FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the establishment of a new Flood Control District (District) Grant Match Fund at its meeting on January 24, 2023.
In late 2022, Congress approved $50 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to engineer and construct flood mitigation measures in the neighborhoods impacted by post-wildfire flooding from the Pipeline Fire.
The NRCS funding requires match funding by the District/County. The match to $50 million is $12.5 million and staff proposed that the match be made using another federal funding source, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)- Wyden Funds. The County received $6 million in ARPA – Wyden Funds in September 2022 and will receive another $6 million in September 2023.
By establishing a committed fund of $12 million, the Board creates assurance that the District can meet the required match to continue implementation of projects in the Schultz/Pipeline Flood Area. Those projects include work in six flood corridors including Wupatki Trails, Brandis, Peaceful Way, Copeland, Campbell, and Government Tank. Siri Mullaney, the County’s Financial Officer, presented this proposal at the Board meeting on January 24.
Later in the afternoon, Lucinda Andreani, Flood Control District Administrator and Coconino County Deputy County Manager, provided an update on the federal funding and requested the Board to consider approving the hiring of a Community Relations Manager for a three-year term to support the District with community engagement and communications during implementation of over $100 million of projects to be pursued over the next three years. The District Board approved the additional position noting that engagement and communications with the impacted communities is critical to successful implementation.
About the Coconino County Flood Control District
The Coconino County Flood Control District (District) is charged with reducing the risk of flood loss; minimizing the impact of floods on human safety, health, and welfare; and restoring and preserving the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains. More information about the District and its activities related to flooding, wildfire, forest restoration, and emergency preparedness is available on the County website at bit.ly/CoconinoCountyFCD.