BACKGROUND
The Pipeline Fire was reported on June 12, 2022, approximately 6 miles north of Flagstaff within the Coconino National Forest. The fire burned 26,532 acres, including portions of the Schultz Creek and Chimney watersheds. A burn scar assessment and flood modeling subsequently showed potential post-wildfire flood risk to neighborhoods on the west side of Flagstaff. Both the City of Flagstaff and the Coconino County Flood Control District are collaborating with public and private partners and taking extensive measures and precautions to mitigate damage from future potential flood events.
FUNDING UPDATE
In 2022, the City applied for two U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service, Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program grants following the Pipeline Fire. One grant was awarded to fund the Schultz Creek Sediment and Flood Detention Basins project, using $2.4M of EWP funding. This project is now complete and ready to function. The City’s second grant application, submitted for the Schultz Creek downstream channel stabilization project, has been in process and awaiting an award opportunity. In December of 2022, the Federal Omnibus Bill was passed. This passage fully funded the EWP and allows for the funding and 2023 completion of the Schultz Creek downstream channel stabilization project between the detention basins and Highway 180. The City will provide more information to residents on this project as it becomes available.
While City staff attempted to secure more EWP funding for road crossings and channel improvements within the urban environment and downstream neighborhoods, EWP funding is only available for private property channel improvements that incorporate the natural environment. Accordingly, traditional stormwater infrastructure, such as culverts and road crossings, are not eligible for EWP funding. The City continues to pursue grant opportunities for culvert improvements and neighborhood flood mitigation.
The recent federal funding announcement is welcome news and the City is excited to deliver another piece of the overall system that will address post wildfire flooding. The federal omnibus bill also makes additional federal money available to the United States Forest Service to address on-forest measures, which is a critical piece in effective post-wildfire flooding mitigation.