A25-08081043 Invasive Mesquite Tree Removal

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has awarded a Cooperative Stewardship Agreement (Contract No. A25-08081043) to Cienega Ranch LLC for invasive mesquite tree removal in Cochise County, Arizona. The project encompasses approximately 571 acres of wildlife habitat management on privately-owned lands located southeast of Willcox, specifically within Township 15 South, Range 28 East. The contract is federally funded through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) grant under the National Fire Plan - Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance program.

The contract provides reimbursement to Cienega Ranch LLC of up to $228,400.00, at a rate not exceeding $400 per acre for labor, materials, and equipment costs. Mechanical removal will be executed using heavy equipment such as excavators and backhoes, with project implementation scheduled between October 2025 and March 2026. The agreement has a comprehensive ten-year duration, requiring the landowner to maintain restored habitat for a minimum of 10 years post-project completion. Funding is sourced from federal award F23AC03097-01, which totals $378,997.50, with compliance mandated under Buy America provisions for domestically-produced materials and equipment.