Camp Navajo operates as a storage and training facility, serving as an active duty and reserve maneuver training site for all departments of the military. It is the only Tier II Maneuver Training Center installation in Arizona. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (NOFS) has the important distinction of being the U.S. Navy’s dark sky observatory site and thus requires clear, dark skies to effectively execute its mission. The Coconino County Military Installation Sustainability Study comprises five distinct components that individually and collectively support both installation and community sustainability and compatibility and the mutually beneficial relationship long established between Camp Navajo, NOFS, and the surrounding region.

Non-Conforming Outdoor Lighting Database and Outreach Campaign. To address dark skies and outdoor lighting, Matrix developed a dark sky non-conforming database and dark skies public outreach and education campaign plan for local communities. The database was created via on-the-ground and drone surveys of properties with suspected non-conforming outdoor lighting. Over 230 properties were assessed.

Industry Feasibility Study and Market Analysis. Matrix completed an industry feasibility study to identify uses that could best enhance forest health, grow the local economy, and enhance compatibility with the installations. The assessment pertained to several factors from compatibility, environmental, water, transportation, to land use.  The study will also be used to inform for the potential transfer of Camp Navajo land for development of a business/industrial park.

State Legislation and Strategic Engagement Plan. Matrix also developed draft state legislation and a strategic engagement plan to promote the state legislation to help protect the installations from incompatible use encroachment. The legislation is modeled on nationwide best practices and tailored to provide regulatory solutions for management of private and public lands which surround the installations.

Coconino MIR Study. The Coconino Military Installation Resiliency Study focused on developing a climate change vulnerability assessment matrix that aligns climate change hazard indicators with scientifically predicted climate change and extreme weather events for the study region that are cross-referenced against installation mission resiliency categories. This risk assessment leverages the most recent regional scientific climate literature, analysis, and quantifiable predicted changes to identify specific anticipated regional climate impacts to Coconino County installations. Using this method, Matrix identified the frequency, magnitude, and probability of risk for each category of climate change and extreme weather events and assessed the most likely future impacts to the installation within each mission resiliency category. Leveraging the resilience threat assessment, Matrix used the latest geospatial mapping techniques and data to model and demonstrate climate change vulnerability. Matrix developed raster-based maps illustrating forest health and increased wildland fire risks for Camp Navajo, NOFS, and the surrounding communities.

Installation Economic Impact Analysis. Matrix completed an installation economic impact analysis to quantify the value of the installations to the local economy. Installation capital budgets, wages, other expenditures, and demographic information of the enlisted and civilian workforces of the installations were assessed to show how the installations provide valuable financial and economic support to the local businesses and communities in addition to the benefits of national security, local disaster response, and community service.