SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION…………...... 1 1.1 General Plan Information…...... ………….1 1.1.1 Plan Purpose and Authority ...... ………1 1.1.2 History of Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 1.1.3 Plan Elements …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...2 1.2 Tribal Assurances ...... 3 1.3 Community Description ...... 3 1.3.1 Tribal Sovereignty...... 4 1.3.2 Geography...... 4 1.3.3 Climate...... 4 1.3.4 Demographics...... 9 1.3.5 Development History ...... 11 1.3.6 Future Development...... 13 SECTION 2: PLANNING PROCESS DOCUMENTATION...... 14 2.1 Points of Contact...... 14 2.2 Promulgation Authority Information...... 14 2.3 Planning Team Participation and Activities...... ……………….…..15 2.3.1 Planning Team Assembly...... 15 2.3.2 Tribal Planning Team Activities...... 18 2.4 Agency Coordination...... 21 2.5 Program Integration...... 22 2.6 Public Involvement………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…27 SECTION 3: RISK ASSESSMENT...... 28 3.1 Hazard Identification...... 29 3.2 Hazard Profiles...... ……………..30 3.2.1 Hazard Calculated Priority Ranking Index ……………………………………………………………….31 3.2.2 Hazard Descriptions and Historical Events...... 34 3.2.2.1 Wildfires 3.2.2.2 Flood/Flash Flood 3.2.2.3 Winter Storm 3.2.2.4 Drought

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

3.2.2.5 Arson 3.2.2.6 Dam Failure 3.3 Vulnerability Assessment...... 55 3.3.1 Asset Inventory...... 55 3.3.2 Loss Estimations...... 58 3.3.3 Development Trend/ Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………62 3.3.4 Cultural/Sacred Resource Analysis……………………………………………………………………….…63 SECTION 4: MITIGATION STRATEGY...... 64 4.1 Local Capability Assessment………………...... 64 4.2 Goals and Objectives...... 68 4.3 Mitigation Actions/Projects...... 70 4.4 Implementation Strategy...... 74 SECTION 5: PLAN MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...... 77 5.1 Responsibility for Plan...... 77 5.2 Monitoring and Evaluation...... 77 5.3 Mitigation Strategy Progress Assessment...... 78 5.3.1 Goals Achievement...... 78 5.3.2 Actions/Projects Implementation...... 78 5.3.3 Project Closeouts………………………………………………………………………………………………………79 5.4 Plan Update...... 79 5.5 Plan Integration ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..79 5.6 Continued Public Involvement…………………………………………………………………………………………..80

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Fort Apache Indian Reservation Location………….………………………………………………....3 Figure 1-2 WMAT Transportation Routes………………………………………………………………………………5 Figure 1-3 Map of Vegetation for WMAT…………………………………………………………………………….…6 Figure 1-4 Forest Strata in the WMAT……………………………………………………………………………………7 Figure 1-5 Map of Precipitation……………………………………………………………………………………………..8 Figure 1-6 WMAT Reservation Communities……………………………………………………………………….10 Figure 3-1 WMAT Wildfire History……………………………………………………………………………………..…36 Figure 3-2 WMAT Flood Hazard Areas……………………………………………………………………………….….39 Figure 3-3 Whiteriver Flood Hazard Area………………………………………………………………………………40

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 3-4 Carrizo Flood Hazard Area…………………………………………………………………………………….41 Figure 3-5 Cibecue Flood Hazard Area…………………………………………………………………………………..42 Figure 3-6 Cedar Creek Flood Hazard Area…………………………………………………………………………...43 Figure 3-7 January 2010 Short Term Drought Status……………………………………………………………..47 Figure 3-8 Dam Locations in WMAT……………………………………………………………………………….………49 Figure 3-9 Dam Hazard Map for WMAT…………………………………………………………………….…………..50 Figure 3-10 Dam Failure Evacuation Map – Upper Log Campground…………………………….…………51 Figure 3-11 Dam Failure Evacuation Map – Lower Log Campground…………………………….…………52 Figure 3-12 Dam Failure Evacuation Map – Alchesay Hatchery Area………………………….……………53 Figure 3-13 Dam Failure Evacuation Map – Whiteriver Area……………………………………………….…..54

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1-1 Population of WMAT Communities……………………………………………………………………..….9 Table 1-2 Single Race & Combined Race Totals for Ft. Apache Reservation………………………....10

Table 2-1 White Mountain Apache Tribal Planning Team (TPT) Members…………………………..…15 Table 2-2 Tribal Planning Team (TPT) and Core Planning Committee (CPC) Meeting Summaries………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……19 Table 2-3 Participating Agencies/Organizations with WMAT Multi Hazard Mitigation Process……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21 Table 2-4 Existing Plans and Study Documents for the WMAT…………………………………………..…..22 Table 3-1 Summary of Natural & Human-Caused Hazard Threats to Arizona Communities…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….29 Table 3-2 Natural and Human-Caused Hazard Threats to White Mountain Apache Reservation Communities…………………………………………………………………………..…………..30 Table 3-3 Summary of Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI) Categories and Risk Levels……..…..31 Table 3-4 Summary of CPRI Values for WMAT Hazards……………………………………………………..….…32 Table 3-5 Wild/Forest Fire Events for WMAT………………………………………………………………………..…35 Table 3-6 Flooding Events in WMAT…………………………………………………………………………………………38 Table 3-7 Winter Storm Events in WMAT……………………………………………………………………………..…45 Table 3-8 Summary of Critical and Non-Critical Facilities in White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation……………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..57 Table 4-1 Summary of Legal and Regulatory Capabilities for WMAT……………………………………..…65 Table 4-2 Summary of Technical Staff and Personnel Capabilities for the WMAT…………………….66 Table 4-3 Summary of Fiscal Capabilities for the WMAT……………………………………………………….…66 Table 4-4 Summary of Departments with Pre or Post-Disaster Hazard Management Responsibilities for WMAT…………………………………………………………………………………………67 Table 4-5 Summary of White Mountain Apache Tribe Mitigation Actions/Projects and Their Priority Ranking…………………………………………………………………………………………………………72 Table 4-6 Summary of WMAT Mitigation Actions/Projects Implementation Strategies…………..74

iii

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………..…………82

Appendix B WMAT Facility Projects Underway or Awaiting Funding …………………………………..84

Appendix C Tribal Chairman’s Memo to WMAT Departments Re: Multi-Hazard

Mitigation Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………….…86

Appendix D Tribal Commitment…………………………………………………………………………………………..87

Appendix E Meeting Sign-in Sheets…………………………………………………………………………………….88

Appendix F Radio, Newspaper Announcements Re: WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan….99

Appendix G Hazard Definitions for All Identified WMAT Hazards ……………………………………….103

Appendix H Mitigation Success Story on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation…………………….108

Appendix I Annual Review Report on WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan ……………………..109

Appendix J Correspondence Received on WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan……………..…110

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 General Plan Information

1.1.1 Plan Purpose and Authority

This Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is for the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in east central Arizona (see Figures 1-1 and 1-6). The Fort Apache Indian Reservation is located in portions of three Arizona counties: Apache, Gila and Navajo. This plan includes all areas within the boundaries of the White Mountain Apache Indian reservation. The communities within the reservation are listed in Table 3-8.

The purpose for developing this plan is to comply with Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act or the Act), 42 U.S. C. 5165, enacted under Sec. 104 the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, (DMA2K) Public Law 106-390 of October 30, 2000. In addition to DMA2K compliance, the plan is developed to establish a comprehensive disaster hazard mitigation program to reduce the potential for loss of life and property, human suffering, economic disruption, and disaster assistance costs resulting from nature and human- caused disasters occurring on the reservation.

The State of Arizona Revised Statutes expressly prohibits the State of Arizona from acting as grantee for tribes wishing to be sub-grantees regarding FEMA Public Assistance (categories C-G) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. This limitation requires Arizona tribes to apply directly to FEMA as grantees, which require the tribes to have their own multi-hazard mitigation plans.

The White Mountain Apache Tribal Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan is the representation of the Indian tribal government's commitment to reduce risks from natural hazards and serves as a guide for decision makers as they commit resources to reducing the effects of natural hazards.

Requirement: §201.7: Tribal Mitigation Plans Indian tribal governments applying to FEMA as a grantee must have an approved Tribal Mitigation Plan meeting the requirements of this section as a condition of receiving non- emergency Stafford Act assistance and FEMA mitigation grants. Emergency assistance provided under 42 U.S.C. 5170a, 5170b, 5173, 5174, 5177, 5179, 5180, 5182, 5183, 5184, 5192 will not be affected. Mitigation planning grants provided through the PDM program, authorized under section 203 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5133, will also continue to be available.

Tribal officials and public servants recognize that natural and human-caused hazards pose a significant threat at varying degrees of magnitude and frequency to the safety and economic stability of the Tribe and its residents. Often, the potential reality of hazards within the tribal boundaries is not fully understood or realized until a major disaster occurs, and then significant resources are required to respond and recover from the damages. Tribal officials also understood that this practice can result in increased costs, both in terms of financial and human losses. Accordingly, the White Mountain Apache Tribe has prepared the White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan with a desire to become more aware of the Tribe’s

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

vulnerability to natural and human-caused hazards and to develop mitigation strategies that reduce the risks associated with those hazards.

It is important to note that although this plan is meant to be a multi-hazard plan addressing natural and human-caused disasters, its primary function is to address mitigation for natural hazards and other environmentally related, human-caused events or incidents recognizing that human involvement can often be attributed to many of the natural hazards addressed in this plan.

1.1.2 History of Plan

In March of 2010, the WMAT assembled a Core Planning Committee (CPC) comprised of an interdisciplinary team of tribal members and employees to perform the coordination, research, and planning activities in development of a multi-hazard mitigation plan for the Tribe. Some of the CPC members initially participated in a Tribal Planning Team (TPT) with representatives from most of the tribal departments, communities and local facilities. The purpose of the TPT was primarily to provide a holistic and united approach to multi-hazard mitigation planning for all of the communities within the Reservation, to share data and resources for identifying and profiling hazards, and to brainstorm and coordinate the development of mitigation actions/projects. The CPC met on a regular basis to work through the various elements of the planning process, exchange data and ideas, and provide information for the plan development. Documentation of the CPC meetings and agendas are further discussed later in this section. Table 2-1 lists the individuals that participated at varying levels on the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Emergency Management Coordinator for the Tribe was the lead person for assembling the TPT and CPC and developing the plan.

1.1.3 Plan Elements

This plan is generally arranged and prepared using the Tribal Planning Guide from FEMA Region IX with modifications as necessary to adjust the plan format to satisfy Tribal level planning requirements mandated by theDMA2K. Compliance with these requirements will maintain WMAT’s eligibility to apply directly to FEMA for certain federal public assistance and hazard mitigation funds. Citations of the latest DMA2K rules pertaining to tribal planning are provided as appropriate in each section. The plan is divided into five primary sections as follows:

Section 1 – Introduction Section 2 – Planning Process Documentation Section 3 – Risk Assessment Section 4 – Mitigation Strategy Section 5 – Plan Maintenance Procedures

Where appropriate, detailed information is documented or provided in appendices. There is also certain information pertaining to the Risk Assessment that is deemed “sensitive” by the Tribe. That data is a part of this plan by reference, but is documented in a separate technical binder which will remain at Tribal offices in the possession of the primary point of contact and will not be submitted for FEMA review. General summaries of those specific data are provided herein instead.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Assistance in developing the plan was provided by FEMA and Disaster Assistance Employees (DAE’s) through post disaster funding assistance.

1.2 Tribal Assurances §201.7(c) (6). Assurances. The plan must include assurances that the Indian tribal government will comply with all applicable Federal statutes and regulations in effect with respect to the periods for which it receives grant funding, in compliance with §13.11(c) of this chapter. The Indian tribal government will amend its plan whenever necessary to reflect changes in tribal or Federal laws and statutes as required in §13.11(d) of this chapter.

The Tribe will comply with all applicable Federal statutes and regulations in effect for those periods when the Tribe receives grant funding per the DMA2K requirement §201.7(c)(6). The Tribe will amend its’ Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan whenever necessary to reflect changes in Tribal or Federal laws and statutes and as needed after a disaster event.

1.3 Community Description

The Fort Apache Indian Reservation is located in east central Arizona in portions of Navajo, Apache and Gila Counties. It measures 75 miles long and 45 miles wide, comprising more than 1.6 million acres, 25 fishing lakes, and 420 miles of rivers and streams. Topographic features include Mt. Baldy (11,400 ft. elevation) in the north evergreen-forested mountains and Salt River Canyon (elevation 2,600 ft) bisecting Fort Apache and the San Carlos Apache Reservation in the South.

Roughly 80% of the White Mountain Apache Tribe population resides in and around the community of Whiteriver (5,280 ft. elevation) in the east-central portion of the Reservation. Other communities, from west to east, include Cibecue, Carrizo, Cedar Creek, Forestdale, Hon-Dah, McNary, East Fork, and Seven Mile. Seasonal residences at Hawley Lake and Sunrise house Tribal employees employed by recreational enterprises at those locations. The Reservation economy is directly linked to the economic activity in surrounding communities.

Whiteriver, the major population center of the reservation, is the capital of the reservation. At an elevation of 5,280 feet, Whiteriver enjoys a moderate four-season climate. The nearest off-reservation towns are Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low to the north.

The Apache people trace their family relations through a clan system. Originally, there were 62 clans. Some of these have become extinct. Today, there are 27 active clans. They make up four large groups of clans; the Butterfly, Roadrunner, Eagle and Bear groups. People belong to their Mother’s clan. It is forbidden for people belonging to the same clan to marry. Clan membership brings responsibilities to others but also support. A person’s identity is more meaningful when you belong to a clan. The clan identity is more important than ever, because inter-marriage with other tribes and races can make it difficult Figure 1-1: White Mountain to know who you are. Knowing your clan and having respect Apache Reservation location for one another is important.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

1.3.1 Tribal Sovereignty

The White Mountain Indian Reservation was established by Executive Order on November 9, 1871. Through subsequent Executive Orders and Acts of Congress, it was separated from the San Carlos Indian Reservation and became known as the Fort Apache Indian Reservation by Act of June 7, 1897 (30 Stat. 62, 64).

1.3.2 Geography

The Fort Apache Indian Reservation is located in east-central Arizona (Fig. 1-1), 194 miles northeast of Phoenix, and is approximately 75 miles long and 45 miles wide and encompasses more than 1.6 million acres in Navajo, Apache and Gila counties.

The reservation covers an amazing diverse terrain ranging from Sonoran Desert (2,600 feet in the Salt River Canyon) to alpine spruce forest in the highest mountains (over 11,400 feet at the top of Mount Baldy). The east side of the reservation is characterized by high elevation forests underlain by volcanic geology, while the west half is cut by many deep canyons dissecting Mesozoic sedimentary rocks covered by woodlands, grasslands, and some pine and mixed-conifer forests.

1.3.3 Climate

The reservation’s climate is equally diverse. Temperatures at Whiteriver (5000 to 5500 ft.), where most of the tribal population resides are moderate during most of year (highs rarely exceeding 85ºF in summer), with occasional snowfall, and about 18 inches of precipitation in an average year. Above 7000 ft., the climate is considerably wetter and cooler. Average precipitation along the Mogollon Rim (northern boundary of the reservation) exceeds 25 inches per year, and approaches 35 inches or more in the highest elevations. Snowpack generally develops in December and remains until late March or early April in the highest mountains on the east side of the Reservation. The White Mountains have long been a place where city and valley dwellers from Phoenix and Tucson travel to get away from the summer heat of the cities and enjoy the cool natural beauty of the mountains and pine forests. In the winters, the White Mountains provide Arizonans with snow-based recreation found in few other places in the state. Recent discussions with city officials, business owners and the chambers of commerce in the area revealed that residents consider the climate to be the White Mountain’s largest draw for visitors to the region.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 1-2: WMAT Transportation Routes

Source: WMAT Tribal Forestry- 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 1-3: Map of Vegetation for WMAT

Source: BIA Forest Management Plan - 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 1-4: Forest Strata in the WMAT

Source: BIA Forest Management Plan - 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 1-5: Map of Precipitation:

Source: https://www.maps.com - 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

1.3.4 Demographics

1.3.4.1 Population Trends

Data for Fort Apache Indian Reservation from the 1990 census suggests that on April 1, 1990, there were 10,394 people living on the reservation as opposed to the figure of 12,429 people in 2000. This represents an increase of 2,035 people, or 20 percent.

The primary population center is Whiteriver, the capital of the reservation. Most of the existing residential development is either in smaller communities or scattered home sites.

The following population was based on a count of homes in each of the WMAT communities.

Table1-1: Population of WMAT Communities Community: # of Homes: Projected Population*: Whiteriver 1,456 6,115 East Fork 229 962 Canyon Day 389 1,638 Cibecue 453 1,903 Fort Apache 41 172 Seven Mile 332 1,394 Cedar Creek 137 575 Carrizo 39 163 Hon Dah/McNary 215 903 Forestdale 5 21 Sunrise 6 25 North Fork 318 1,336

TOTALS 3,620 15,207 *Based on 4.2 people per home. Source: WMAT Planning Dept. 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 1-6: White Mountain Apache Reservation Communities

Source: BIA GIS Department - 2010

1.3.4.2 Racial Identity The table below shows the two ways of classifying race for the population on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (see Table 2-1).

Table 1-2: Single Race and Combined Race Totals for the Fort Apache Reservation

Race Total – Race Alone Total – Race Alone or in Combination with Others White 490 622 Black or African American (Black AA) 23 43 American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) 11,702 11,854 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) 1 4 Asian 7 12 Some Other Race 40 64 Two or More Races 166 N/A Total 12,429 12,601 Source: Census 2000 Summary Tape File 1 http://factfinder.census.gov

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

1.3.5 Development History

On November 9, 1891, by Executive Order, the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation was established. It originally included the San Carlos Apache Reservation but was separated by an act of Congress in 1897 and is now known as the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

The White Mountain Apaches are the direct descendants of the original tribes that lived in this area. The people were once nomadic; however, they now occupy permanent dwellings and depend on livestock, agriculture, tourism and various tribal enterprises for their livelihood. The White Mountain Apache Tribe is among the top ten of U.S. tribal nations in total land area (about 1.7 million acres) and population demographics (over 15,000). Larger than the American states of Delaware and Rhode Island, the tribal land area is comprised of over 15 communities located on the 75- mile long by 45-mile wide reservation.

The central tribal government is comprised of an 11 member elected tribal council consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and 9 tribal council members.

Economic Activity on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation Current economic activity on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation is dominated by tourism and recreational activities, as is the rest of the White Mountain region. Agriculture and forestry activities also feature into the reservation economy. Listed below are some of the tribal enterprises.

Hon-Dah Resort and Casino Hon-Dah Resort Casino is owned and operated by the tribe. The resort is located three miles outside the town of Pinetop, Arizona on the reservation. Hon-Dah includes a casino, a hotel, gift shop, and a convenience store with a gas station, an RV park, and a ski shop.

Sunrise Park Resort The predominant winter recreation activity occurring on the reservation is downhill skiing at Sunrise Ski Park. Sunrise Ski Park, Arizona’s largest ski resort is located in the northeast side of the reservation spanning three mountains. It has a base elevation of 9,300 feet and with a peak elevation of approximately 11,000 feet. It receives an average of 300 inches of snow per year and typically opens in late November to early December.

During the 2004/2005 season, 172,912 people skied at the park. The number of skiers visiting the facility fluctuates every year based on the snow level. At an average, approximately 135,291 skiers visited the park annually between 1997/1998 and 2003/2004 ski seasons. During 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 the snowfall was remarkably poor and the visitor numbers (70,000 and 51,069 respectively) reflect this.

Recreation A wide range of recreation opportunities are available on the reservation. The most popular activity is fishing. Other popular outdoor recreation activities include, (but are not limited to), camping, hunting and skiing.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Historical and cultural museum The Apache Cultural Center and Museum also generates tourism on the reservation. In recent years, approximately 15,000 visitors annually have visited the museum. People come from throughout the United States and Europe to visit the museum and gift shop. The European tourists are often Geronimo admirers, or people otherwise familiar with Apache history. The original museum was housed in the last remaining cavalry barrack which was built in 1890; however, this building was destroyed by fire in 1985. The new museum was built in 1997 and now houses both a permanent collection of artifacts as well as several exhibits depicting Apache culture and history. Prior to the development of the new building, the visitation averaged approximately 7,000 visitors per year during the period between 1986 and 1994. Plans are underway to continue the development of the Historic District by rehabilitating and restoring the original buildings which were constructed in the late 1800s.

Mountain Apache Enterprises White Mountain Apache Enterprises is responsible for operating Tribal businesses, many of which are linked to the recreation resources found on the reservation. Specifically, it operates a number of convenience stores on the reservation, including Apache Service Station, Canyon Day Store, Carrizo Food Store, Cedar Creek Food Store, Hawley Lake Store, McNary Food Store, North Fork Food Store, Reservation Lake Store, Seven Mile Food Store and Cibecue Commercial Center.

Community Development Corporation (CDC) The Community Development Corporation was created 29 years ago in 1980. It is chartered under the laws of the tribe as a non-profit charitable corporation. Originally, it was established to provide Hawley Lake and Hon-Dah home site lease holders a tax write-off by donating their cabins to a non-profit corporation when leases expired and to receive grants as a non-profit entity.

Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Division (WORD) An office that manages the Tribal Game and Fish Program that attracts nearly 200,000 hunters, fishermen, campers and hikers to the reservation each year. The tribe generates significant revenue from selling permits to hunters, fishermen, campers and hikers. Tribal lands are ranked as the number one elk hunting region in the world.

Fort Apache Timber Company (FATCO) A small tribal sawmill and planing mill, originally operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) had processed part of the timber harvested from the reservation until 1947 when a fire destroyed the sawmill portion. In 1961, the Fort Apache Timber Company (FATCO) was established and began construction of a sawmill in Whiteriver which began operating in early 1963. Today FATCO processes virtually the entire harvest of the reservation and is among the largest employers on the reservation with work for around two hundred and fifty Tribal members. The annual allowable cut for the mill is around 40 mmbf of mostly small (~12 inch) ponderosa pine. Unfortunately, in 2002, the Rodeo-Chediski fire burned over 280,000 acres on the western portion of the reservation, leaving just 495,000 acres of commercial forest land in the east management unit of the reservation. The west unit, where the burn took place, has been withdrawn from regulated timber production for the foreseeable future as a result of the fire.

The timber industry remains a source of employment on the reservation. The tribe’s sawmill continues to harvest saw logs in accordance with the annual allowable cut. Once the tribe retools its sawmill to harvest and process smaller trees which have become dominant on its forest lands, future prospects for

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

timber harvesting and forest products will be improved substantially while concurrently improving the tribe’s forest stands. The tribe is exploring the feasibility of developing other wood products that utilize pulp as well as developing a hybrid poplar plantation to supplement the reservation’s annual allowable cut as discussed in this report.

Fish hatchery and recreation The creation of reservoirs on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation has allowed the Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery (A-WC) access to additional water resources. The A-WC consists of two hatcheries. The Williams Creek Hatchery obtains water from springs and the headwaters of Williams Creek and the Alchesay Hatchery is located on the North Fork of the Whiteriver. The A-WC produces five types of trout and these trout are used to stock the reservation and other tribal lands in the surrounding area with trout. The A-WC hatchery is also the only hatchery in the world to have a brood stock of Apache trout, a threatened species of trout indigenous to the White Mountains. The species is cooperatively managed by the state and the tribe. The Williams Creek portion of the hatchery was built with funds by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the mid-1930s. The second portion of the fish hatchery is the Alchesay Fish Hatchery, which was established in 1959. The two units work in cooperation with the tribe and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The hatchery supplies trout to tribal lands in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Over 60 percent of the fish produced by the hatchery are stocked on reservation lands with an additional 12 percent stocked within the state on other reservations.

1.3.6 Future Development Requirement §201.7(c) (2) (ii) (C): [The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of:] (C) A general description of land uses and development trends within the tribal planning area so that mitigation options can be considered in future land use decisions;

Over the past ten years, the Housing Authority has built over 400 homes throughout the reservation. The communities that have shown the most growth are Hon Dah and McNary. There are another 100 homes planned for Hon Dah and 50 homes are planned for Fort Apache just south of Whiteriver. Cibecue is losing population since there are few jobs in the community. There has been very little commercial development on the reservation since FATCO has shed 300 jobs and is in danger of shutting down altogether.

WMAT has just completed the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and will submit it to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) in May of 2010.

Efforts are underway to rehabilitate and upgrade sewer and water systems in the reservation. This includes rehabilitating and upgrading the Whiteriver Sewer Wastewater Treatment Facility, building a surface water treatment plant, replacing well pumps, connecting new Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homes to sewer and water lines, replacing Cedar Creek’s water storage tank, drill wells and fixing water leaks in homes. Appendix B lists the projects underway or planned for the future.

Indian Health Services (IHS) works closely with the Tribal Council, Tribal Public Works, HUD, as well as the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in addressing current housing, water and sewer problems in the reservation and generating future development projects.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

SECTION 2: PLANNING PROCESS DOCUMENTATION Requirement §201.7(c) (1): […the plan must include the following elements:] (1) Documentation of the planning process used to develop the plan, including how it was prepared, who was involved in the process, and how the public was involved.

DMA2K has placed a high degree of emphasis on the planning process in the development of multi- hazard mitigation plans. The purpose of Section 2 is to describe and document the planning process including selection of the planning team and primary points of contact, listing the promulgation authorities, public involvement strategies, successes, and challenges, and general timeframes of planning events and milestones.

2.1 Points of Contact

The primary and secondary Points of Contact for the White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan are summarized as follows:

Primary Point of Contact: Secondary Point of Contact: Vaneysa Johnson Matthew Nozie Emergency Management Coordinator Safety Officer Safety Department Safety Department White Mountain Apache Tribe White Mountain Apache Tribe 202 E. Walnut Street 202 E. Walnut Street P.O. Box 700 P. O. Box 700 Whiteriver, AZ 85941 Whiteriver, AZ 85941 Office Phone: 928- 338-2525 Office Phone: 928-205-3312 Fax: 928-338-5260 Fax: 928-338-5260 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

2.2 Promulgation Authority Information

The authorities responsible for promulgation of the WMATMHMP include:

Ronnie Lupe Tribal Chairman Timothy Hinton, Sr. Vice-Chairman

Arnold Beach, Sr. District I Council Members Gregg Henry

Clinton Kessay, Jr. District II Council Members Rubert Lupe

Alvin DeClay, Sr. District III Council Members Kino Torino

Cline Griggs District IV Council Members Reno Johnson, Sr. Justin Williams

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

2.3 Planning Team Participation and Activities

2.3.1 Planning Team Assembly A planning team was assembled comprised of members from many departments on the reservation. Representatives from reservation communities, local businesses, schools and non-profits were also invited to, and did, participate. The larger group, the Tribal Planning Team (TPT) was comprised of most of the tribal departments and local businesses, communities and schools. It was decided that a smaller sub-group would be formed to meet almost daily, with the TPT on standby to be ready to meet and provide information on a moment’s notice (due to the short timeline). The smaller group was called the Core Planning Committee (CPC). The members of both committees and their role in plan development are listed in Table 2-1.

Table 2-1: White Mountain Apache Tribal Planning Team (TPT) members Name Agency/Organization/Company Title Planning Team Role Vaneysa Johnson WMAT Emergency Management Emergency Management Coordinator • Member of the CPC and TPT • Performed coordination and organization of CPC & TPT meetings and facilities • Assisted with hazard and future development data acquisition and development. • Provided information on project closeouts • Participated in all TPT meetings and all Core Planning Team meetings Department representation Terry Hill WMAT Environmental Protection Environmental Specialist •Member CPC and TPT Officer •Department Representation •Participated in most of the Meetings Matt Nozie WMAT Emergency Management Safety Officer •Assistant Emergency Manager with correlated Duties •Member of CPC and TPT •Participated in most of the Meetings Fred Soto WMAT Legal Department Assistant Attorney •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Dallas Massey Sr. WMAT Housing Authority Director •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Jay Charnholm WMAT Utility Authority Manager of Development •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Shannon Tsosie WMAT Public Health Emergency Coordinator •Department Representation Preparedness •Participated in most meetings Jim Palmer WMAT Legal Department Deputy Attorney •Department Representation

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Name Agency/Organization/Company Title Planning Team Role •Participated in most meetings Gerald Tenijieth WUSD #20 Maintenance Transportation Director •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Sheldon Joe WUSD #20 Maintenance Yard Supervisor •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Jacqueline Lee WMAT Community Health CHR Director •Member of CPC and TPT Representative •Department of Representation •Participated in most of the meetings Richard Di WMAT Land Operations Land Operation Program •Department Representation Valentino Manager •Member CPC and TPT •Participated in most meetings Brent Kurth Hon Dah Casino General Manager •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Kevin Hansen Hon Dah Casino Assistant General •Department Representation Manager •Participated in most meetings Emerson Craig Hon Dah Casino Facilities Maintenance •Member TPT Manager •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Manuelita Canty WMAT Wildlife & Outdoor Permit Clerk Director •Department Representation (John Caid) Recreation Division (Game and •Participated in most meetings Fish) Paul Kuehl WMAT Fire and Rescue Fire Chief •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Brenda Begay WMAT Director •Member of CPC and TPT Environmental Protection Office •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings JoAnn Sedillo WMAT Watershed Program Watershed Manager •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Debra Sanchez WMAT EMS Director •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Raymond WMAT Police Department Assistant Chief Police •Member of CPC and TPT Burnette •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Name Agency/Organization/Company Title Planning Team Role Katie Nozie WMAT Community Development Director •Member of TPT Corporation •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Daniel Sedillo Fort Apache Timber Company FATCO Plant Manager •Member of TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Wayne Cole WMA Fire & Rescue CBQ Deputy Fire Chief •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Fred Delgado WMAT Risk Management Risk Manager •Department Representation Cheryl Pailzote WMAT Hydrology Water Resources Supervisory Hydrologist •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Alfred Brooks WMAT Public Works Public Works Director •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Amy Bush Emergency Management secretary EM Secretary •Participated in most meetings Member of CPC and TPT Felecia Ruiz WMAT Planning Department Planner •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Gerd von Glinski WMAT Hydrology Hydrologist •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Candy Lupe BIA Fire Management Fire Prevention Specialist •Member TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Ida Rose Cosay Tribal Forestry/GIS GIS Technician •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Byron McNeil WMAT Planning Department Director •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Frank Robinson WR Hospital Safety Officer •Department Representation Preoo Johnson CHR Office Manager •Member of CPC and TPT Richard Palmer WMAT Transportation Director •Member of CPC and TPT •Department Representation

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Name Agency/Organization/Company Title Planning Team Role •Participated in most meetings Joan Tweedale FEMA FEMA Community Planner •Member of CPC and TPT •MHMP assistance •Participated in all meetings Maggie Tenorio FEMA FEMA Community Planner •Member of CPC and TPT •MHMP assistance •Participated in all meetings Matt Rustin Tribal Game and Fish Fisheries Technician •Department Representation •Participated in most meetings Kino Torino WMAT Tribal Council District III, Council Member •Participated in some meetings Clinton Kessay, Jr. WMAT Tribal Council District II, Council Member •Participated in some meetings Jerome Kessay, III WMAT Tribal Council Vice Chairman Representative •Participated in some meetings Gregg Henry WMAT Tribal Council District I, Council Member •Participated in some meetings Cline Gregg WMAT Tribal Council District IV, Council Member •Participated in some meetings Arnold Beach, Sr. WMAT Tribal Council District II, Council Member •Participated in some meetings Arnold Danford, Ft. Apache Timber Company FATCO employee •Participated in many meetings Jr. (FATCO) Department Representation Udell Opah KNNB Station Manager •Participated in some meetings Waylon Truax WMAT Land Operations Safety of Dams Engineer Department Representation •Participated in some meetings Mark Altaha WMAT Tribal Historic Preservation Director •Participated in many meetings Office Reynaldo Dazen Cedar Creek Community Representative Community Representation •Participated in some meetings

Source: WMAT Emergency Services

2.3.2 Tribal Planning Team Activities

The Tribal Planning Team (TPT) first met on Monday, March 29, 2010 to discuss the hazard mitigation plan process. The smaller CPC group met on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of that week to expedite the plan development. The CPC and/or the TPT continued to meet almost daily for the remainder of the plan development process. The Tribal Chairman had requested the Emergency Manager to complete the plan in two weeks. Appendix C shows a memo, dated March 29, 2010 from Tribal Chairman to Tribal Department Managers and Directors. Furthermore, the Federal Coordinating Officer gave a directive to have the Tribal Mitigation Plans completed by May 7.This was discussed and noted and the

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

development of the plan would be expedited as quickly as possible. A summary of the meetings can be found in Table 2-2. Sign-in sheets of meeting participants for each of the meetings can be found in Appendix E.

Both the TPT and CPC were responsible for identifying hazards impacting the WMAT and developing goals and objectives to mitigate the effects of these hazards. They also developed the mitigation actions and projects to directly address the goals and objectives.

Table 2-2: Tribal Planning Team (TPT) and Core Planning Committee (CPC) Meeting Summaries

Meeting Agenda Items: Meeting Summary: Date: March 30, • Introduction of Members • Members introduced themselves and their departments. 2010 • Discussion of FEMA role in plan development • EM explained that it is important that the WMAT complete the HM plan • EM information on past hazard mitigation quickly so that grant funds can be requested. planning • EM said meetings would be held daily and people were directed to attend by TPT • EM requests information from departments the Tribal Chairman as the timeline was very short. meeting and explains the importance of the HM plan and grant funding March 31, • EM introduced new members • FEMA discussed plan sections and examples of HM plans 2010 • Plan timeline • EM explained timeline – Tribal Chairman has given her 2 weeks to complete • HM Plan Overview the plan. • Discussion of relevant plans • Members voiced questions and concerns, specifically how sacred sites would TPT be treated in the plan. meeting • Members were asked to send department summaries and information to EM by next meeting. • Smaller group (Core Planning Committee) would assemble for daily meetings from the larger group. April 1, • Introduce new members • Members discussed plans from their departments that are relevant to the 2010 • Discuss new information from members plan. regarding their programs and plans • Program integration and how the information from the departments will be • Discuss program integration. used in plan. CPC • Public involvement – survey to community • A survey to communities was discussed. Representatives from each meeting officials (i.e. Community Presidents, schools, community should be present. clinics, hospitals) • Assignment: begin Risk Assessment at next meeting (think about local hazards • Next meeting assignment– begin Risk your community has experienced, historical data on hazards - damage costs, Assessment discussion. buildings damaged, critical facilities in the community and their replacement costs, etc.)

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Meeting Agenda Items: Meeting Summary: Date: April 5, • Risk Assessment – identify tribal land hazards • Reviewed Arizona state list of natural and human-caused hazards. 2010 and assess risk. • Identified natural and human-caused hazards that affect the WMA • Assignment for next meeting: work on risk Reservation. CPC assessment rating and Identify critical • Discussed rating system for ranking hazards for tomorrow’s meeting. meeting facilities in communities and tribal lands April 6, • Risk Assessment – rate hazards and rank • Went through the Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI) with members. 2010 overall risk. Identified the probability, magnitude/severity of the hazard, warning time and • Assignment for next meeting: Identify critical duration. TPT facilities document historic hazard events. • Inputted numbers into CPRI and came up with hazard rankings. meeting • Discussed information needed for critical facilities, historic hazard events, etc. April 12, • Reviewed prioritized hazards and rank. • Ranked hazards and chose 4 natural hazards and 2 human-caused hazards. 2010 • Review sample Goals & Objectives and begin • Began developing Goals and Objectives for top hazards. TPT to develop for top hazards. meeting • Assignment: Identify critical/non-critical facilities. Identify historic hazard events. April 13, • Develop Goals & Objectives for priority • Continued developing goals and objectives for priority hazards. 2010 hazards. TPT • Assignment: identify critical/non-critical meeting facilities. Historic Hazard Events. April 14, • Review Goals and Objectives. • Reviewed Goals & Objectives. 2010 • Identify mitigation actions and projects. • Began to identify mitigation actions and projects. TPT • Identify critical/non-critical facilities. meeting Aril 15, • Continue to identify mitigation actions and • Continued identifying mitigation actions and projects. 2010 projects TPT • Identify critical/non-critical facilities. meeting April 19, • Refine Goals & Objective • Reviewed refined goals and objectives with the committee for approval. 2010 • Prioritize Mitigation Actions & Projects • Committee prioritized and ranked actions/projects and assigned lead agency, TPT • Assign lead agency, funding source & timeline funding source and timelines. meeting to actions/projects May 3, • Review Draft Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan • Reviewed Draft Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan with the committee for changes, 2010 additions, consensus and approval. Source: WMAT Emergency Management

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

2.4 Agency Coordination Requirement §201.7(b)): The mitigation planning process should include coordination with other tribal agencies, appropriate Federal agencies, adjacent jurisdictions, interested groups,

The WMAT current planning efforts have involved the tribe with many different entities including state and federal agencies, and private organizations. Table 2-3 summarizes the non-tribal agencies or entities that participated at various levels in the process of developing the White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Table 2-3: Participating Agencies/Organizations with WMATMHMP Process Participating Agency, Department or other Entity Role Served in Planning Process Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Provided information and maps for mitigation plan, attended numerous meetings Unified School District Participated in meetings BIA Wild land Fire Projects Participated in meetings BIA Roads Participated in meetings Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Provided information for plan Indian Health Service (IHS) Provided program and on-going project information Source: WMAT Emergency Management

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

2.5 Program Integration Requirement §201.7(b)): ….The mitigation planning process should… be integrated to the extent possible with other ongoing Tribal planning efforts as well as other FEMA mitigation programs and initiatives

The integration of the WMAT Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan with other tribal planning programs is an important part of the overall planning process and future success. Tables 2-4 lists current tribal planning efforts that are either related to, referenced in, and/or are parallel to the WMAT Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan. The intention of the WMAT is to integrate the WMAT Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan into any updates of the plans listed in Table 2-4, as appropriate, and to ensure correlation of common planning elements between each of the plans listed and the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The WMAT will also describe ongoing efforts where mitigation actions have been integrated into the planning mechanisms such as the Emergency Operations Plan, Wildland Fire Management Plan, Emergency Action Plan Safety of Dams Plan, and Twenty Year Transportation Plan. Members of the Tribal Plan and Project Review (TPPR) will also ensure that plans and projects being reviewed incorporate mitigation measures. The WMAT will also reference the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan when developing new plans to associate and compliment the Tribe’s overall mitigation goals.

Table 2-4: Existing Plans and Study Documents for the WMAT Plan/Study: Description: Integration Characteristics Plan/Study Author Date Completed Plan/Study or Implemented Owner Emergency Operations Assist the WMAT to protect people EOP serves as a reference for Vaneysa Johnson 2008 WMAT Plan and property in an emergency. any emergency on the WMAT Matthew Nozie to assist in planning, evacuation, etc. White Mountain Plan between WMAT & NPS for the Historic buildings and cultural Apache Tribal Historic protection and preservation of sites are identified and Preservation Office Plan historic buildings and cultural sites measures to mitigate damages (THPO Plan) important to local and national are considered. history and culture. Wild land fire The WFMP is a strategic plan that The WFMP serves as a basis WMAT Forestry Dept. WMAT Management Plan defines a program to manage wild and reference for much of the BIA-Branch of Natural land and prescribed fires, and wildfire mitigation elements in Resources documents the Fire Management the WMATMHMP. Program in the Forest Management Plan. Safety of Dams The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is The EAP also makes sure that Bureau of designed to help ensure that local authorities will be Reclamation, Bureau responsible Bureau of Indian Affairs provided with advance notice of Indian Affairs and (BIA) Ft. Apache Agency and WMAT to prepare for possible White Mountain

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Plan/Study: Description: Integration Characteristics Plan/Study Author Date Completed Plan/Study or Implemented Owner officials will provide timely advance evacuation of the public from Apache Tribe notifications to local authorities of affected areas. developing conditions. Public Health The program was created to address The plan addresses a Shannon Tsosie 2003 WMAT Emergency issues on the WMAT in order to plan coordinated response with Preparedness Plan and respond to Public Health multiple jurisdictions such as Emergencies. county, state, tribal and federal partners. Safety plan for WMAT Safety Precautions in work area To prevent injury. Al Brooks WMAT Public Works Dept. & Mine Safety and Health Administration Forest Management The plan covers the general The document consists of a BIA-Ft. Apache Agency 2005 WMAT Plan management goals and objectives board range of issues and BIA-Fort Apache and provides an overall forest impacts associated with forest Agency on the management strategy. management activities. Reservation 20 year Transportation Planning of the transportation Request for funds will be Transportation WMAT Plan network on the Reservation. initiated and project work Coordinator & outsourced. Committee Whiteriver Airport Plan Tribal Engineering is in the planning N/A Tribal Engineering N/A WMAT phase. Transportation Coordinator & Committee Cibecue Airport Plan Tribal Engineering is in the planning N/A Tribal Engineering N/A WMAT phase. Transportation Coordinator & Committee Tribal Transit Authority Planning of Transit is being After completion of plans, Tribal Engineering N/A WMAT Plan considered by transportation funding research will be Transportation committee conducted and project work Coordinator & outsourced. Committee Wetlands Conservation This plan provides protections for 1997 WMAT Plan maintaining and restoring the quantity, quality and biological diversity of wetlands.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Plan/Study: Description: Integration Characteristics Plan/Study Author Date Completed Plan/Study or Implemented Owner Watershed Restoration 2005 WMAT Strategic Plan Groundwater and This plan established a Tribal Tribal pesticide use permit WMAT & Hydrology 2001 WMAT Pesticides Management Pesticide Use Permit system. The system is utilized when Plan plan provides protections for soil requested. and water resources from contamination by limiting use. Water Resources This plan guides the Tribe’s program The tribe’s water quality is WMAT 2002 WMAT Monitoring Quality for assessing the quality of the water monitored by the tribal EPA Hydrology Assurance Plan on the Reservation program. Fuels Management Plan This plan directs policy for Plan is implemented, if BIA/ Tribal Forestry 1998 WMAT management and treatment of situation warrants treatment. activity and natural fuels on the Reservation and has been incorporated into both the Forest and Fire Management plans. Culture Heritage This document enforces established BMP described are applied to Culture Center 2004 WMAT Resource Best protocols for the identification, potential impacts. Management Plan protection and mitigation of potential impacts to cultural resources. Range Management These plans for each of the Livestock WMAT Plan Associations (10) were developed to regulate and direct stocking rates, rotation and management practices. Tribal Plan & Project TPPR was established by the WMAT Reviews development plans for WMAT Review historical, cultural, environmental and other considerations. Public Works Dept. Public works includes water, Public Works makes sure wastewater, roads, solid waste and utilities and roads are in shape is responsible f or maintaining all to withstand disaster events. tribal building: residential and commercial Fire Departments Respond to fire and emergency Updating f ire and building Fire Chief 2006 WMAT

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Plan/Study: Description: Integration Characteristics Plan/Study Author Date Completed Plan/Study or Implemented Owner events. codes to mitigate damage from International winter storms, wildfires and Codes flood events. Geological Survey This document grants the survey 1998 WMAT Intergovernmental access to parts of the Reservation to Agreement maintain stream gauging stations and to monitor flood peaks and stream flow information. Best Management This document established specific 2000 WMAT Practices restrictions and guidelines for reducing hydrologic impacts of land management practices. Tribal Emergency The Emergency Operations Plan is The EOP is utilized during Matthew Nozie 2008 WMAT Response Team Plan the emergency response plan for the emergency incidents. Vaneysa Johnson WMAT. Cibecue Emergency Cibecue Emergency Action Plan is The Response plan integrates Cibecue School 1999 WMAT Action Plan the response plan for emergency with the Emergency Action Fire Department incidents. Plan. Tribal Hazardous This Plan establishes a tribal The Plan establishes a facility 2000 WMAT Substance Emergency program for improved hazardous notification requirement Plan chemicals management, an necessary for the development Emergency Response Commission and implementation of a Tribal and a Local Emergency Planning Emergency Response Plan. Committee. Tribal Solid Waste The purpose of this ordinance is to 1995 WMAT Permitting Program regulate the disposal of solid waste on the reservation. Water Quality This ordinance was developed to The ordinance includes Tribally 2000 WMAT Protection Ordinance “promote the health of tribal waters and Federally-enforceable and the people, plants and wildlife water quality standards. that depend on them through holistic management and sustainable use.” Natural Resources This code provides for development, 1998 WMAT Code maintenance, enhancement and

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Plan/Study: Description: Integration Characteristics Plan/Study Author Date Completed Plan/Study or Implemented Owner protection of the woodlands and forested lands of the Reservation. Land Restoration Code The tribe filed a claim against the 1997 WMAT and Fund United States and the Indian Claims Commission in 1951 for wrongful taking of its aboriginal lands and for the mismanagement of the Tribes forest, rangelands and finances. Source: WMAT Emergency Management

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

2.6 Public Involvement Requirement §201.7(c) (1) (I)): An opportunity for the public to comment on the plan during the drafting stage and prior to plan approval, including a description of how the Indian tribal government defined “public”.

Public involvement during the development of the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan included several different strategies. At the beginning of the planning process, the TPT defined “public” as follows:

Any tribal member that is not directly or indirectly involved in the multi-hazard mitigation planning process and plan development. (The “Public” also included community members who contributed information to the plan as most were not able to attend the regular meetings of the TPT or CPC.)

Participation at the public level was encouraged through general announcements published in the Fort Apache Scout, the official newspaper of the White Mountain Apache Tribe circulated in the reservation and outlying communities. The Emergency Manager and Safety Officer also participated in the local radio talk show to discuss hazard mitigation planning and the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Information was published in the Tribal newspaper, Apache Scout on April 23, 2010 informing the public that the draft plan could be reviewed at the Tribal Headquarters Office of Emergency Management. Review of the draft Mitigation Plan was also announced in the Tribe’s radio station, KNNB 88.1 in the Whiteriver area and 88.9 FM in Cibecue. Copies of those announcements and radio air time and dates are provided in Appendix F.

A second opportunity for public input was provided at the final draft stage of the plan via the regular Tribal Council meeting process. An announcement of the plan availability was made two weeks in advance of the promulgation by Tribal resolution. The announcement was made through the Tribal newspaper, Tribal radio station and posters placed in frequented public buildings in the reservation and surrounding communities.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

SECTION 3: RISK ASSESSMENT Requirement §201.7(c) (2): […the plan must include the following elements:] (2) Risk assessments that provide the factual basis for activities proposed in the strategy to reduce losses from identified hazards. Tribal risk assessments must provide sufficient information to enable the Indian tribal government to identify and prioritize appropriate mitigation actions to reduce losses from identified hazards.

One of the key elements to the hazard mitigation planning process is the risk assessment. In performing a risk assessment, the WMAT identified what hazards can occur, the magnitude or severity of the hazard, and how often the hazards are likely to occur. According to DMA2K, the primary components of a risk assessment that answer these questions are generally categorized into the following measures:

 Identify Hazards  Profile Hazard Events  Assess Vulnerability to Hazards

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

3.1 Hazard Identification Requirement §201.7(c) (2) (i): [The risk assessment shall include:] A description of the type, location, and extent of all natural hazards that can affect the tribal planning area. The plan shall include information on previous occurrences of hazard events and on the probability of future hazard events.

During the hazard identification process, the CPC was asked: “What hazards can occur on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation?” Hazards were identified for two main categories: Natural and Human- Caused Hazards.

Table 3-1 includes a listing of all hazards identified by the State of Arizona that can potentially threaten Arizona communities. Hazard Definitions for identified WMAT hazards can be found in Appendix G.

For this plan, the CPC will focus on the natural hazards and only include some of the human-caused hazards that were deemed most likely to occur, understanding that the primary purpose of the plan is to address natural hazards.

Many of the hazards identified as human-caused may pose a risk to the WMAT; however the focus of the CPC and tribal officials is natural hazards and those human-caused hazards which could pose a significant threat to the environment.

Table 3-1: Summary of Natural and Human-Caused Hazard threats to Arizona communities Natural Hazards Human-Caused Hazards • Avalanche • Arson • Drought • Biological Hazards • Dust/Sand Storms • Building/Structure Collapse • Earthquake • Civil Disobedience • Extreme Cold and Heat • Civil Disturbance • Flooding/Flash Flooding • Civil Unrest • Infestations • Dam Failure • Liquefaction • Enemy Attack • Landslides/Mudslides • Explosion/Fire • Monsoon • Extreme Air Pollution • Radon • Fuel/Resource Shortage • Subsidence • Hazardous Materials Incidents • Thunderstorm/High Winds • Hostage Situation • Tornadoes/Dust Devils • Hysteria (Mass) • Tropical Storms/Hurricane • Power/Utility Failure • Volcanoes • Radiological Accident • Wildfires • Sabotage • Winter Storms • Special Event • Strike

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

The following table includes all of the hazards identified by the Tribal Planning Team (TPT) that were determined to be relevant to the WMAT. These hazards were prioritized later in the plan (see Table 3.3) using the Calculated Risk Priority Index (CPRI) to identify the top hazards affecting the WMAT. The hazards shown in bold type were selected for mitigation and the rest were listed but not pursued further. (Additional hazards may be included in the required five-year plan update.)

Table 3-2: Natural and Human-Caused Hazard threats to White Mountain Apache Tribal Communities

Natural Hazards Human-Caused Hazards • Avalanche • Arson • Drought • Biological Hazards • Dust/Sand Storms • Building/Structure Collapse • Earthquake • Dam Failure • Extreme Cold and Heat • Explosion/Fire • Flooding/Flash Flooding • Extreme Air Pollution • Infestations • Fuel/Resource Shortage • Landslides/Mudslides • Hazardous Materials Incidents • Monsoon • Power/Utility Failure • Radon • Radiological Accident • Subsidence • Thunderstorm/High Winds • Tornadoes/Dust Devils • Tropical Storms/Hurricane • Volcanoes • Wildfires • Winter Storms

The CPC decided to remove the hazard of liquefaction from the list completely since this was not perceived to be a significant hazard to the tribe. Avalanche, drought, dust/sand storms/earthquake, infestations, landslides/mudslides, monsoon, radon, subsidence, tornadoes/dust devils, tropical storms/hurricane, and volcanoes were not included in the hazard mitigation plan since the committee wanted to concentrate their efforts on the top hazards affecting the WMAT. The CPC determined they did not pose a significant level of risk to warrant further work and mitigation planning at this time. All of the human-caused hazards except arson and dam failure were also eliminated in an effort to focus the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan on natural hazards per DMA2K. For the WMAT, the flooding/flash flooding and thunderstorm/high winds both result in flooding, and are, therefore, considered together as flooding. Likewise, extreme cold/heat was included in the winter storm category.

3.2 Hazard Profiles Hazard profiling answers the question: “How bad can it get?” Developing a hazard profile includes researching and mapping historic hazard events, obtaining other hazard mapping, analysis and studies, and for this plan, estimating the parameters used to establish the Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI) for each hazard considered. The Hazard Profile section includes the following information on hazards: Hazard Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI); Hazard Descriptions; and Historic Hazard Events. The section begins with the CPRI and then follows with each of the priority hazards descriptions and historic hazard events. In addition to the TPT rating, hazards based on local knowledge and the historic hazard events, were also taken into consideration to determine vulnerability and risk later in the plan.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

3.2.1 Hazard Calculated Priority Risk index (CPRI)

Many states, tribes, and counties have used the Calculated Risk Priority Index (CPRI). This is a tool used to assess hazards based on an indexing system that considers probability, magnitude/severity, warning time, and duration. The CPRI value is obtained by assigning varying degrees of risk to each of the four categories for each hazard, and then calculating a value based on a weighting scheme per Table 3-3. For this plan, the TPT re-evaluated the hazards summarized in Table 3-2 and developed CPRI values. The results of that re-evaluation are summarized in Table 3-4.

Table 3-3: Summary of Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI) categories and risk levels CPRI Degree of Risk Assigned Category Level ID Description Index Weighting Value Factor Unlikely Extremely rare with no documented history of occurrences or 1 events. • Annual probability of less than 0.001.

Possible • Rare occurrences with at least one documented or anecdotal 2 Probability historic event.

• Annual probability that is between 0.01 and 0.001. 45% Likely Occasional occurrences with at least two or more documented 3 historic events. • Annual probability that is between 0.1 and 0.01. Highly Likely Frequent events with a well documented history of occurrence. 4 • Annual probability that is greater than 0.1. Negligible property damages (less than 5% of critical 1 Negligible and non-critical facilities and infrastructure). • Injuries or illnesses are treatable with first aid and there are no deaths. Magnitude/ • Negligible quality of life lost. Severity • Shut down of critical facilities for less than 24 hours Limited • Slight property damages (greater than 5% and less than 2 25% of critical and non-critical facilities and infrastructure). • Injuries or illnesses do not result in permanent disability and there are no deaths. • Moderate quality of life lost. • Shut down of critical facilities for more than 1 day and 30% less than 1 week. Critical Moderate property damages (greater than 25% and less 3 than 50% of critical and non-critical facilities and infrastructure). • Injuries or illnesses result in permanent disability and at least one death. • Shut down of critical facilities for more than 1 week and less than 1 month. Catastrophic • Severe property damages (greater than 50% of critical 4 and non-critical facilities and infrastructure). • Injuries or illnesses result in permanent disability and multiple deaths. • Shut down of critical facilities for more than 1 month Less than 6 hours Self-explanatory 4 6 to 12 hours Self-explanatory 3 Warning 12 to 24 hours Self- explanatory 2 15% Time More than 24 hours Self- explanatory 1 Less than 6 hours Self-explanatory 1 Less than 24 hours Self-explanatory 2 Duration Less than one week Self- explanatory 3 10% More than one week Self- explanatory 4

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Table 3-4: Summary of CPRI Values for WMAT Hazards HAZARD PROBABILITY MAGNITUDE/SEVERITY WARNING TIME DURATION CPRI NATURAL Avalanche Highly Likely Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 2.8 Drought Highly Likely Critical More than 24 hours More than 1 week 3.25 Dust/Sand Storms Likely Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 2.35 Earthquake Possibly Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 1.9 Extreme Cold/Heat Highly Likely Critical 6-12 hours Less than 1 week 3.45 Flooding/Flash Flood Highly Likely Critical 6-12 hours More than 1 week 3.55 Infestations Likely Critical More than 24 hours More than 1 week 2.8 Landslides/Mudslides Highly Likely Limited Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 3.1 Monsoon Highly Likely Limited More than 24 hours More than 1 week 2.95 Radon Possibly Negligible More than 24 hours More than 1 week 1.75 Subsidence Possibly Negligible More than 24 hours More than 1 week 1.75 Thunderstorm/High Winds Highly Likely Critical Less than 6 hours Less than 24 hours 3.5 Tornadoes/Dust Devils High Likely Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 2.8 Tropical Storms/Hurricanes Possibly Negligible 6-12 hours Less than 24 hours 1.85 Volcanoes Unlikely Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 1.45 Wildfires Highly Likely Catastrophic Less than 6 hours More than 1 week 4 Winter Storms Highly Likely Critical 6-12 hours More than 1 week 3.55 HUMAN CAUSED Arson Highly Likely Critical Less than 6 hours Less than 24 hours 3.5 Biological Hazards Possibly Negligible More than 24 hours More than 1 week 1.75 Building/Structure Collapse Possibly Limited Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 2.2 Dam Failure Likely Limited More than 6 hours Less than 1 week 2.7 Explosion/Fire Highly Likely Limited Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours 3.1 Extreme Air Pollution 0 Fuel/Resource Shortage Highly Likely Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 1 week 3 Hazardous Materials Incidents Likely Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 1 week 3.15 Power/Utility Failure Highly Likely Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 1 week 3.3 Radiological Accident Possibly Negligible Less than 6 hours Less than 24 hours 2

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Using the CPRI, priority was given to the natural hazards with the highest score. For the WMAT Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan, the flooding/flash flooding and thunderstorm/high winds both result in flooding, and are, therefore, considered together as “flooding”. Likewise, extreme cold/heat was included in the winter storm category. The following are the hazards with the highest priority scores and those that the WMAT decided to pursue further and develop Goals, Objectives and mitigation actions and projects.

Natural Hazards: Human-Caused Hazards:  Wildfire  Arson  Flood/Flash Flooding (includes  Dam Failure thunderstorm/high winds)  Winter Storms (includes extreme cold)  Drought

Under human-caused hazards, dam failure actually scored lower than some of the other hazards but the TPT felt that the potential damage and risk to life and property was greater than other hazards and they wanted to include it as a priority hazard.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

3.2.2 Hazard Descriptions and Historical Events

This section describes the highest priority hazards and includes historic hazard events for each. Research and mapping of historic hazard events is an important part of the hazard profiling process. These events not only establish a historical basis for mitigating the hazard, but also provide real-world estimates of the economic and human impacts of the hazard. Historic event data with a significant period of record can also be useful in developing probability statistics.

The following are general summaries of the top hazards (those shown in bold print in Table 3-2) chosen by the TPT as the most relevant and significant hazards impacting the WMAT. Following the description is a summary of past hazard events.

3.2.2.1 Wildfires

Description: Any free burning uncontainable wild land fire not prescribed for the area which consumes the natural fuels and spreads in response to its environment.

Wildfire activity over the last ten years has been significant for the WMAT and is largely due to the lingering effects of the drought and bark beetle infestations. The northeastern part of the reservation is covered mostly by pine forests and is home to forest wildlife and the tribal lumber industry. Due to drought and the bark beetle infestation, the timber industry is losing valuable resource and this forested area becomes highly susceptible to wildfires. It is directly south of the Mogollon Rim.

The remaining portions of the WMAT are more sparsely vegetated desert areas characterized by the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Desert ecoregions, and pose a lesser wildfire hazard. See Figure 1-3, Map of Vegetation for WMAT, which clearly illustrates the difference. Figure 3-1 shows the areas and names of large wildfires that have affected the Reservation from 1940 to 2003.

The Rodeo-Chediski Fire was a wildfire that burned in east- central Arizona beginning on June 18, 2002 and was not controlled until July 7. It was the worst forest fire in Arizona’s recorded history to date, consuming 467,066 acres of woodland. Several local communities, including Show-Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and Heber-Overgaard were threatened and had to be evacuated. A satellite imagery of the Rodeo- Chediski Fire is shown here.

Of the total acres burned, 280, 992 acres or 60.16% was in the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Before the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, the total timberland acres for harvesting in the reservation were 750,000 acres. After that fire, only 469,008 acres of green timberland was left to harvest. After salvaging the charred timber, the area was closed for timber harvesting and 330 tribal members were laid off, resulting in the closure of Cibecue Mill. This fire is the most prominent historic wildfire that has occurred in the reservation.

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Several watersheds on the northwestern side of Fort Apache Indian Reservation were burned including Canyon, Willow, Salt and Cibecue Creeks. The impacts of the burn area are still affecting the west-end Reservation community of Cibecue in the form of flooding in Cibecue Creek. Table 3-5: Wild/Forest Fire Events for WMAT

Year: Area: Event: Description: July 22, Carrizo Wild/Forest Lightning ignited the Cibecue Ridge/Ridge Fire about 5 miles northwest 2000 Fire of Carrizo on July 22. Erratic wind, steep terrain, and extreme fire behavior (flame lengths of nearly 300 feet!) complicated firefighting efforts. The fire was contained on August 4 after 8,690 acres burned. About 520 people were involved in the fire-fighting efforts. June 18, Cibecue Wild/Forest The Rodeo fire was human caused less than five miles east of Cibecue 2002 Fire on the lower slopes of the Mogollon Rim. The Chediski Fire was human caused two days later about 12 miles to the west of the Rodeo Fire. Before merging, the Rodeo Fire burned 199,300 acres and the Chediski Fire burned 93,990 acres. The Chediski-Rodeo Complex burned 468,638 acres before it was contained at 600 PM on Saturday July 6th. The fire also burned 426 structures and homes. Over 30,000 people were evacuated from Show Low, Summer Pines, Pinetop-Lakeside, Linden, Pinedale, Clay Springs, McNary, Hon-Dah, Forestdale, Heber, Overgaard, Forest Lakes, and Aripine during the peak of the fire. Four Type I Incident Command Teams were assigned to the fire with close to 4,500 fire fighting personnel. Resources assigned to the Rodeo-Chediski Fire included 18 Type I Hot Shot crews and 77 Type II crews, 30 helicopters, 245 engines, 90 bull dozers, 92 water tenders, and 11 air tankers. During the fire, all roads in the area were closed to the public including: State Road 260, US 60, Highway 377 and Highway 277. Flame lengths were observed in the 200 to 300 foot range during some of the major uphill runs. July 13, Cedar Wildfire The Kinishba Fire was started by a lightning strike about 15 miles 2003 Creek northeast of Cedar Creek in Gila County. The fire spread into Navajo and County the next day. Fuels were extremely dry in ponderosa, Ft. Apache pinion/juniper, oak, chaparral, and short grass. Rates of spread were initially estimated at one mile per hour and driven by erratic winds. Fire spreads on 7/13, 7/14, and 7/15 were dominated by dry thunderstorm outflows. Increasing moisture and rain slowed fire behavior greatly by 7/20. Last of burnout operations were completed on 7/21...then thunderstorms dumped between 0.50 and 0.70 of an inch of rain (88D estimated) on the fire that evening. Final size was 24,300 acres. About 200 people were evacuated from the western portion of Whiteriver on 7/14 as a precautionary measure. They were allowed to return to their homes on 7/21. Source: NCDC Storm Events – 1950-2009

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Figure 3-1: WMAT Wildfire History

Source: BIA Forestry - 2010

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3.2.2.2 Flood/Flash Food

Description: Flood: An overflow of water onto normally dry land. It is an inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks.

Description: Flash flood: A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them. They can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall. They can also occur even if no rain has fallen, for instance after a levee or dam has failed, or after a sudden release of water by a debris or ice jam.

Records indicate that flooding events have been a problem for the WMAT for some time. As far back as March 1978, a major flood event (DR 551) was declared by the Federal Emergency Management Office (FEMA). In that same year, in December, FEMA again declared a disaster (DR 570) in the Reservation. Several other declarations were made in February 1980 (DR 614), September 1983 (DR 691), and January 1993 (DR 977).

Description: Thunderstorms/High Winds: Thunderstorms are a common occurrence on the reservation and are typically of short duration and are high intensity events characterized by lightning, hail, high speed winds, heavy rainfall and/or flash flooding. The flooding hazards have been discussed in the previous section and will not be addressed further here. Thunderstorms can occur at any time throughout the year, but are most common during the summer Monsoon season of July to September. According to the State of Arizona All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (Arizona State Plan), the entire reservation experiences on average 60 to 70 thunderstorm events per year, with an average duration of 90 to 100 minutes.

The National Weather Service (NWS) characterizes severe thunderstorms as those with one or more of the following criteria:

 Wind speeds in excess of 58 mph  Production of a tornado  Hail at least 0.75 inches in diameter.

Severe thunderstorms are also occasionally accompanied by downbursts and micro bursts, in which strong, straight-line winds are created by falling rain. Downbursts may reach speeds of 125 mph. Micro bursts are less than 2.5 square miles in diameter with speeds reaching up to 150 mph. Both downbursts and microburst typically last less than 10 minutes, but can cause severe damage and pose a major hazard to aircraft departures/landings due to the wind shear and detection difficulties.

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Table 3-6: Flooding Events in WMAT Year: Area: Event: Description: July 9, 2002 Cibecue Flash Forest Service employees reported that Salt Creek Road about 7 Flood miles northwest of Cibecue washed out between 5:00 p.m. and midnight. Logs and boulders covered the road and heavy equipment was needed to clear the road. This location is downstream from where the Chediski-Rodeo Fire burned over 450,000 acres in late June and early July. September 10, Cibecue Flash Cibecue Creek was up 7 feet in town. Side washes were flooding and 2002 Flood water entered two homes and two businesses. Indian Route 12 was flooded at milepost 10. By 5:45 p.m. the water began receding. By 6:10 p.m., the water was down to 2 to 3 feet in the Cibecue Creek and the road re-opened. September 6, Cibecue Flash Flash flooding caused Cibecue Creek to rise 8 to 10 feet in town. 2003 Flood July 29, 2006 Canyon Flash Two to three inches of rain fell over southern Navajo and eastern Day and Flood Gila counties. Debris flows and running water affected Highway 73 Whiteriver near Canyon Day, Kinishba turnoff, Stago Curve and Turkey Creek Road. Several homes in the area were flooded. July 24, 2007 Cibecue Flash Heavy rain from a thunderstorm caused flooding in Cibecue and Flood along Indian Route 12 to Highway 60. The flood water reached the bedroom windows in at least one house in Cibecue, (3) three others were threatened. August 6, 2007 1mile NW Flash Heavy rain caused a rock slide that closed Highway 60 at mile marker of Carrizo Flood 321. Flash flooding was observed on State Route 73. Huston Creek overflowed in star Valley and flooded about 20 homes and/or trailers. August 6, 2007 Cibecue Flash A large area of thunderstorms caused flash flooding from heavy rain Flood across Navajo County from Cibecue to Snowflake. Highway 60 was closed due to a flash flood-induced rock slide. Washes were running very high in Cibecue with several roads closed. Cibecue Wash was running 10 feet deep – it’s normally less than a foot deep. Source: NCDC Storm Events – 1950-2009

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Figure 3-2: WMAT Flood Hazard Areas

Source: BIA Forest Management Plan – 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 3-3: Whiteriver Flood Hazard Areas

Source: BIA GIS Department - 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 3-4: Carrizo flood hazard areas

Source: BIA GIS Department

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Figure 3-5: Cibecue Flood Hazard Areas

Source: BIA GIS Department – 2010

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Figure 3-6: Cedar Creek Flood Hazard Areas

Source: Land Operations Department, Safety of Dams Program - 2010

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Sheet Flooding Upstream

Flooding near Canyon Day in January 2010

Sheet Flooding & Fire Debris consolidated into large hardened culvert.

High velocity water & debris from culvert tears out pavement at nearby low- water Photos by Cline Griggs crossing.

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3.2.2.3 Winter Storms Description: Winter Storm conditions are likely when more than 6 inches of snow in 12 hours, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours; freezing rain with other precipitation; two inches or more of sleet accumulation; blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less.

Winter storms experienced in northern Arizona bring record levels of snowfall as shown in Table 3-7. High snow levels can sometimes create snow load problems to older homes and buildings. Snow load standards may not have been in place when older homes and buildings were erected and can potentially cause roofs to collapse.

Table 3-7: Winter Storm Events in WMAT

Year: Area: Event: Description: February White Heavy Snow Major winter storm brought heavy snow throughout northern Arizona. 27, 1997 Mountains In Zone 17 communities, the largest storm total was reported 5 miles southeast of Pinetop where 30 inches of new snow fell. Elsewhere in the zone, Pinetop received 16 inches of new snow, McNary 14 inches, Alpine 13 inches and Show Low had 12 inches. January 3, White Heavy Snow A powerful winter storm began to move across northern Arizona on 2005 Mountains January 3rd and lingered into early January 5th. Widespread snowfall was reported above 5000 feet with generally 4 to 12 inches of total snowfall from 5000 to 6000 feet...12 to 20 inches from 5000 to 7000 feet...and 20 to 45 inches above 7000 feet. Heavy rainfall also occurred with the storm with elevations below 6000 feet along and south of the Mogollon Rim receiving generally one to two inches of rainfall. Some elevations between 5000 to 6000 feet saw heavy rainfall turn to snowfall during the event as snow levels lowered. Two teenagers were killed on January 3rd when their car slid on ice and hit a truck south of Hon Dah. Some storm snowfall totals (in inches) in the area included: Sunrise Ski resort 33 and Whiteriver 8-10, which made this event the 9th snowiest storm since weather records began in 1898. January White Heavy Snow During the week of January 17, 2010, Arizona was impacted by storm 17,2010 Mountains systems that rode a powerful upper level jet stream across the Pacific Ocean. These storms, which entered Arizona on January 18th and exited on January 22nd, brought large amounts of rain and record levels of snowfall. Snow accumulations for the week reached as high as 4 feet in higher elevations. Along the Mogollon Rim, Show Low (Navajo County) received 32” to 36” of snowfall while the populated area of McNary (CDP) on the White Apache Reservation received 43 inches. The majority of locations between 5000’ and 7000’ in elevation received between 1’ and 4’ of snowfall, with accompanying drifts as high as 8’ in some areas. Tragically, three storm-related deaths occurred within the Navajo Nation. All White Mountain Apache communities lost power at some point during the storm, some for five days (Cibecue) which was also without water for a couple of days, telephone (landline) and cell service for over two days. Source: NCDC Storm Events – 1950-2009

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3.2.2.4 Drought

Description: Drought is essentially a significant lack of precipitation that is sustained over an extended period of time. In the arid Southwest, drought is characterized by extended periods of below normal precipitation, punctuated by occasional wet years.

Arizona streams are typically under drought conditions 60-80 percent of the time and individual droughts commonly last as long as five years. Figure 3-7 shows that the watershed drought levels in the reservation range from moderate in the southern area to extreme in the northern area. The worst periods of drought affecting the entire state of Arizona were 1932-36, 1942-64 and 1973-77. The 1973- 77 periods severely affected the eastern portion of the state. In July 1989, records indicated that the Fort Apache Indian Reservation was severely affected (see Appendix G regarding a mitigation success story dealing with the effects of a 1990 Disaster Declaration). Arizona Department of Emergency Management also recorded June 1996 and June 1999 as drought events affecting the entire state.

Following several years of below-average precipitation, the Fort Apache Indian Reservation faced extreme drought during 2002, the driest water year for many parts of the state. Impacts included hundreds of thousands of acres lost to wildfire, water supply emergencies, vegetation and wildlife mortality, and large economic losses in the ranching, agriculture, and tourism sectors.

Drought has a close association to the increase of bark beetle attacks. Trees typically defend themselves against beetles by “pitching them out” with their sap. Drier conditions mean less sap flow, so beetles find it easier to penetrate beneath the outer layer of bark during times of drought.

The bark beetle epidemic started in 2002 and worsened in 2003 throughout the West, with virtually every state west of the Rockies except Nevada, suffering from the onslaught. There is no sign that the pest outbreak will subside anytime soon – especially if the entrenched drought marches on and temperatures continue to rise.

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Figure 3-7: January 2010 Short Term Drought Status

Source: Arizona Drought Preparedness Plan Monitoring Technical Committee

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3.2.2.5 Arson

Description: Arson: the crime of intentionally and maliciously setting fire to structures and wild land areas.

According to the White Mountain Apache Fire and Rescue Department, they have responded to hundreds of arson fires involving occupied, abandoned or vacant residences, out-buildings, vehicle fires, nuisance fires and vegetation fires over many years.

The McNary Sawmill has been burned many times from 1980 to 2010. Even the McNary Fire Station was burned in 1988 by arsonists. Several other buildings including the abandoned Whiteriver hospital were burned from 1988 to 2009. A list of these buildings can be found at the Whiteriver Apache Fire and Rescue Department. Furthermore, since 2005, the Fire Department has responded to over 120 arson fires in the small community of Canyon Day, which measures approximately one square mile.

3.2.2.6 Dam Failure

Description: A dam failure is an uncontrolled release of water impounded behind the dam. Dam failures may occur due to a variety of causes. The three most common causes are leakage and piping, overtopping, and spillway erosion. They have been responsible for 74% of historic failures.

Dam failure risk is associated with a catastrophic failure of a dam or levee structure that results in major and damaging flooding to the potential inundation areas downstream of the failure.

High hazard dams on the reservation include: A-1, Bog Tank, Bootleg, Christmas Tree, Cooley, Cyclone, Davis (Hawley Lake), Horseshoe Cienega, Shush Be Tou, Shush Be Zahze, Reservation and Sunrise Dams. Additionally, there are two other dams classified as significant hazard dams, which are Drift Fence and Pacheta Dams. Figure 3-8 illustrates the locations of the dams in the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Should any of the dams become unstable or releases pose a threat to the downstream population, the population at risk will be notified and evacuated. Evacuation of the following areas is shown as follows: Figure 3-10 for upper log campground area; Figure 3-10 for lower log campground; Figure 3-12 for Alchesay Hatchery area and Figure 3-13 for Whiteriver area.

Overall, there are hundreds of small embankment dams on the reservation and none meet the safety of dam’s criteria, which is based on dam height, water storage, and downstream hazard potential.

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Figure 3-8 Dam Locations in WMAT

Source: WMAT Land Operations – 2010

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Figure 3-9 Dam Hazard Map for WMAT

Source: BIA

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Figure 3-10: Dam Failure Evacuation Map - Upper Log Campground area

Source: Land Operations Department, Safety of Dams Program - 2010

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Figure 3-11: Dam Failure Evacuation Map –Lower Log Campground area

Source: Land Operations Department, Safety of Dams Program – 2010

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Figure 3-12: Dam Failure Evacuation Map –Alchesay Hatchery area

Source: Land Operations Department, Safety of Dams Program – 2010

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Figure 3-13: Dam Failure Evacuation Map –Whiteriver area

Source: Land Operations Department, Safety of Dams Program - 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

3.3 Vulnerability Assessment Requirement §201.7(c) (2) (ii): […The risk assessment shall include the following:] (ii) A description of the Indian tribal government’s vulnerability to the hazards described in paragraph (c) (2) (i) of this section. This description shall include an overall summary of each hazard and its impact on the tribe. The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of: (A) the types and numbers of existing and future buildings, infrastructure, and identified hazard areas.

The following section summarizes the WMAT efforts to assemble and analyze data needed for the vulnerability assessment, and to present the results of the vulnerability analysis.

3.3.1 Asset Inventory Assets identified by the WMAT are classified as either critical or non-critical facilities or infrastructure. Critical facilities and infrastructure are those systems within the reservation whose incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on the Tribe’s ability to recover following a major disaster, or to defend the people and structures of the WMAT from further hazards.

Following the criteria set forth by the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office (CIAO), the WMAT has adopted eight general categories that define critical facilities and infrastructure:

1. Telecommunications Infrastructure: Telephone, data services, and Internet, communications, which have become essential to continuity of business, industry, government, and military operations.

2. Electrical Power Systems: Generation stations and transmission and distribution networks that create and supply electricity to end-users.

3. Gas and Oil Facilities: Production and holding facilities for natural gas, crude and refined petroleum, and petroleum-derived fuels, as well as the refining and processing facilities for these fuels.

4. Banking and Finance Institutions: Banks, financial service companies, payment systems, investment companies, and securities/commodities exchanges.

5. Transportation Networks: Highways, railroads, ports and inland waterways, pipelines, and airports and airways that facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people.

6. Water Supply Systems: Sources of water; reservoirs and holding facilities; aqueducts and other transport systems; filtration, cleaning, and treatment systems; pipelines; cooling systems; and other delivery mechanisms that provide for domestic and industrial applications, including systems for dealing with water runoff, wastewater, and firefighting.

7. Government Services: Capabilities at the federal, state, and local levels of government required to meet the needs for essential services to the public.

8. Emergency Services: Medical, police, fire, and rescue systems.

Other assets such as public libraries, schools, museums, parks, recreational facilities, historic buildings or sites, churches, residential and/or commercial subdivisions, apartment complexes, and so forth, are

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classified as non-critical facilities and infrastructure, as they are not necessarily “critical” per the definition set forth in Executive Order 13010. They are however, very important to the WMAT and the reader should not construe critical and noncritical to equate to important and non-important.

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Table 3-8 summarizes the number of facilities identified by category and the community or area in which it is located. A more detailed inventory and analysis of critical and non-critical facilities will be included in the update of this Plan to include economic and human loss estimates for each of the major hazards.

Table 3-8: Summary of critical and non-critical facilities on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation Facility Type Cibecue Canyon Cedar Carrizo East Fork/ Forestdale Hon Dah/ Whiteriver WMAT Day Creek Fort Apache McNary Totals Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Banks & Finance Institutions 1 1 Electrical Power Systems Emergency Services • Fire Dept. 1 1 1 3 • Police Dept. 1 1 1 3 • Hospital 1 1 • Clinic 1 1 2 Gas and Oil Facilities 1 3 6 10 Government Services 1 1 1 10 13 Telecommunications Infrastructure 3 1 1 5 Transportation Networks 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 Water Supply Systems 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 Sewer 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 Non-Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Cultural 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 Commercial Business 3 1 1 1 1 5 10 22 Educational 4 1 1 3 2 10 21 Flood Control 1 1 Other Source: TPT Members and Fire Departments

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3.3.2 Loss Estimations Requirement §201.7(c) (2) (ii) (B): [The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of: …] (B) An estimate of the potential dollar losses to vulnerable structures identified in paragraph (c) (2) (i) (A) of this section and a description of the methodology used to prepare the estimate;

Economic and human loss estimates for each of the major hazards identified in Section 3.2 begins with an estimate of the potential exposure of critical and non-critical assets and human populations to those hazards. Exposure to critical and non-critical assets identified by the WMAT is accomplished by intersecting the hazard profiles with the assets identified in Section 3.3.1.

It is noted that there are 15,207 residents throughout the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Moreover, there are 3,620 residential, 17 commercial buildings and nine educational facilities in the reservation.

Specific loss estimates for each of the hazards in Section 3 are not currently available but will be included in the next update of this Plan.

Wildfire - Without the benefit of the Hazards US Multi-Hazard (HAZUS-MH) data, estimates of human and asset exposure to wildfire cannot be accomplished at this time. In order to do this, the asset inventory is intersected with HAZUS data, which is currently not available. However, according to Arizona Department of Emergency Management (ADEM), wildfire losses to WMAT from the Rainbow, Rodeo Chediski and Kinishba fires were approximately over $11 million dollars.

Wildfire events are highly likely with catastrophic severity in the Fort Apache Indian Reservation as shown in Figure 3-1, WMAT Wildfire History, which identifies and names the numerous fires that have impacted the reservation from 1940 to 2003. The predominant region of the reservation that has been affected as shown in Figure 3-1 is the northernmost area which is forestland. Figure1-3, Map of Vegetation for WMAT, clearly illustrates the pine/juniper/mixed conifer region, highly susceptible to fires versus the desert shrub/grass region of the southern region, which has fewer fires.

Flooding/Flash Floods – According to ADEM, several flooding disasters have been declared in the reservation and adjacent counties from 1978 to 1995 resulting in over $213 million dollars in losses. Figure 3-2 WMAT Flood Hazard Area shows the communities at risk to flooding. Reservation residents at risk include those residing in the following communities: Whiteriver 6,115; Hon Dah/McNary, 903; East Fork 962; Canyon Day, 1638; Cedar Creek, 575; and Cibecue, 1903.

Figure 3-2 WMAT Flood Hazard Area shows the communities at risk to flooding, reservation residents at risk include those residing in the following communities; Whiteriver, East Fork, Canyon Day, Cedar Creek, Carrizo and Cibecue.

There are a number of people residing within flood plains of North Fork and East Fork of White River, Cedar Creek, Carrizo Creek and Cibecue Creek. Estimates of the number of people residing in these floodplains are 600 for North Fork, 150 for East Fork, 35 in Cedar Creek, 75 in Carrizo and 100 in Cibecue. Taken together a total of 960 people could be displaced with significant flooding on these five rivers.

This estimate must be increased when taking into account temporary use of floodplains and along rivers for recreational, ceremonial and agricultural purposes. The East Fork, North Fork, Carrizo and Cibecue

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streams are popular locations during the hotter summer months. Several sunrise ceremonial grounds are located next to river channels and can easily attract one hundred or more participants during the week long ceremony. There can be up to ten sunrise ceremonies per year at each location.

Another group to include is non-tribal campers staying at Lower Log and Upper Log campgrounds. The total number of non-tribal campers and tribal users throughout the reservation varies dramatically dependent on season from zero in winter to two to three hundred in summer. The risk to life would be a greater risk than property damage for this population. It must be noted there are sirens installed at both Lower and Upper Log campgrounds to warn campers of flooding caused by dam failure/s.

Another flooding problem exists for homes located in the smaller watersheds’tributary to the rivers mentioned above. These smaller watersheds are primarily intermittent, flowing only during flood events. Many houses have been built without regard for these intermittent flood channels. A contributing factor is the lack of drainage planning between roads and homes because there are separate tribal authorities for each. In many instances runoff from roads caused flooding of homes. There are several small intermittent watersheds where homes have been flooded by intense localized monsoon thunderstorms. Since 2005, Canyon Day had two flood events (2 weeks apart) that also inundated the Canyon Day Middle School, one event at Jurassic Park affecting scattered homes, two events in Cibecue caused by waters backing up behind road culverts, and possibly one or more in the East Fork area.

These estimates do not include the increase in flooding and consequent damage caused by wildfires, in particular the Rodeo-Chediski Fire of 2002.

Winter storms- The northern and eastern sides of the reservation are characterized by high elevation forests. Whiteriver and all the communities in the reservation enjoy a four-season climate, thereby affected by winter storms.

The winter storm that resulted in the most recent FEMA declaration (DR-1888) seriously impacted the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The reservation received 43 inches of snow with accompanying drifts as high as 8 feet in some areas. All the communities in the reservation lost power at some point in the storm. Cibecue lost power for five days and was also without water for three days.

The other winter storm event was in January 2, 2005 where the snowfall totals in the area included 33 inches at Sunrise Ski resort and 8-10 inches in Whiteriver, which made this event the 9th snowiest storm since weather records began in 1898.

Heavy snow loads from major winter storms can potentially impact critical and non-critical facilities and all building stock including residences, which may not be built to snow load standards. There is limited information on construction types for residential or commercial buildings. Detailed potential losses from winter storms can be estimated at the next update.

Drought – The impact of drought to critical and non-critical facilities and building stock is generally indirect in that drought is often a contributing factor to other hazards such as wildfire and flooding. Extended drought may weaken and dry the grasses, shrubs and trees of wildfire acres, making them more susceptible to wildfires. Drought also tends to reduce the vegetative cover in watersheds, and

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decreases the interception of rainfall and increases the flooding hazard. The economic sectors most directly impacted by drought are livestock and wildlife. Losses attributed to drought are difficult and will not be made herein.

The driest water year for many parts of the state including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation was in 2002. The reservation lost thousands of acres to wildfire, had water supply emergencies, vegetation and wildlife mortality and large economic losses in the ranching, agriculture and tourism sectors.

Farm lands in the reservation are estimated at 13,145 acres. There is no information on previous agricultural losses from the effects of drought. Potential agricultural losses can be estimated for the plan update.

Ranching losses from previous drought events are not available although there are fourteen cattle associations throughout the reservation. The number of heads of cattle in each association is not made public and is not available. Estimating these losses is difficult at this time. Efforts will be made at the next update to obtain information on each association and contact numbers for reference only.

There is insufficient amount of water buffaloes in the reservation during drought events to provide the necessary water to ranchers and farmers. Cattle are herded to the nearest streams and farmers suffer agricultural losses. Streams flow intermittently and are sometimes dry and are not usable.

Moreover, Figure 3-7 shows that as recent as December 2009, the watershed drought level ranged from moderate in the southern region to extreme in the northern region of the reservation.

Dam Failures - All loss estimates assume a catastrophic failure of a dam. Any storm event or series of storm events of sufficient magnitude can cause an emergency spillway to operate or cause a dam breach and would have catastrophic consequences in the inundation area. Flood waves from these types of events generally travel very fast and possess tremendous destructive energy. Regarding human vulnerability, 600 residents and 114 homes are potentially exposed to a dam failure or emergency spillway inundation event. Only residents along River Road in Whiteriver, Fort Apache, North Fork and the Fish Hatchery will be affected. The area along the North Fork flood plain is used extensively during the spring and summer months for Sunrise Dances and various tournaments including but not limited to softball and horseshoes. Furthermore breach of Bootleg Dam will result in the evacuation of the Carrizo area with a population of 163 residents and 39 homes. The potential for deaths and injuries are directly related to the warning time and type of event. Dam failures are usually very sudden and very destructive, and given the proximity of the dams to the downstream population centers, very short warning time of ten 2.5 hours or less are expected. It is therefore realistic to anticipate multiple deaths and injuries.

Historically, the dams that have failed are the earthen embankment dams which are small and did not threaten life or property downstream.

The dams located on the reservation are earthen-filled embankment dams. The reservation dams are owned by the BIA and maintained by the WMAT. They are built to standards governed by the Dam Safety and Security Act of 1994.

The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for all high and significant hazard dams on the reservation was prepared through a joint effort by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, and the White

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Mountain Apache Tribe. The EAP contains comprehensive information pertinent to the detection of problems, the decision making criteria, and notification procedures. It also contains flood inundation maps which were prepared for different scenarios up to the probable maximum flood.

Arson – Burning of occupied and abandoned homes, out-buildings and other buildings has been a widespread problem in the reservation. From the 1980s to the writing of this plan, the White Mountain Apache Fire and Rescue Department has responded and continues to respond to many arson fires. The following is a list of buildings throughout the reservation that have been burned: McNary Sawmill, McNary Fire Station, Fort Apache Stables, Whiteriver Hospital, Cibecue School Modular Building (classrooms), East Fork Trading Post, Tribal Executive Building, Tribal Court House, Whiteriver Canteen, Canyon Day Light House Church, Whiteriver Homeless Shelter, former Whiteriver Post Office, Whiteriver Women’s Wellness Center, Canyon Day Community Building (numerous fires), Rainbow City Community Building, Seven Mile Community Building, Whiteriver Riverside Park (numerous fires), Canyon Day Rodeo Grounds (numerous fires to out-buildings and bleachers) and Whiteriver Riverside Park (numerous fires to out buildings and bleachers).

The small community of Canyon Day, which is approximately one square mile in area with a population of 1,638, has had over 150 fires since 2005.

The WMAT Fire and Rescue Department has an emergency response plan to fight these fires. Arson events were considered important enough by the committee to include as one of the human-caused hazards in the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Arson fires can turn into a wildland-urban interface event resulting in deaths and huge losses to property, wildlife, and forestland. Loss of trees used by the Fort Apache Timber Company mill is significant given the loss experienced during the Rodeo-Chediski Fire.

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3.3.3 Development Trend/Analysis

The White Mountain Apache Tribe does not currently have a land use plan or land use regulations. The Planning Department would like to see these developed and it is included in this plan as a project.

However, there are currently three programs that provide some guidelines and approvals for development projects. The first one is the Realty Program; the second program is the Land Office, which under the Land Code, approves land assignments. Unfortunately, they are not provided any guidelines or systematic approach established on the potential use for the land assignments requested, thus approvals are made based on available information. The Realty Program processes all leases and permits presented to the Tribe (business lease, government lease, right-of-way lease and school lease), which are approved by the BIA Superintendent. The leases are presented to Tribal Plan and Project Review (TPPR) Committee for their approvals.

Tribal Resolution No. 08-96-182 established the third program, the Tribal Plan and Project Review (TPPR) Committee. This Committee reviews all land modification and resource development activities on the reservation that may impact ecosystems or communities. The Committee is comprised of 18 people who represent the tribe’s environmental, cultural, historic preservation, public works and transportation programs. The members of the TPPR Committee are the same people who sign off on the Tribe’s NEPA certifications so they are highly qualified to make decisions concerning new construction and potential development on the reservation. The TPPR process includes investigations into potential impacts to sensitive habitats and species, watersheds, and heritage resources. The TPPR process is not supported by any codes, but are guided by the various codes established by the Tribe (i.e. Water Quality Protection Ordinance, Game & Fish Code, Environmental Code, Natural Resources Code, and Livestock Code to name a few). The TPPR Committee performs similar duties as a Planning and Zoning Commission would.

The following are hazard specific discussions regarding mitigation opportunities regarding future growth and development of Tribal lands.

Drought – The WMAT have acquired sufficient water rights to satisfy drinking water and irrigation demand, even during times of drought. The WMAT receives the majority of their funding for drinking water from Indian Health Services, Environmental Protection Agency and Rural Development. Funding for irrigation is supported by BIA and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Flooding –One of the projects/actions identified as part of the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is to identify flood-hazard areas and identify structures in these areas. They are considering becoming part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which would also require that they develop a floodplain ordinance which would limit development in flood-prone areas.

Wildfire – Wildfire management for current and future development is focused on the wild land-urban interface (WUI) code. Tribal forestry also focuses on thinning of forestlands and education on the Firewise Program and ensuring defensible space around homes.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Winter Storms – The WMAT is updating the fire and building codes which will provide standards for new buildings to help withstand increased snow loads on roofs. While the WMAT has adopted the fire and building codes in previous years, enforcement remains an issue and is an identified mitigation project/action in this plan.

Arson – The Fire Department and Police Department continue to work together to provide better investigation and enforcement to prevent arson fires. One area they have decided to work on is to identify abandoned or vacant buildings and make a determination on what action to take.

Dam Failure - The Tribe’s Safety of Dams Program continues to work with the BIA on maintaining and administering dam safety and emergency action plans for the reservation dams. The Land Operations Department maintains the Safety of Dams Program and Emergency Action Plan. The Hydrology and Water Resources Program maintains and operates the Early Warning System (EWS) monitoring sites. The EWS provides advance warning if a high hazard dam on the reservation is in danger of failure or imminent failure initiates the Safety of Dam Emergency Action Plan. The tribe recently conducted a dam failure exercise in conjunction with the tribe’s EAP.

3.3.4 Cultural/Sacred Resource Analysis

The White Mountain Apache Tribe has established the White Mountain Apache Heritage Office to manage its archaeological, historical and cultural resources according to the deep-seated principles that have guided the White Mountain Apache people in their satisfying and productive relationship with their social, natural and supernatural worlds since time immemorial. The over-all goals of the White Mountain Apache Heritage Office are to sustain, protect and preserve cultural resources through conservation and education. Heritage resources include archaeological and historical sites, cultural places, objects, oral traditions, language and customs.

Cultural heritage resources are of vital importance and hold a vast amount of information that, if lost, can never be replaced and/or restored. Considering several issues/concerns in regard to the tribe’s cultural heritage resources should be addressed in an event that a natural and/or human-caused catastrophic incident occurs.

All Sacred Places and/or Traditional Cultural Places are of vital importance to the history and culture of the White Mountain Apache people and every effort should be made to protect and preserve these sensitive places. In this regard, information and location of these cultural and sacred resources are not to be revealed in this document. For additional information, please contact the Tribal Historic Preservation Office at 928-338-3033.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

SECTION 4: MITIGATION STRATEGY Requirement §201.7(c) (3): […the plan must include the following elements:] (3) A Mitigation Strategy that provides the Indian tribal government’s blueprint for reducing the losses identified in the risk assessment.

The following section summarizes the strategy developed by the tribe for mitigating the hazard risks identified in Section 3. The mitigation strategy describes what, when and how the actions will reduce or even remove the reservation’s exposure to hazards and their risks. According to the DMA2K requirements, the major components of mitigation strategy are categorized into the following:

 Capability Assessment  Goals and Objectives  Mitigation Actions and/or Projects  Implementation Strategy

4.1 Local Capability Assessment Requirement §201.7(c) (3) (iv): […the plan must include the following elements:] (iv) A discussion of the Indian tribal government’s pre and post disaster hazard management policies, programs, and capabilities to mitigate the hazards in the area, including: an evaluation of tribal laws, regulations, policies, and programs related to hazard mitigation as well as to development in hazard-prone areas; a discussion of Tribal funding capabilities for hazard mitigation projects.

The capability assessment provides information that aids in assessing the Tribe’s ability to mitigate against hazards. The TPT provided information on the Tribe’s resources and capabilities in the following areas:

. Legal/Regulatory, Codes and Ordinances . Technical/Staff Resources . Financial Resources

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

A summary of the legal and regulatory capabilities of the White Mountain Apache Tribe which includes existing plans, ordinances and policies are summarized in Table 4-1. Administrative and technical resources are summarized in Table 4-2 and financial capabilities are summarized in Table 4-3.

Table 4-1: Summary of Legal and Regulatory Capabilities for WMAT Regulatory Tools Responsible Comments: (Codes, Plans, Ordinances) Department:

Local Authority? Y/N Building Codes Yes Fire Dept. Updating old codes and pending legal dept. review. Capital Improvement Plan No ----- None Comprehensive Plan (Land Use) No Planning Dept. Under consideration Economic Development Plan Yes Economic Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Development (CEDS) plan submitted to EDA in May 2010. Emergency Response Plan Yes Emergency Emergency Operations Plan Management Floodplain Ordinance No WMAT would like to pursue NFIP. Post-Disaster Recovery Plan No Under consideration Post-Disaster Recovery No Under consideration Ordinance Real Estate Disclosure Statement Yes Real Estate & Tribal Real Estate Officer, Tribal Legal Probate Department Services Special Purpose Ordinances Yes Legal Tribal Council, Legal Department Department Subdivision Ordinance No Planning Being considered by Planning Department, Tribal Council and Legal Department. Site Plan Review Requirements Yes Environmental Tribal Plan & Project Review (TPPR) committee Protection oversees projects impacting tribal lands. EPA Agency (EPA) oversees site plan reviews. Zoning Ordinance No Planning Being considered by Planning Department and it is Department an action in the WMATMHMP. Source: WMAT Departments/TPT

The WMAT does not currently have land use regulations or a comprehensive plan. The Planning Department has been working on grants to develop these and the Tribal Council will have to support this to provide the necessary enforcement tools to limit future development in hazard areas. They also do not belong to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) but are considering this as well as, floodplain regulations. These are all listed as actions/projects to implement with this MHMP. Building and fire codes are being updated and are under legal review to be considered by the Tribal Council. These regulations will help ensure that people do not build in hazard areas and also are hopefully building to standards that can withstand disaster-level events.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Table 4-2 Summary of Technical Staff and Personnel Capabilities for the WMAT Staff/Personnel Resources Y/ Department/Agency-Position N Planners or engineers with knowledge of land Y Planning Department – Planner and Engineering Dept. development and land management practices Engineer or professional trained in construction Y Planning Department and Tribal Construction Services, practices related to buildings and/or Housing Director –Outsources consultant assistance, when infrastructure necessary. Planner or engineers with an understanding of Y Planning Department, Land Operations, Environmental natural and/or human-caused hazards Department, Safety Department, Hydrology Department Floodplain Manager Y Hydrology Department Surveyors Y Tribal Engineering Department , Land Operations Department and Land Office Staff with education or expertise to assess the Y Emergency Manager community’s vulnerability to hazards Personnel skilled in GIS and/or HAZUS Y Tribal Forestry/GIS Technician Scientists familiar with the hazards of the Y Hydrology, Dam Safety, Environmental Office community Emergency Manager Y Emergency Manager/Safety Department Utility engineers/directors with knowledge of Y Public Works/PW Director, Indian Health Services and utilities Tribal Utility Grant Writer Y The Tribe has several staff members who are familiar with writing grants. Source: WMAT Departments/TPT

Table 4-3 Summary of Fiscal Capabilities for the WMAT Financial Resources: Accessible or Eligible to Use (Yes, No, Don’t Know) Community Development Block Grants Yes Capital Improvements Project Funding No Authority to levy taxes for specific purposes Yes Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric service Yes, water, sewer and gas Impact fees for homebuyers or new developments/homes No Incur debt through general obligation bonds Yes Incur debt through private activity bonds No Incur debt through special tax bonds No Withhold spending in hazard-prone areas No Source: WMAT Departments/TPT

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Current pre and post disaster hazard management is accomplished through several departments with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services. Table 4-4 summarizes some of the WMAT departments involved in either pre or post hazard management.

Table 4-4 Summary of Departments with Pre or Post-Disaster Hazard Management Responsibilities for WMAT Department: Hazard Management Activities: Tribal Council Chairman Declares emergency and submits information to State. Tribal Council Makes all executive decisions concerning pre and post-disaster hazard management decisions. Tribal Administration Makes all executive decisions after Tribal Council and delegates duties as requested in the Emergency Operations Plan. Tribal Emergency Response Commission Coordinates emergency response activities. Environmental Department Involved in all planning processes concerning both pre-and post- hazard management. Public Works Involved in planning processes concerning both pre and post as they have equipment and facilities that may be needed. Housing Department Will be involved in all planning processes concerning both pre- and post-disaster hazard management concerning housing operations. Community Health Resources CHR plays a crucial role both pre and post as they will be involved in dealing with community members and any lingering illness or injury if it occurs. Social services Involved to help assist. White Mountain Apache Fire and Rescue On call and will be involved during and post-disaster. Police Department Called out and involved during and post-disaster. Fort Apache Timber Company Called out to provide equipment and maintain forest access roads. Bureau of Indian Affairs Superintendent Declares emergency in all dam failure events. Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Handles wildfire events in the forests. Management Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement Handles all major crimes including all felonies. Bureau of Indian Affairs Roads Provides equipment in emergencies. Source: Emergency Management

Additional hazard management plans and studies were listed earlier in the plan in Table 2-4. Upon notification of a presidential disaster declaration, the Tribe will work with FEMA to develop a Public Assistance Administrative Plan and a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Administrative Plan. Both plans are used to identify the roles and responsibilities of the Tribe in administering FEMA Public Assistance (PA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs (HMGP). Staff requirements and policy and procedures are also outlined in these plans. With these plans, as well as the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, the tribe will be able to focus resources on hazard management and mitigation planning.

Several WMAT departments and programs work to provide hazard mitigation for the Tribe (see Table 4- 4). Consultants are also sometimes hired to conduct the necessary technical studies and analyses to help determine risk and mitigation alternatives.

Some current financial sources available to the WMAT for hazard mitigation planning and projects include: . FEMA (Public Assistance, Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) and HMGP funds)

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

. U.S. Department of Interior (Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey) . U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Indian Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Services) . U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Rural Development) . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . U.S. Department of Commerce (Economic Development Administration)

The WMAT has been eligible for disaster funds in previous presidentially-declared disasters (DR551, 570 and 614).

4.2 Goals and Objectives Requirement §201.7(c) (3) (i): […This section shall include: (i) A description of mitigation goals to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards.

For the purposes of this plan, the following definitions will be used for goals and objectives:

Goals – General guidelines that explain what you want to achieve. Goals are usually broad statements with long-term perspective. Objectives – Defined strategies or implementation steps intended to attain the identified goals. Unlike goals, objectives are specific, measurable, and have a defined time horizon.

The TPT met and discussed goals for each hazard with accompanying objectives. After this was accomplished it was determined that all of the goals that were identified, related back to one main goal: Reduce the Risk to People and Property from Natural and Human-Caused Hazards. Because the goals were refined and reduced to the one main goal, the objectives were also refined and reduced to relate to this goal.

The following is the final goal and objectives as developed by the TPT to address natural and human- caused hazards.

Goal #1. Reduce the Risk to People and Property from Natural and Human-Caused Hazards.

Objective #1. Increase public awareness of hazards and risks affecting the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

Objective #2. Promote public understanding and support for hazard mitigation throughout the Reservation.

Objective #3. Promote Emergency Operations Planning to assist in hazard mitigation efforts.

Objective #4. Reduce Risk to Critical Facilities and Infrastructure.

Objective #5. Support and assist tribal and local agencies in their mitigation programs.

Objective #6. Support the development and enforcement of regulations and codes that promote mitigation.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Objective #7. Pursue hazard mitigation project funding sources.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

4.3 Mitigation Action/Projects Requirement §201.7(c)(3)(ii): […The section shall include:…] (ii) A section that identifies and analyzes a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects being considered to reduce the effects of each hazard, with particular emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure. (iii) An action plan describing how the actions identified in paragraph (c) (2) (ii) of this section will be prioritized, implemented, and administered by the Indian tribal government.

Mitigation actions and/or projects are those activities identified by a community, that when implemented, will have the effect of reducing the community’s exposure and risk to the particular hazard or hazards being mitigated.

The TPT had several meetings where members identified actions and projects for each of the main hazard areas. These activities and projects were developed with the goal and objectives in mind and also the vulnerability and capability assessments. Each action can be related back to an objective that it addresses.

The mitigation actions and projects developed for the WMAT include information for the following categories:

• Goal and/or Objective Addressed- Each action/project relates to a goal or objective that was identified earlier in the plan.

• Hazard Mitigated- the hazards are listed that the action will mitigate.

• Project Description - Each action/project is described assigned a project name.

Next, each action/project was scored to assist with project prioritization. The STAPLEE method is used to prioritize actions in many hazard mitigation plans. However, it was felt that an alternative method would be less complex and more accurately reflect the ideals and direction of the members of the committee and tribe. The STAPLEE concept was used in the development of the prioritization method that follows. (The State of Arizona Hazard Mitigation Plan used a similar method of prioritization.) Three outcomes that the tribe felt were important in mitigation activities, in order of importance are:

A. Is there a direct impact on life and/or property? (3 pts.) B. Is it a long-term solution? (2 pts.) C. Does the benefit outweigh the cost? (1 pt.)

During the committee meeting, the actions were discussed and reviewed. Discussion included which agencies/organizations should be involved in each action and the difficulty to project the timeframe due to funding not being secured. The TPT proceeded with the following prioritization process:

o Members were given a score sheet which included the actions/projects. o The score sheet included a voting “key” with the 3 outcomes listed above with A – most important, B and C. o Members completed the score sheet by placing any or all of the A, B, C labels next to each action according to which items they believed the action would result in.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

The score sheets were then tallied for each action. Based on the amount of votes each action received under each letter, the actions were placed in one of three categories: High, Medium or Low Priority. This process worked well but for the plan update, it may need to be reviewed and revised depending on progress made on the actions.

Table 4-5 includes the objectives met, the hazard area mitigated, a description of the project/action, and the cumulative score that was received from all members of the TPT in attendance. They are arranged according to High, Medium and Lower Priority actions/project.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Table 4-5: Summary of White Mountain Apache Tribe mitigation actions/projects and their priority ranking. Obj: Goal: Reduce the Risk to People and Property from Natural and Human-Caused Hazards 1 Increase public awareness of hazards and risks affecting the White Mountain Apache Tribe. 2 Promote public understanding and support for hazard mitigation throughout the Reservation. 3 Promote Emergency Operations Planning to assist in hazard mitigation efforts. 4 Reduce Risk to Critical Facilities and Infrastructure 5 Support and assist tribal and local agencies in their mitigation programs 6 Support the development of regulations and codes that promote mitigation. 7 Pursue hazard mitigation project funding sources.

Obj. Hazard Action/Project: Score: (office Mitigated: use F-Flood, W-Wildfire, WS- only) Winter Storms, D- Drought, A-Arson, D/L- Dam Failure High Priority Actions/Projects 1,2,3,5 All Develop a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). 56 3 All Update the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to include Standard Operating Procedures for removal of hazardous materials spills in 55 flood events; append the Snow Removal Plan and educate Tribal Council and department heads on the requirements of the EOP. 6,7 W, F, WS, D/L Review, update and enforce building codes and wild land-urban interface code. 55 5,6 W, F Organize a Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team with guidance from the U.S. Forest Service and develop a Best 54 Management Practices (BMP)/Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for forestland rehabilitation following wildfires. 1,2,4,5,6 A Support increased enforcement and investigation of human-caused (arson) fires. 53 1,2,4,6 A Address abandoned/vacant buildings and homes and decide on course of action. 52 6,7 F,W, D/L Develop and enforce land use regulations to include environmental, cultural and historical reviews. 52 4,5 W Identify forested areas to be thinned to aid in the prevention of wild-fires and infestations. 52 All All Develop and promote public awareness/education on hazards and risks of wildfires, winter storms, floods, drought, arson, and dam 52 failure. 1,2,4,5,6 W, D Support mitigation measures such as water conservation, defensible space and Fire wise Demonstration Projects currently 52 implemented in Carrizo, Cedar Creek and Cibecue. 1,2,4,5,6,7 F Obtain information and assistance from FEMA Region IX on participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 51 1,3,7 W, F, WS, D/L Acquire additional flood warning signs, barriers, sandbags, snow blowers, trailers, snow cats, water storage tanks and other 51 emergency equipment, as necessary. 1,2 F, D/L Create and install audible warning systems to alert the general public in Apache and English languages that flooding is imminent in 51 the area.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Medium Priority Actions/Projects 1,2,4 A Support on-going projects to reduce trash in yards that could become fire hazards (Beautification Program). 49 1,2,3,4, All Develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with adjacent counties, neighboring communities, and the Arizona National 49 5 Guard for emergency assistance. 1,2,4,5 All Support the Cultural Heritage Resource Best Management Practices to protect & preserve cultural and historical sites and 48 resources. 4,5,6,7 F Remove or elevate structures in flood-prone areas. 48 3,4,5,7 F, W, WS, D/L Acquire and install eleven emergency generators for critical facilities (KNNB Radio Station, power and water utility, 47 communication towers, shelters and Emergency Operations Center (EOC). 5,7 W Develop a feasibility study for a Bio-Mass Energy Plant. 46 3,5 A Work with police department on Community Watch Programs. 46 1,2,4,6 All Identify and map hazard prone areas. 46 1,2,4,5 F Identify structures, farmlands and historic and environmentally-sensitive areas located in flood-prone areas. 46 5 W Maintain bridges and roadways so that logging operations can continue to reduce wildfires and bark beetle infestations. 45 4,5,7 WS Retrofit and/or upgrade existing structures to meet building code requirements. 45 Low Priority Actions/Projects 1,2,4,5, Fl Develop and install warning signage to alert the general public upon entering potential flood hazards. 44 6,7 2,4,5 F Maintain and remove debris from waterways to prevent flooding. 44 1,2,3,5 All Continue on-going National Incident Management System (NIMS) training. 43 4 F, D Work with cattle associations, Carrizo, Cibecue, Cedar Creek and other communities in maintaining 43 fence lines (to control feral horses) and controlling grazing to prevent flooding and erosion. 5 All Encourage positive working relationships with all Tribal departments. 42 3,7 W, F, WS, D/L Construct storage building for emergency equipment. 40 4 WS Build living snow fences near Horseshoe Lake and Sunrise Ski area to reduce snow drifts on roads. 36 4 F Repair the diversion pond at Fort Apache Timber Company (FATCO). 35

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

4.4 Implementation Strategy The Implementation Strategy address the “how, when and by whom?” questions related to implementing an identified action/project. The TPT developed an implementation strategy for the ranked projects in Table 4-5 by providing the following information:

Table 4-6: Summary of WMAT mitigation actions/projects implementation strategies Action/Project: Lead Agency: Time Frame: Potential Funding (type of action – Mitigation (M), Preparedness (P), Response (R) ) Source: Develop a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). EM, Council, Fire, Police 2011 FEMA, Tribal (P) departments normal budget Update the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to include Standard Operating EM and departments involved Six months to – Tribal departments Procedures for removal of hazardous materials spills in flood events; append One year normal budget the Snow Removal Plan and educate Tribal Council and department heads on the requirements of the EOP. (R) Develop and promote public awareness/education on hazards and risks of EM, Fire, BIA, Forestry, Land Six months to PDM grant, BIA, Forestry wildfires, winter storms, floods, drought, arson, and dam failure. (M) Ops One year Support mitigation measures such as water conservation, defensible space and Fire, Utility, Hydrology, BIA Ongoing Fire, BIA Fire wise Demonstration Projects currently implemented in Carrizo, Cedar Creek and Cibecue. (M) Organize a Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team with guidance Fire, Forestry, Hydrology, 2012 PDM grant, Planning, from the U.S. Forest Service and develop a Best Management Practices Cultural Land Ops (BMP)/Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for forestland rehabilitation following wildfires. (M/R) Obtain information and assistance from FEMA Region IX on participating in the FEMA /Tribal Council One month None needed for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). (M) information Identify and map hazard-prone areas. (M) EM, GIS, Fire, Land Ops, Ongoing Normal budgets Identify forested areas to be thinned to aid in the prevention of wild-fires and Fire, BIA, Forestry Ongoing Normal budgets infestations. (M) Identify structures, farmlands and historic and environmentally-sensitive areas EM, Land Ops, Hydrology, 2012 Normal budgets located in flood-prone areas. (M) Cultural, Utility, Environmental Remove or elevate structures in flood-prone areas. (M) EM, Land Ops, Hydrology, GIS 2012-2013 PDM grant Maintain and remove debris from waterways to prevent flooding. (M) Land Ops, Dam Safety Ongoing Ongoing Maintain bridges and roadways so that logging operations can continue to BIA, FATCO, Public Works Ongoing BIA, normal budget reduce wildfires and bark beetle infestations. (M)

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Develop and enforce land use regulations to include environmental, cultural Planning, Environmental, 2012 PDM grant for and historical reviews. (M) Cultural, Legal development/Council hire enforcers Review, update and enforce building codes and urban/wild land interface code. Planning, Fire, Legal, Council 2010 for Normal budget, Council (M) urban/wild land hire enforcers code; 2011 for bldg. code; 2012 for enforcement Retrofit and/or upgrade existing structures to meet building code Tribal Employees Rights Office 2013 PDM grant requirements. (M) (TERO),Planning, all Department Heads Acquire and install eleven emergency generators for critical facilities (KNNB EM, Utility 2011 PDM grant Radio Station, power and water utility, communication towers, shelters and Emergency Operations Center (EOC). (M) Acquire additional flood warning signs, barriers, sandbags, snow blowers, EM, Forestry, Utility, FATCO 2013 PDM and other trailers, snow cats, water storage tanks and other emergency equipment, as department grants necessary. (M/P) Construct storage building for emergency equipment for Cibecue, Carrizo. (P) EM, FATCO 2013 PDM grant Develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with adjacent counties, EM, Legal, Fire, Council 2011 Normal budgets neighboring communities, and the Arizona National Guard for emergency assistance. (P/R) Develop a feasibility study for a Bio-Mass Energy Plant. (M) Planning Study to be Ongoing completed in 30 days Build living snow fences near Horseshoe Lake and Sunrise Ski area to reduce BIA roads, Land Ops, Tribal Winter 2010 Normal budgets snow drifts on roads. (M) Forestry Continue on-going National Incident Management System (NIMS) training. EM, Public Health Within two Bio-Terrorism Grant (P/R) Preparedness weeks Work with cattle associations, Carrizo, Cibecue, Cedar Creek and other EM, Cattle Association 2011 Ongoing; NRCS communities in maintaining fence lines (to control feral horses) and controlling grazing to prevent flooding and erosion. (M) Work with police department on Community Watch Programs. (P) Police, Housing Authority, Ongoing Ongoing with BIA HUD Housing Support increased enforcement and investigation of human-caused (arson) Police, Fire, Housing Authority 2011 DOJ grants fires. (R) Address abandoned/vacant buildings and homes and decide on course of Department of Public Works 2012 Council action. (P)

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Support on-going projects to reduce trash in yards that could become fire Environmental, Housing 2010 Council, Public Works hazards (Beautification Program). (M) Authority and EPA Develop and install warning signage to alert the general public upon entering Land Ops, BIA, Game and Fish 2011 Game and Fish, BIA, potential flood hazards. (M) Land Ops Create and install audible warning systems to alert the general public in Land Ops, Game and Fish, 2011 Game and Fish, , Land Apache and English languages that flooding is imminent in the area. (M/P) Ops, Encourage positive working relationships with all Tribal departments. Council Ongoing Normal budget (M/P/R) Repair the diversion pond at Fort Apache Timber Company (FATCO). (M) FATCO Ongoing Council normal budget

Support cultural, heritage resources protocols and Best Management Practices Tribal Council, Cultural , all Ongoing Ongoing (BMP)s (M) Departments Source: TPT Committee

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

SECTION 5: PLAN MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

Requirement §201.7(c) (4): […the plan must include the following elements: …] (4) A Plan Maintenance Process that includes: (i) A section describing the method and schedule for monitoring, evaluating, and updating the mitigation plan. (ii) A system for monitoring implementation of mitigation measures and project closeouts. (iii) A process by which the Indian tribal government incorporates the requirements of the mitigation plan into other planning mechanisms such as Reservation master plans or capital improvement plans, when appropriate. (iv) Discussion on how the Indian tribal government will continue public participation in the plan maintenance process.

According to the DMA2K requirements, each plan must define and document processes or mechanisms for maintaining and updating the hazard mitigation plan within the established five-year planning cycle. Elements of this plan maintenance section include:

 Responsibility for Plan  Plan Monitoring and Evaluation  Mitigation Strategy Progress Assessment  Updating the Plan  Plan Implementation  Continued Public Involvement

The WMAT recognizes that this hazard mitigation plan is intended to be a “living” document with regularly scheduled monitoring, evaluation, and updating. The following sections present the Tribe’s plan maintenance procedures for the next five years.

5.1 Responsibility for Plan The responsibility for ensuring that the plan monitoring and evaluation is performed at the scheduled intervals shall come under the auspices of the Primary Points of Contact listed in Section 2 or another person designated by the Tribal Council. The TPT shall also be convened to perform the annual maintenance review and documentation.

5.2 Plan Monitoring and Evaluation The WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will be reviewed by the TPT on an annual basis or following a major disaster. A report documenting the review shall be prepared and included in Appendix I. The TPT decided to schedule an annual review of the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan for June of each year and have resolved to place a reminder on their calendars to meet this goal. A summary of the review shall also be presented as an informational item to the Tribal Council on at least an annual basis.

Each review shall include an evaluation of the following:

• Risk Assessment – The identified hazards and associated risks shall be evaluated with respect to the previous year’s events, and any significant differences shall be noted for either immediate revision or possible revision during the next planning cycle.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

• Mitigation Strategy – The proposed actions/projects shall be reviewed and updated regarding status and implementation (See Section 5.3). Any changes shall be noted along with the successes and/or challenges associated with the implementation.

• Correspondence – Important correspondence regarding multi-hazard mitigation shall be archived in Appendix J for future incorporation into the plan at the five year update. Potential items may include phone logs, meeting minutes, site visit notes, letters, memorandums, and/or other important materials.

5.3 Mitigation Strategy Progress Assessment The following sections describe the WMAT strategy for reviewing and assessing the progress of the identified mitigation goals and actions/projects.

5.3.1 Goals Achievement The hazard mitigation goal and objectives identified by the WMAT and summarized in Section 4.2 of this plan will be reviewed on an annual basis to assess the level of achievement in attaining the goals and objectives. Unless otherwise directed or warranted, the goals and objectives review will coincide with the annual overall plan review and update schedule. Goals will be assessed using a subjective approach and a summary of the assessment will be included in the annual review report.

5.3.2 Actions/Projects Implementation Table 4-6 summarizes the implementation strategy for each of the actions/projects identified in the Mitigation Strategy. For each annual review and plan update, the TPT will coordinate with the agency or agencies identified as the lead for each action/project, to assess the implementation status of the identified action/project and generate a brief memorandum summarizing the status of each project using the following format:

Project Lead Agency & Current Status of Project Name: Contact Info: Action/Project: Disposition: Explanation: Include name of Provide the name, Assign one of the Note either KEEP Provide a description of project as included agency, and following as or DROP to the current project status, in Tables 4-5 and contact information appropriate: identify future including date of 4-6. (phone & email) of . No Action outlook of implementation, person(s) . On-Going action/project. challenges faced, and contacted. . Completed percent completed, funding sources used, etc.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

5.3.3 Project Closeouts

Once an action/project is implemented, the action/project progress will be monitored by the TPT on at least an annual basis. For FEMA supported projects, progress reports will be required on a quarterly basis throughout the project duration. The degree of quarterly reporting will be dependent upon the type of action/project, its funding source, and the associated requirements. At a minimum, the quarterly report shall address:

• Project Completion Status • Project Challenges/Issues (If any) • Budgetary Considerations (Cost Overruns or Under runs) • Detailed Documentation of Expenditures

Upon completion of projects, a member of the TPT will visit the project location to view the final results. A closed project will also change status to “Completed” and will then be monitored for effectiveness in the intended mitigation. FEMA supported project closeouts will include an audit of the action/project financials as well as other guidelines/requirements set forth under the funding or grant rules, and any attendant administrative plans developed by the Tribe.

5.4 Plan Update Requirement §201.7(d): (d) Plan review and updates. Indian tribal governments must review and revise their plan to reflect changes in development, progress in local mitigation efforts, and changes in priorities and resubmit for approval within 5 years.

According to DMA2K, the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will require updating and re-approval from FEMA every five years. The plan update will adhere to the set schedule using the following procedure:

 Six months prior to the plan expiration date, the TPT will convene to review and assess the materials accumulated in Appendix I & J.  The TPT will update and/or revise the appropriate or affected portions of the plan and revise the plan document accordingly.  The revised plan document will be presented before the Tribal Council for an official concurrence/adoption of the changes via a Tribal resolution.  The revised plan will be submitted to FEMA for review, comment and approval.

5.5 Plan Integration

The WMAT is currently in the process of considering a Tribal Land Use Plan and the Planning Department will be using the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as a resource for identifying hazard areas to be avoided or to assign appropriate land-use classifications. The WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan also has a close inter-relationship with the Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Plan prepared by the WMAT Forestry Programs and the BIA White Mountain Agency Branch of Natural Resources. Other WMAT documents and planning activities that inter-relate with the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan are summarized in Table 2-4. Representatives from all of the afore-mentioned departments participated on the TPT and will serve as representatives of the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan to other planning efforts.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Continued Public Involvement

The WMAT recognizes that a continued public involvement effort is a key part of hazard mitigation with the reservation. The Core Planning Team met and outlined the following strategy for continued public involvement over the next five years:

 With each annual review in June, the Core Planning Team will make a presentation of the review and progress findings to the Tribal Council on the first scheduled council meeting in July.

 The Core Planning Team will prepare a public notice for publication in Fort Apache Scout newspaper and the Tribal radio station KNNB 88.1 FM two weeks prior to the council presentation.

 Posters will be prepared and posted at businesses and other locations (churches, schools, etc.) to educate the public regarding hazard mitigation efforts and the opportunity to comment on the plan at the Emergency Services Office and during the plan update. These comments will be kept and noted in the plan update.

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APPENDICES

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Appendix A

Bibliography Arizona Division of Emergency Management 2007, State of Arizona Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Arizona Department of Commerce, 2009, Community Profile for the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation

Arizona State University, Office of the State Climatologist for Arizona, 2009. Website data from the following URL: http://geography.asu.edu/azclimate

Caudill, James, February 2006, The Economic Effects of the Recreational Use of Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery 2004 Stocking. Bernadette-Adley –Santa Maria “Water Quality Improvement Grant Program Proposal”.

Desert Research Institute, Western Regional Climate Center, 2004, website data from the following URL: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/CLIMATEDATA.html

Federal Register, 2010, Title 44: Emergency Management and Assistance, PART 201—MITIGATION PLANNING

FEMA, 2001, Understanding Your Risks; Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses, FEMA 386-2.

FEMA, 2002, Getting Started; Building Support for Mitigation Planning, FEMA 386-1.

FEMA, 2002, Integrating Human-Caused Hazards into Mitigation Planning, FEMA 386-7.

FEMA, 2002, State and Local Plan Interim Criteria under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.

FEMA, 2003, Planning for a Sustainable Future, FEMA 364.

FEMA, 2003, Developing the Mitigation Plan; Identifying Mitigation Actions and Implementation Strategies, FEMA 386-3.

Hon-Dah Resort-Casino and Conference Center,” White Mountain Apache Tribe Web page: http://www.hon-dah.com/

Personal communication with Mary Jo Pyhel, Administrative Manager for the Apache Cultural Center, Oct. 11, 2006.

Personal Communication with Robert David, Hatchery Complex Manager at the A-WC during August, 2006.

Southwest Climate Outlook, May 2004.

Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance - March 2010 U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climatic Data Center, 2009, Storm Events Database.

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U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, White Mountain Agency, 2009

U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, San Carlos Agency, Branch of Natural Resources, 2010, White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation Wildland Fire Management Plan.

United States Geological Survey, 2010

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Appendix B

Table B-1: WMAT Facility Projects Underway or Awaiting Financing

The Indian Health Services’ (IHS) Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction administers a nationwide Sanitation Facilities Construction (SFC) Program that is responsible for the delivery of environmental engineering services and sanitation facilities to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The SFC Program accomplishes its responsibilities through the allocation of available resources to the twelve (IHS) Regions. The following table lists currently funded projects and those awaiting funding on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

Table B-1: WMAT Projects Underway or Awaiting Financing

Project Number: Amount: Project Type: Project Name: PH 01-S05 $ 700,000.00 EPA Whiteriver Sewer WWTF Rehabilitation PH 06-S94 $1,154,600.00 EPA Whiteriver WWTF Upgrades PH 04-C80 $ 400,000.00 IHS-H Water System Upgrades Throughout the Reservation PH 06-D30 $4,684,400.00 RD/other Whiteriver Surface Water Treatment Plant PH 06-D40 $ 42,949.00 BIA BIA-JFK Tank Rehab PH 08-D64 $ 500,000.00 WMAHA Whiteriver Surface Water Treatment Plant PH 08-D72 $ 540,000.00 IHS-H Whiteriver Surface Water Treatment Plant $ PH 09-D95 (ARRA) 1,022,320.00 EPA-SDWA-Stimulus Whiteriver Surface Water Treatment Plant PH 09-E01 $ 500,000.00 IHS-H WTP Funds to Partially Cover Shortfall PH 09-T44 $ 500,000.00 IHS-R WTP Funds to Partially Cover Shortfall PH 05-D05 $ 180,000.00 IHS-H Carrizo Guidi testing, flushing, indiv. RO Cibecue well pumps, pitlesses, lagoon pump PH 06-D23 $ 100,000.00 IHS-H replacement PH 06-D36 $ 500,000.00 EPA-DWTSA Miner Flat Well PH 06-D38 $ 302,000.00 IHS-H Roberts Ranch Well PH 06-D38 $ 425,000.00 HUD-Imm. Th. Roberts Ranch Well PH 08-D67 $ 150,000.00 IHS-H Scattered Project 2008 PH 08-D77 $ 524,000.00 IHS-H Whiteriver Sewer Main Upgrades PH 08-D80 $ 125,000.00 IHS-H Whiteriver Plumbing

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Project Number: Amount: Project Type: Project Name: PH 08-D81 $ 130,000.00 IHS-H Whiteriver Sewer Study PH 08-T34 $ 350,000.00 IHS-R Cibecue Well PH 09-D99 $ 400,000.00 IHS-H Scattered Project 2009 PH 09-T52 $ 198,000.00 IHS-R Scattered Regular Project 2009 PH 09-T75 (ARRA) $ 62,500.00 IHS-Stimulus Carrizo and Columbine Spring GWUDI Study PH 09-T62 (ARRA) $ 792,000.00 EPA-CWA Stimulus Alchesay Flat Sewer Extension PH 09-E21 (ARRA) UNSIGNED $ 792,000.00 HUD 50 Scattered Homes PH 10-E23 UNSIGNED $ 209,882.00 IHS-H 13 Scattered Homes PH 10-T93 UNSIGNED $ 212,000.00 EPA CWA Scattered Water and Sewer PH 10-T94 UNSIGNED $ 255,000.00 EPA CWA Whiteriver Critical Sewer Main Phase 1 PH 10-E24 UNSIGNED $ 700,000.00 IHS-H 35 Scattered Homes Alchesay Flat PH 10-xxx UNSIGNED $ 249,000.00 IHS-H 35 Scattered Homes Alchesay Flat PH 09-T66 (ARRA) $ 240,000.00 EPA-CWA-Stimulus 7-Mile Lagoon Abandonment PH 09-D96 $ 236,000.00 EPA Cedar Creek Tank Replacement PH 04-C59 $2,567,690.00 RD Hon Dah Regional Sewer Project (RD Phase 2) PH 04-C51 $ 630,000.00 RD Hon Dah Regional Water Project (Phase 2A) PH 04-C72 $ 623,200.00 RD Hon Dah Regional Water Project (Phase 2B) PH 04-C82 $ 708,600.00 IHS-H Hon Dah Coconino Aquifer Well PH 06-D37 $ 400,000.00 RHED RHED McNary Housing PH 08-D74 $ 368,000.00 WMAHA McNary Housing Water and Sewer

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Appendix C

Tribal Chairman’s Memo to WMAT Departments re. Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

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Appendix D

Tribal Commitment

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Appendix E

Meeting Sign-In Sheets

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Appendix F

Radio, Newspaper Announcements Re. WMATMHMP

Public Notice Printed in Apache Scout – April 23, 2010

White Mountain Apache Tribe Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR

KNNB

(English Version)

To be announced starting Monday, April 26 through Thursday, April 29, 2010

During Morning Drive Time, Afternoons and Evening Drive Time

The White Mountain Apache Tribe has been working on a plan to protect you and your property from future natural and human-caused hazards.

The Draft Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan can be reviewed at the Tribal Headquarters in Whiteriver. If you are interested in reviewing this Plan, please call Vaneysa Johnson at 928-594-1378 before Friday, April 30, 2010.

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Appendix G

Hazard Definitions for All Identified WMAT Hazards

NATURAL HAZARDS

Avalanche -Avalanches are massive downward and outward movements of slope-forming materials. These masses may range from car-size to entire mountainsides and includes movement of snow, ice, and debris moving rapidly enough to threaten life. Snow avalanches are caused by the added weight of fresh snow or by gradual weakening of older snow and are often triggered by recreational activity or the impact of small masses of snow or ice falling from above. Three main factors determine whether avalanches are likely to occur - the weather, snow pack, and terrain. There are two principal types of avalanches: a loose snow avalanche gathers more and more snow as it descends a mountainside; a slab avalanche consists of more compact, cohesive snow and ice that breaks away from the slope in a discrete mass. The latter type is responsible for the great majority of accidents.

Drought -A drought occurs when water supplies cannot meet established demands. "Severe" to "extreme" drought conditions endanger livestock and crops, significantly reduce surface and ground water supplies, increase the potential risk for wildland fires, increase the potential for dust storms, and cause significant economic loss. Humid areas are more vulnerable than arid areas. Drought may not be constant or predictable and does not begin or end on any schedule. Short term droughts are less common due to the reliance on irrigation water in arid environments.

Dust /Sand Storms -A dust or sand storm is a severe windstorm that sweeps clouds of dust across an arid region. They can be hazardous to transportation and navigation and to human health. Severe or prolonged dust and sand storms can result in disasters causing extensive economic damage over a wide area and personal injury and death. In Arizona, dust or sand storms are generally associated with the advance of a thunderstorm.

Earthquake -An earthquake is a naturally-induced shaking of the ground, caused by the fracture and sliding of rock within the Earth's crust. The magnitude is determined by the dimensions of the rupturing fracture (fault) and the amount of displacement that takes place. The larger the fault surface and displacement, the greater the energy. In addition to deforming the rock near the fault, this energy produces the shaking and a variety of seismic waves that radiate throughout the Earth. Earthquake magnitude is measured using the Richter Scale and earthquake intensity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.

Extreme Cold -Extreme cold is associated with either Polar Regions or extreme winter storms. Communities in Polar Regions are less threatened as they are normally prepared to cope with extreme cold. The extreme cold associated with winter storms is a deceptive killer as it indirectly causes injury and death resulting from exhaustion and overexertion, hypothermia and frostbite from wind chill, and asphyxiation.

Extreme Heat -Extreme heat is defined as temperatures that hover ten degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region and last for several weeks. Humid conditions may also add to

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the discomfort of high temperatures. Excessively dry and hot conditions can provoke dust storms and low visibility. Flooding / Flash Flooding -Flooding is an overflowing of water onto normally dry land and is one of the most significant and costly of natural disasters. Flooding tends to occur in Arizona during anomalous years of prolonged, regional rainfall (typical of an El Nino year), and is typified by increased humidity and high summer temperatures. Flash flooding is caused by too much rain falling in a small area in a short time and is a critical natural hazard in Arizona, often a result of summer monsoon thunderstorms or the remnants of a tropical storm. Several factors contribute to flash flooding: rainfall intensity and duration, topography, soil conditions, and ground cover. Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms or thunderstorms repeatedly moving over the same area and can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or a quick release from a dam or levee failure. Thunderstorms produce flash flooding, often far from the actual storm and at night when natural warnings may not be noticed.

Infestations -An infestation consists of an invasion or spreading of a living organism (plant, animal, etc.) that has an adverse (unwanted) effect on the population or the environment. The effect may range from a simple nuisance to an infectious disease or destructive parasite or insect. Infestations may result from Non-indigenous plants, rodents, weeds, parasites, insects, and fungi, and may adversely affect people, animals, agriculture, economy (e.g., tourism), and property.

Landslides / Mudslides -Landslides, like avalanches are massive downward and outward movements of slope-forming materials. The term landslide is restricted to movement of rock and soil and includes a broad range of velocities. Slow movements, although rarely a threat to life, can destroy buildings or break buried utility lines. A landslide occurs when a portion of a hill slope becomes too weak to support its own weight. The weakness is generally initiated when rainfall or some other source of water increases the water content of the slope, reducing the shear strength of the materials. A mud slide is a type of landslide referred to as a flow. Flows are landslides that behave like fluids: mud flows involve wet mud and debris.

Monsoon -A monsoon is any wind that reverses its direction seasonally. In the Southwestern U.S., for most of the year the winds blow from the west/northwest. Arizona is located on the fringe of the Mexican Monsoon which during the summer months turns the winds to a more south/southeast direction and brings moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of California, and Gulf of Mexico. This moisture often leads to thunderstorms in the higher mountains and Mogollon Rim, with air cooled from these storms often moving from the high country to the deserts, leading to further thunderstorm activity in the desert. A common misuse of the term monsoon is to refer to individual thunderstorms as monsoons.

Radon - Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is odorless and tasteless. It is formed from the radioactive decay of uranium. Uranium is found in small amounts in most rocks and soil. It slowly breaks down to other products such as radium, which breaks down to radon. Radon also undergoes radioactive decay. Radon enters the environment from the soil, from uranium and phosphate mines, and from coal combustion. Radon has a radioactive half-life and about 4 days; this means the one-half of a given amount of radon will decay to other products every 4 days. Some of the radon produced in the soil will move to the surface and enter the air. Radon also moves from the soil and enters the ground water.

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Subsidence -Land subsidence occurs when large amounts of ground water have been withdrawn from certain types of rocks, such as fine-grained sediments. The rock compacts because the water is partly responsible for holding the ground up. When the water is withdrawn, the rock falls in on itself. Thunderstorms / High Winds -Thunderstorms are characterized as violent storms that typically are associated with high winds, dust storms, heavy rainfall, hail, lightning strikes, and/or tornadoes. The unpredictability of thunderstorms, particularly their formation and the rapid movement to new locations heightens the possibility of floods. Thunderstorms, dust/sand storms and the like are most prevalent in Arizona during the monsoon season, which is a seasonal shift in the winds that causes an increase in humidity capable of fueling thunderstorms. The monsoon season in Arizona typically is from late-June or early-July through mid-September.

Tornadoes / Dust Devils -A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds in excess of 250 mph. Damage paths can exceed a mile wide and 50 miles long. Tornadoes are one of nature's most violent storms. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported across the United States, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. The damage from tornadoes is due to high winds. The Fujita Scale of Tornado Intensity measures tornado / high wind intensity and damage. A dust devil is a small but rapidly rotating column of wind made visible by the dust, sand, and debris it picks up from the surface. They typically develop best on clear, dry, hot afternoons and are common during the summer months in the desert portions of Arizona. While resembling tornadoes, dust devils typically do not produce damage, although in Arizona they have done so occasionally.

Tropical Storms / Hurricane -A tropical system in which the maximum sustained surface wind ranges from 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph). Tropical storms are associated with heavy rain, high wind, and thunderstorms. High intensity rainfall in short periods is typical. A tropical storm is classified as a hurricane when its sustained winds reach or exceed 74 mph (64 knots). These storms are medium to large in size and are capable of producing dangerous winds, torrential rains, and flooding, all of which may result in tremendous property damage and loss of life, primarily in coastal populated areas. The effects are typically most dangerous before a hurricane makes landfall, when most damage occurs. However, Arizona has experienced a number of tropical storms that caused extensive flooding and wind damage.

Volcanoes - A volcano is a vent in the Earth from which molten rock (magma) and gas erupt. The molten rock that erupts from the volcano (lava) forms a hill or mountain around the vent. The lava may flow out as a viscous liquid, or it may explode from the vent as solid or liquid particles. Volcanic eruptions can be placed into two general categories: those that are explosive and those that are effusive resulting in gently flowing lava flows, spatter cones, and lava fountains. Many eruptions are highly explosive in nature. They produce fragmental rocks from erupting lava and surrounding area rock and may produce fine volcanic ash that rises many kilometers into the atmosphere in enormous eruption columns. Explosive activity can also cause widespread ash fall, pyroclastic flows, debris avalanches, landslides, pyroclastic surges, and lahars.

Wildfires -Wildfire is a rapid, persistent chemical reaction that releases heat and light, especially the exothermic combination of a combustible substance with oxygen. Wildfires present a significant potential for disaster in the southwest, a region of relatively high temperatures, low humidity, low precipitation, and during the spring moderately strong daytime winds. Combine these severe burning conditions with people or lightning and the stage is set for the occurrence of large, destructive wildfires.

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Winter Storms -Winter storm is defined as a cold wind accompanied by blowing snow; freezing rain or sleet, cold temperatures, and possibly low visibility and drifting snow. The storms often make roads impassable. Residents, travelers, and livestock may become isolated or stranded without adequate food, water, and fuel supplies. The conditions may overwhelm the capabilities of a local jurisdiction. Winter storms are considered deceptive killers as they indirectly cause transportation accidents, and injury and death resulting from exhaustion/overexertion, hypothermia and frostbite from wind chill, and asphyxiation.

HUMAN-CAUSED HAZARDS

Arson -The act of willfully and maliciously burning of property, especially with criminal or fraudulent intent.

Biological Hazards -A hazard caused by the presence of any micro-organism, virus, infectious substance, or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring microorganism, virus, infectious substance, or biological product, capable of causing death, disease, or other biological malfunction.

Building / Structure Collapse -The failure and downfall of a structure. The collapse may result from a variety of natural causes such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, or from manmade circumstances such as construction deficiencies, neglect, aging infrastructure, or acts of terrorism.

Dam / Levee Failure -Dam/levee failure can be caused by natural occurrences such as floods, rock slides, earthquakes, or the deterioration of the foundation or the materials used in construction. Usually the changes are slow and not readily discovered by visual examination. Such a failure presents a significant potential for a disaster in that significant loss of life and property would be expected in addition to the possible loss of power and water resources.

Explosion/Fire -An explosion is the sudden loud release of energy and a rapidly expanding volume of gas that occurs when a gas explodes or a bomb detonates. Explosions result from the ignition of volatile products such as petroleum products, natural and other flammable gases, hazardous materials/chemicals, dust, and bombs. While an explosion surely may cause death, injury and property damage, a fire routinely follows which may cause further damage and inhibit emergency response.

Extreme Air Pollution -Pollution is the contamination of the earth's environment with materials that interfere with human health, the quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystems. Air pollution is the addition of harmful substances to the atmosphere. It makes people sick, causing breathing problems and sometimes cancer and it harms plants, animals, and the ecosystems in which they live. Some pollutants return to earth in the form of acid rain and snow that corrodes structures, damages vegetation, and makes streams and lakes unsuitable for life. "Extreme air pollution" exceeds established thresholds resulting in the need to take corrective actions and cause the public to take precautions.

Fuel / Resource Shortage -A fuel/resource shortage is defined as an actual or potential shortage of natural gas, crude and refined petroleum, petroleum-derived fuels, or other critical commodities that significantly impacts the ability to: render essential government and emergency services (medical, fire, safety); and threatens the health and safety of the public.

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Hazardous Materials Incidents -A spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment of a hazardous material, but excludes: (1) any release which results in exposure to poisons solely within the workplace, with respect to claims which such persons may assert against the employer of such persons; (2) emissions from the engine exhaust of a motor vehicle, rolling stock, aircraft, vessel, or pipeline pumping station engine; (3) release of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material from a nuclear incident; and (4) the normal application of fertilizer.

Power / Utility Failure -A power/utility failure is defined as an actual or potential shortage of electric power or the interruption of electrical power that significantly threatens health and safety. Many communities are vulnerable to many localized, short and long-term energy emergencies. Power shortages or failures do occur and may be brought on by severe weather conditions, such as blizzards, ice storms, extreme heat, thunderstorms, or events such as war, or civil disturbance.

Radiological Accident - A radiological accident is a release of radioactive materials. It can occur where radioactive materials are used, stored, or transported. Potentially nuclear power plants (fixed nuclear facilities), hospitals, universities, research laboratories, industries, major highways, railroads, or shipping yards could be the site of a radiological accident.

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Appendix H

Mitigation Success Story on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation

Drought Mitigation Success Story on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation In the summer of 2000, the Governor of Arizona, the White Mountain Apache Tribe and other governmental entities issued declarations of drought emergency. The state had experienced six consecutive years of below-normal precipitation of which 1998-1999 was the lowest two-year period ever recorded. Stream flows were well below normal and the long-term forecasts were predicting below normal precipitation.

The impacts of the drought included loss of critical water supplies, reduced vegetative cover, and increased risk of erosion and flood damages to downstream communities. In response, the WMAT and other sponsors throughout the state, requested assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program.

The White Mountain Apache Tribe received assistance through the EWP program during the Arizona Drought Emergencies of 1999 and 2000. The USDA (NRCS) assisted the WMAT reduce the threats to life and property caused by accelerated flooding and erosion on lands heavily impacted by prolonged drought.

The Carrizo Creek watershed, located on lands of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, is a major headwater area of the Salt River watershed above metropolitan Phoenix. The watershed provides economic and cultural values to the White Mountain Apache people for timber, range, wildlife and other uses. The prolonged drought contributed to severe degradation of upper watershed conditions and stream functions.

The Carrizo Creek channel was abrading and scoured to the gravel and cobble base by past floods. Little riparian vegetation remained to slow the flow of water and capture fine sediments. The reduced ability of the system to store water and release it slowly over time increased the potential for high intensity flooding to the community of Carrizo.

The Carrizo Livestock Association entered into the WEP program contracts with NRCS. A majority of the contributing watershed was range land and the primary treatment measure used was deferred grazing. This was determined to be an effective method of reducing stress on watershed vegetative cover and stream corridors, and accelerating their recovery. The Association continued to defer grazing beyond the contract period. As a result of the treatment applied, upper watershed grasses recovered and dense re-growth of riparian vegetation occurred along Carrizo Creek. Stream flows slowed during storm events and sediments were deposited along stream banks. Culturally significant riparian areas were allowed to recover. The risk of erosion and flooding damages to the community of Carrizo was reduced.

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Appendix I

Annual Review Report on WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Each year in June, the TPT shall conduct an annual review of the WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. A summary report shall be presented to the Tribal Council as an informational item at least annually.

Each review shall include an evaluation of the following:

• Recent Development – Recent development activities including the construction of new housing, commercial/industrial facilities, roads, major utilities, etc., shall be summarized or documented as they pertain to elements of the WMATMHMP. • Risk Assessment – The identified hazards and associated risks shall be evaluated with respect to the previous year’s events, and any significant differences shall be noted for either immediate revision or possible revision during the next planning cycle. • Mitigation Strategy – The proposed actions/projects shall be reviewed and updated regarding status and implementation (See Section 5.3). Any changes shall be noted along with the successes and/or challenges associated with the implementation. • Correspondence – Important correspondence regarding multi-hazard mitigation shall be archived in Appendix J for future incorporation into the plan at the five year update. Potential items may include phone logs, meeting minutes, site visit notes, letters, memorandums, and/or other important materials.

For each annual review and plan update, the TPT will coordinate with the agency or agencies identified as the lead for each action/project, to assess the implementation status of the identified action/project and generate a brief memorandum summarizing the status of each project using the following format:

Project Lead Agency & Current Status of Project Name: Contact Info: Action/Project: Disposition: Explanation: Include name of Provide the name, Assign one of the Note either KEEP Provide a description of project as included agency, and following as or DROP to the current project status, in Tables 4-5 and contact information appropriate: identify future including date of 4-6. (phone & email) of . No Action outlook of implementation, person(s) . On-Going action/project. challenges faced, percent contacted. . Completed completed, funding sources used, etc.

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Appendix J Correspondence Received on WMAT Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (i.e. phone logs, meeting minutes, site visit notes, letters, memos, etc.)

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