Accomplishments

ADOT Healthy Forest Initiative

• Volume: Transported 3.3 million tons of logs and 2.9 million tons of biomass
• Economic Contribution: $367 million (2015 – 2023)

The ECO Counties partnered with ADOT to establish the ADOT Healthy Forest Initiative, increasing the maximum forest product truck weight from 80,000 lbs. to 91,000 lbs. on tandem axle configurations and 97,000 lbs. on tridem axle configurations. This adjustment allows Arizona's forest products industry to compete with other western states such as New Mexico (86,400 lbs.), Colorado (85,000 lbs.), Nevada (129,000 lbs.), Wyoming (117,000 lbs.), Idaho (105,500 lbs.), and Washington (105,500 lbs.). Throughout the program's duration, it facilitated the transportation of over 3.3 million tons of logs and 2.9 million tons of slash/biomass, contributing over $367 million to the economy.

Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI)

• Area Treated: 197,000 acres in Arizona
• Employment: Sustained 210 jobs
• Wages: $177 million (2010 – 2023)

The ECO Counties partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, NGOs, and collaborative groups to establish and oversee the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI). This initiative facilitated the mechanical thinning of 197,000 acres, sustaining over 210 jobs and disbursing over $177 million in wages. 4FRI mitigates the risk of catastrophic forest fires, improves watershed functions, and fosters recreational activities in Arizona's forests.

White Mountains Natural Resources Working Group (NRWG)

• Area Treated: 157,000 acres
• Average Annual Treatment: 12,000 acres/year

The ECO Counties, in collaboration with state agencies, local governments, NGOs, and concerned citizens, established and managed the White Mountains Natural Resources Working Group (NRWG). This group serves as the collaborative entity overseeing forest restoration projects within the Apache/Sitgreaves National Forests. Treatment of 157,000 acres, averaging 12,000 acres annually, has successfully protected areas in Navajo County from catastrophic forest fires such as the Rodeo Chediski Fire.

Mexican Wolf Depredation Compensation and Conflict Prevention

• Depredation Compensation: $1.3 million (2011 to 2022)
• Conflict Prevention: $1.2 million (2011 to 2022)

The ECO Counties participate in the Mexican Wolf recovery program alongside the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Arizona Game & Fish Department, New Mexico state and local governments, and other partners. They ensure that ranchers' interests are represented and facilitate depredation compensation and conflict prevention payments to the ranching community. The program has disbursed $1.3 million in depredation compensation and $1.2 million in conflict prevention over its duration.

Mexican Wolf Range Rider Program

• Contribution: $135,000 (2020 – 2024)

  The ECO Counties collaborated with the Arizona Game & Fish Department to establish the Mexican Wolf Range Rider Program, contributing $135,000 to the initiative. This program significantly contributed to lowering the annual depredation rate from 106 to 56 per 100 wolves between 2019 and 2022.

• Apache/Sitgreaves Travel Management Rule

• Enhancements: Added 56 camping sites, included bear in motorized big game retrieval
• Current Status: Objection filing in process

Through 2021, ECO worked with the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests as a Cooperating Agency on the Travel Management Rule (TMR) Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to address identified issues. This collaboration resulted in adding Black Bear to the list of species allowed for motorized big game retrieval and the incorporation of 56 camping corridors or road spurs into existing camping sites. Objection filing is currently underway.

Federal Legislative Accomplishments

• Little Colorado River Levee at Winslow: Secured $66 million appropriation
• Public Safety Communications Towers: Secured $2 million Congressionally Directed Spending appropriation for towers throughout Navajo County

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Appropriations

• Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure: $10 million investment to deploy new fiber-optic infrastructure along major corridors in a County-owned middle-mile network, enabling high-speed internet access and providing redundancy for future expansion.
• Public Health Investment: $5 million allocation to develop space for new mandated health programs, consolidate Code Enforcement-related functions, and expand existing health facilities.
• Economic Development: $400,000 investment to recruit and hire an Economic Development Director, develop economic strategies, and promote job availability.
• Public Safety Communications: $500,000 for deploying a modern communications network across County, Tribal, City, and Towns, enhancing coordination and safety for emergency services.
• Enhanced County Services Delivery: $622,000 allocated to improve service delivery, address facility needs, and ensure staff coordination with appropriate social distancing.
• Infrastructure and Facility Upgrades: Various investments including ADA upgrade for the County website, Treasurer Remote Pay, Library IT Upgrades, Library Secure Drop boxes, County Complex Upgrades, and Silver Creek Facility Purchase.
• Community Partnership Projects: $1.4 million allocated for neighborhood enhancements, walking trails, senior center upgrades, public safety equipment, park development, sewer expansion, and other community-specific needs.
• Project Execution and Delivery: $1 million for resources to guide successful project execution and accountability, complying with federal and state reporting requirements.
• ARPA Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF): Secured $4.8 million as an offset for PILT counties and tribes to aid in COVID-19 recovery efforts, successfully preventing these funds from being diverted.
• Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT): Successfully lobbied to maintain PILT payments, resulting in $6.7 million paid to Navajo County over the past four years.