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Gila County outlines $19 million NRCS restoration package, warns of multi‑million dollar county share and urgent testing deadlines
Summary
County staff briefed supervisors on a comprehensive storm‑damage response that includes debris testing, sediment disposition, and $19 million in NRCS‑priority projects; officials said the county’s 25% share is about $4.7 million and emphasized tight NRCS/DEMA/FEMA deadlines and cash‑flow risk.
Gila County supervisors spent most of their Dec. 16 meeting reviewing storm damage from September and October and the county’s fast‑moving recovery plan.
Public Works Director Christine Smith and Emergency Manager Carl Medford told the board the initial response prioritized search‑and‑rescue, damage assessment and documentation to preserve reimbursement eligibility. "If we didn't document it, it didn't happen," Medford said, describing mutual‑aid teams and Disaster Assistance Centers set up to coordinate volunteers and resources.
Staff outlined a two‑track recovery strategy: accelerate projects eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program and pursue DEMA/FEMA funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures. JE Fuller was awarded an engineering contract to finalize conceptual designs and cost estimates the county must submit to NRCS by Jan. 8, staff said.
The county…
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