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ARF- 282

Regular Agenda Item 3- C

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	01/04/2011
Submitted For:	Jacque Griffin, BOS Liaison to Eastern AZ RAC
Submitted By:	Jacque Griffin, Library District
Department:	Public Works	Division:	Administration

Request/Subject

Project Selection for Secure Rural Schools Title II Special Projects application for 2011

Background Information

The Secure Rural Schools (PL-110-343) Program 2008-2011 includes provisions for Title II Special Projects on Federal Lands. This act authorizes the use of area Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) as a mechanism for local community collaboration with federal land managers in recommending Title II projects on federal lands, or that will benefit resources on federal lands. Gila County is one of the five eastern counties that make up the geographical area for the Eastern Arizona RAC. The Apache-Sigreaves National Forest administers these grant funds. As we prepare the application for the next round of these grants, we are asking for the Board's preference regarding which project to select for this process.

Evaluation

The Request for Proposal process for the Secure Rural Schools Title II Special Projects on Federal Lands is expected to open this month, and close in February 2011. These are 2010 funds and we are estimating that $432,000.00 will be available for projects in Gila County. Title II funds may be used for projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implementing stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems and restoring and improving land health or water quality.

During the Gila County Board of Supervisors work session on December 7, 2010, we presented eight projects that met the eligibility requirements for Title II projects. After the discussion from the work session, we have revised the list down to the top two; Double Chip Seal Forest Road 423 (Cline Boulevard) in Tonto Basin, and Double Chip Seal Forest Road 55 (Russell Road to Kellner Canyon Road) in Globe. The attachment more thoroughly describes these two projects.

Both projects were identified in the Small Area Transportation Study (SATS) of 2006. Both projects will provide for safer roads, reduce response time for emergency vehicles and reduce the road maintenance costs.

We have not received any response from the Globe Ranger District regarding the NEPA process on Forest Road 55.
We have received a telephone call from the Tonto Basin Ranger District offering their support of the Forest Road 423 project, and offering assistance with the NEPA process.

Conclusion

Following the selection process by the Board of Supervisors, we will develop a grant proposal and bring the official application back to the Board of Supervisors for approval, signatures and submittal of the grant.

Recommendation

We recommend that the Board of Supervisors select one of the following projects and direct staff to proceed with the grant process.

Double Chip Seal Forest Road 423 (Cline Boulevard) in Tonto Basin
Double Chip Seal Forest Road 55 (Russell Road to Kellner Canyon Road) in Globe

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to select one of the following projects for the Secure Rural Schools Title II Special Projects application for 2011: Double Chip Seal Forest Road 423 (Cline Boulevard) in Tonto Basin or Double Chip Seal Forest Road 55 (Russell Road to Kellner Canyon Road) in Globe and direct staff to proceed with preparing the grant application. (Jacque Griffin/Steve Stratton/Steve Sanders)

Attachments
Potential Projects for RAC
Secure Rural Schools Program 2008-2011 Overview