dedicating two trails in Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve the “Tom Moody Trail” and “Don Weaver Trail”.

Option A – Adopt Resolution No. 2015-09 as submitted and authorize submission of the grant application;
Option B – Not adopt Resolution No. 2015-09 and do not authorize submission of the grant application.

As critical wildlife habitat and a popular recreation corridor, Picture Canyon is a natural and cultural amenity for the northern Arizona community. Efforts to formally protect Picture Canyon started decades ago. A milestone was achieved in August 2011 when the City of Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission approved the application for a Growing Smarter Grant for the acquisition of Picture Canyon. In April 2012, the State Land Commissioner ordered that Picture Canyon be reclassified as suitable for conservation purposes. Council approved the application to acquire Picture Canyon for conservation purposes through the Growing Smarter Grant process in April 2012 with Resolution 2012-12. Since its acquisition, City staff have utilized limited City resources to improve conditions at Picture Canyon, including naturalizing roads, installing signs, and developing parking areas. However, substantial work remains to improve and restore the Preserve, including constructing and maintaining trails, naturalizing roads, and installing trail markers and educational signs. In particular, constructing usable and identifiable trails will help concentrate visitor use and reduce negative impacts on archaeological sites.

 

Resolution No. 2015-09 requires that the City comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, rules, standards, procedures, and guidelines related to the Recreational Trails Program Grant application. 

The resolution certifies that the City will supply $54,060 in match funds to complete projects outlined in the grant application.  In the event of a successful grant application, the estimated $54,060 in matching funds will comprise of $32,000 from the National Park Service in in-kind work, $5,000 from the Flagstaff Sustainability Program Open Space budget, and $17,060 from volunteer in-kind work. 

Improving the trail system at Picture Canyon by constructing and maintaining trails, naturalizing roads, and installing trail markers and educational signs will help protect cultural resources, meet requirements of the conservation easement and improve visitor experiences at Picture Canyon. Additionally, these projects will provide an opportunity for members of the Flagstaff community to learn about geology, ecology, hydrology, and archaeology while engaging in outdoor recreation. Well constructed trails benefit the community as a tool for natural and cultural resource protection. When properly designed and signed, trails mitigate damage by controlling public access when they route visitors through or around sensitive resource areas as well as reduce erosion and stormwater run-off issues.

Involve. The proposed grant-funded projects have been vetted through the Picture Canyon Working Group, the City of Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission, and Arizona State Parks as these entities reviewed the planned actions in the draft Picture Canyon Management Plan.

Option A – Adopt Resolution No. 2015-09 as submitted and authorize submission of the grant application;
Option B – Not adopt Resolution No.  2015-09 and do not authorize submission of the grant application.