Environment| Environment

The awards recognize creative programs that promote the economic vitality of Arizona and long-term sustainability for Arizona’s future. They recognized the district’s Forest Restoration Initiative as an outstanding sustainability project that reduces wildfires and post-wildfire flooding.

Since at most 2010, when flooding from the Schultz Fire caused $130 million damages, forest management agencies are well aware of the relationship between catastrophic wildfires & flooding. Mitigation efforts focus primarily on restoring forests to a fire-resistant condition and secondarily, on creating flood management infrastructure.

The district established its Forest Restoration Initiative in 2018 and partnered with the Kaibab National Forest, the National Forest Foundation, and the National Forest Foundation to reduce hazardous fuels along the steep slopes at Bill Williams Mountain south. It is estimated that a flood or catastrophic fire in the area could result in $365 million-$700 million in damage and significant threats for the safety and security of the public and water supply of the City.

The district has contributed $2.8million towards the Bill Williams Mountain Steep Slope Program to date. The first two phases of the project have thinned 476 acre of steeply treed slopes and removed large amounts of dead or down timber. The district has also committed $6million to future phases of this project.

Steep Slope 3 which will treat an additional 285-acres, is scheduled for late this summer or early in the fall.

Lori Singleton (President and CEO of Arizona Forward) presented the award. Singleton stressed that wildfires, and post-wildfire flooding, are serious threats throughout Arizona and that climate change is accelerating this process.

I would like to thank Arizona Forward, who presented these awards, which recognize the critical importance of forest rehabilitation in our county and state,” said Patrice Horstman (chair of the Board of Supervisors and Flood Control District Chair). Because post-wildfire flooding can have devastating effects on everything, from public safety to our economy to the quality and quantity of water that many Arizonans rely on every day, it is important to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

“Our Forest Restoration Initiative, which has been a success, was created to create strategies and partnerships that significantly reduce these dangers to our communities. We hope it will serve as a model for other Arizona counties to follow.