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NAVAJO COUNTY–A key milestone for the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood Risk Management Project was celebrated at the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 26, when Public Works Director John Osgood along with Assistant County Engineer Sandra Phillips requested a consideration of a resolution supporting the intent of Navajo County to partner with the City of Winslow and share equally in future costs associated with the planning, design and construction of the new levee.
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“The Flood Control District of Navajo County is proud to inform you that the Chief of Engineers, Lieutenant General Todd Semonite, has signed and submitted to the Department of the Army for transmission to Congress, his chief’s report which accompanies the feasibility report of the Los Angeles district engineer and South Pacific Division engineer,” said Phillips.
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“As you are aware, for the past decade the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been conducting a comprehensive feasibility study of the Little Colorado River at Winslow flood risk management project, with the ultimate goal to protect the homes, businesses, property, and people in the City of Winslow and Navajo County,” continued Phillips.
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In its role as non-federal sponsor during this time, the Navajo County Flood Control District (NCFCD) has contributed policy direction, technical engineering review, and shared equally in the costs associated with the $5.9 million study.
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Phillips noted that the first goal was to acknowledge and celebrate a key milestone in this decade-long effort. She also said, “While this is a critical marker, there is still a lot of work to be done before we get to construction.”
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In 1993, floodwaters topped the levee, flooding Ames Acres and Bushman Acres as well as other areas behind the levee. A 400-foot section was washed out and an additional 3,000 feet was damaged. Approximately 204 parcels were inundated with 140 structures damaged by the floodwaters.
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By December of 1994, permanent repairs to the levee were completed utilizing Federal Emergency Management Agency, state and county funds.
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Then on Dec. 31, 2003, a piping failure caused the levee to fail again. Five years later on Sept. 26, 2008, the Winslow Levee was decertified and approximately 2,700 parcels were added to the floodplain including all of the city’s critical facilities, forcing many residents to purchase unaffordable flood insurance.
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On Dec. 14, 2018, after a personal visit to the Winslow Levee via helicopter, on Oct. 17, 2018, Semonite wrote a letter to Representative Tom O’Halleran in which he noted, “I recently signed the final report of the Chief of Engineers on the Little Colorado River at Winslow Flood Risk Management Feasibility study. The report will now undergo administration review.”
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While transmission of the feasibility study to Congress represents a significant milestone, key elements required to complete the project will be addressed over the coming months and years that will include: the design agreement by early 2020 with a two to four year design schedule followed by the construction phase possibly starting by 2023.
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Potential project benefits include significant risk reduction to life and property; a highly effective and efficient plan that reduces flood damages by over 80 percent; and reducing flood risks to critical infrastructure, schools and hospital.
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Regional economic benefits during construction are expected to include over 1,000 jobs; $27 million in labor income; and $33 million in Regional Economic Output.
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The current estimate for the cost of construction is $66 million. The very next step is to partner and share equally with the City of Winslow, who will consider the resolution at the March 12 meeting. The board unanimously approved the resolution.
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Osgood noted that the project has a lot of support among congressional representatives and the USACE. “From this meeting there is a lot of interest and passion behind this, we are going to give it our best shot going forward.”
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Supervisor Jesse Thompson said, “This has been a long time coming since 1993, way more than 10 years, we have been working on this with Winslow.”
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In other business, the board:
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* Approved the meeting calendar for the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustments for 2019.
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* Approved the appointment of Tony John Tangavos Jr., Sandra A. McKinley, Jeff E. Walker, Kyle Robert Crull, Paula Ann Crull, Dana Jean Heck, Terry W. Conner and Timothy A. Boudreaux, each as Republican Precinct Committee representatives for their respective precincts.
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* Appointment of Rae Lynn Atencio as Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore for the Navajo County Justice Courts pursuant to the administrative order.
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* Approved a special event liquor license to Pinetop-Lakeside Chamber of Commerce for June 21-22 and July 4, 2019.
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* Approved letter to Arizona Department of Transportation, Enforcement and Compliance Division, delegating signatory authority to Sheriff David Clouse.
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* Approved the Women, Infant and Children contract amendment changing the contract number and adding additional wording to the procurement terms.
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* Approved the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Governor’s Youth, Faith and Family STOP Grant agreement.
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* Heard a presentation of current events from Superintendent of Schools Jalyn Gerlich.
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* Approved a resolution for a special use permit submitted by Liv Heritage and Virgil Bushman to allow for the expansion of an existing auto shop at 8192 Porter Road in Joseph City.
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* Approved the purchase of a new Massey Ferguson 5711S tractor and mower with accessories for the Show Low road yard from Empire in the amount of $134,618.
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* Approved the awarding of a slurry seal contract to American Pavement Preservation, L.L.C. for 28 miles of roadway in the Winslow and Pinetop Country Club areas for a total amount of $544,300. The funds are budgeted for the FY 2019 and 2020 in the capital improvement projects.
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* Approved awarding Hatch Construction and Pavement, Inc., the hot asphaltic concrete pavement overlay contract for approximately $1.5 million. This is an annual contract to provide overlay on public roads in Navajo County.
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