Native Arizona desert vegetation
Sedona AZ (February 26, 2013) – Several important corrections are needed to the February 13 (2013) letter, “USFS Says Native Vegetation Best (https://sedonaeye.com/usfs-says-native-vegetation-best).” The group being referred to in the letter by Heather Provencio is the Weed Abatement Task Force that was formed by the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council over two years ago. The persistent complaints of many Sedona citizens, merchants and visitors regarding the disappointingly unattractive Gateway to our beautiful Red Rock Country on Arizona State Route 179 have inspired such action.
The Community expects a Gateway that sets the stage for the stunning beauty and charming towns that will follow. We have been working diligently along with the All-American Road Committee as we seek to find a solution satisfactory to both the Forest Service and ADOT.
After numerous informational meetings with both agencies, we have met their every requirement to find a solution to the look of the dead plants that grace the Highway 179 median south of the VOC for most of the year. We have thus far proposed enhancing the wildflowers and mowing the median after the growing season, and alternatively, creating a natural looking stone median, similar to red rock areas seen throughout the National Forest. We have never proposed using non-native vegetation.
Native Arizona cacti
Wildflower seeding and mowing, funded by the All-American Road Committee was done last year, but no positive results were observed last season.
In light of that, an attractive natural rock solution, not just gravel, was proposed for the median, underlain by a special dual layer weed barrier that would result in nearly complete weed suppression and require very little maintenance. In addition, the Community has accepted total responsibility for installation costs and maintenance, which will be funded with grant money.
As can be seen in Heather Provencio’s response, the Forest Service, while supportive at first, rejected that concept. We believe there are significant flaws in the justification given by the Forest Service for their decision. But, it is what it is; a response that we will take in stride in our continuing effort to improve the look and feel of our Gateway, a special place which first reveals Sedona Red Rock Country for all who enter.
The Weed Abatement Task force of the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council, Gail Shaw Simpson, Chair
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Did we spend Big Park special improvement district money outside of our district on federal forest service land? Is that permissible?
Dual layer weed barrier would have been a great idea in the village where people live rather than pesticides. Turn that critical eye inward and focus on lining the VOC with dual layer weed barrier to eliminate the perpetual special improvement district money grub.
I must echo the concerns of the gentleman who posted earlier raising issues of spending special improvement district funds outside its jurisdiction. Please address these questions (President of Big Park Rouse and Big Park Committee liaison to USFS Simpson) because most of us read news here that doesn’t or won’t get published in other places.
1) Reason that Big Park assumed this “on behalf” of the Village of Oak Creek homeowners without notification that its taxes would be expended on Yavapai County and US forest lands outside its Village special taxing district and
2) Provide the exact location of the non-jurisdictional district lands to be paid for and its development plans, maintenance costs including labor that will deplete the tax funds set aside for Village of Oak Creek taxing district land improvements and maintenance and
3) The legal authority granted to Big Park RCC to override Yavapai County Supervisors, Special Taxing District rules and regs, Village of Oak Creek homeowners associations including VOCA as separate entities from BPRCC.
These are important questions for those that pay special district taxes. It would be important to see what the Yavapai County Supervisors say as well.
Thank you for your response in advance. And thank you Mrs. Simpson for bringing this matter to the light of day where it can be vetted. Your hard work is appreciated. Heather Provencio of the USFS deserves appreciation for her work too.
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Anytime you get involved in a project that government should have the responsibility of doing you are asking for trouble. Red flag was when the county said it would build but not upkeep the center, and of course the cost to the tax payers as always was way under quoted. Many people rushed to agree with taxing for this project guess mostly from feelings not common sense. Like all things, once a special tax is set up it can do nothing but go up and you never know for sure where the money is really going.
“In addition, the Community has accepted total responsibility for installation costs and maintenance, which will be funded with grant money.” HOW and WHEN did the Community decide to accept responsibility? I live here and have never heard a word about this.
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