FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OF MARICOPA COUNTY.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2017-05-24)

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Last updated: 05/05/2017
General information
Organization Flood Control District of Maricopa County
Contact First name Spencer
Contact Last name Bolen
Contact e-mail spencerbolen@mail.maricopa.gov
Contact phone number 6025064064
Address
Street 2801 W Durango St
City Phoenix
State AZ
ZIP Code 85009
From what tribe is the Tohono O’odham Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 210,000.00
1 / 1

Flood Control District Fact Sheet
About the District
The Flood Control District (FCD) was created in 1959 to reduce the risk of flooding to people y
and their property. t
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Who are we?
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FCD is a political subdivision of the State of Arizona. FCD is governed by a Board of Directors, o
which doubles as the County Board of Supervisors, with the advice of a citizens' Flood Control
Advisory Board. C
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What we do?
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! Build and maintain structures
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! Identify and delineate floodplains
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! Issue permits for development in floodplains i
! Operate a flood warning system in coordination with local emergency responders r
! Conduct flood hazard studies to identify risks of flooding and potential solutions, both a
structural and non-structural
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How are we funded?
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Under Arizona enabling legislation, the Flood Control District (FCD) is a special taxing district and t
is given the authority to levy a secondary property tax on property within Maricopa County. The
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FCD's flood control tax rate for Fiscal Year 2017 is $0.1792 per $1000 of assessed valuation. At
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this tax rate, a typical property owner with an assessed valuation of $100,000 pays an annual
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flood control tax of $17.92. Other sources of funding vary and include: federal grants, the sale or
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lease of properties, permit fees, and project cost-sharing with other entities.
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The FCD's budget supports routine operations (O&M, permitting etc.) and a capital budget i
that funds the FCD's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Today, the FCD has an annual
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operating budget of approximately $33 million, with 97 percent of the FCD's revenue coming
from the secondary tax. In Fiscal Year 2017, the the CIP budget is $68 million. Key to capital
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projects is local cost share with governments and developers; except in unusual
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circumstances the FCD requests at least a 50 percent cost share.
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In 2015 the Board of Directors developed a Strategic Financial Plan for the FCD recognizing that t
significant financial constraints limit the FCD's ability to fund capital projects. As a result, varying
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funding strategies have been implemented including emphasis on a 50/50 cost share by project
partners; a two month cash reserve mirroring the County General Fund philosophy plus, o
utilizing the remaining fund balance for capital projects. The Strategic Financial Plan has led to a C
reprioritization of the CIP procedure scoring which includes giving greater weight to:
! Project readiness and community prioritization d
! Level of partner cost share with 50/50 as the baseline standard o
! Adding economic development considerations
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www.fcd.maricopa.gov
Rev. 1/31/17

The FCD’s responsibilities break down as follows:
Flood Hazard Identification: The FCD conducts Area Drainage Studies, and develops Watercourse Master
Plans for all of Maricopa County. These studies identify areas with flood risk as well as opportunities for potential
solutions. Delineation studies survey specific reaches of rivers and washes and accurately identify the depth and
velocity of flood waters within these water courses.
Structures: Based on flood risk priorities and funding availability, FCD builds flood control structures such as
dams , levees, channels, basins, and storm drains. The FCD cost shares on structures and maintenance with cities
and other agencies.
Floodplain Use Permits and Inspections: The FCD issues Floodplain Use Permits for: Buckeye, Carefree,
Cave Creek, Chandler, El Mirage, Gila Bend, Guadalupe, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Queen Creek, Surprise, Tolleson,
Youngtown, and Wickenburg. The County Planning and Development Department issues Floodplain Use Permits at
the One Stop Shop for unincorporated county.
The following communities have assumed floodplain management activities and permitting: Avondale, Fountain Hills,
Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe.
Why Flood Control is still needed today
During Maricopa County's early history, floods caused millions of dollars worth of damage to homes, businesses and
farmland. Continuing population growth has expanded the urban area and development within the urban core has
resulted in flooding outside of historical areas. Flooding during the 2014 monsoon storms demonstrated the need for
additional structures and controls.
Continued collaboration with citizens, municipalities, agencies and developers is vital to ensuring that people and
property remain safe from floods as the county continues to grow.
Did you know?
! Approximately 2/3 of the state’s major rivers run ! The FCD provides on-demand weather, rainfall and
through Maricopa County (Agua Fria River, Gila streamflow information for use by cities and county
River, Salt River, Verde River, Hassayampa River). emergency departments and National Weather
! Service. This includes 321 auto-matic rain gages,
Structures operated and maintained by the FCD:
199 automatic stream gages, and 38 automatic
,22 dams weather stations.
,370 acres of basins
,122 ! An average of 519 floodplain use permits are
miles of channels
processed by the county each year.
,60+ additional structures (levees, drains, etc.)
! ! The Small Project Assistance Program which
Flood hazard identification studies have been
provides up to $250K match for small flood projects
completed for over 45 percent (3,600 sq. miles) of
is available for municipalities that need rapid
the county.
implementation. The Fiscal Year 2016 program
! Floodplain delineation studies have been includes $3 million for 16 projects that mitigate
completed for 68 percent (4,000 miles) of county flood hazards that are local in nature and pose a risk
rivers and washes. to a small number of citizens and property.
! The County has participated in the National Flood ! Note: The FCD coordinates with multiple federal,
Insurance Program's Community Rating System state and local agencies and implements the
since 1991. Through the FEMA accreditation requirements of the Federal Emergency
process, the County is now at Class 4, which gives Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of
residents of unincorporated Maricopa County up to Engineers and the Arizona Department of Water
a 30 percent discount on their flood insurance. Resources, and coordinates with the National
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on
rehabbing five major structures which now protect
areas of urban growth.
2801 West Durango Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85009 (602) 506-1501

Tohono O’odham Nation Grant Application 2017
Chairman Edward Manuel
Tohono O’odham Nation
P.O. Box 837
Sells, Arizona 85634
ATTN: Doreen McPaul
Regarding: Tohono O’odham Nation application for 2017 12% Gaming Distribution Grant
Dear Chairman Manuel,
The Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District) is pleased to present the El Rio Vegetation
Management Plan Pilot Project (Project) to the Tohono O’odham Nation for 2017 12% Gaming
Distribution Grant funding. This project will apply a revegetation strategy to manage invasive salt cedar
on a 35-acre site located within in the Gila River floodway. The Project site is owned by the District and
is located just south of the Miller Road alignment, south of the City of Buckeye, Arizona.
Spencer Bolen, Planner with the District, will be the project manager and main point contact for the
Grant. He will head up a team of dedicated District professionals that will include Douglas Williams,
District Planning Branch Manager; Theresa Pinto, District Ecologist and Project Manager; Kaylee Colter,
District Landscape Architect; and Bob Stevens, District Environmental Program Analysts. This core team
will be supplemented with appropriate District maintenance staff, contracted consultants, and
contractors to assist in the successful completion of the Grant.
Spencer’s contact information:
Spencer Bolen, Planner
Planning and Project Management Division
Flood Control District of Maricopa County
2801 W. Durango Street
Phoenix, AZ 85009
spencerbolen@mail.maricopa.gov
602-506-4064 (office)
Sincerely,
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

Tohono O’odham Nation: Pilot Project for the Gila River
1. Proposal
a. Explain the perceived need and explain how the proposal will address that need.
The purpose of this grant request is to support the implementation of 1 of 4 pilot restoration projects
(Project) that are in-line with goals set forth in the El Rio Vegetation Management Plan (Plan). When
fully implemented, the Plan will enhance flood and fire protection through the management of invasive
salt cedar and the restoration of native vegetation for an 18-mile stretch of the Gila River from the
confluence with the Agua Fria River to the bridge at State Route 85. The purpose of implementing this
Pilot Project is to develop a comprehensive plan for salt cedar management and re-establishment of
native vegetation that can be replicated on other properties within the Gila River. The Project is located
east of the SR-85 Bridge in the Gila River and includes construction and long-term maintenance and
monitoring of the restored area.
Salt cedar (or tamarisk) is a non-native plant species introduced to the United States in the 1800s for
erosion control and as an ornamental plant. Salt cedar has spread prolifically throughout the Gila River
impeding flood flows which has expanded the floodplain, limiting recreational access to the river, and
poses a fire hazard to adjacent properties. Salt cedar comprises nearly 60% of the vegetation within the
18-mile Project reach of the Gila River1. This Project directly addresses the need for a coordinated
strategy to manage salt cedar in the Gila River.
b. Describe the population who will benefit from the proposal if approved.
When fully implemented, the El Rio Vegetation Management Plan (Plan) will reduce the risk posed from
fire and flooding for the nearly 500 people currently living or farming within the recently delineated Gila
River floodplain. This floodplain encompasses portions of the cities of Avondale, Buckeye, and
Goodyear, as well as portions of unincorporated Maricopa County. This Pilot Project will demonstrate
effective techniques and detailed costs associated with salt cedar management to better equip private
and public landowners within the Gila River for the challenges posed by salt cedar removal and
replacement.
The benefits resulting from the Plan will also extend far beyond the local communities. The fully
implemented Plan will stimulate economic development and eco-tourism in the Southwest Valley by
revitalizing the river and preserving and restoring a part of Arizona’s natural heritage. The knowledge
gained during development of the Plan and through construction of each Pilot Project of the most
effective methodology for salt cedar removal and re-vegetation can be utilized by adjacent jurisdictions
that are also struggling with salt cedar management.
1 Stantec, Inc. 2006. El Rio Watercourse Master Plan Overview. Prepared for the Flood Control District of Maricopa
County.

Tohono O’odham Nation: Pilot Project for the Gila River
c. Include a budget of the requested funds, with the total amount requested clearly
notated.
Proposed Budget Amount Amount In Kind Total Budget
(list each budget Item) Requested secured Expense
from from other
Tohono Funders
O’odham
Nation
1. Site Assessment $0.00 $0.00 $74,588.00 $74,588.00
2. Planting Plan $0.00 $0.00 $13,724.00 $13,724.00
3. Prepare Permit Applications $0.00 $0.00 $41,237.00 $41,237.00
4. Conduct Cultural Survey $25,385.00 $0.00 $25,385.00 $50,770.00
5. Plant Collection & Propagation $8,289.00 $0.00 $0.00 $8,289.00
6. Develop Adaptive Management Plan $7,572.00 $0.00 $7,572.00 $15,144.00
7. Salt Cedar Removal $160,816.00 $0.00 $0.00 $160,816.00
8. Clear, Grub & Grade $0.00 $0.00 $70,000.00 $70,000.00
9. Plant and Hydroseed $0.00 $0.00 $76,103.00 $76,103.00
10. Administer Adaptive Management Plan $7,938.00 $0.00 $168,754.00 $176,692.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total Budget $210,000.00 $0.00 $407,363.00 $687,363.00
d. List any other funding requests that have been made for this or substantially related
proposals and provided the status of those requests.
The Flood Control District of Maricopa County (District) requested and received funding from the Gila
River Indian Community 12% Gaming Grant for the development of the El Rio Vegetation Management
Plan in April of 2014. Included in this Plan was the conceptual foundation for the Demonstration Pilot
Projects discussed above. This awarded grant and resulting plan were completed in 2016.
The District has requested funding through the 2017 12% Gaming Grant cycle from the Gila River Indian
Community for the implementation of one of the four other pilot projects for the Plan. This Pilot Project
encompasses the same scope and goals as the Project detailed above and is located along the north
bank of the Gila River, adjacent to the east side of the State Route 85 Bridge. This application is under
review by the grantor.
The District has requested funding through the same 2017 12% Gaming Grant cycle from the Fort
McDowell Yavapai Nation for implementation of a third out of the four planned Pilot Projects. This
Project site is located along the north back of the Gila River just to the south west of a previously
completed project known as the Buck Fire Restoration Project. This is located south of the City of

Tohono O’odham Nation: Pilot Project for the Gila River
Buckeye 40 acre restoration site adjacent to the west side of Miller Rd, south of the BID canal. This
application is under review by the grantor.
e. Indicate whether the entity has already received a 12% distribution from the Tohono
O’odham Nation or other Arizona tribes, along with the amount and date awarded.
The District has not received any awards from the Tohono O’odham Nation.
The District was awarded $300,000 in August, 2014 from the Gila River Indian Community for the
development of the El Rio Vegetation Management Plan.
f. Identify a designated contact person and alternate contact person for follow-up,
including e-mail address, phone number, mailing address, and fax number for these
persons
Spencer B. Bolen Douglas A. Williams, AICP
Planner Planning Branch Manager
Planning and Project Management Division Planning and Project Management Division
Flood Control District of Maricopa County Flood Control District of Maricopa County
2801 W. Durango Street 2801 W. Durango Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85009 Phoenix, Arizona 85009
Phone: 602-506-4064 Phone: 602-506-8743
Email: spencerbolen@mail.maricopa.gov Email: daw@mail.maricopa.gov
Fax: 602-506-8561 Fax: 602-506-8561
g. Indicate which priority area (from the above list) the proposal falls under.
Removal and management of salt cedar will improve PUBLIC SAFETY.
Invasive salt cedar poses a threat to PUBLIC SAFETY by increasing the risk of flooding and fire.
 High densities of salt cedar, such as those present in the Gila River, can congest river channels
and block the flow of water. This increases the depth and extent of floodwater on land
previously not subject to flooding2.
 Wildfires are more intense and occur more frequently in salt cedar thickets than in stands of
native vegetation3. Several fires have occurred in the Project area in the past 10 years, including
the 2005 Buck Fire which burned over 500 acres of salt cedar near downtown Buckeye.
2 Stantec, Inc. 2006. El Rio Watercourse Master Plan Overview. Prepared for the Flood Control District of Maricopa
County.
3 Busch, D.E. and S.D. Smith. 1995. Mechanisms associated with decline of woody species in riparian ecosystems of
the southwestern US. Ecological Monographs 65:347-370.

Tohono O’odham Nation: Pilot Project for the Gila River
 Salt cedar ignites more easily than native riparian species and burns faster than both
cottonwood and willow trees4.
 Salt cedar seedlings re-sprout quickly following a burn. Native species are not fire-adapted and
may not as easily re-establish after a fire5.
h. If the proposal is for a non-profit organization, include the name of the city, town, or
county an agreement will be made with if funds are granted. A letter from the
governmental entity acknowledging its agreement to work with the non-profit is not
necessary for the initial proposal. However, it is necessary for those non-profits
selected to receive grant funding.
Not Applicable. The Flood Control District of Maricopa County is a
governmental entity.
2. Requirements
a. If you, the applicant, are a city, town or county located within the State of Arizona:
1. You will need to provide proof or cite some authority that you are authorized
to seek and enter into a grant of this nature.
The Flood Control District of Maricopa County is authorized under Arizona
Revised Statute §48-3601 to §48-3628.
2. If selected, you will need to ensure that the government you represent is
willing to negotiate and execute the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with
the Nation no later than September 30, 2017.
b. If you, the applicant, are any other non-governmental entity (not-for-profits, fire
districts, etc.):
Not Applicable. The Flood Control District of Maricopa County is a
governmental entity.
4 Drus, G. 2013. Fire Ecology of Tamarix pp. 240-255 in Sher, A. and M. Quigley, eds. Tamarix: A case study of
ecological change in the American West. Oxford University Press, New York, NY.
5 Busch, D.E. and S.D. Smith. 1995. Mechanisms associated with decline of woody species in riparian ecosystems of
the southwestern US. Ecological Monographs 65:347-370.

Tohono O’odham Nation: Pilot Project for the Gila River
Attachments
(See Attached Map of Project Area)

Vegetation Management Plan
Pilot Project (36 acres)
B A 85 W BASELINE RD $+ 85
BUCKEYE BUCKEYE W BELOAT RD
W HAZEN RD
RD
B A 85 Pilot Project Bounds Vegetation Units
AIRPORT No Action 6.3 acres SCT and Desert Shrub Enhancement 13.2 acres
S Saltcedar Treatment Only (SCT) 7.9 acres SCT and Riparian Enhancement 8.5 acres
370 185 0 370 Feet Ü
Document Path: H:\DATA\Project_Site_GIS\Project_Map.mxd Flood Control District of Maricopa County, GIS Division, 5/4/2017
2801 West Durango Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85009, (602) 506-1501 www.fcd.maricopa.gov