Document gaKNOeNRbrwY5Eron8144jd4Q

.-d.-41COCONINO COUNTYARIZONA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 28, 2025 The Honorable Eli Crane Congressman United States House of Representatives 307 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Patrice M. Horstman District 1 Vice-Chair Jeronimo Vasquez District 2 Dear Congressman Crane, The Coconino County Board of Supervisors would like to provide an update on two critical projects that are currently being held up by the Department of Government Efficiency. The Bill Williams Mountain Forest Restoration Project, a hazardous fuels reduction project that reduces the threat from wildfire and post-fire flooding to the City of Williams and the PROTECT Grant -- U.S. Highway 89 Flood Mitigation Project that reduces post-wildfire flooding impacts to a critical highway in northern Arizona. Tammy Ontiveros District 3 Judy Begay District 4 Chair Lena Fowler District 5 The Bill Williams Mountain Forest Restoration Project is a collaborative effort between the Coconino County Flood Control District, the Kaibab National Forest, and The Nature Conservancy. This hazardous fuel reduction project aims to treat 400 acres of steep, fireprone terrain above the City of Williams. If left untreated, then a wildfire followed by monsoon rains could trigger catastrophic flooding, with potential regional economic damages estimated at $800 million (in 2025 dollars). The project is funded with $2.8 million from the Flood Control District and $5.2 million from the Kaibab National Forest and is being managed by The Nature Conservancy under a Master Stewardship Agreement. However, this agreement has been pending a signature from the federal government since January 20, 2025. Without immediate action, there is a significant risk of losing contractor availability during this logging season, which will delay the project significantly. In addition to reducing wildfire and flood risks, the project supports the regional forest products industry, which depends on a steady supply of timber from forest restoration efforts. This industry provides over 300 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs in Northern Arizona. The U.S. Highway 89 Flood Mitigation Project is also awaiting a signature by the Federal Highway Administration. The project was awarded a DOT PROTECT Grant in 2024 but is still pending review. The critical need for this project resulted from the Pipeline Fire in 2022, which burned over 25,000 acres of steep sloped area on the San Francisco Peaks causing severe and repetitive post-wildfire flooding. U.S. Highway 89, which is the main transportation artery between Arizona, Utah and Colorado was closed 13 times. The closures and numerous interruptions resulted in serious impacts to not only commerce between the states, but also tourism given this is the access to Glen Canyon/Lake Powell National Recreational Area, Horseshoe Bend and the Wave as well as the Grand Canyon National Park. These destinations attract well in excess of 5 million visitors per year with over $2 Billion in economic impact to Arizona alone. 219 East Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001-4695 I Phone: 928.679.7144 1800.790.1990 I Fax 928.679.7171 I coconino.az.gov Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0018972 .-d.-41COCONINO COUNTYARIZONA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Coconino County requests that you and your office take action to secure approval of the Bill Williams Mtn. Project agreement as well as approval of the PROTECT grant agreement. Please let us know if any other information is needed or if you have questions, then please contact Lucinda Andreani at Landreani@coconino.az.gov. Your action at this time is crucial to moving these critical public safety projects forward. Thank you, Sincerely, ) I-4,4 4 1 11 4 V/. - P-atri6e Horstman, Chaif District 1 Supervisor Coconino County Board of Supervisors Jeronimo Vasquez, Vibe Chair District 2 Supervisor Coconino County Board of Supervisors ; - J Tammy Ontiveros District 3 Supervisor Coconino County Board of Supervisors _ Judy Begay District 4 Supervisor Coconino County Board of Supervisors Len Fowler Dis rict 5 Supervisor Coconino County Board of Supervisors 219 East Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001-4695 I Phone: 928.679.7144 1800.790.1990 I Fax 928.679.7171 I coconino.az.gov Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0018973 ri COCONINO a COUNTYARIZONA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 219 East Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001-4695 I Phone: 928.679.7144 1800.790.1990 I Fax 928.679.7171 I coconino.az.gov Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0018974