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News Release Media Contacts Coconino County: Matthew Rudig,
mrudig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
(928) 679-7172 National Forest Foundation: Spencer Plumb,
splumb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
(928) 961-2486 Kaibab National Forest: Bob Blasi,
bob.blasi@xxxxxxxx,
(928) 635-5653 Steep Slope Treatments on Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project Begin WILLIAMS, Ariz., Sept. 24, 2019 — A collaborative partnership
between The National Forest Foundation, Coconino County, and the Kaibab National Forest has produced successful results in the strategic planning and securing of necessary assets to begin the first stages of steep slope restoration treatments on Bill Williams
Mountain on the Kaibab National Forest. The National Forest Foundation, www.nationalforests.org/
(NFF) promotes and raises funds for the restoration and enjoyment of National Forests. For the Bill Williams Restoration Project, the NFF has worked to bring together funds from multiple contributors that include $1,800,000 from the Kaibab National Forest, $800,000 from Coconino County, private funds from the Sperling Foundation,
and a state grant from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. "The implementation of this important project would not be possible without partners coming to the table to support the work because we all recognize the multiple benefits of preventing catastrophic fire and flooding." Mary Mitsos, National
Forest Foundation President. NFF has awarded the contract for the first 300 acres that are scheduled for treatment to Markit! Forestry Management
www.markitforestry.com/
of Colorado Springs Colorado. Restoration efforts will include using helicopter logging methods on the steepest slopes of the north face on Bill Williams Mountain. Operations are expected to begin by the end of this month.
The purpose of this work is to protect critical watershed drainages that deliver vital water supply to the City of Williams. Removing heavy loads of woody material from inaccessible areas will ultimately reduce the risk of a potentially
destructive wildfire that could have devastating effects not only to Williams, but long lasting impacts to other communities to the south that are also dependent on flows from this mountain.
Coconino County has identified that fire, and post-wildfire flooding is the number one health and safety threat to the citizens of the County. The County Flood Control District is proud to be invested in this project to help ensure a properly
maintained forest for the safety of its citizens and visitors and for the economic prosperity of the area. “We’re extremely excited that a contractor is in place to start the much-needed restoration work on the steep slopes of Bill Williams Mountain,” said Coconino County District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan. “We know, through studies, that a wildfire
on the mountain, and the subsequent post-wildfire flooding, would be economically crippling to the city of Williams, the watershed and the entire region. I want to thank the many agency partners including the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation
for the hard work that went in to securing this first stage of the forest restoration process.” A Forest Area Closure Order will be forthcoming in the areas around the mountain where steep slope treatments will be occurring. Helicopters accompanied by noise will be noticeable from the City of Williams and surrounding residential communities
adjacent to this operation as work begins. There will also be an obvious increase in traffic within city limits as material removed from the slopes will be hauled out by trucks and chip vans. More detailed information will be made available in the near future as this project moves forward. Additional Information can be found at the following sources: ·
Kaibab National Forest Website:
www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
·
Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project:
www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=34690 ·
Coconino County Flood Control District:
coconino.az.gov/1450/Flood-Control-District ·
The National Forest Foundation:
www.nationalforests.org/ ###
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Bill Williams Mountain Release.jpg
Description: Bill Williams Mountain Release.jpg
