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Regular Agenda Item 3. D.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	01/05/2021
Submitted For:	Steve Sanders
Submitted By:	Shannon Boyer, Executive Administrative Asst.
Department:	Public Works
Fiscal Year:	2021	Budgeted?:	Yes
Contract Dates Begin & End:	2021	Grant?:	No
Matching Requirement?:	Yes	Fund?:	New

Information

Request/Subject

Approval to enter into an agreement with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for funding from the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program.

Background Information

The Bush Fire was a wildfire that began on June 13, 2020, and was not contained until July 6, 2020. The fire burned 193,455 acres in the Tonto National Forest. The fire burned in the mountains west of Tonto Basin causing severe damage. The potential for flooding increased significantly and as a result, numerous areas of Tonto Basin are now at risk from flooding during rainfall events on the burn scar.

Evaluation

Gila County and the NRCS have identified two areas that meet the criteria for funding through the EWP Program. Those areas are Reno Creek adjacent to the Tonto Basin Fire Department and School and Walnut Springs Creek in the Walnut Creek Subdivision. The EWP Program requires a 25% match for the project sponsor, which is Gila County. The Reno Creek project is estimated to cost $147,400. NRCS will provide $110,550 and Gila County will provide $36,850. The Walnut Springs Project is estimated to cost $104,500. NRCS will provide $78,375 and Gila County will provide $26,125. Design for both projects is $49,998 and NRCS has agreed to contribute $24,000 towards design. The current cost to Gila County is $88,973.

Conclusion

Gila County has submitted two projects for NRCS funding. One project is bank protection along Reno Creek adjacent to the Tonto Basin Fire Department and School. The other project is to remove culverts in the Walnut Springs Subdivision and replace them with a low water crossing. Both requests were approved for funding. Since then, staff and design engineers have revisited the Low Water Crossing and determined that replacing the culverts with a box culvert is a more viable alternative. NRCS has agreed and approved the requested change.

The EWP Program is time-sensitive. Projects need to be completed within a 220-day window once they are approved. NRCS approved this project on September 9, 2020; however, Gila County wasn't notified until November 9, 2020. The 220-day time limit will be around April 16, 2021. The notification was received in the way of an email from staff. To my knowledge, no official letter from the NRCS State Conservationist has been sent to Gila County acknowledging funding. NRCS has informed Gila County that extensions can be granted once agreements are signed and in place. NRCS has also informed us that we can also request additional funds once agreements are in place.

Recommendation

It is the recommendation of the Public Works Department Director to enter into an agreement with the NRCS and receive funds through the EWP Program and to ask the NRCS for a time extension to complete the projects.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to authorize the Board Chairman to sign the necessary documents required by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to receive $253,000 through the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program that will be used to mitigate flood issues due to the Bush Fire. (Steve Sanders)

Attachments
Application for Federal Assistance
Certification Regarding Lobbying
Assurance-Construction Programs
Damage Survey Report Punkin Center
Damage Survey Report Walnut Springs Estates