Congressman Paul Gosar Presses Secretary Salazar for Assistance on Short-Term Flood Mitigation in Flagstaff

Statement

During today's House Natural Resources Committee hearing on "Department of Interior Spending and the President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Proposal," U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-01) asked the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, for assistance with short-term flood mitigation in Flagstaff. In his questioning, Congressman Gosar emphasized the need for cross-agency coordination with the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County and members of the community to ensure appropriate actions are taken in advance of monsoon season. In response, Secretary Salazar acknowledged the gravity of the situation and committed to working with the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the U.S. Forest Service, and other relevant agencies on possible solutions. The text of Gosar's statement is below, and the exchange between Gosar and Salazar can be viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9N0hTz-wes.

"Good morning Secretary Salazar and thank you for joining us as we consider the Fiscal Year 2012 budget request for the Department of Interior.

"I represent Arizona's First Congressional District, one of the largest congressional districts in the country. The district is comprised of about 26.1 million acres of federal and tribal lands, close to seventy percent of the total land. I have particular concerns about the millions of dollars proposed in the President's Budget for the purpose of purchasing more federal lands, particularly in light of the estimated billions of dollars of maintenance and management backlogs on existing federally-owned lands. Proper forest maintenance and management is very important to me and my community, particularly in light of a tragedy that occurred last year in my hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona.

"As you know, last June, a wildfire destroyed more than 15,000 acres of steep terrain in the Coconino National Forest known as the Schultz Pass. The wildfire scorched the earth on this steep volcanic terrain, leaving little ground vegetation to absorb and hold back rainwater. In addition, the unusually high concentration of forest fuels, that had built up over decades, ignited and baked the usually crumbly volcanic dacite into a crystal-like and impervious substance, which take decades to break down enough for grass to grow. On July 6th, 2010, the Forest Service Burn Area Emergency Response Team issued a report to the residents living near the base of the Peaks stating they would face a constant daily flooding threat from summer monsoon storms and publically urged them to purchase flood insurance. Two weeks later, before insurance could be enacted, nearly two inches of rain fell in less than one hour, causing flash flooding in the communities downstream from the Schultz wildfire burn area. Widespread flooding and debris disrupted and destroyed public infrastructure, damaged approximately 32 homes in the community, and tragically leading to the death of a 12-year-old-girl.

"There are some great long-term ideas and projects in the works for maintenance and stewardship of our forests, such as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, however many of these will take years to come to fruition. My community has an urgent need for short-term protection measures to be implemented before the summer monsoon season begins. Up to 1,200 homes are now considered to be in the flood zone, and owners are living with an uncertainty about their personal safety, financial risk, and the inability to obtain flood insurance.

"Coconino County is making progress on developing an engineered flood control plan and getting as many parties to the table as possible to assist in the efforts. Members of the community have taken desperate measures to mitigate short-term flood risks - digging trenches, canals, and placing sandbags around their homes. A group of homeowners in at risk areas have built a coalition and have volunteered to build check dams on the federal land, but have been denied access to the land by the Forest Service.

"The Forest Service has not committed to mitigation projects on the national forest, such as diversion channels, retention basins, even water barriers constructed by the remains of cut burned trees, locked behind existing stumps. The Forest Service, because of the wilderness designation that existed for this area prior, will not allow county equipment on site to repair a water pipeline, damaged by the fire and flooding, that the city desperately needs.

"We need your help now! Another disaster could occur if action is not taken before July, the beginning of monsoon season. It is critical the Forest Service and other relevant government entities under your jurisdiction coordinate together, and with the local communities to expedite flood protection measures to address the immediate threat posed by the post-fire and flood land conditions.

"I invite you to join me in Flagstaff at your earliest convenience and my community will show you the urgency of this situation. We have a pending emergency and we need your direct assistance. Will you help?"

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