FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. —Through the leadership of Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, a recently passed package of bipartisan appropriations bills included $2 million for the Coconino County Flood Control District. These funds will be dispersed to the District through the U.S. Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry Program and used to support post-wildfire flooding and forest restoration projects in the County.
Specifically, a portion of the funds will go to the construction of post-wildfire flood mitigation in the Highway 89 Corridor north of Flagstaff.
“Since 2022, post-wildfire flooding impacts from the Pipeline Fire have severely impacted the interstate travel corridor of Highway 89, the Navajo Nation road system, and surrounding communities. It is imperative that we continue to construct flood mitigation infrastructure in this area to reduce the threats to our community and regional economy” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Coconino County Board and Supervisor for District 2. “Thanks to the Congressionally Directed Spending funds recently secured by Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, we now have more resources to make this much needed infrastructure a reality.”
Another portion of the funds will go to support a forest restoration initiative that will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire on Observatory Mesa, near Lowell Observatory.
“For over 100 years, Lowell Observatory has connected citizens, scientists, and visitors of Northern Arizona to the stars. This world-class research facility is a central institution to Flagstaff’s culture, science, and history, yet Lowell Observatory remains at risk from catastrophic wildfire,” said Patrice Horstman, Coconino County District 1 Supervisor. “Through the Congressionally Directed Spending secured by Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, we now have the means to reduce this risk by funding forest restoration on Observatory Mesa. Investments in forest restoration to protect Arizona’s treasures like Lowell Observatory, serve not only our community but serve our state and country and preserve these cherished institutions for centuries to come.”
This is not the first time that Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema have secured funding for the Coconino County Flood Control District. In 2022, both Senators were instrumental in ensuring the FY2023 Omnibus Bill, which included significant funds to support the District’s post-wildfire flood mitigation.
“We are fortunate here in Coconino County to have Congressional representatives that both understand the importance of mitigating the risk of wildfire and post-wildfire flooding, and can channel that understanding into critical, on-the-ground funding through strong advocacy and leadership,” said Lucinda Andreani, Coconino County Flood Control District Administrator. “We owe thanks to Senators Kelly and Sinema for their partnership and look forward to our continued work together.”
For more information on Coconino County Flood Control District projects, visit www.coconino.az.gov/1450/Flood-Control-District
