|
Back to Calendar
Return
|
| |
Regular Agenda Item 2. G.
|
| Regular BOS Meeting |
|
|
|
| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District Project Selection. |
| Background Information |
On February 7, 2023, the Gila County Board of Supervisors signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (SRPAIPD) to tackle forest thinning/wildfire reduction projects on National Forest Service lands. This partnership entailed the County's financial contribution of $5,000 per year, which helps to leverage additional state and federal dollars. Gila County must select from 3 proposed projects to support. The health of the National Forest System lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in Arizona affects water supplies, water quality, water infrastructure, wildlife habitat, public safety, natural resources, recreation, and the economic vitality of the surrounding and downstream communities.
In recent decades, forest ecosystems have experienced unnaturally large and intense wildfires that have adversely impacted Gila County communities, businesses, and residents. Forest restoration activities improve watershed and forest health and reduce the threat of large, high-severity wildfires and corresponding impacts such as (1) catastrophic floods, (2) increased erosion and resulting sedimentation, (3) damage to water storage and delivery infrastructure, (4) damage to electric generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, (5) devastating impacts to natural resources, and (6) destruction of rural communities. Salt River Project is responsible for the care, operation, and maintenance of a water system that includes seven water storage reservoirs in central Arizona – two reservoirs located in the Verde River watershed, four reservoirs in the Salt River watershed, and one reservoir in the East Clear Creek watershed within the Little Colorado River system. These reservoirs are part of the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project and collect water from a combined drainage area of about 8,365,000 acres. Salt River Project manages stored water for the benefit of its shareholders and other water rights holders in the Salt River Valley and Northern Gila County. Gila County has partnered with the SRPAIPD to invest in and implement forest restoration, including forest thinning treatments and associated activities that are required to accomplish forest restoration on National Forest System lands or other forest lands within the C.C. Cragin Watershed and Salt and Verde River Watersheds within or adjacent to Gila County. |
| Evaluation |
The SRPAIPD is seeking Gila County's input on selecting from 3 proposed projects: Poco Pino Fuels Reduction Project, Haigler Creek Phase 1 Mastication Project, or South Payson Phase 1 Mastication Project.
The proposed projects all provide significant benefits to Gila County, its forests, watersheds, and the safety of its residents. However, currently the South Payson Mastication Project appears to have the highest cost-benefit as it covers the largest geographical are and provides significant wildfire mitigation in one on the highest risk areas for wildfire. The South Payson Mastication Project mitigates an area that is prone to roadside fire starts. In our geographical location, wildfire is most likely to travel northeast driven by prevailing winds out of the southwest. Wildfire also spreads more rapidly when traveling uphill. This project would significantly decrease the risk of wildfire spreading from Highway 87, into Payson, Star Valley and Pine/Strawberry. In addition, this also mitigates the risk of post-fire flooding that would affect Tonto Creek, Tonto Basin, and the residences and infrastructure within proximity of the watershed. |
| Conclusion |
| The South Payson Mastication Project appears to have the highest cost-benefit as it covers the largest geographical are and provides significant wildfire mitigation in one on the highest risk areas for wildfire. The South Payson Mastication Project mitigates an area that is prone to roadside fire starts. In our geographical location, wildfire is most likely to travel northeast driven by prevailing winds out of the southwest. Wildfire also spreads more rapidly when traveling uphill. This project would significantly decrease the risk of wildfire spreading from Highway 87, into Payson, Star Valley and Pine/Strawberry. In addition, this also mitigates the risk of post-fire flooding that would affect Tonto Creek, Tonto Basin, and the residences and infrastructure within proximity of the watershed. |
| Recommendation |
| It is the recommendation of the Gila County Emergency Manager to select the South Payson Mastication Project. It appears to have the highest cost-benefit as it covers the largest geographical area and provides significant wildfire mitigation in one on the highest risk areas for wildfire. The South Payson Mastication Project mitigates an area that is prone to roadside fire starts. In our geographical location, wildfire is most likely to travel northeast driven by prevailing winds out of the southwest. Wildfire also spreads more rapidly when traveling uphill. This project would significantly decrease the risk of wildfire spreading from Highway 87, into Payson, Star Valley and Pine/Strawberry. In addition, this also mitigates the risk of post-fire flooding that would affect Tonto Creek, Tonto Basin, and the residences and infrastructure within proximity of the watershed. |
| Suggested Motion |
Information/Discussion/Action to consider and select one of the following three proposed projects to support, in partnership with Salt River Project: Pico Poco Pino Fuels Reduction Project, Haigler Creek Phase 1 Mastication Project, or South Payson Phase 1 Mastication Project. (Carl Melford) |
|
|
|
|