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| ARF- 6779 |
Regular Agenda Item 4. F.
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| Special BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Consideration of a 20-year Special Use Permit for the Pleasant Valley Admin site located in Young, Arizona. |
| Background Information |
Since 2019, the Tonto National Forest (TNF) has consolidated the Payson and Pleasant Valley Ranger Districts to the Ranger Station in Payson. In 2016 the Tonto National Forest (TNF) began moving personnel to Payson leaving the Pleasant Valley Admin site with minimal staff and the community of Young lost approximately 60 jobs, a big loss to a community of just over 650 people.
In 2017, Supervisor Woody Cline began discussions with the TNF to transfer ownership to Gila County for the purpose of providing a retreat facility as well as other services for veterans. Rep. Paul Gosar and staff have been assisting with this project since 2018 and he and his staff have been working on a bill to transfer ownership to Gila County. Recently, Senator Kelly and his staff pledged to introduce a bill in the Senate that will mirror the bill that Rep. Gosar has prepared and they will do a joint rollout in both the House and Senate.
In early 2020, TNF Supervisor Neil Bosworth suggested a 20-year Special Use Permit so that Gila County could take possession of the Admin Site and begin providing services while continuing to work toward the transfer of ownership to Gila County. During the process of obtaining the Special Use Permit, a consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was required due to the fact that historic buildings are located on the site and those buildings would be included in the permit. An onsite consultation was held with SHPO staff, the TNF archeologist, and county staff. A plan was developed for future building upkeep as well as immediate concerns and submitted for SHPO approval. In addition, county staff developed an Operating Plan and submitted it in February 2021 to the TNF as a supplement to the Special Use Permit application.
Buildings and facilities contained in the Special Use Permit are Ranger's House, Assistant Fire Management Office House, Historic Ranger's Residence, Historic District Office, Historic Barn, Paint Shed, Recreation Shed, Flammable Storage Shed, Seed Storage, Crew Quarters #1, Crew Quarters #2, District Office, North Well Pump House, Water and Wastewater System, Roads within the site and 80 acres of land. |
| Evaluation |
The annual permit fee will be $36,157 of which will be 100% of that fee used to offset the cost of Government maintenance and reconditioning projects pursuant to the Granger-Thye Offset Agreement made part of the Special Use Permit.
A non-profit board will be established to handle the day-to-day operations of the facility. The board will also be tasked with working with veterans organizations, conduct outreach, and perform fundraising events.
The TNF will continue to maintain firefighters at the Ranger Station during the fire season to allow quick response to any fires in the vicinity. The Fire Office, Fire Storage Unit, and the Fire Warehouse are not included in this Special Use Permit and will be retained by the TNF for fire administration. |
| Conclusion |
| The purpose of the Special Use Permit is for Gila County to be able to provide a veterans retreat programs and services. The Special Use Permit will allow the county to provide the services while waiting for the final transfer of ownership. |
| Recommendation |
| It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the Special Use Permit allowing Gila County to take possession of the Pleasant Valley Admin Site for the purpose of providing a veterans retreat and services facility. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Information/Discussion/Action to approve the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Special Use Permit regarding the Pleasant Valley Administrative Site/Tonto National Forest in Young, AZ for the purpose of providing veteran services for the time period of December 2020 to December 2040. (Cathy Melvin) |
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