The federal government has approved $3.5 million for watershed restoration on private land in the Museum Fire flood area in Flagstaff.
The funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will support reducing the amount of sediment coming into the city from the burn area, a prerequisite for long-term flood control.
The funds were requested by Coconino County flood officials.
The U.S. Forest Service last week also committed $3.5 million for similar work on public land in the Museum flood area.
Officials say the goal is to complete the work by the start of next monsoon season. Flooding in July and August damaged the interiors of two businesses and 53 homes in Flagstaff, totaling $923,000 in damage. More than $845,000 in damage was done to city infrastructure.