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Regular Agenda Item 3. J.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	11/15/2022
Submitted For:	James Menlove	Submitted By:	Cathy Melvin, Executive Assistant
Department:	Board of Supervisors-District 3
Fiscal Year:	2022	Budgeted?:	No
Contract Dates Begin & End:	July 2022 to July 2023	Grant?:	No
Matching Requirement?:	No	Fund?:	New

Information

Request/Subject

Consideration of the Tonto Natural Resource District's (NRCD) request for funding to cover their match requirement for them to obtain a Forest Service Grant and approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Gila County and Tonto Natural Resource Conservation District No. 10272022.

Background Information

Across the United States, nearly 3,000 Conservation Districts, almost one in every county, work directly with landowners to conserve and promote healthy soils, water, forests, and wildlife. The Tonto Natural Resource Conservation District (Tonto NRCD) is part of this broad network.

The Tonto NRCD is requesting funding in the amount of $100,000 to support and provide the match dollars (required for the Forest Service Grant) for the Reading the Range Program, to establish a seed harvesting and re-seeding program, and to support weed management and mapping.

Evaluation

The Tonto NRCD's mission statement is: "To provide and promote leadership in the use and conservation of natural resources through stewardship and education programs."

The Tonto NRCD is committed to ongoing education and leadership in conservation programs including stream bank stabilization, range improvement, watershed management, noxious weed control, forest health, the Northern Gila County Clean Water Program, and drought relief administration. With the addition of seed harvesting and re-seeding the Tonto NRCD can work in the areas of Gila County that were devastated by fire to provide soil stabilization, and watershed protection and help bring back the beauty of the land.

Conclusion

The Tonto NRCD is an important tool for the County's conservation concerns. The Reading the Range program has proven its value with the data collected and shared with range staff and ranchers. The addition of the proposed new programs will enhance those efforts and will help to create better watershed conditions and create more diversity of vegetation.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors consider the Tonto NRCD's request for funding and approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between Gila County and the Tonto Natural Resource Conservation District No. 10272022.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to consider the request for funding and approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement between Gila County and the Tonto Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD) No. 10272022 whereby the County will disburse $100,000 to the Tonto NRCD to assist in the match funds that are required to the U.S. Forest Service for the Reading the Range Program and establishing a seed harvesting and re-seeding program, which the Board has found to be for the benefit of the public. (James Menlove)

Attachments
Tonto NRCD 2022 IGA
Tonto NRCD Letter of Request
Tonto NRCD 2022 Presentation