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Supervisor Ryan discusses area projects during Rotary meeting
$1.5 million in improvements at Cataract Lake and redistricting at top of the list

Doug Wells/WGCN<br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 --><br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 --><br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->Coconino County District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan visits with Williams Rotarians Sept. 22 at Doc Holliday’s Steakhouse.

Doug Wells/WGCN<br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 --><br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 --><br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->Coconino County District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan visits with Williams Rotarians Sept. 22 at Doc Holliday’s Steakhouse.

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Coconino County District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan presented updates on several projects affecting area residents during Williams Rotary Club's regular meeting on Sept. 22. The top two projects are the Cataract Lake improvement project and redistricting.

The $1.5 million Cataract Lake improvement project will upgrade the area for day use, fishing, picnicking and recreation. The park will no longer allow overnight camping. Construction will begin in the spring of 2012 with completion by fall. A joint public meeting of Coconino County Parks and Recreation Commission and city of Williams Parks and Recreation Commission was held Sept. 14 at the Williams Recreation Center. During the meeting, a basic design concept was presented for discussion. Approximately 27 residents attended the meeting. Residents welcome the upcoming improvements and articulated their suggestions and opinions.

The design team is composed of Olsson Associates and Plateau Engineering and is led by Coconino County Parks and Recreation Construction and Capital Improvement Manager will create an updated design concept with more details taking into account input from the public. More meetings will be held in the future.

Ryan discussed redistricting, which is necessary since the county's population has greatly increased. Approximately 134,420 people live in the county, a nearly 16 percent increase since 2000. To balance out Ryan's district, 3,300 people were transferred into other districts. Those transferred include sections of Northern Arizona University and 1,500 residents north of Williams along Highway 64.

Ryan stated Coconino County Supervisors support Legislative and Congressional districts that incorporate competitiveness so voters have legitimate choices and communities of interest. This includes ecotourism, regional economic development, transportation, agriculture, forestry, ranching, institutions of higher learning and tribal nations.

According to Ryan, the county is considering several map proposals including the proposals released by the Independent Redistricting Commission, to determiner which maps reflect the diversity of the communities which make up the county and common interests. When commenting on the maps, the county has stated the following:

• Keep Coconino County as whole as possible in a Congressional district and include the county in a district with the north and eastern counties of the state.

• Support the Voting Rights Act by establishing at least two majority/minority Congressional districts statewide.

• For Legislative Districts, the county prefers to be kept as intact as possible. If necessary, the county would support being split into two districts. Any Legislative District, which includes Flagstaff, should also include an area impacted by the Schultz fire and Flood - Doney Park, Timberline and Fernwood neighborhoods.

A final decision on redistricting will be made by Nov. 2 by a state appointed redistricting committee.

Ryan reviewed the wind farms that are being built north of Williams. He stated he voted against these projects due to concern from area residents. According to Ryan, county staff has been instructed to come up with suggested zoning restrictions that would balance the need for sustainable energy with residential concerns on destruction of scenic views and wildlife corridors.

Ryan also reviewed the numerous natural disasters that have occurred over the past 18 months in Coconino County. These included the tornadoes in Bellemont, record snowfall last winter, the catastrophic Schultz Fire and the flooding that occurred following the fire. He said the streams in the area are running 10 times over their natural flows due to the fire. This has caused property damage to residences and government infrastructure. The county is working with the Forest Service and state and federal agencies to come up with ideas to contain the flooding. Lack of money is a major obstacle. It could cost $15-$45 million to restore the area and contain future flooding.

Ryan has held his elected position for 15 years.


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