Chapters 2 and 8 of the Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) contain a plethora of details about the project, its purpose and need, and potential impacts that could result from implementation. Detailed engineering plans for the proposed project (channel) can be viewed in Appendix E of the document which can downloaded from our website at www.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the bottom of the homepage where you can click on the PDF icon to download the full Plan-EA). A video recording of the public meeting on August 10, 2023 is available at the project website. During the meeting the project’s engineer displayed typical cross-sections of the proposed channel and provided additional details.

As required by the National Environmental Policy Act, Magma Flood Control District has diligently informed the public and agencies about this project from its inception in 2021.

A 30-day formal scoping period was held from February 10 to March 10, 2021, and a public meeting was held on February 22, 2021. The scoping notice was placed in local newspapers and Informational postcards were mailed to over 3,000 people. Additionally, emails and letters were sent to a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders. During the scoping meeting and initial scoping period, the project team discussed the purpose and need for the project, flooding issues in the project area, the federal planning process, potential solutions, and how the public could get involved. The project team also received several comments to help formulate alternatives.

A similar public involvement effort was pursued as a part of the recent public meeting on August 10, 2023, which was intended to solicit public comments on the Plan-EA. Chapter 3 of the Plan-EA contains detailed information about how and when public and agency coordination occurred. Additionally, agency and stakeholder correspondence can be found in Appendix A of the Plan-EA, which can be downloaded from our website at www.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click on the PDF icon to download the full document). A video recording of the public meeting on August 10, 2023 is available at the project website and provides details about the public involvement effort.

No, this project has been specifically designed to be eligible for 100% federal funding of engineering design and construction costs from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

No, improved drainage through Wild Horse Estates and Crestfield Manor (as well as improved regional drainage benefits to areas both upstream and downstream of these neighborhoods) would improve property values due to the decreased risk of flooding. Additionally, the proposed bank-protected channel may help to mitigate future requirements for mortgage flood insurance if FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps are revised.

Chapter 5 of the Plan-EA contains detailed information about the alternative development and analysis process that was conducted as part of this watershed plan. Additional details about the preliminary alternatives that were considered can be found in Appendix D6 of the Plan-EA which can downloaded from our website at www.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the bottom of the home page where you can click on the PDF icon to download the full document). A video recording of the public meeting on August 10, 2023 is available at the project website and provides details on alternatives analyzed as part of this watershed planning process.

A recording of the public meeting can be viewed on our website at www.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the middle of the home page where you will see a play button)

No, the basin is owned by a private entity (Crestfield Manor). Previous flooding of the basin was caused by a breach in the embankment between the Magma Wash and the retention basin which created a flood pool safety hazard that has now been resolved by the owner.

The project’s planning team reviewed the current information relating to ADOT’s North-South Freeway (Note: State Route 24 does not impact the project area).

ADOT’s North-South Freeway is currently still in the early stages of the planning process. The Tier 1 FEIS and ROD were completed in August 2021 and identified an action corridor alternative as the Selected Alternative. ADOT is evaluating potential alignment configurations within the Selected Alternative in the Tier 2 NEPA process, continuing in its role as the lead agency under a Memorandum of Understanding for the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (23 United States Code § 327). It is unknown if or when this project could be funded. More information can be found in section 6.9.2.1 of the Plan-EA which can be downloaded from our website at www.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the bottom of the home page where you can click on the PDF icon to download the full document).

Channelization activities resulting from this project are designed to seamlessly connect or flow into the existing engineered channel that already runs through Anthem at Merrill Ranch in the historic flow path of Magma Wash. Maps of the project and vicinity can be found in Appendix B and Appendix C of the Plan-EA, which can be downloaded from our website atwww.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click on the PDF icon to download the full document).

Channelization activities resulting from this project are designed to seamlessly connect or flow into the existing engineered channel that already runs through Anthem at Merrill Ranch in the historic flow path of Magma Wash. Maps of the project and vicinity can be found in Appendix B and Appendix C of the Plan-EA, which can be downloaded from our website at www.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click on the PDF icon to download the full document).

Yes, this project would affect the environment and the wildlife in a very limited area (the wash corridor where improvements are planned). The impacts have been analyzed in Section 6.4 of the Plan-EA which can downloaded from our website at www.middlemagmarfcp.com (scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click on the PDF icon to download the full document).

Mitigation measures for wildlife include burrowing owl and Sonoran desert tortoise clearance surveys and a wildlife protection and education program. Project-related vegetation removal or ground disturbance will be scheduled to take place outside the migratory bird breeding season. If activities are to occur during this time period, a pre-construction survey for nesting birds would be completed prior to ensure there are no nesting birds on site. With these mitigation measures in place, the minor impacts to wildlife have been deemed acceptable to obtain the benefits of flood damage reduction. Furthermore, while the wildlife corridor (the wash) would be altered during and after construction, the finished product would have a natural floor and still be below grade. Wildlife would likely resume using it as a movement corridor through the neighborhood once construction is complete.

A video recording of the public meeting on August 10, 2023 is available at the project website and provides details on mitigation measures for plants and wildlife in the project area.

This proposed channelization project is specifically designed to drain stormwater quickly and should not cause ponding at any point along its length. Therefore, it would not likely provide new habitat for nuisance insects or wildlife.