A press release by Winslow City Manager John Barkley last week announced the Winslow Levee will receive $65.75 million in federal funding. The funding has been secured from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act work plan from the Army Corps of Engineers and will assist in the design and construction of the Winslow Levee Project. Winslow Mayor Roberta Cano said, “We are extremely fortunate to secure the final monies to design and construct the Winslow Levee. This monumental step in the process not only represents a new beginning for the City of Winslow, but also the culmination of our efforts in partnership with Navajo County leadership to comprehensively address the critical infrastructure needs of Winslow and the region.” According to the press release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decertified the Winslow Levee in 2008 leaving Winslow unable to fully realize its potential for economic prosperity. The decertification of the levee placed nearly two-thirds of Winslow residents, most of which live below the federal poverty line, into the position of needing to carry flood insurance they cannot afford. In addition, property values have been stifled by FEMA restrictions on improvements and renovations of properties and structures in the flood zone. In Winslow, nearly every home, business, school, hospital and emergency service provider are in the flood zone. Revenue streams in Winslow are also affected by the levee situation. Millions of dollars in goods cross the Little Colorado River on Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains and the risk of failure to the levee threatens that. Further, tourism and Winslow’s designation as a transportation hub for BNSF, I-40 and the Winslow Lindbergh Regional Airport are also at risk without a recertification of the levee. Not only is public safety a priority, but the socio-economic viability of Winslow and surrounding areas along the Little Colorado as well. As noted in the press release, levee reconstruction will go a long way in protecting rural and tribal communities, creating jobs, increasing property values, attracting development projects, and stimulating the regional local economy across Northern Arizona. There is not yet a timeline for levee reconstruction. However, due in part to the support from Congressman Tom O’Halleran and senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, the design process is expected to begin within the calendar year.
