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Board approves $3.5M agreement with U.S. Forest Service to thin steep slopes in Laru area
Summary
The Coconino County Flood Control District approved a $3.5 million collective agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to remove hazardous fuels on steep slopes in the Laru project (upper Rio de Flag watershed), covering roughly 500–550 acres in this phase; county staff said ground-based operations will reduce costs and aim to finish by fall.
The Coconino County Board, convening as the Flood Control District Board of Directors on March 24, approved a $3.5 million collective agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to fund hazardous fuels removal on steep slopes in the Laru project within the upper Rio de Flag watershed.
Linda Andreani, flood control district director, told supervisors that flood modeling indicates even a relatively small wildfire in the Laru area could trigger catastrophic post‑fire flooding downstream through Flagstaff. The agreement covers the first phase of work—about 500–550 acres—and seeks to use ground‑based steep‑slope logging at approximately one‑third the estimated cost of helicopter logging.
County staff said prior investments exceeded $2 million in the broader watershed and that the proposed work is a high community priority. Officials outlined a short procurement timeline; they expect the Forest Service to issue a request for proposals to loggers soon and aim to begin work this spring and complete the phase before snow season.
Supervisor comments emphasized the project’s priority, thanked staff and federal partners, and urged continued federal commitment to landscape‑scale forest restoration. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
Next steps: the Forest Service will finalize its signature and issue the RFP; county staff will notify nearby communities and coordinate outreach and monitoring as operations proceed.
