SRP and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) extended their commitment to partner on strategic forest thinning projects through 2030. The Memorandum of Understanding sets the foundation for the utility and state agency to cooperatively plan, fund, and implement forest thinning projects.
The Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) allows DFFM to partner with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to conduct forest restoration projects on national forest system lands. This partnership helps increase the pace and scale of restoration by leveraging funding and capacity to implement mutually beneficial projects.
In the first five years of the partnership, SRP and DFFM have collaboratively funded 25 thinning and mastication projects that will restore 35,000 acres. Additionally, these projects have resulted in the removal of 129,600 tons of timber and 50,150 tons of biomass in the Tonto and Coconino National Forests to date.
SRP and DFFM’s efforts focus on projects within the Salt and Verde River and East Clear Creek watersheds that have components of infrastructure protection, community wildfire risk reduction, and wildlife habitat enhancement. In addition, these projects help protect the watersheds and infrastructure that provide water to the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The goals for the next five years will be to focus on expanding the partnership across the Prescott National Forest (which includes the Verde River watershed) and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest while continuing to work in the Tonto and Coconino National Forests. SRP and DFFM plan to partner on an additional 52,000 acres of restoration work through 2030.
“The state of Arizona is excited to continue this unique partnership with SRP and is committed to continuing our collaborative active forest management. DFFM looks forward to maintaining and expanding our momentum in implementing critical forest restoration projects to protect Arizona's watersheds, at-risk communities, and provide for resilient forests," said Tom Torres, DFFM State Forester.
“We know forest restoration projects like these can only be done through collaborative efforts with agencies across the state, and we are proud to continue working closely with DFFM to ensure healthy forests,” said Leslie Meyers, SRP Chief Water Executive and Associate General Manager of Water Resources.
