Since launching in early March, the Upper Rio de Flag River Reforestation Project has achieved important initial milestones toward its goal of reducing the significant wildfire and post-wildfire flood risks facing the entire Flagstaff region.
The Upper Rio de Flag Reforestation Project, spearheaded by the Coconino National Forest and the Coconino County Flood Control District, will target approximately 12,000 acres across six priority areas as the first phase of reforestation treatment.
During a recent meeting with the Coconino County Flood Control District Board, the Coconino National Forest announced that it has contracted with Perkins Timber Harvesting for reforestation measures in one of these priority areas, the 2,604-acre Wing East Project Area. Perkins Timber Harvesting, a local company based in Williams, Arizona, is scheduled to begin forest treatment operations this week.
The Coconino National Forest is expected to enter into a contract with the Nature Conservancy within the next month to treat 2,053 acres in the Hock and Little Wing project areas. According to Coconino National Forest District Ranger Matt McGrath, the Nature Conservancy has expressed an intent to complete treatment of these project areas within one calendar year.
“This is progressing as quickly as we expected,” McGrath said. “These contracts represent good early progress.”
Contract awards for the other two project areas – the 2,586-acre Derffer area and the 4,865-acre Wing West area – are expected to be delivered in October 2024. A contract award for the sixth priority project area, the Leroux area, is expected in May 2025.
“Investing in aggressive reforestation is not only smart, it's essential,” said Patrice Horstman, Coconino County Supervisor, District 1. “The people of Coconino County understand the importance of moving forward with these projects to reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires.”
The Coconino National Forest and Coconino County Flood Control District launched the Upper Rio de Flag Reforestation Project earlier this year after two district-commissioned studies found high risk of devastating wildfire and post-fire flooding within the Upper Rio de Flag watershed.
As estimated in these studies, the potential economic impacts of wildfire in the region could range from $535 million to $2.8 billion. The first phase of the project focuses on treatment within approximately 12,000 acres that are critical to reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the 21,500-acre watershed.
“Reforestation in Coconino County is a public safety issue,” said Coconino County Forestry and Reforestation Director Jay Smith. “This is our best tool to break the cycle of wildfire and flooding, and it's encouraging to see such important work progressing in a timely manner.”
Last month, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors allocated $7.6 million from the Coconino County Reforestation Initiative budget to fund reforestation within the Upper Rio de Flag Reforestation Project and the Bill Williams Mountain Reforestation Project.
To date, the Coconino National Forest has contributed approximately $11 million to the Upper Rio de Flag River Basin Reforestation Project and will be leading the creation of any grants, appropriations or contracts needed to cover the remaining expected $13 million in costs to complete the initial phase of the project.
For more information on the Upper Rio de Flag Watershed Restoration Plan, visit www.coconino.az.gov/3302/Upper-Rio-De-Flag-Watershed-Forest-Resto
To access the recording of the April 23 Board of Supervisors presentation plan, visit www.coconino.az.gov/104/Board-of-Supervisors .
Sean Golightly
Community Relations Manager
Coconino County Flood Control District
(928) 607-8805
[email protected]
