New Mexico Environment Department

Surface Water Quality Bureau

Watershed Protection Section

Clean Water Act

§319(h) Projects

1998 -- 2005

October 1, 2005

Watershed Protection Section Projects

1998 - 2005

## *[Watershed Protection Section Projects 1998]{.underline}*

***98-B Federal Consistency: Southern Forests***

*\$311,583 (Federal) \$215,177 (Match) \$526,760 (Total)*

*OBJECTIVE:* To ensure federal projects are consistent with New Mexico
water quality goals and standards. Proactive participation within the
Integrated Resource Management process facilitates interagency
communication/cooperation, promotes use of Best Management Practices
(BMPs), and ensures that water quality issues receive a comprehensive
evaluation. Confirmation activities include reviewing National
Environmental Policy Act documents such as scoping letters,
environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements to see
that BMPs and/or mitigation measures are included, adequate, and applied
appropriately. Field inspections serve as a visual confirmation for BMP
implementation, support technology transfer, and promote interagency
communication. National Forests represent a relatively small percentage
of total land area in New Mexico. However these holdings include the
headwaters of intrastate streams, many interstate streams, and a
disproportionate number of New Mexico's highest quality waters.

***98-C Naschitti NPS Range Project***

\$36,000 (Federal) \$14,400 (Match In-Kind \$14,400) \$50,400 (Total)

*Project Status: Completed*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The objectives of the project are to reduce NPS erosion
at the headwaters of Coyote Wash from 62.5 tons/acre/yr to 1.7
tons/acre/yr to reduce silt and salinity discharges into the Chaco
River.

Objective 1: Establish 47 miles of fence around 5 Range Management Units
(RMUs) of 30, 353 acres to control livestock trespass problems and
facilitate proper management of the rangeland.

Objective 2: Develop range management conservation plans with five
families involved in this project to educate them about proper range
management techniques.

Objective 3: Increase range cover from the current 5-10% or more through
implementation of the range management conservation plans.

Objective 4: Establish information and Education Program through
outreach efforts to schools and Reservation Chapters by conducting field
tours and begin the filming of a documentary chronicling the range
improvement over time.

The NRCS will do the range monitoring and documentation of vegetative
improvement on a semi-annual basis through photos and video. This
photographic documentation of vegetative establishment and improvement
will be the measure of water quality improvement. The Fort Defiance SWCD
and the Navajo RC&D will be conducting annual range tours of the project
area for Navajo community leaders, Council Delegates, Ranchers, and
School Children. The level of participation in the tours would also be a
measure of the projects success.

***98-D Rio Ruidoso Watershed Restoration Project***

*\$198,058* *(Federal) \$240,423* *(Match) \$438,481 (Total)*

*Project Status: completed*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* Restore the Rio Ruidoso watershed to a properly
functioning condition and to generate widespread public awareness,
support, and participation in the project. The project began with a once
healthy, pristine, and vibrant river flowing through a picturesque
mountain village that had found its way onto the State of New Mexico's
303(d) list of degraded waterways due, technically speaking, to
turbidity and nuisance algae, but in reality due to apathy, neglect, and
abuse. The project ends in a complete turnabout, with inhabitants of the
whole village and surrounding watershed enthusiastically rallying around
the project, endorsing the river as the area's irreplaceable golden
goose, and eagerly looking forward to achieving and maintaining its
restoration. In fact, the project's program manager was named Ruidoso's
"Citizen of the Year" in 2000 solely for his efforts with this project.

***98-E Bonito Lake Critical Area Treatment***

*\$ 47,500 (Federal) \$ 27,750 (Match) \$ 75,250 (Total)*

*Project Status: Terminated with only \$4,790 federal dollars spent.*

*OBJECTIVE:* Reduce soil erosion & vegetation degradation & subsequent
water quality problems along 700 feet of shore line of Bonito Lake by 1)
installing 10 major bank stabilization structures in severely eroded
drainage and 2) by installing 4 sets of metal stairs & 700 feet of
trails to provide safe egress & ingress to the lake.

This project was terminated in 2002 after \$4,790 of federal funds was
spent in 1998 by the City of Alamogordo for supplies for revetments. The
City of Alamogordo lost interest and did not support staff with time and
in-kind funding for labor and equipment to complete the project.

***98-F Southern New Mexico Agri-Chemical Handling Facility***

*\$25,000 (Federal) \$ 16,667 (Match: In-Kind) \$ 41,667 (Total)*

### *Project Status: completed*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project addressed one of our water quality concerns
through the dissemination of information about Agrichemical Handling
Facilities (ACHFs) to agricultural chemical users. This demonstration
project showed off the amenities of an AHF and how it minimizes the
potential for a chemical spill or accident. The ACHF primarily consisted
of the following 5 goals and objectives: 1. Develop an information
packet for the Ag-Chemical Handling Facility, 2.Select two cooperators
and design facilities to meet their needs, 3. Accomplish an ACHF survey,
4. Design an Information Program and provide field trips for promotion,
5. Build the facilities and write the final report.

The ACHF has been a tremendous success as it has met or exceeded all set
goals. The concept has proven to be affective and practical. The
facilities have been accepted as a best management practice by all who
have seen them. The original survey that was planned was accomplished by
means of our numerous presentations with more to come in 2003. We are
reaching many more people through the avenue of personal displays going
to where our prospective cooperators are and bringing the information to
them. Both ACHF's built have been put to use continually since their
inception and both are being upgraded as time goes by to adjust to any
unforeseen problems or circumstances. As our promotion continues, we
have utmost confidence this new farming tool will be a common practice
in the Mesilla Valley in the future.

*98-G Jarosa/Rio Puerco Riparian-Rangeland Improvement Project*

\$129,645 (Federal) \$61,680 (Match In-Kind \$61,680) \$191,325 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE:* The objectives are to improve water quality in the Ro
Puerco de Chama, Jarosa Creek, and the Rito Redondo; restore naturally
stable hydrologic functions in these streams by improving riparian
vegetative cover; reduce the amount of sediment entering the Rio Puerco
de Chama, Jarosa Creek, and Rito Redondo by improving livestock
management on the Jarosa Grazing Allotment (23,102 acres of National
Forest); improve livestock management by developing a deferred rotation
system; manage fenced riparian areas by grazing in a more intensive,
shorter duration manner than currently occurs. Improved livestock
management will increase herbaceous cover over the entire allotment and
especially in riparian areas.

***98-H Upper Pecos Watershed Restoration and Stewardship Project***

*\$ 143,609 (Federal) \$ 93,724.27 (Match) \$ 237,333.27 (Total)*

This project was successfully completed in December 2003.

*OBJECTIVE(S):* To reduce erosion and siltation in the Upper Pecos River
and its tributaries through the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
To improve wetland, riparian and fisheries habitat through the exclusion
of cattle and planting of riparian vegetation. To provide outreach on
watershed management through demonstration projects, publications,
presentations, educational workshops, field day and tours.

The project's objectives include teaching the landowners how to prevent
erosion, and stabilize river banks on private property. This included
survey of the riparian populations and historic channelization in the
river or tributaries. Project manager, Tierra Y Montes Soil and Water
Conservation District were able to contact several landowners, who in
turn talked with their neighbors, who participated in the project.
During the life of this proposal, a wildfire started in the Pecos
National Forest, and through timely assistance working with private
landowners severe erosion was lessened on the Cow and Bull Creek areas.
A brochure was produced in response to the work done post-fire.

This project included an upland watershed demonstration of different
types of structures to slow runoff during storm events in a drought
situation. The District involved students from the local public schools
to help construct the structures and to observe the results, (where
sediment was held back) and to use them at their own property. This
resulted in further upland watershed work in the public school property
including water conservation techniques.

The Pecos National Historic Park Service was a part of this project. The
Glorieta Creek runs through the Park area and had been severely impacted
by gravel operations during the construction of Interstate 25. The creek
was rehabilitated, reshaping the site to create a native
wetland-riparian system.

***98-I Rio Puerco Riparian Demonstration Project***

*\$20,000 (federal) \$ 17,000 Match Total: \$ 37,000*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The Forest Guardians, in cooperation with Southwest
Environmental Center, targeted this reach of the Rio Puerco (where they
control State Land Office leases) for reduction of sediment as a result
of improved riparian habitat, through livestock exclusion and planting
native riparian plants. They will implement public education through
school contact and news media stories addressing the importance of
healthy functioning riparian areas

***98-J Establishing Empirical Tools for Assessment of Natural Channels
in New Mexico,***

***Northern Arizona University***

*\$60,000 (federal)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The objectives of this project are to develop empirical
tools to aid managers, landowners and technicians in the field
assessment of stream channel function and bank stability. There are two
distinct components. First, defining regional relationships for bankfull
discharge for the State of New Mexico. The second component is the
establishment of an empirical, predictive model for stream bank erosion.

***98-K Upper Gila River Fluvial Geomorphology Study***

*\$ 500,000 (Federal) \$333,333 (Match: In-Kind NMED) \$833,333 (Total)*

*Project Status:* *completed*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The goal of this study was to diagnose the fluvial
geomorphologic attributes of the Upper Gila River. These attributes are
a function of the physical processes at work in the stream corridor. The
stream corridor includes the mainstem of the Gila River at flood stage
and the associated riparian area, as well as tributaries within the
valley of the mainstem. The purpose of the study was to increase the
awareness of these processes enabling improved local, state, and federal
management of the stream corridor. The study included background
information gathering, field data collection, photographic analyses, and
a variety of topographic, geomorphic, hydraulic, and hydrologic
analyses.

The study recommended four management goals relevant to fluvial
geomorphologic processes:

1\. Do not overly constrain the river width for flood control purposes

2\. Modify flood control practices to insure that the river is
re-attached to its floodplain

3\. Do not interfere with the direction of flows in the flood channel
and,

4\. Continue to inform the public on the fluvial processes that drive
the river form.

***98-L Gila Forum***

*\$33,000 (Federal) \$13,200 (Match) \$46,200 (Total)*

*Project Status: complete*

OBJECTIVE(S): The project was interested in developing local
partnerships and sharing knowledge that would lead to collaborative
efforts to maintain and enhance the physical, chemical and biological
integrity of the Gila River watershed. The project sought to assist a
locally led holistic watershed management group as a non-profit entity
with 501-c3 status. This entity would develop partnerships with local
businesses, private landowners, universities, local industries, federal,
state and local governments. Specific to the objective, the tasks
included-

1.  Conduct seminars and workshops,

2.  Establish 501c (3) status,

3\. Develop partnerships and diversification of membership,

4\. Secure funding sources for future projects,

5.  Develop at least one research project sponsored and funded in part
    by a university,

6\. Web page development for Upper Gila Watershed Alliance (UGWA),

7\. Develop revenue sources for the forum,

8\. Secure 3 grants during the contract term.

***[Watershed Protection Section Projects 1999]{.underline}***

***99-A West Fork Natural Revetment and Bioengineering Demonstration
Project***

*\$ 94,700 (Federal) \$90,000 (Match: In-Kind NMDOT) \$184,700 (Total)*

*Project Status: on-going*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This Project is intended to address non-point source
pollution derived from channel instability, accelerated erosion of
cutbanks, and reduced filtering capacity due to lack of riparian/wetland
vegetation. This project will also address loss of habitat, lack of
habitat diversity, and reduce the threat of flooding and erosion along
State Highway 15, which is adjacent to the river. The objectives for
this project as expressed by stakeholders are for 1) improved highway
safety and lower maintenance costs, 2) reliable motorized access to the
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, 3) habitat maintenance and
improvement for aquatic and terrestrial riparian species, 4) water
quality improvements, and 5) protection of scenic and recreational
resources. The purpose of the West Fork project is to address
stakeholder needs with a hydro-modification and erosion control project
founded in natural stability concepts.

*99-B Picacho Bosque Wetland Restoration*

*\$7,500.00 (Federal) \$14,000 (Match) \$21,500 (Total)*

*Project status: complete*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* The Picacho Bosque Wetland Project was intended to
reduce sediment loading, salinity, sulfates, chlorides, total dissolved
solids, phosphorous, nitrogen and organic pollutants in a drain return
flow to the Rio Grande. A series of wetland ponds were constructed as a
filtering structure where salt cedar was eradicated, native vegetation
was reestablished, and cottonwoods/willow poles were introduced.
Providing wetlands will assist in buffering damaging flood events by
storing over bank flows, control erosion by reducing water velocities
and dispersing wave energy and increasing groundwater recharge. By
utilizing these techniques they expect to reduce flood costs, clean
downstream waters and improve water quality for recreation. The project
encompasses approximately 55 acres near the Rio Grande.

The Picacho Bosque Wetlands Project directly contributes to the
reduction of an existing pollution problem by use of best management
practices (BMPs) addressing multiple environmental concerns including
non-point source pollution of sediment and organic pollutants, saline
waters, vegetation and wildlife management and advance the understanding
of a critical riparian systems in the southwest.

Cooperators included but were not limited to: Southwest Environmental
Center (SWEC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Elephant Butte
Irrigation District (EBID), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), New Mexico Game
and Fish (NMGF), Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS),
International Border and Water Commission (IBWC), New Mexico State
University (NMSU), Surface Water Quality Bureau (MMED/SWQB) and others
such as- Dona Ana Community College, Las Cruces Public School System,
Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and Southwest Consolidated
Sportsmen's Club.

***99-C Lower Rio Grande Precision Farming***

*\$100,000 (Federal) \$166,500 (Match: In-Kind) \$266,500 (Total)*

*Project Status:* *completed*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The project will integrate a geographic information
system (GIS), the global positioning system (GPS), farm management
computer software, electronic irrigation water measurement devices,
in-field soil moisture measurement devices with radio telemetry, weekly
color infrared aerial photography, both historic and current Thematic
Mapper (TM) satellite images, and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service's Holistic Irrigation Technology program

***99-D Gallinas Watershed Stewardship Enhancement Project***

*\$90,000 (Federal) \$60,634 (Match) \$150,634 (Total)*

*Project was completed in October 2004.*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* To improve water quality by reducing erosion and
siltation through the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs). To
improve wetland, riparian and fisheries habitat through the exclusion of
cattle and planting of riparian vegetation. To provide educational
outreach on watershed management through demonstration projects,
publications, presentations, educational workshops and tours. To work
with local governments, upgrading regulations.

This project worked with private landowners, city and county properties.
Most of the project used BMPs to reduce bank instability, and increase
riparian habitat, which resulted in improved water quality and
fisheries.

A demonstration project that was successful involved returning the
existing channel of the Gallinas River to the valley bottom. The river
had been incising and eroding, and through consultation has resulted in
an improved habitat. Another demonstration project involving the City of
Las Vegas was in a very heavily used section of the river near the
"skating pond". Vehicular access to the bank of the creek was removed,
riparian habitat recovered, and structures were added to encourage
meander and ponds, to slow the velocity in this section. Many landowners
participated in this project, and numerous presentations involved school
age and adult groups.

***99-E Rio Vallecitos Watershed Project***

*\$47,775 (Federal) \$19,110 (Match: In-Kind \$19,110) \$66,885 (Total)*

*Project Status: Completed*

Objective(s): The objectives of the project are to:

a\. Reduce the heavy metals associated with local abandoned mines in the
area.

b\. Increase canopy cover and decrease water temperature for high water
quality fisheries.

c\. Increase riparian canopy cover and vegetative cover while reducing
silt and turbidity from bank

destabilization practices.

d\. Write a Range Management Plan for reducing grazing activities along
riparian environments.

Completed Best Management Practices included:

Six spring re-habilitated sites on 3 allotment units

500 acres of sage removal

500 acres reseeding

The six spring improvements will prevent surface water contamination by
fencing off the spring sites and pumping water by gravity flow to trough
systems. Furthermore, by improving spring systems wildlife and livestock
will refrain from congregating in the Rio Vallecitos riparian zones,
this will help in reducing water temperature with an increase in foliage
cover in the riparian zones. Wildlife and livestock will have

The Alamosa allotment was improved by eradicating 500 acres of sage, by
using a brush hog unit with a tractor pull system. The area was
re-seeded with native grass seed using a broadcast system. This will
help in stabilizing soil and sediment on site and will reduce the amount
of sediment entering the Rio Vallecitos watershed. The grass will act as
a filtering system and will hold soils in place by root introduction.

***99-F Taylor & Beaver Creek Riparian Restoration Project***

*\$36,000 (Federal) \$ 0 (Match) \$ 36,000 (Total)*

*Project Status**: cancelled***

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is designed to exclude livestock along 8.5
miles of riparian area thus allowing this area to recover from past
overuse.

***99-G Tularosa Creek Watershed Restoration Project***

*\$146,056.98 (Federal) \$ 114,150.16 (Match) \$ 260,207.14 (Total)*

*Project Status: complete*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* Reduce erosion and sediment loads entering Tularosa
Creek (upland watershed), remove noxious vegetation in riparian areas
and promote recovery of native riparian species, improve surface water
quality and quantity, which will be monitored during the course of the
grant and Establish an Information & Education Program through outreach
efforts to schools, youth organizations, landowners, and citizens.

Approximately 183 acres of pinion/juniper were flat cut on the Mescalero
Reservation along with 45 acres of Siberian elm using cut stump
treatment with Garlon 4. The pinion/juniper treatment area will be
rested from livestock indefinitely, while the elm treatment will be
protected in perpetuity since this area is a special reserve along the
school property. Willow, common reed and cottonwood trees were planted
in place of the elms. On April 16, 2004 the project hosted a children's
water festival at the Mescalero public schools with over 200 in
attendance.

Approximately 2480 acres of state trust land was treated with
tebuthiuron for the control of Creosote bush. A baseline transect with
photo points was established prior to treatment. The treatment area was
rested from grazing one year prior to treatment and two years following
treatment. A 95% control rate has been reported on state lands.

Approximately 54 acres of private land was treated with tebuthiuron for
the control of Creosote bush in conjunction with state trust land.
Downstream from the bush control, 665 feet of riparian corridor on
private land was treated for salt cedar using a cut stump treatment with
Garlon 4. Willows and cottonwoods were planted as replacement vegetation
for bank stability. An additional 444 acres were treated for mesquite
control with the assistance of the USDA/NRCS, Alamogordo District
office. Velpar L herbicide was applied using an exact delivery handgun.
Two monitoring plots using the NRCS rangeland health surveys were
established with photo points.

The USDI/Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District treated
approximately 206 acres with tebuthiuron for Creosote bush control in
conjunction with state trust land and private land. The BLM also treated
approximately 250 acres of state, private and federal land riparian
corridor with Arsenal for the control of salt cedar. In addition,
another 3.1 miles of riparian corridor was treated with Arsenal on BLM
land to protect the vegetative integrity of Coyote Canyon. The project
hosted another children's water festival for the Tularosa School
District, approximately 437 were in attendance

# *99-H Upper San Francisco Riparian Enhancement Project*

*Federal Funds: (\$78,000) Match (\$52,000) Total (\$130,000)*

Project status: complete

*OBJECTIVE (S):* Establish approximately 8 miles of fence taking
advantage of terrain, contours, and topography to create discrete
riparian pastures for improved grazing management as well as placing
trick tanks for better utilization of forage. By utilizing this
technique, erosion may be reduced simply by effective management of the
livestock movements. Various analyses, studies, and experiments have
been designed and implemented historically based on forest protocol as
well as overall management of discrete grazing plans for wildlife and
domesticated animals. The goal is to establish a certain stubble height,
density, vigor and health compatible with range conditions for this
ecosystem and manage accordingly. This will reduce quantities of
sediment being transported into the San Francisco River from erosion.
The fences will take advantage of terrain such as steep ridges and deep
valleys as well as topography. Allowable use guidelines will take into
consideration riparian areas and wildlife utilization levels. Hunting
permits for wildlife are issued accordingly along with and taking into
consideration range condition. The project is complimenting a watershed
project that includes management of approximately1850 square miles.

Cooperators included the Gila National Forest, New Mexico Environment
Department/Surface Water Quality Bureau, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,
Grazing Permitees, Wild Turkey Foundation, New Mexico Game and Fish
Department and the Environment Protection Agency.

***99-I Rio Puerco Channel Reintroduction and Enhancement Project***

*\$52,700 (federal) \$7,500 (Match) Total: \$60,200*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* To provide technical and remediation assistance design
and implement BMPs for stabilizing approximately 10,000 feet of bed and
banks of the reintroduced reach of the Rio Puerco. Upon completion of
the construction phase of the project, this funding will help NMED-SWQB
partner up with the USGS or NM Tech to develop and implement monitoring
procedures to characterize the river\'s flow, and assess all of the
previous geomorphology, engineering design and construction efforts.

*99-J School Canyon Riparian Project*

*\$4,843.59 (Federal) \$3,229.06 (Match) \$8,072.65 (Total)*

*Project Status: complete*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* The project objective was to reduce sediment transport,
siltation, high nutrient/phosphate loads, and stream bank
destabilization by the establishment of a functional floodplain, higher
local groundwater levels, and a robust riparian buffer. Additional
objectives included establishment of more upland vegetative cover and
diversity by altering the long-term grazing allotment management plans
for livestock and wildlife.

Snow Lake's designated uses are marginal cold-water fishery and
secondary contact recreation, with probable sources of non-support
listed as natural, silviculture and agriculture rangeland. Probable
causes of non-support are listed as nutrients, nuisance algae, and
siltation.

The School Canyon Riparian Restoration Project is located directly
upstream of Snow Lake in the Gila National Forest (GNF) Reserve Ranger
District. In 1994, the GNF issued the decision memo for the Snow Lake
Watershed Improvement Project to commence design and dirt work. It
included a variety of activities to mitigate a sedimentation problem in
and around Snow Lake. The work included obliteration and relocation of
"old road" vegetation planting, gully plugging, raised culvert
placement, fencing, and included an area approximating 15 acres above
the Lake. A pond was also built in snow creek that is also an entrapment
for sedimentation.

The School Canyon Riparian Restoration Project directly contributed to
reduction of an existing pollutant problem by implementation of on the
ground best management practices (BMPs) designed to address non-point
source pollution consisting of sediment and organic/nutrient pollutants.
The BMPs implemented under this project are the establishment of a
robust riparian buffer with erosion control structures to re-wet a
valley/meadow drained by gully formation. Gully formation was initiated
many years ago when a two-track trail was established to access a
watering source at the top of the meadow. A similar situation occurred
in Snow Creek and T-bar Canyon, which are both in close proximity. They
all come together to flow into Snow Lake. Gully formation led to
dewatering and lowering of the local water table, which directly
affected the riparian zone of this tributary, although the lake does
raise the water table. Re-wetting the meadow increased vegetative ground
cover and riparian vegetation. This increased the filtering capacity
reduces the sediment load into the lake along with the associated
nutrients and pollutants that cling to the soil particles. We built five
'in channel' erosion control/sediment retention structures, one culvert
skirt for redevelopment of meadow, repaired and or rebuilt 1.5 miles of
fence and cut logs and peeled for travel barrier. A local sand and
gravel company was contracted to do much of the work.

***99-L Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Project on the Santa Fe
River***

*\$143,840 (Federal) \$ 106,628 (Match) \$ 250,468 (Total)*

*The project was completed in December 2003.*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is proposed as a demonstration project to
improve channel stability and reduce bank erosion on the Santa Fe River.
The project will lead to improvements in water quality conditions in the
Santa Fe River in stream segment 2-110 as designated by the NMWQCC.

This section of the Santa Fe River is ephemeral, however, an underground
stream was discovered through the use of monitoring wells and
piezometers. Using this information, native riparian vegetation was
planted at depths between 5 and 15 feet.

This stretch of the river had been used in gravel excavation. A specific
example of the problems included sheer walls 20-30 feet deep below a low
water crossing. After consultation, the project managers at the State
Land Office determined that increasing the meander (river length) would
reduce the velocity from flashy storm events hitting impervious surface
in the city. The section mentioned above now is only 3 -- 5 feet below
the terrace and the stream has access to its floodplain.

This project brought many school children to work on this project
on-site and adult groups participated in "clean-up" days. A neighborhood
community has succeeded in taking responsibility of the project.

Included in this project was a demonstration with the City of Santa Fe
at Frenchy's Park, where structures and riparian vegetation were put in
to help control/reduce erosion and bank instability.

***99-M Gallinas Watershed Riparian Enhancement Project***

*\$79,800 (Federal) \$53,200 (Match) \$133,000 (Total)*

*This project was completed in December 2003.*

*OBJECTIVE* (S): The objective is to implement measures identified in
the 1994 Gallinas River Watershed Plan as necessary to maintain and
improve the waters quality and quantity for the municipality of Las
Vegas. This mostly includes reducing an overstocked forest to prevent
the occurrence of wildfire in the Gallinas Watershed. The Gallinas
watershed is the main source of drinking water for the town of Las Vegas
and a catastrophic wildfire would devastate this resource.

The project goals were as follows:

-   treat 300 acres of overstocked forest with a prescription thinning
    and burn.

-   remove access to vehicles at stream banks and improve riparian
    habitat at forest camp sites

-   improve and protect springs used in cattle allotments

This main obstacle for this project was the drought. Due to the lack of
snow, the burn was finally allowed to take place during January; the
cold temperatures kept the fires from getting out of control.

***99-N Caja del Rio/Santa Fe River Watershed Improvement project***

*\$190,894 (Federal) \$ 128,055 (Match) \$ 318,949 (Total)*

*This project was completed in June 2004.*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is intended to address non‑point source
pollution derived from poor livestock distribution due to lack of
livestock drinking water; poor riparian vegetation on the La Bajada Mine
reclamation area on the Santa Fe River; soil erosion in the upland
portion of the allotment; and the treatment of sagebrush into
grasslands. This project will improve both the number and location of
livestock watering sources to better utilize the forage over the entire
allotment.

This project was granted to the US Forest Service, and they partnered
with the cattle permittees, the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County.
Twenty-seven miles of pipeline and spurs were installed to improve the
grazing management of cattle and to provide water for wildlife. The
source of the water was from the Santa Fe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mechanical equipment was used to thin and mulch the monotype vegetation,
followed with some burning practices to increase vegetative diversity.

Water gap structures were installed in the Santa Fe River to discourage
cattle access into the river.

# *99-P Bosque Tierra Mojada Wetlands on the Rio Grande*

*\$15,450 (Federal) \$6,180.00 (Match) \$21,630(Total)*

*Project Status*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* The project was intended to demonstrate the need for
wetlands and wildlife habitat restoration. It involves public elementary
and high school teachers that utilized the resource for environmental
education with an emphasis on water quality issues. Phase one was
completed under a Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program with the La Union
Soil and Water Conservation District. In that phase historic wetlands
pond at the end of an irrigation system next to the Rio Grande were
developed, salt cedar was cleared and native vegetation was
reestablished. Spoil from the ponds excavation was placed on the area
around the revitalized wetlands. This buried the previously saline
surface with a shallow layer of less saline soil. A significant number
of native plants and shrubs were found within the salt cedar monoculture
and were preserved. The Gadsden School District participated with
outreach for environmental education. The educational goals were to
provide teachers with on-site hands on experience about wetlands
utilizing a heuristic approach. Improvement of aquatic habitat and water
quality is the long-range goal. There was involvement with NMSU, USDA/La
Union Soil and Water Conservation District, Gadsden School District,
U.S. Corps of Engineers, USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service,
International Boundary and Water Commission, EPA and the SWQB.

***99-Q Erosion Control Proeject Angel Fire Ski Area -Angel Fire, NM***

*\$81,385 (federal) \$55,665 (Match) \$137,050 (total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* To reduce erosion, turbidity, and sedimentation of Agua
Fria and Cieneguilla Creeks by increasing organic content of soil and
increasing vegetative cover utilizing grazing as the tool on selected
ski runs at Angel Fire Ski Area which are a source of sediment.

***99-R Rio Cebolla***

*\$108,300 (federal) \$72,200 (Match) \$180,500 (total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* To construct and reconstruct barbed wire fencing to
facilitate control of cattle access to riparian areas and increase
riparian vegetation abundance and density. To construct upland water
developments for cattle and wildlife to reduce riparian attraction and
encourage better upland distribution. To construct barriers (rail fence,
natural materials) to restrict motor vehicles to designated roads and
parking area. To provide designated parking areas at various contact
points to discourage creation of undesignated roads and riparian damage.
To close, reclaim and camouflage undesignated roads t reduce erosion and
discourage vehicle traffic. Sign areas accordingly to inform and
education public about sensitive riparian zones and discourage vehicle
travel. To provide proper drainage on FR 376 to disperse water on a wet
meadow. To replace a FR 376 culvert to reduce erosion and downcutting.
To eradicate noxious weeds at a popular parking site t eliminate
potential for spread along the entire riparian zone. To eliminate
dumpsite to eliminate potential leaching and runoff into stream and
discourage future dumping. To promote partnerships, public involvement,
and education

# 

***99-S Esperanza Grazing Association***

*\$122,000 (federal) \$81,400 (Match) \$203,400 (total)*

*Project Status: Behind Schedule*

*OBJECTIVE(s)* To improve water quality in the Rio Chama watershed and
it's tributaries including the Rio Nutrias and Lobo Canyon. The project
will use a livestock and wildlife water distribution system, riparian
protection and enhancement, brush control to enhance grasses ability to
hold soil, road improvements to reduce erosion, and soil erosion control
structures. An educational effort will be completed involving the
regions ranching communities and youth.

***99-T Spur Ranch Centerfire Creek Restoration Project***

*\$105,000 (Federal) \$70,250 (Match) \$175,250 (Total)*

# *Project Status: complete*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* Stage 1 was a design and development of a
wetlands/riparian improvement that began in 1997. The riparian project
involves constructing two soil cement dams, the second of which was
constructed under 01-F. The treatment site is near the base of the
Centerfire Creek watershed, which is approximately 125 square miles and
where a 25-foot incised Centerfire Creek channel exist. The objectives
included improving water quality by reducing sediment load and
entrainment into the San Francisco River. Recreate the degraded meadow
to approximate historic level utilizing a two-stage construction. Stage
1 was the first soil cement structure, approximately 9.5 feet high, 120
feet across and 68 feet from upstream toe to downstream toe. Retain soil
on the upper watershed thereby reducing sediment entrainment. Increase
forage and herbaceous production while improving watershed
functionality.

Stage 2 increased the capacity for entrapment and further raised the
water table and in the process created a substantial wet meadow. This
will lesson the intensity of downstream flooding. Sloping the banks
upstream to 30 percent made it possible to drill native seeds and
reestablish a riparian corridor. Seeding and pole planting below the
structure has progressed to further reduce sediment transport into the
San Francisco River system. Burns, thinning and grazing management
changes for livestock and wildlife have improved the uplands reducing
erosion into the creek, as well.

***99-U Pleasanton Community/San Francisco River Restoration and
Outreach Project***

*\$205,000 (Federal) \$243,000 (Match: \$223,000 In-Kind, \$20,000 Cash)
\$448,000 (Total)*

*Project Status:* *completed*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The Pleasanton/San Francisco River Restoration and
Outreach Project addressed sources of nonpoint source pollution for this
reach of the San Francisco River as identified by the NMED Surface Water
Quality Bureau: incompatible agricultural practices, removal of riparian
vegetation, and stream bank modification/destabilization. Native
perennials were returned to the system in groupings of natural community
types. Riparian vegetation: cottonwoods, willows, sycamores, and
riparian-obligate shrubs-grasses -- were restored to the riparian zone
through pole, tree, grass plug and seed planting. Stream banks were
stabilized in sustainable fashion through a bioengineering approach that
emphasizes establishment of native trees and shrubs and grasses. The
floodplains behind the existing berms and dikes were re-vegetated with
native plantings as well, understanding that floodwaters and
sedimentation are separate issues. This project was aimed at improving
watershed condition, water quality, and wildlife habitat. A strong
component of this project was outreach and education regarding nonpoint
source pollution and watershed health. The community of Pleasanton along
the river, the businesses on the river, including the farms, ranches and
Sundial Springs participated in the project. More than 90% of the
inhabitants in this subwatershed were partners in this project.
Volunteer helped to restore the health and vitality to the river and the
wildlife, included use of member equipment and supplies: including pole
plantings, trees, grass wads and seed, and labor. This project used the
voluntary expertise of students and faculty of the Arizona and New
Mexico university systems and other scientists connected to New Mexico
state and private agencies involved in water and resource projects. We
hope our project will expand over time to help promote other projects
for the health of the rivers, the land and the education of the public.
Showing that an entire community as well as people outside of the
project area can work together to improve the environment and the
habitat for all.

***[Watershed Protection Section Projects 2000]{.underline}***

***00-A Garcia Canyon Watershed Project*** - cancelled due to Cerro
Grande Fire

***00-B Soil Stabilization Project - Angel Fire, NM***

*\$69,725 (federal), \$47,425 (match) \$117,150 (total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The purpose of this project is to decrease the amount of
sediment being transported from the Angel Fire Resort Ski Area into
streamcourses.

***00-C Valle Grande Grassbank Water Quality Improvement Project: a
Composite of Projects in the Valle Grande Grassbank Program***

*\$324,850(federal), \$216,567(match), \$541,417 (total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The Valle Grande Grassbank is currently operated by the
Quivira Coalition, a non-profit organization which fosters ecological,
economic and social health on western landscapes through education,
innovation, collaboration, and progressive public and private land
stewardship. The Grassbank serves grazing allotment permittees and
Forest Service resource managers on the Santa Fe and Carson National
Forests. Six allotments in five watersheds have been served under this
project. Under this project, 2791 acres of piñon-juniper and ponderosa
pine forest were thinned, 2130 acres were burned, six miles of fencing
were constructed, and tens of thousands of rangeland acres were rested
from grazing. An active program is in place for both local and west-wide
outreach. A Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) is nearing
completion for a large landscape area encompassing parts of two
watersheds. A new state-of-the-art monitoring program is in place that
is designed to monitor and validate treatment types over a seven-year
time frame.

***00-D Upper Santa Fe Watershed Restoration Project***

*\$419,248 (federal), \$367,200(match), \$786,448 (total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The project, implemented by the Santa Fe National
Forest, City of Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Watershed Association is designed
to protect water quality for forty percent of the water supply of the
City of Santa Fe from the results of a large, intense wildfire. The
primary objective of the project is to reduce fuel loading in critical
areas of the upper Santa Fe River watershed through carefully
implemented and monitored thinning and prescribed burning. Without the
project, a large, intense wildfire was expected to occur in the
unnaturally dense forest that developed under past Forest Service and
City management. Of the 17,000 acres in the upper Santa Fe River
watershed, 10,000 are not in designated Wilderness and are considered
the project area. As of July 2004, 3058 acres (of 4000-6000 acres
planned) have been thinned, and over 800 acres have been burned. This
project, now primarily funded through Congressional earmarks, gathered
momentum with support of the Section 319 program (which continues to
fund some thinning and burning), and is probably the largest and
best-monitored forest restoration project in New Mexico. Also through
this project, the Santa Fe Watershed Association developed a Watershed
Restoration Action Strategy for the greater Santa Fe River Watershed
(from Lake Peak to the Rio Grande) with input from a Watershed Advisory
Group representing many organizations and interests.

***00-E Implementation of NPS Pollution Control in the Santa Fe River***

*\$144,650 (federal), \$155,750 (match), \$300,400 (total)*

*Project was completed in October 2004*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* To reduce nonpoint source pollution on the Santa Fe
River. This project proposes to increase streamside vegetation,
re-establish floodplain to include wetlands and to promote educational
opportunities.

NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau had identified stream bottom deposits,
dissolved oxygen exceedence and temperature among other problems as
impacting the Santa Fe River below the Wastewater Treatment Plant. To
correct these problems the Forest Guardian's staff identified increasing
riparian habitat as a corrective measure that would improve water
quality, fisheries and become a more natural ecosystem.

The first measures included fencing out cattle, collecting native
riparian vegetation and inviting the community and school groups to do
"planting days". The bare root striplings successfully took root and the
riparian habitat was established. Photo monitoring points were
identified, and pictures were taken as the vegetation continued to grow.

The benefits were as follows:

▪ the shade from the canopy decreased temperature which stabilized the
dissolved oxygen and reduced the algae growth.

▪ lengthened the stream, so that it has an increased depth to width
ratio which benefits fisheries.

▪ provides stability to the banks, and slows the velocity during storm
events which encourages infiltration to the aquifer.

▪ has provided the community with a natural looking ecosystem although
the source of the water is from a pipe. The vegetation has also reduced
odors that accompany effluent.

This project has had difficulties, however. Some downstream users
contend that riparian vegetation should have a permit for water use.
When faced with the issue the Office of the State Engineer determined
that riparian is a natural system.

***00-F Galisteo Watershed Restoration***

*\$119,102 (federal) \$121,332 (match), Total: \$240,434*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The rapid expansion of Santa Fe to the south and into
the Galisteo watershed coupled with the interest of a growing number of
landowners, schools and institutions to participate in a watershed
restoration effort form the underlying impetus for this project. The
project focuses specifically on the problem of streambottom deposits in
the Galisteo Creek indicated in the 303-(d) list as a measurable
expression of the deteriorated conditions of the watershed.

The scale of the watershed, the diversity of interests and ownerships,
and the multitude of stressors that cause the \"partial support\" of the
designated use of the stream beg for a practical approach.
Theoretically, i.e. in terms of an efficient and rational methodology,
treatment of upstream areas that contribute to the NPS pollution should
receive priority in a watershed-wide restoration plan. However, such an
approach meets with lengthy federal government procedures of analysis,
planning and impact assessments. Forest Service representative have
indicated that the agency does not have sufficient capacity to address
these issues on the watershed\'s national forest lands in the next few
years. As a result, this project focuses on three areas where landowners
are interested in a collaborative restoration project that will have a
demonstration value for other landowners throughout the watershed.
Therefore, outreach and education as well as monitoring and
dissemination of \"lessons learned\" will be essential to bring the
effects of restoration on the three selected sites to a larger audience
throughout the watershed. At the same time, restoration of the sites
will reduce localized NPS source pollution that leads to streambottom
deposits.

***00-G Gila National Forest Watershed Projects***

*\$157,000 (Federal) \$105,000 (Match \$30,000 In-Kind, \$75,000 Cash)
\$262,000 (Total)*

*Project Status:* *complete*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is comprised of multiple projects submitted
by individual ranger districts within the Gila National Forest. All
projects are prescribed burns, water source protection, and fencing of
recreational areas. Objectives as stated in the approved work plan
are 1) restoring fire under controlled parameters to improve the quality
of water coming derived from the project area, 2) recycling of nutrients
by fire, 3) lowering of tree densities to improve growing conditions for
herbaceous ground cover, and 4) reducing the risk of catastrophic
wildfire. This increase in herbaceous vegetation will add ground cover
to the project area by increasing rainfall infiltration rates thereby
reducing sediment laden rainfall runoff. This reduction of nonpoint
sources of water pollution results in an improvement of water quality
for downstream users in the Gila Valley.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Control of Major NPS Pollution
Categories and Subcategories Identified in the New Mexico NPS Pollution
Water Quality Assessment (2002) and implemented under this project
follow:

Silviculture

[Fire suppression and fuels management]{.underline}

-   fire and fuel management activities to reduce frequency, intensity
    and destructiveness of wildfires

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-   consideration of water quality in formulating fire prescriptions

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-   protection of water quality from prescribed burning effects

-   minimizing watershed damage from fire suppression efforts

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-   repair or stabilization of fire suppression activities related to
    watershed damage

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-   emergency rehabilitation of watershed following fires

Rangeland

[Watershed Management]{.underline}

-   watershed restoration to reduce potential for NPS pollution

-   tree density reduction combined with increase in native herbaceous
    ground cover

***00-H Red River-Enhanced Local Involvement for Addressing Water
Quality in the Red River Watershed***

*\$10,210 (federal), \$7,860 (match, In-Kind), \$18,070 (total)*

*Project Status: Cancelled on 2/1/02, Moved to FY00-I*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The purpose of this project was to gain broader and more
effective local participation from throughout the Red River watershed in
working with the State to address significant watershed water quality
issues, develop a watershed restoration strategy (WRAS), and identify
and prioritize cost-effective areas and sites for cleanup. Because the
Watershed Group is composed of key stakeholders, it is critical that its
work be conducted concurrent with TMDL process (scheduled for completion
in 2001) so that the strategy developed will provide a framework for
accomplishing loss reductions.

***00-I Meridian Institute / The Collaborative Watershed
Project-Supporting TMDL Implementation in Northern New Mexico***

*\$ 218,370 (federal) \$145,580(Match: In-Kind \$81,245, Cash \$64,339)
\$363,950(total)*

*Project Status: Ongoing*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* Facilitation and coordination services will be provided
for collaborative watershed projects for the Cimarron River in north
central New Mexico, the San Juan and Animas Rivers in northwest New
Mexico. In addition, facilitation and coordination services will
continue for the Red River watershed group.

The objective of each of these watershed initiatives will be to
establish a collaborative watershed process involving all key interests
and affected parties. That process will help achieve local understanding
of the State's water quality management system (including TMDLs and load
allocations), identification of contributing sources of those pollutants
to be controlled under the TMDLs, development of a locally acceptable
watershed restoration action strategy (WRAS) for efficiently achieving
those load reductions, and remedial activities at priority sites.

Once the group has been convened, the process managers will work with
the group to develop ground rules, a decision-making process, and goals.
Once these foundational elements are in place, the group will work to
accomplish the following:

-   Gain an understanding of prevailing water quality standards and
    implications, TMDLs and the group's role in influencing the TMDLs;

-   Develop an educational program to build the capacity of the
    participants to make informed decisions;

-   Develop a public outreach strategy that ensures that information
    about the watershed initiative is flowing from and to the
    stakeholder group;

-   Identify available information and data needs;

-   Quantify problems, identify sources, and prioritize them;

-   Identify broader issues and concerns; define viable remedial
    options;

-   Develop a Watershed Restoration Action Strategy that includes
    well-defined and achievable goals as well as an effective
    implementation plan;

-   Select sites for early remediation actions; define an ongoing
    monitoring plan for tracking improvements;

***00-J Maudes Canyon SLO***

*\$30,315 (Federal) \$33,332 (Match In-Kind) \$63,647 (Total)*

*Project Status:* *on-going*

*OBJECTIVE(S)*: This project is proposed to improve channel stability,
decrease sediment loading and improve water quality along a reach of
Maudes Canyon, a tributary of the Mimbres River. The project will be
aimed at reducing non-point source pollution loading into the Mimbres
River watershed. The principal pollutants contributed from the subject
source area are sediments and any associated bonded contaminants.
Accordingly, the methodology of the project will center on the control
of sediment transport from the point of detachment. The project will be
led and administered by the New Mexico State Land Office in close
cooperation with the Department of Biology at Western New Mexico
University and the Gila Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New
Mexico.

The approach for site treatment and management will be centered on
controlling sediment at the point of detachment. Accordingly, emphasis
will be given to the re-establishment of a climax plant community.
Grasses not only hinder the detachment of sediment, but they also act as
sediment filters, slowing and impeding the transport of sediments to the
stream channel from upland zones. We propose to initiate a brush control
strategy along with planting of native grasses to combat this process,
re-establish under story species and raise the water table along the
floodplain. State land Office employees will selectively cut junipers
trees in both the riparian and upland zones. The juniper thinning will
be conducted to maximize habitat edge and create sufficient turf to
reduce sediment detachment and transport. Brush piles will be erected
with a portion of the downed slash to create habitat for small mammals
and birds. Seed for grass plantings will be selected to mimic the
potential natural climax community as indicated in the NRCS Range Site
Descriptions. Seed listings are provided along with estimated costs in
the following section. Plantings of appropriate cottonwood and willow
species will also be an aspect of our program. These native species are
essential to restoring the riparian area to a properly functioning
condition. Post materials from juniper cuttings may also be used for the
control of critical areas such as gullies. Gully formation and
propagation is a significant contributor to non-point source pollution;
as such, control of these areas is necessary for the reduction of
sediment loading. Several gullies currently exist within the project
area and development of commercial areas along the western fringe could
lead to their propagation. The NRCS has developed a method that creates
sediment fences in erodible gullies followed by planting of grasses
along the ensuing formed terraces; our methodology will follow the NRCS'
Standards and Specifications. Other material besides juniper cuttings
may be required for this process. Invasive weed management will also be
included in our site treatment. The principal problem species at the
site are salt cedar and Russian olive. We propose a one-time, initial
herbicide treatment to help eradicate the salt cedar population,
utilizing the recommended herbicide and application rate for the region
along with the most ecologically sensitive application method. Follow-up
treatment will consist of identifying and digging up seedlings at least
four (4) times annually. Eliminating salt cedar and other invasive weeds
will aid in the establishment of native grasses, which over time will
colonize the site and help to keep out undesirable species.

Another source of sediment loading on the site is an unpaved road along
the northern section boundary. The road, on both the east and west sides
of the west fork channel, requires treatment to reduce the sediment flow
into the stream. We propose a road erosion control strategy to manage
this contributor to non-point source pollution: rock mulching a 1000 ft.
section of the road around the channel should significantly reduce the
sheet flow and rill erosion which transport large quantities of sediment
to the stream bed. In order to delineate the boundaries of any future
commercial development along the western boundary of the study area, we
propose to fence of the area at approximately the 500 ft. contour line.
This will define and establish the riparian buffer along the most
threatened border. A survey will be necessary to establish the limits of
the riparian buffer. Other fencing will be constructed to address
illegal entry and trespassing on the property. We propose installing 12
ft. aluminum gates at the two road entries into the site with locks to
deter entry from the 32^nd^ St. bypass. We would also install breakaway
fencing at two locations in the channel to act as a barrier to
all-terrain vehicles (ATV's) which frequently enter the site. These
off-road vehicles pose a serious threat to the future success of any
non-point source pollution control program and their access to the site
must be controlled.

***00-L Rio Puerco Phase I** [(PROJECT AND FUNDING MOVED FORWARD TO
FY02-B)]{.underline}*

***[Watershed Protection Section Projects 2001]{.underline}***

***01-B Tijeras Creek Urban Runoff Education and Demo Project***

*\$72,150 (Base) \$48,100 (Match) Total: \$120,250*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The water harvesting and drainage development
demonstration site is located along south bank of Tijeras Creek just
west of its confluence with Cedro Creek, in the Village of Tijeras, New
Mexico. The site is on the edge of the Albuquerque Public School campus
shared by A. Montoya Elementary and Roosevelt Middle Schools. Los
Vecinos Community Center and other Bernalillo County Parks and
Recreation facilities are adjacent to the north.

# *01-C Cedar Breaks Upland Watershed Project*

*\$16,410 (Federal) \$10,940 (Match) \$27,350 (Total)*

*Project Status: complete*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* The targeted problem of the project is to mitigate
excessive soil erosion and gully formation, increase grass cover by
reducing pinion/juniper canopy, thus increasing rainfall infiltration
and reducing the soil detachment and sediment loading into the San
Francisco River. Slopes ranged from 5 to 35 percent resulting in
excessive sheet erosion and evolving into rill and gully erosion. The
location of the Cedar Breaks project is within sections 22, 23, 26 and
27 of Township 10 South, Range 20 West on the Glenwood Ranger District
of the Gila National Forest. It is approximately 27 miles northwest of
Silver City, New Mexico and can be accessed from US Highway 180 West.

The Environmental Analysis for the Cedar Breaks Upland Watershed
Project, dated September 26, 2000 proposes to rehabilitate those areas
within the analysis area showing detrimental effects of historical use
and practices. This includes a seasonal/continuous grazing system not
allowing for sufficient deferments, fire suppression and past logging
practices that were detrimental to a fragile environment.

Project best management practices include pinion/juniper brush removal
and thinning, yearlong grazing deferments on treated lands following
brush removal. Native grasses were broadcast seeded in the highly
disturbed areas where gully shaping took place and brush removal areas
where the soil resource was reduced to a point that the expected native
seed source would not be sufficient to allow suitable recovery.
Pinion/juniper slash was also used in the shaped gullies to reduce
runoff velocities and aid in healing the critical eroding areas.

Principal funding for this proposal came from EPA/Section 319 with
in-kind match from Hugh B. McKeen and Catron County Citizens Group. The
San Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District disbursed \$5220
towards match and with additional match of \$6155 from the Habitat Stamp
Program. Further acknowledgements are appreciated for field
information/monitoring to the Catron County Extension Agent, Jornada
Experiment Station and New Mexico State University.

***01-D Respect the Rio***

*\$255,500 (federal) Total \$255,500*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The project is a combination of environmental education,
watershed restoration, public involvement and empowerment. The project
will: 1.) Develop educational strategies that encourage public
understanding of NPS pollution and how to reduce recreational impacts,
2.) Deter or exclude livestock from riparian areas, and develop
permittee support and education on proper rangeland management, 3.)
Improve riparian health and function with willow plantings, 4.) Allow
the water to remain in the channel during high flows by replacing
existing culverts with larger fish-friendly culverts, 5.) Promote
riparian health and function with willow plantings, 6.) Reduce
sedimentation in streams by upgrading road base, 7.) Establish for
forage to hold soil in place in PJ thinned areas.

This project was granted to the Jemez National Forest District Office.
Through the outreach part of the project, information important to the
management of users has been identified. This forest is heavily used
from the community in Albuquerque, the largest city in our state. Many
users have, in the past, driven to the river banks and parked, thereby
destroying the riparian habitat and increasing the instability of the
stream banks. The staff has utilized education during peak usage to
change behavior and to teach appropriate "camp etiquette". Articles have
been written in Albuquerque newspapers, and structures have been built
to prevent vehicular access (but not camping access).

Work had been done with roads to maintain hydrologic connectivity
between the uplands and marshlands and with installing appropriate size
and shape bridges and culverts. Sections of impacted stream areas have
been fenced from unmanaged cattle grazing. Thinning and burning of areas
that are identified as overstocked is planned. Beaver communities are
encouraged, resulting in wet meadows and wetlands. Structures were
placed in the Rio de las Vacas River, to increase pond development and
meandering, which will improve fisheries habitat and reduce erosion.

***01-E Community-based Watershed Protection in the Mora River Valley***

*\$132,700 (federal) \$88,467 (Match) Total: \$221,167*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The Western Mora County - Unified Source Water
Protection Council will employ a Watershed Coordinator to support the
work of the Council and promote community-based approaches to watershed
protection. This includes environmental education, monitoring, and
demonstration projects.

***01-F Spur Ranch Centerfire Creek***

\$132,000 (Federal) \$52,800 (Match) \$184,800 (Total)

# *Project Status: complete*

Stage 2 of the Centerfire Creek project was the final addition to the
sediment retention structure started with project 99-T, Spur Ranch
Centerfire Creek Restoration Project. Stage 2 included the addition of
an 8-foot soil cement structure attached to the stage 1 structure.
Completion of both structures will be an attempt to return Centerfire
Creek to its historic elevation. This project successfully reduced
erosion and collected sediment in order to raise the gradient within the
Centerfire Creek while enhancing perennial flow, restoring degraded wet
meadows by raising the water table. As the sediments build up upstream
of the structure eventually it will fill in to the point that the
structure will be completely covered and the stream will be at an
historic elevation with reduced slope. Stage 2 also incorporated into
the overall plan, forest thinning in the watershed above the structure
with prescribed burning and installation of gully plugs to increase
watershed infiltration rates while reducing runoff.

Cooperators included: Ducks Unlimited (DU), National Wild Turkey
Foundation (NWTF), National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), New
Mexico Game and Fish (NMGF), New Mexico Forestry (NMFD), Rocky Mountain
Elk Foundation (RMEF), San Francisco Soil and Water Conservation Service
(SFSWCD), United States Forest Service/Gila National Forest (USFS/GNF),
Landowner/Rancher, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), New
Mexico Environment Department/Surface Water Quality Bureau.

***01-G Gila Riparian BMP Project/The Nature Conservancy (TNC)***

(Federal: \$88,313) (Match: In kind-\$13,700 -- Cash-\$22,640) (Total:
\$124,653)

# *Project Status: Ongoing*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* The Nature Conservancy's Gila River Floodplain
Restoration Project will directly address all three sources of non point
source pollution identified for this reach of the Gila River by the NMED
Surface Water Quality Bureau: incompatible agricultural practices,
removal of riparian vegetation, and stream bank
modification/destabilization. [Incompatible agricultural
practices]{.underline}- (e.g. field abandonment without conservation
tillage on formerly alfalfa improved pasture has converted to weeds,
leading to poor cover and excessive erosion) replace with a more
conservative form of land use by planting to improved pasture using
native grasses and forbs. This was completed during the summer of 2003.
[Riparian vegetation]{.underline} -- cottonwoods, willows, sycamores,
and riparian-obligate shrubs will be restored to the riparian zone via
pole planting and irrigation. [Stream banks]{.underline}-Stream banks
will be stabilized in sustainable fashion through a bioengineering
approach that emphasizes establishment of native trees and shrubs,
development of stable floodplain soils, improvement of floodplain
functionality and elevation of the alluvial aquifer leading to
reestablishment of historic wetlands, wet meadows and ponds. While the
ponds in part catch return flows and trap sediment, more importantly
they provide seasonal wetlands that were identified in the planning
process as important but missing elements in today\'s Gila River system.
The creation of ponds integral to a designated wildlife/wetland
irrigation system will reduce loading sediment, salinity, sulfates,
chlorides, total dissolved solids (TDS), nutrients, phosphorous,
nitrogen and organic pollutants in return flow to the Gila River.

The augmentation with an educational component has involved a large
number of parties including students and teachers have helped to
diversify the projects conceptuality. This has included many scientific
endeavors by University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University,
University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, local resident
population, public and private schools and others to better understand
the ramifications of the efforts by TNC to preserve a section of the
Gila River riparian zone for wildlife habitat and fluvial functionality.

The Gila Riparian BMP Project lies within a subwatershed of the Gila
River that is extremely important to attainment of the State of New
Mexico's water quality goals. The statewide Nonpoint Source Task
Force/Unified Watershed Assessment Work Group, a stakeholder group,
identified the upper Gila watershed as a Category I watershed in New
Mexico's 1998 Clean Water Action Plan.

***01-H Restoration of Cordova Creek to a High Quality Coldwater Fishery
at Ski Rio***

*Federal: \$124,200 Total: \$124,200*

*Project Status: Terminated with no funds spent*

*Ski Rio Went bankrupt before the project started and is still in
litigation.*

*OBJECTIVE:* Ski Rio is a four-season recreational facility and alpine
ski area that was established in 1982. Capital improvements include a
day lodge, 3 hotels, 3 ski lifts, about 900 acres if ski-able terrain,
and snowmaking capabilities. A developing subdivision is located next to
the Ski Resort.

***01-I Mangas Water Quality Project***

***F**ederal: \$116,991.26 Match: \$229,812.16 Total: \$346,803.42*

*Project Status: completed*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* Mangas Creek is within segment no.2502. The stream is
identified on the CWA §303d list as partially supported for plant
nutrients and stream bottom deposits. Impairments of Mangas Creek are
the result of an unhealthy watershed. Health problems of the Mangas
watershed have a 100-year history of land managers and property owners
doing what was thought to be correct at the time but now understood to
be short sighted.

The Mangas Water Quality Project will return fire to the ecosystem of
the Burro Moutains. As a result, over time, the tree and shrub component
of the plant community will be reduced and herbaceous vegetation will
increase. Sheet type soil erosion will be reduced. Six areas are
identified to stop gully and head-cut erosion. This project will be
conducted preliminary to the construction of erosion control structures
planned for the deeply incised channel of Mangas Creek.

More than just stopping and storing soil currently transported down
erosion gullies, the erosion structures are intended to stop the
head-cut itself. These structures will be built in the upper most
reaches of the gully. The middle and lower reaches of these erosion
channels will require different approaches and should not be attempted
until the health of the watershed improves. An average structure will be
built in a gully of about 4% slope. Over 100 gully plugs were installed
during the length of this project.

***01-J Upper Cow Creek/Bull Creek Watershed Restoration (Viveash Fire
Area)\-- [Withdrawn]{.underline}***

***01-K Valle Grande Grass Bank Water Quality Improvement Project:***

*Operation and Experimental Treatments within the* *Valle Grande Grass
Bank Program*

*\$192,000*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is assisting federal land managers and
public lands grazing permittees with restoration and recovery of their
lands from the effects of grazing, by providing additional flexibility
regarding livestock numbers and grazing duration. Selected participating
allotments are allotments with need for restoration and with merit for a
combination of successful treatments on National Forest lands.
Individual participating allotments have been rotating into and out of
the grass bank program (temporarily grazing their animals on the Valle
Grande Grass Bank near Rowe, NM) through the lifetime of this work plan.
The Grass Bank can accommodate 300+ head of cattle year-long. This
capacity has allowed having several participating allotments each year.
Up to 6 allotments have participated per year.

***01-L Upper Rio Hondo Watershed Restoration Project-Phase I***

*Base: \$100,000 Match: \$78,180 Total*: \$178,180

*Project Status: On time and nearing completion.*

***OBJECTIVE:*** The primary long run objective of this project is to
improve water quality in the Rio Hondo Watershed to remove it from its
listing as a UWA/Category I watershed and to safeguard it under those
conditions for future generations. A secondary and requisite objective
to that end will be to grow and amalgamate an already established
inclusive watershed-wide coalition (the applicant) that has widespread
public awareness, support, and participation and the authority and
respect to develop a comprehensive long-term Watershed Restoration
Action Strategy for the watershed.

***01-M Santa Fe River Restoration Project\-- Phase II***

*\$89,000*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The Santa Fe River through State Trust Land is a
severely impacted stretch of an ephemeral stream system. The goal is to
restore the site to properly functioning condition by removing lateral
borders formed by streamside berms, re-creating historical meanders,
promoting overbank flows leading to floodplain formation and
re-establishing the native riparian flora community.

This project was built on the success and lessons learned from the FY
99-L project. Extending the length of BMPs meant more saturation and
increased vegetative growth. A leasor who had incurred an air quality
fine participated in this project, using their heavy equipment to reduce
the angle of the steep side walls (banks) on the river. Approximately .5
mile of both sides of riverbanks was treated. This was followed with
mulch and grass/forbe seeds. Woody riparian vegetation was also
strategically planted. As in the earlier project, the community and
public schools were participants.

This project will also continue to finish with the Frenchy Park area as
well.

.

***01-N Santa Fe Botanical Garden & Las Golondrinas***

*Federal (\$100,000.00) Match (\$76,473.25) Total (\$176,473.25)*

*Project Status: Complete*

***OBJECTIVE:*** The Santa Fe Botanical Gardens proposes to through use
of volunteer and educational efforts put in place best management
practices that would significantly reduce sedimentation and nutrients,
control invasive and noxious plant species, and manage and monitor water
resources to improve water quality and increase habitat protection.

***01-P Upper Puerco Watershed Education & Outreach
[(CANCELLED)]{.underline}***

***01-Q Comanche and Cordova Creeks Watershed Restoration Action
Strategy, Education***

***Restoration Project***

*Base: \$219,000 Match \$183,421.67 Total: \$402,421.67*

*Project Status: On time*

*OBJECTIVE:* Water quality degradation within the Cordova Creek
subwatershed is the result of a number of factors. NM 196 was originally
constructed in the Cordova Creek channel. In order to build the road,
extensive cuts and fills were constructed. These cuts and fills remain
unvegetated and therefore highly susceptible to erosion during rain
events. Cattle grazing and the development of runs at Ski Rio are two
land uses in the area that also contribute to water quality degradation.
Relocating NM 196 out of the creek channel and restoration of the creek
channel will be a significant element in improving water quality in
Cordova Creek. Revegetation of ski runs and implementation of sediment
Control measures on the Ski Rio property will also reduce the amount of
sediment entering the Creek.

Sediment in Comanche Creek comes from open and closed Forest Service
roads and from eroding stream banks, as well as from grazing practices.
Streambank stability and cover problems relate to both wildlife use
(elk) and livestock grazing issues. The Valle Vidal Grazing Association
has gone to a herding operation that has dramatically improved the area
under an allotment management plan in place since 1984. But the herding
plan may need to be \"tweaked\" to maximize riparian recovery. The heavy
sediment loads into Comanche Creek are the most likely cause of the
metals exceedences as well. Streambank restoration based on a careful
analysis will be required to reduce water temperatures in Comanche Creek
and to help optimize acceptable habitat for the Cutthroat Trout.

***01-R Pajarito Plateau Watershed Restoration Including Burned Areas of
the Cerro Grande Fire***

*Base: \$50,000 Match \$77,000 Total: \$127,000*

*Project Status: On time*

***OBJECTIVE:*** The Pajarito Plateau Watershed is located in north
central New Mexico approximately 48 miles northwest of Santa Fe. The
watershed covers the Pajarito Plateau, an area of volcanic rock on the
eastern slope of the Jemez Mountains, and drains into the Rio Grande.
Elevations range from above 10,000 feet at the Sierra de Los Valles in
the Jemez Mountains to 5,400 feet at the Rio Grande. The Pajarito
Plateau contributes numerous perennial and ephemeral tributaries to the
Rio Grande. There is an urgent need for an outreach/education program
focused on the communities within the Pajarito Plateau watershed. We
will design outreach and involvement efforts that will capitalize on the
interest in watershed health that has been prompted by the Cerro Grande
fire, and relate it to our WRAS and future projects. Part of the WRAS
will be to develop demonstration projects that will show the types of
restoration activities the Partnership will be using in the watershed.
The demonstration projects will be located near trails in the Los Alamos
area so they are easily accessible to the public. They will have
interpretive displays to educate the public about our goals and
objectives. The demonstration areas will be constructed, monitored and
interpreted by volunteers from the community. These activities will help
to promote constructive involvement by community groups and individuals.

***01-S Dos Rios Ranch***

*\$12,855 (Federal) \$8,890(Match: In-Kind) \$21,745(Total)*

*Project Status: Closed*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The Dos Rios Ranch Drainage Improvement Project in
Northeast New Mexico utilized a series of check dams constructed of used
tires within a 1-¼ mile stretch of an unnamed arroyo that runs through
rangeland and drains to the Cimarron River. This stretch of the drainage
is intermittent in nature. The drainage is incised and carries runoff
from a watershed of approximately 30,000 acres, mostly rangeland. The
drainage on Dos Rios Ranch contains saline soils, lacks riparian
vegetation and has some destabilized stream banks that result in large
volumes of sediments to the Cimarron River. The project would reduce the
non-point source pollution (NPS) of sediments carried from the
intermittent drainage that impacts the Cimarron River with stream bottom
deposits. The Cimarron River TMDL Implementation Plan states the primary
focus in this watershed should be with sediment controls.

The Dos Rios Ranch Drainage Improvement Project is a demonstration
project to reduce sediments loads to the Cimarron River and eventually
improve riparian and rangeland conditions along the drainage. Dos Rios
Ranch currently has a rotational grazing system and along with fencing
provides alternative water sources to keep cattle out of riparian areas.
Due to the extreme drought conditions that have occurred in this area
since 2001 when the project was begun the check dams have not been
tested or there effects on the stability of the drainage or there
ability to reduce sediment to the Cimarron River. NMED will continue to
monitor this project.

***01-T Children\'s Water Festival 2001***

*Total 319H: 13,918*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is complete. The third Children\'s Water
Festival for the Middle Río Grande (MRG) area was held in November,
2001. Approximately 1000 students in the 4th grade in schools in Los
Lunas, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and nearby unincorporated areas
participated. The 4th grade students created a mini-river, purified
water from the Río Grande and built aquifers from edible ingredients.
They also used a computer model to make projections of water use into
the future, a groundwater model to \"see\" how water moves underground,
and relief maps to map their watersheds. They made pizzas from garbage
and analyzed water samples; they pretended to be algae, fish and raptors
to understand how toxins can travel through the food chain. They
conversed with the Water Wizard, Dorothy and the Xeric City Scarecrow
about saving water and tested their water knowledge in lively games of
Water Jeopardy and Dripial Pursuit.

***01-U \--Continental Divide National Scenic Trail/Aldo Leopold
Wilderness***

*\$123,000 (Federal) (Match: In-Kind \$127,040) \$250,040 (Total)*

# *Project Status: Ongoing*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* Reconstruct the Continental Divide Trail adhering to
accepted trail practices taking advantage of topography, contours and
other techniques while the forest regenerates from past burns.

Congress designated the Continental Divide Scenic Trail in 1978. It is a
unique recreational opportunity along the divide as a long distance
primitive hiking and equestrian experience. The Gila National Forest has
only recently addressed this long-term project in the last 10 to 15
years. It has become more of a priority in recent years and received
increased funding and attention.

Water is the foremost cause of trail problems. The movement of water
causes erosion and deep trenches. It also exposes tripping hazards such
as previously buried obstructions. Poor initial trail design can rarely
be overcome, even by regular maintenance. Inadequate or inappropriate
maintenance wastes valuable crew time and can sometimes increase trail
problems. Ultimately, the most influential component of trail
maintenance is the original trail design/alignment. A well-designed
trail will be easier to maintain, will deteriorate more slowly and will
be more pleasurable to utilize. New trail construction and
reconstruction is occurring not only at grades less than 10%, but also
with the implementation of a variety of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
that are designed to protect and improve water quality. These include
water bars, check dams, grade dips, lead out drains, terracing, switch
backing, among others. All of these practices, combined with lower
gradients, will allow the trail to successfully slow down surface
runoff, trap sediment, and maintain the integrity of soil. These effects
will ultimately lead to a reduction in onsite soil loss, thus reducing
the amount of non-point source negative effects to drainage bottoms. The
most permanent water bars are made from native rock obtained on-site.
When rock of a suitable size is not available, water bars can be made
from 4 x 6 redwood timber, or native logs. There are many options about
the proper installation of water bars. Rock or crib retaining walls are
used when a sturdy wall is needed to contain compacted fill or to hold
an excavation wall in place. Rock retaining walls are also called dry
masonry because no mortar is used between the stones. Rock, when
available on site, is preferred over logs. Approximately 12.5 miles of
trail has been reconstructed or improved during the length of this
project.

***[Watershed Protection Section Projects 2002]{.underline}***

***02-B Rio Puerco Implementation Project***

*319 Budget: \$500,000 **(**Base) \$333,333.33 (Match) Total:
\$833,333.33*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* In 2000 the NMSH&TD is completed the final phases of a
large State and Federal Highway 550 widening project between Bernalillo
and Bloomfield. The NMED-SWQB 319 program waited for two new bridges to
be constructed before design work could be completed via the in-house
FY97-Q project, working with the Bureau of Reclamation. This 02-B
project follows completion of the road and bridgework, and the
development of complete engineering designs. That preceding FY 95-K /
97-Q Grant project completed a feasibility / engineering / geomorphology
design/ and specifications, under a JPA agreement with the BOR's Denver
Technical Center. Plans and specifications will be reviewed by BLM,
NMED, the RPMC, and NMSH&TD. The engineering approach must be deemed to
be safe, feasible, and environmentally sound, providing a suitable cost
benefit for the stream diversion / construction phase. Once approved,
those plans will be immediately plugged into this project.

The [dominant objective of this FY 02-B project]{.underline} is to
proceed with the on-the-ground implementation of construction designs
and specifications, employing proper stream morphology, engineering and
construction principals, in activating a contract firm or a technical
arm of the BLM, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), or other agency to move
berms, plug off and armor the current entrance into the river's
channelized segment, and complete other restoration elements identified
by the BOR's engineering design effort. The project will close the
channelized reach of the river, turn water back into the historic
meandering channel, and construct local in-channel revetments to
stabilize flows and prevent a reactivation of bank erosion in the
once-again flowing channel segment. The BLM has observed how the
subwatershed surrounding this project site provides an excellent
opportunity to develop a managed subwatershed where conservation
practices can be demonstrated. This expanded project scope (named the
"Twin Bridges Riparian Enclosure") will be highly complimentary to the
stream reintroduction effort, and having BLM and the RPMC as partners
represents an additional source of support and potential funding for
completing all aspects of this project. The project will seize the
opportunities to establish local wetlands and groundwater-interception
ponds for the benefit of wildlife habitat, following BLM's locally
established model.

This project's planning, construction, and implementation elements, and
the reintroduction of flow to the historic channel are anticipated to
take up to two years to complete. A "grand re-opening of the new river
channel" is projected to be a major public outreach event, targeted for
late 2004 - early 2005, once channel flows have resumed.

***02-C Mangas Water Quality Project: Phase II***

*Budget: \$467,000 Match: \$311,333.00 Total: \$778,333*

# Problem/Need Statement

The water quality problem of Mangas Creek can be traced to an unhealthy
watershed. Soon after the turn of the century it was proposed that the
Burro Mountains be included in the Gila Forest Reserve. A botanist by
the name of E.O. Wooton wrote, "*Rafael Canyon leads through pretty
heavy Pinion and Cedar. Probably as much as 75 to 100 trees per acre in
thickest part, shading from this down to practically nothing on the
southern exposure."*

Today this area may have up to 1200 trees per acre. Because of
competition for light and water, woody vegetation has proliferated at
the expense of herbaceous ground cover. It is the herbaceous plants that
slow the rate of water flowing over the surface of the ground, reducing
sheet erosion and providing a mechanism to allow surface water to
penetrate the surface of the soil reaching deeper roots and eventually
the water table. From numerous forest service reports, it has been
documented that this vegetation shift has occurred over much of the 250
square mile area of the Mangas watershed. Head cutting and sheet erosion
has occurred in the uplands causing much sedimentation and turbidity in
downstream waterways. The main channel of Mangas Creek was a broad
grassy wetland when E.O. Wooton first saw it in 1902. Today this channel
is deeply incised and the valley bottom is dry. In his journal entry of
August 7th 1902 Mr. Wooton writes, *"the area shows evidence of
prolonged overstocking with cattle."*

Overstocking was common at this time and the practice continued until
after the First World War. Beginning as early as the 1920's cattle
numbers began to decline and today a combination of management
practices, fencing and water development, as well as dramatically
reduced cattle numbers considerably reduces the impact cattle have on
the watershed. Natural fire, however, has been effectively removed from
this ecosystem since about the time of E.O. Wooton's survey. Fire is
thought to have had a far greater impact on the ecological shifts seen
in the Mangas watershed than any other.

Mangas Creek is within segment 20.6.4.502 of *Standards for Interstate &
Intrastate Surface Waters, New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission*.
The stream is identified on the CWA §303d list as partially supported
for plant nutrients and stream bottom deposits. Impairments of Mangas
Creek are the result of an unhealthy watershed. Water quality problems
in the Mangas watershed have a 100-year history of land managers and
property owners doing what was thought to be correct at the time but now
understood to be short sighted. The Mangas Water Quality Project Phase
II will return fire to the ecosystem of the Burro Mountains. As a
result, over time, the tree and shrub component of the plant community
will be reduced and herbaceous vegetation will increase. Sheet type soil
erosion will be reduced. Because of variable conditions the prescribed
burns will be conducted in the spring or the fall months of the year.
Pinion-juniper woodlands burned during spring months historically. The
lack of fine fuels, characteristic of this forest type, requires dry
conditions and light winds to carry the fire across the landscape.
However, many practical matters must be considered when planning a burn.
Availability of fire fighting equipment, manpower to conduct the work as
well as contain the fire within the predetermined boundaries, fuel
moisture, wind speed and many others. Roads and natural barriers will
determine the perimeter of the fire. Grant SWCD supervisors along with
Natural Resources Conservation Service will serve as labor during the
burns and facilitators of the planning, funding and reporting process.
The US Forest Service fire staff will write the prescriptions and
conduct the burns.

Public involvement is a substantial portion of the Mangas Water Quality
Project Phase II. The Gila Forest and the Grant SWCD combined forces on
two small, prescribed fires in the Mangas drainage in 1997. These burns
involved private, State and National Forest land, about 700 acres all
together. Today, these burns are used as demonstration to illustrate the
effect fire has on noxious weeds, reduction of woody vegetation,
stimulation of growth of native grasses and the diversity of herbaceous
plant species. Conducting prescribed burns in New Mexico requires an
exhaustive burn plan. Public involvement is a significant portion of a
burn plan development process. The public is informed of the plan
through public meetings and local newspapers. The Grant SWCD will write
news stories and editorials in local newspapers explaining the goals and
objectives of the Mangas Water Quality Project Phase II. Grant SWCD has
produced a brochure as part of Phase I of the project explaining the
project. The brochure is available to the public at large and is being
used as part of a handout package notifying local residence of an
impending burn.

A forest fuels reduction program, known as the 20 Communities project,
targets areas near the Mangas watershed. Grant SWCD serves on the
steering committee and is the fiscal agent for the Wildland Urban
Interface Grant for this initiative. The 20 Communities project will
create fire-lines, defensible space and thin dense vegetation near the
populated areas of Grant County, NM. The focus of the 20 Communities
project has begun to be introduced to the scattered residences of the
Mangas watershed. An example of how 20 Communities and the Mangas Water
Quality Project Phase II intend to collaborate is by jointly producing a
public education brochure explaining the risk of wild fire and the need
for fuel reduction through mechanical thinning and prescribed fire.

***02-D \-- Moved to FY99***

# *02-E The San Pablo Subwatershed Collaborative Restoration Project*

# *319 Budget: \$179,500 \$119,667 Match (with a projected \$53,000 non-matching Federal contribution)* 

# *\$352,167 total*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The San Pablo Project is awarded to the Rio Puerco
Management Committee (RPMC). The Cuba SWCD is acting as fiscal agent for
the three-year project which will work towards addressing the area's
identified sources of nonpoint source pollution: soil erosion, road
maintenance and road runoff, rangeland impacts, as well as focus project
efforts on riparian restoration, brush management, education, outreach,
and documentation of results. The main components of the project will be
education, riparian restoration, road inventory, and the implementation
of erosion control measures.

At a December 2001 meeting of twenty San Pablo residents and land users,
the top three priorities for on-the-ground project~~s~~ implementation
were [erosion control]{.underline} including road maintenance,
[livestock grazing management]{.underline}, and [control of undesirable
vegetation]{.underline} including sagebrush, rabbit brush, salt cedar,
piñon-juniper, and noxious weeds. Addressing or stabilizing these
recognized impacts is seen by the residents and the RPMC as a method
whereby watershed conditions, including water quality, can be improved.

The RPMC intends to focus the erosion control efforts on roads. At a
presentation on her Masters research in the upper Rio Puerco basin
(supported in part by funding from the BLM), Stephanie Phippen of
Colorado State University convincingly demonstrated that sediment yields
are more sensitive to the density of dirt roads than to any other
factor. We will inventory the roads within the watershed and determine
the effectiveness of in-place BMPs, develop criteria to match BMPs with
specific problems, and implement measures as indicated in high priority
areas. In addition, streambanks that need to be stabilized to reduce
erosion will be assessed and willows and cottonwoods will be planted.

RPMC intends to sponsor several workshops on grazing management,
riparian restoration, water harvesting techniques, and on roads. Tours
of the restoration work will be scheduled when projects reach the stage
that inspecting them can be informative to the viewer. These outreach
efforts will be supplemented by the development and construction of a
mobile rangeland health assessment kiosk to provide hands-on education
experiences at community events and public schools. The Project
Coordinator will make frequent informal contacts with land users to
provide information and offer assistance for specific resource problems.

The RPMC has contacted most of the potential stakeholders in the area
and many are already on board as partners in the project. Through
educational events they hope to bring in any other interested parties.
Partners in this project will include RPMC members, all the agencies
overseeing land management in the area, as well as other local watershed
groups, private landowners, Tribes, and environmental groups. Overall,
project tasks are complimentary of, and intimately tied to, all other
ongoing project efforts in this upper perennial reach of the watershed
(involving a wide range of State, Federal and private cooperators) that
can result in stream channel improvements, water quality protection, and
pollution prevention measures.

***02-F Galisteo Watershed Restoration Project - Phase II***

*Budget: \$267,966 \$185,780 Match \$453,746 total*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project represents the continuation of a project
that received support from the NMED (under CWA Section 319(h)) in 2000.
The project focuses on education and outreach, the development of
demonstration restoration areas, and technical assistance to landowners
and land managers in order to promote land stewardship practices that
will contribute to the eventual declassification of the Galisteo Creek
as an impaired water body. In this second phase, the GWRP will
capitalize on its achievements in the previous phase. The second phase
will focus on increased education and outreach activities and the
expansion of demonstration areas to enlarge the project's impact on the
land and the stream system. Anticipated outcomes are the planting of at
least 500 trees and restoration of 1 mile (25 acres) of riparian areas
and 200 acres of grasslands. The combination of education and hands-on
restoration work will help diversify and integrate different restoration
techniques, reach more people, and generate greater spin-off effects.
The project will also pursue a higher level of integration of learning,
outreach, and hands-on rehabilitation activities, while developing
services that are intended to strengthen the dwindling ranching
industry.

***02-G River Park Stream Rehabilitation***

*\$69,450 (Federal) \$54,250 (Match: \$40,800 Cash, \$13,450 In-Kind
\$123,700 (Total)*

*Project Status: Ongoing*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project will rehabilitate a segment of the Red
River from approximately 150 ft. south east of the confluence of the Red
River and Mallette streams, traveling in an upstream direction south to
the confluence with Bitter Creek. The majority of the project is located
on Kit Carson National Forest land under Special Use Permit to the Red
River Ski Area and a second Special Use Permit to the Town of Red River.

The Town has contracted a fluvial geomorphologist to study similar
stream reaches and determine types of management practices that may
improve sediment transport and promote rejuvenation of fish and wildlife
habitat through this segment of the river. With a contracted fluvial
geomorphologist the Town will set study parameters to identify potential
best geomorphology to be applied. The Town and contracted fluvial
geomorphologist will then review and analyze the collected data and
determine types and appropriate application of Best Management
Practices. The study period shall extend through an entire year of flow
characterization with documentation provided through the use of camera
and computer aided drafting / illustration capabilities.

The initial phase of the project is confined to determining when and how
the construction of stream improvements will be implemented. The Town of
Red River will rely on its partners and contracted experts to work
towards agreement of work and scheduling. The Town shall provide
equipment, labor and supplies to perform the required construction. The
project will be allowed a partial season of rest during the construction
phase to determine if the applied BMPs are working as anticipated. If
needed, changes or additions will be implemented through processes of
public/partner input and agreement.

The planned outcome of this project is to improve fish and wildlife
habitat, improve water quality and increase the sediment transport
capability of this segment of the Red River. This is also to be a
demonstration project for other parts of the river where sediment
loading is high and natural fish populations are low.

***02-H Middle Rio Grande Children's Water Festival 2002 and Santa Fe
Children's***

***Water Festival 2003***

\$*37,170.02 base, \$37,784.11 match \$74,954.13 total*

This project is complete. It repeated the Middle Rio Grande Children's
Water Festival in 2002, but also expanded to include new festivals in
Santa Fe (spring 2003) and Silver City (spring 2004). This festival was
attended by approximately 500 fourth graders and their teachers from the
Santa Fe area, and was had many of the same activities, plus several new
activities, taught by local professionals who work with water resources.
The project also produced a CD ROM toolkit for aspiring water festival
coordinators.

***02-I Using the New Ranch***

*\$314,228 \$392,000 \$706,228*

# General Project Description

This three-year project, being implemented by the Quivira Coalition, has
three parts: education and outreach, riparian restoration, and
educational materials. Each project area complements the others. The
education and outreach component constitutes approximately ten outdoor
workshops, hands-on restoration workshops, and conferences per year, in
many watersheds of New Mexico. The riparian restoration component has
focused on a two-mile reach of the Dry Cimarron River in Colfax County,
New Mexico. Some of the restoration work (construction of bank
stabilization structures, gully stabilization, and willow planting) has
been conducted by volunteers working at hands-on restoration workshops.
Other work (heavy construction to restore flow to three river meanders
that had been straightened a generation ago) is being funded with
Section 319 funds. Still more work (fencing cattle out of the riparian
area) has been implemented by the ranch owner with private funds. The
educational materials component is the production of a series of
user-friendly best management practice manuals relevant to grazing
management and erosion prevention in New Mexico (which are used in
workshops and distributed statewide), and publication of a newsletter
highlighting the Dry Cimarron River work and other restoration work in
New Mexico.

***02 -- J Sapello Watershed Restoration Project***

*\$124,228 \$80,000 \$204,228*

*Problem/Need Statement*

The catastrophic wildfires of 2000 have severely affected the water
quality in the Sapello River from Manuelitas Creek to its headwaters. As
a result of vegetation loss, large amount of ash and soils highly
vulnerable to erosion, severe runoff and turbidity have become major
problems. This watershed condition has caused increased siltation in the
river and placed fisheries in danger and increased erosion on the land.
Data to support these problems include assessments on the burn area
including the watershed by NM State Forestry and USDA-Natural Resource
Conservation Service.

This project will address the problems by developing and implementing
Best Management Practices (BMPs) including riparian and fisheries
habitat restoration through bioengineering and fencing; educational
outreach on watershed management; grass seeding and seedling plantings
will also be completed. Sedimentation and turbidity will be reduced in
local streams, fisheries and riparian areas will be improved and a
healthier watershed will result with the successful implementation of
this project.

*General Project Description*

This project will implement the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
to address the problems, improve, protect and restore the watershed. The
BMPs are as follows:

-Provide plantings with native species on approximately 500 acres of
burned and critically eroding areas on private lands. These plantings
will occur throughout the three year period of the project. This task
will be completed by Tierra y Montes SWCD staff, City School MESA (Math,
Engineering, Science Achievement program) and 4-H Clubs (agricultural,
natural resource awareness program), and landowners. This will be
completed by April 2005.

-1,000 feet of streambank will be stabilized through riparian
restoration methods (i.e. willow facines) on private lands over three
years. Landowners and Tierra Y Montes staff will complete the task with
the technical assistance of USDA-NRCS. This task will be completed by
April 2005.

-Installation of 5,000 feet of fencing to reduce grazing around riparian
restoration areas and browsing of critical areas on private land will be
completed by the end of the project (April 2005). This work will be
accomplished by the Tierra y Montes SWCD staff, and landowners along
with the technical assistance of USDA-NRCS.

-6,400 feet of diversion structures (rock structures, log structures,
straw wattles, brush bundle facines) to control runoff and filter
sediment from floodwaters before they reach the river will be installed.
This will be completed within three years by technical assistance from
USDA-NRCS, Tierra y Montes SWCD and the landowners.

-Two of these BMPs will be used as highly visible demonstration areas
during the first two years and one during the third year.

-Additionally, Tierra y Montes SWCD will publish three informational
articles per year in two newspapers and district newsletter over a three
year period; a minimum of ten presentations will be made at the
elementary school per year for three years. This will include classroom
presentations, Rolling Rivers Trailer presentation (river simulation
trailer), Project Wet hands-on activities (environmental education
program that emphasizes water quality and publishes and disseminates
environmental education materials), field days in which we will use
classroom river water kits to test water quality, soil stewardship
activities in which we will hold poster contests and provide information
on natural resource stewardship. Students will also be involved in any
planting projects we may have. This will provide information to them on
the proper way to plant seedlings and distribute seed to restore burned
areas. Two informational and educational workshops will be held within
three years for landowners and the general public on management
practices related to project objectives. Workshops presenters will
provide landowners with hands-on information focusing on affordable and
effective erosion control methods and recommendations on restoration of
burned areas. An educational tour on the "Pool & Stomp" project in Angel
Fire is planned and will provide landowners with information on the
technology for rehabilitation of steep slope vegetation. Educational
booklets or brochures related to project objectives will be developed,
published and distributed. These educational and informational items
will provide awareness of watershed health and protection issues.

***02-K Development of a Wastewater Training Curriculum \--**
**[Cancelled]{.underline}***

***02-L Gallinas Municipal Watershed Fuels Reduction - Las Vegas, NM***

*\$93,228 \$59,363 \$152,591*

*Problem/Need Statement*

The purpose of the Gallinas Municipal Watershed Fuels Reduction Project
("Project") is to lessen the chance that a catastrophic, stand-replacing
fire will occur in the watershed, thereby protecting water quality. The
portion of the Gallinas Municipal Watershed ("Watershed") on National
Forest System land is the headwaters of the water supply for the city of
Las Vegas, which has a population of about 14,500.

The Viveash fire started in the Cow Creek watershed located just west of
the Gallinas and exemplifies the type of fire we wish to avoid. The fire
scorched approximately 2,000 acres of the Gallinas Watershed. As a
result of the burn, the Las Vegas treatment plant located 20 miles
downstream was inundated with ash and sediment. Should a larger fire
occur in the heart of the Watershed, the water supply for the city of
Las Vegas could be threatened. Rains ensuing the fire would transport
runoff, ash, and sediment and could impair the treatment plant and
conceivably fill the water supply reservoirs. In the worst scenario,
this sedimentation could cause downstream floods and eliminate the water
supply for the city.

By reducing the amount of forest fuels (such as small trees, shrubs,
forest litter, and slash) and re-instating the natural fire regime in
the Project area, we will reduce the chance that a stand-replacing fire
will occur. The smaller trees and shrubs act as "ladder fuels" that
allow fire to climb to treetops, where it can spread quickly and easily.
By removing the ladder, a fire stays on the ground, where it moves more
slowly, is less dangerous, and is more easily extinguished. Smaller,
cooler fires would actually benefit the ecology of the area by
encouraging nutrient cycling, stimulating the growth of grass, and
preventing a build-up of forest fuels. A smaller, cooler fire should not
cause significant sedimentation, especially when coupled with Best
Management Practices.

*General Project Description*

The Gallinas Municipal Watershed in its entirety totals about 81 square
miles. Of this, approximately 33,000 acres is located on National Forest
System land; about 16,000 acres are part of the Pecos Wilderness. The
Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District ("District") of the Santa Fe National
Forest is proposing to reduce the amount of forest fuels on about 13,000
acres of the Watershed. The Project for which the District is requesting
a 319(h) grant will cover 300 acres.

The objective of the Project is to improve the resiliency of the
Gallinas Municipal Watershed by lessening the risk that a catastrophic
wildfire will occur. The District proposes to reduce the amount of
forest fuels on the 300 acres by doing the following:

-   Thin the smaller trees and remove most of the understory;

-   Open the area to the public to collect fuel wood, latillas, and
    vigas;

-   Perform a broadcast burn to "clean up" the remaining slash;

-   Re-introduce fire on a regular basis in the future; and

-   Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.

The acres to be treated are primarily ponderosa pine. Ponderosa pine
relies on regular fires every 15 years or so to remain healthy. Regular,
cool under burns (fires that burn mostly on the ground) will keep the
stands healthy, allow existing trees to grow larger by preventing
competition from smaller trees, and stimulate the growth of grasses that
keep watershed soils intact.

.

***02-M Rio Gallina Riparian (Chama) Watershed Project***

*\$153,665 (Federal) \$205,200 (Match In-Kind \$205,200) \$358,865
(Total)*

*Project Status: On-Going*

Objective(s): The project is designed to assist the USDA Forest Service
and local grazing permittees in reducing negative influence on water
quality associated with livestock grazing along the Rio Gallinas and its
tributaries. The project area includes 31% of the 180,000 acre Rio
Gallina watershed within the Rio Chama watershed. It includes
approximately 19 miles of perennial streams and 500 acres of riparian
area. Eighteen percent of the project area has conditions that support
soil loss in excess of tolerance, but less than potential levels. The
project will be implemented as part of three individual Allotment
Management Plans. The Allotments are the French Mesa Allotment, the La
Presa Allotment, and the Rio Gallina Allotment.

Water Quality BMP Improvements by Allotment are:

[French Mesa Allotment- Rotational Grazing Fence]{.underline}

Trick Tank (1)

Stock Pond (1)

Sediment Dam (1)

[La Presa Allotment]{.underline}

Trick Tanks (3)

Stock Tank (earthen dam) 1

Corral

Cattleguard (1)

[Rio Gallina Allotment]{.underline}

Trick Tank (3)

Fencing (riparian exclosure on Gallinas River)

BMPs at the Rio Gallinas project have been implemented and the workplan
outline regarding BMPs has been fulfilled. The monitoring guidelines are
photo documentation procedures as stated by Surface Water Quality Bureau
policy. The policy is to photo document the project site before, during,
and after. This enables staff to view changes long term of project
improvements from project activity. These types of projects are long
term meaning 10-20 year periods in which full results will and can be
capitalized on. However, we are always at the discretion of Mother
Nature and that has to be factored in as well.

***02-N Animas River Channel Restoration Project***

*\$81,198 (cash match) \$200,000 (in-kind match) \$6,600 Total:
\$287,798*

This project stabilized a 1900-foot reach of the Animas River in San
Juan County with an aggressive engineering approach utilizing methods
developed by Dave Rosgen. The main steps were realigning a portion of
the channel to achieve a radius of curvature for a meander more in line
with what is typically observed with stable channels of this size
(approximately 4600 cfs at bankfull), protecting the bank and
controlling the grade with three j-hooks and one cross vane, and
constructing a floodplain where high flows can spread out without
substantially increasing the erosive force of the river. The project has
largely accomplished its aims and continues to be a useful example of
this approach used in New Mexico.

# *02 -P Plugging of Abandoned Ground Water Monitoring Wells in the "Dairy Row" Area of Mesilla and Rincon Valleys, Lower Rio Grande.* 

*\$90,011*

# 

# *Problem Need Statement*

The purpose of this project is to properly plug and abandon ground water
monitoring wells in the "Dairy Row" area of Mesilla and Rincon Valleys,
located along the lower Rio Grande in Doña Ana County. In the early
1980's, EPA funded the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division,
predecessor agency to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), to
conduct a study entitled *Seepage Rates and Ground Water Quality Impacts
from Manure-Lined Dairy Waste Lagoons*. As part of that study, 35 ground
water monitoring wells were completed near lagoons at selected dairies
in the Mesilla and Rincon Valleys where a high concentration of dairies
are cited, hence the name "Dairy Row". The 35 wells are constructed from
either PVC or steel casing and are completed to depths as shallow as 7
feet and as deep as 90 feet. Since the conclusion of the study, the
wells have remained in place and have not yet been properly plugged and
abandoned. These improperly abandoned wells may act as non-point source
conduits for water contaminants to directly enter ground water and then
surface water in this corridor of the lower Rio Grande. As such, the
NMED Ground Water Quality Bureau (GWQB) proposes to properly plug and
abandon the 35 wells to prevent the wells from resulting in ground water
and surface water contamination.

# *General Project Description*

The goal of this proposed project is to properly plug and abandon 35
ground water monitoring wells to prevent the wells from acting as
conduits for water contaminants to migrate into ground water. In all,
there are 420 linear feet of steel casing and 740 linear feet of PVC
casing that require abandonment. Various closure methods may be employed
due to the different well materials including perforating the casing and
pressure-cementing in place, and over-drilling or pulling the casing
followed by grouting the open hole. The specific closure method for each
well will be determined by NMED staff in consultation with drilling
company staff and based on the well completion logs. The following
general tasks will be undertaken by NMED staff to complete this project:

-   Perform field reconnaissance to locate and identify each of the 35
    monitoring wells and document well conditions;

-   Properly purge and sample each of the wells to obtain current ground
    water quality;

-   Create a spreadsheet that summarizes well completion details and
    current well conditions;

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-   Implement the procurement process to contract with a drilling
    company for well plugging and abandonment services. This includes
    issuing a Request for Proposals, evaluating bids, selecting a
    contractor, and entering into a contract.

-   Meet with the contracted drilling company to schedule the project
    and to determine the specific well abandonment method for each well;

-   Provide field oversight to the drilling contractor during the well
    abandonment effort; and,

-   Write a final report describing abandonment methods used and
    completion of project.

# *02-Q New Mexico Water Fair and Water-Quality Outreach Program* 

# *Federal \$60,883 State \$40,497 Total \$101,380*

# 

# *General Project Description*

The purpose of this 319(h) project is to:

-   develop and carry out an extensive Water Fair program of free
    testing of private domestic wells in rural communities throughout
    the state in order to identify possible non-point source water
    quality problems, and

-   conduct educational outreach activities targeted at domestic well
    owners in order to enable them to make informed decisions regarding
    water quality issues in their communities.

The project will consist of approximately 20 Water Fair events conducted
in rural communities throughout New Mexico. The events will be evenly
distributed between 4 NMED Districts (see attached map of the
districts), with 5 events taking place in each district. Each Water Fair
event will include the following:

-   free testing of water samples from private domestic wells and
    community wells for nitrate, iron, sulfate, conductivity, pH, and
    organic vapor using portable analytical equipment, and

-   educational outreach activities on water quality issues that will be
    carried out through informative brochures, displays, interactive
    models, and individual contact with NMED staff.

Preference in scheduling Water Fairs will be given to communities that
are located in Category 1 priority watersheds and have known or
suspected ground water contamination. Approximately 6 Water Fairs will
be conducted in conjunction with public meetings and hearings where
there is already a concern about water quality. A notice about free
water testing will be included in the advertised public notice for the
meeting/hearing. The additional benefit of conducting Water Fairs at the
public meetings will be an anticipated increase in attendance at the
meetings. Whenever possible, water testing will be conducted in a
separate room than the meeting room in order to avoid interference with
the meeting. Approximately 7 Water Fairs will be conducted in response
to requests from citizens concerned about water quality in their
community, and the remaining 7 Water Fairs will be carried out to target
communities that, based on NMED data, have existing or suspected ground
water contamination. When advertising each event, local newspapers,
radio stations, watershed groups, and other community organizations will
be contacted about the upcoming Water Fair. In addition, notices about
the event will be posted at local post offices, churches, grocery
stores, and other public places by NMED staff from the nearest NMED
field office.

During each Water Fair, NMED staff will make available to the
participants educational materials on ground water quality, contaminants
in drinking water, pollution prevention, septic system maintenance, well
protection, watershed protection, and other topics related to water
quality (see attached examples of educational materials). Whenever
possible, Spanish language versions of the educational materials will be
provided. A ground-water model and, when possible, an interactive
3-dimensional watershed model will be available. Each person who brings
a water sample for testing will be asked to fill out a sample
information form and to identify the sample location on an aerial photo
of the community. Results of sample analysis will be given back to the
sample owner by NMED staff who will explain the results, point out
problems with water quality and potential health threats, list likely
sources of contamination, and suggest steps that the homeowner can take
to reduce health risks. Together with the printout, the sample owner
will receive a customized information package that will include fact
sheets on the analyzed constituents, possible health risks, likely
sources of contamination of domestic wells, pollution prevention
practices (including well protection and septic system maintenance
tips), and a list of phone numbers of NMED staff who can answer future
questions about water quality and pollution prevention.

After each Water Fair, the sample location information and the
analytical data will be entered into a database for archiving and for
identifying non-point source water-quality problems in affected
communities. In addition, approximately two weeks after each Water Fair,
NMED will either call each sample owner (if phone number has been
provided) or send a follow-up survey to seek comments on the Water Fair
program and suggestions for improvement.

# *02-R Ponil Complex Fire Rehabilitation Project*

# *Federal \$ 270,635 State \$350,000 Total \$ 620,635*

# 

# General Project Description:

The purpose of this 319(h) project is to address water quality impacts
caused by the Ponil Complex Fire of 2002. A total of 92,124 acres burned
making this one of the largest wildfires in New Mexico's history. The
majority of this burn occurred in the Ponil drainage, a major tributary
of the Cimarron River. More than 28,000 acres on the Philmont Scout
Ranch -- Cimarron, NM were affected. Of these, approximately 20,000
acres burned with light to moderate intensity while the remaining 8,000
acres experienced high intensity tree stand replacement disturbance. The
most severely burned areas were aerial seeded immediately after the fire
was contained. Philmont work crews also installed straw bail sediment
retention dams, grade control structures, and employed extensive use of
another proven post-fire BMP, contour log felling. Since the initial
treatments were implemented, the Philmont Scout Ranch has kept a
watershed rehabilitation crew working continuously during favorable
weather conditions. This crew is responsible for the labor-intensive
task of hand raking, seeding, and mulching. Primary focus is on ridge
tops and those areas that did not respond well to initial soil
stabilization treatments. This project has been extended through March
2005. However, the crew's efficient use of 319 (h) will likely allow
them to work through the entire 2005 field season.
Sediment/turbidity-related TMDLs exist for several tributaries of the
Cimarron River including Middle and North Ponil Creeks, Moreno Creek,
and Cieneguilla Creek.

***02-S Watershed Group Formation and Preparation of a Watershed
Restoration Action Strategy for the Las Huertas Creek Watershed,
Sandoval County, New Mexico***

# *Base: \$36,385 Match \$29,655 Total: \$66,040* 

# *Project Status:this project is using the remainder of 02 funding (On time)*

*OBJECTIVE*: The Las Huertas Watershed Project (LHWP) began as a group
of concerned citizens working as part of the Las Placitas Association
(LPA), a Placitas, New Mexico based 501 ( c )(3) non-profit corporation
dedicated to protecting and preserving the quality of life in the
Placitas area. Working as a volunteer effort under LPA, the LHWP has
already conducted essential research and public outreach that will serve
as a strong basis for completing watershed group formation according to
EPA and NMED guidelines.

Under the recently awarded Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant, the
LHWP proposes to complete the watershed group formation process and to
complete a draft Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) by June
30, 2005. During the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, the LHWP
will finalize the WRAS, maintain public outreach and stakeholder
engagement activities, and plan and pursue funding for on-the-ground
watershed restoration projects. The objective of the watershed group
formation is to establish a collaborative community-based process
involving all key interests and affected parties. The process will
engage watershed stakeholders and facilitate participation to complete
the organization of a local watershed group according to EPA and NMED
guidelines.

# *[ ]{.underline}* 

# *[Watershed Protection Section Projects 2003]{.underline}*

***03-B Children\'s Water Festival Program***

\$71,600 (Federal) \$116,300 (State) \$187,900 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The entire Water Festival experience and learning
activities are intended to help students and their teachers in the
Middle Rio Grande, Santa Fe, and other New Mexico communities,
understand that water is an essential and limited resource and what each
of us can do to protect and conserve our water. The Water Festival
Program has brought children's water festivals for 1000 fourth graders
per year to the Middle Rio Grande Valley in 2003 and 2004, and for 500
fourth graders in Santa Fe in 2004, with one festival remaining in Santa
Fe in 2005. At its completion, this project and similar projects in
recent fiscal years will have delivered teacher workshops and a day of
water education to approximately 7000 New Mexico fourth graders and
hundreds of parents and teachers.

*03-C Rio Costilla Tributary Watershed Improvement Project*

\$200,000 (Federal) \$133,000 (Match In-Kind \$133,000) \$333,000
(Total)

*Project Status: On-Going*

Objective(s): The objective is to substantially increase under story
ground cover. We need to reduce the smaller diameter timber populations
and deadwood debris. Along with the thinning process we need to increase
the amount of grass and forbs growing in the new tree-shaded barren and
highly eroded soil surface. By doing this we simply increase the amount
of sunlight hitting the ground and release a significant volume of water
currently being consumed by the trees which can alternatively be used to
encourage 'a natural grass infiltration system', in and around these
tributaries and riparian areas within the watersheds.

BMP Project Improvements are:

Sage Brush Removal/Re-Seeding

Woodlands Thinning

Wetlands Rehabilitation

Monitoring will consist of photo documentation. For photo documentation
we will be identifying the GPS location of each site and points within
each site from which we can document the changes of the project
landscape over time. A protocol to be followed will be provided by the
New Mexico Environment Department. These digital images will also be
used to communicate our efforts as part of the outreach communication
media t owners of the RCCLA, students and for the project documentation.

***03-D Rio Ruidoso Watershed Restoration Project: Phase II***

*\$250,000 (Federal) \$611,900 (State) \$861,900 (Total)*

*Project Status: On time*

*OBJECTIVE:* This project will continue and expand the restoration work
already underway in the watershed with Rio Ruidoso Watershed Restoration
Project (FY98-D) and the Ski Apache sediment Reduction Project
(319-tribal). The project goals are to overall achieve the improvement
of water quality in the Rio Ruidoso Watershed.

***03-E Collaborative Watershed Project: Supporting TMDL Implementation
in .....***

*\$184,000 (Federal) \$122,667 (Match) \$306,667 (Total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The objective of this project is to develop Watershed
groups (Chama and Jemez Watersheds) through establish a collaborative
community-based process that builds the capacity of the participants to
make informed decisions that will lead to water quality improvements.
The process will help achieve local understanding of the State\'s water
quality management system, identifying contributing sources of those
pollutants to be controlled under the TMDLs, develop a local remediation
plan, implement remedial activities at priority sites, and identify ways
in which individuals and organization can otherwise contribute or
improving water quality. Through the collaborative process, individuals
and organizations will be asked to reevaluate the way they perceive and
live in their watershed.

Once the group has been convened, the process managers will work with
the group to develop groundrules, a decision-making process, and goals.
Once these foundational elements are in place, the group will work to
accomplish the following:

-   Gain an understanding of prevailing water quality standards and
    implications, TMDLs and the group's role in influencing the TMDLs;

-   Develop an educational program to build the capacity of the
    participants to make informed decisions;

-   Develop a public outreach strategy that ensures that information
    about the watershed initiative is flowing from and to the
    stakeholder group;

-   Identify available information and data needs;

-   Quantify problems, identify sources, and prioritize them;

-   Identify broader issues and concerns; define viable remedial
    options;

-   Develop a Watershed Restoration Action Strategy that includes
    well-defined and achievable goals as well as an effective
    implementation plan;

-   Select sites for early remediation actions; define an ongoing
    monitoring plan for tracking improvements;

***03-F San Pedro Creek Watershed Outreach, Education & Action Projects,
NM***

*\$20,000 (Federal) \$32,620 (State) \$52,620 (Total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project targets local stakeholders for
participation in an overall watershed action strategy. It includes 1)
identifying and documenting baseline conditions including non-point
source pollution in the watershed; 2) writing a riparian restoration
plan for the upper reaches of San Pedro Creek; 3) creating and
distributing outreach and educational materials for targeted watershed
stakeholders; 4) fostering stakeholder collaboration for implementing
and revision of the WRAS; and, 5) implementing environmental education
programs in the schools and the community.

***03-G Santa Fe Neighborhood Watershed Initiative (Cancelled)***

*\$126,617 (Federal) \$123,990 (State) \$250,607 (Total)*

***03-H Respect the La Jicarita (Santa Barbara Watershed)***

*\$75,500 (Federal) \$50,300 (State) \$125,800 (Total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is teaching local people about specific
water quality issues that can and will affect their quality of life by
using specific examples of their property, brochures, tours, newspaper
articles, and field trips and classroom visits for students. As it
evolves, the on-the-ground component is focusing on private lands
grazing management. The Rio Santa Barbara and Rio Chiquito in particular
are impacted by grazing on small pastures along the river. Where
intentionally or by chance (as when the river flows along a property
boundary) cattle have been fenced away from the streams, the streams are
much better shaded and have more stable banks and deeper, narrower
channels. A local watershed coordinator funded through the project is
enlisting property owners to observe and appreciate these differences,
and repeat them by fencing cattle away from the streams on their
properties. Funds are available to assist with related materials. The
project also is producing a watershed restoration action strategy.

***03-I Rio Puerco Grade Stabilization & Streambank Stabilization
Project***

*319 Budget: \$ 20,000) \$29,000 (State Agency Match) \$15,000
non-matching RPMC (Federal) contribution Total: \$64,000*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The project will serve to reduce erosion of the Rio
Puerco channel within the Village of Cuba by restoring a locally
impaired stream reach to an improved functioning condition. Riparian
vegetation enhancements will assist erosion control and streambank
stabilization efforts, as well as enhance the aesthetic appeal of this
area.

The current project will remove urban debris, loose tires and displaced
tire bales currently diverting the stream from its normal channel,
establish stable stream banks, and reestablish a proper functioning
flow-through channel. The approach will incorporate stream morphology,
hydraulic geometry, and reference reach methodologies to direct the
construction efforts. High vertical bank segments will be graded to a
natural slope and protected from further erosion.

***03-J Rio Quemado Watershed Project***

\$83,240 (Federal) \$33,296 (Match In-Kind \$33,296) \$116,536 (Total)

*Project Status: On-Going*

*OBJECTIVE(s):* The performance target for this project is the improved
water quality in the Rio Quemado. In particular, the project will reduce
turbidity and sediment load in the water by removing cattle and their
impacts from the riparian areas (through fencing and location of salt
blocks out side these areas) and rotational grazing through grazing
units, and by replanting areas deforested during the Borrego Mesa fire.
The project will protect 10 miles of the upper Rio Quemado and will
remove the project area from the list of contributors to water quality
impairments in the watershed.

Project BMP improvements include:

Trick Tanks (3)

Earthen Dams (2)

Cattleguards (3)

Troughs (2)

Fencing (3.15 miles)

The final outcome of the Rio Quemado Project will be the reduction of
NPS pollutants from logging, road building, stream crossings, grazing,
and deforestation caused by the Borrego Mesa forest fire will reduce the
stream bottom deposits caused by soil erosion. Photo documentation will
be in accordance to Surface Water Quality Bureau standards and policy.
The policy is to photo document events before, during, and after final
project completion.

***03-K Cimarron Watershed Alliance (***formerly the "***Pilot Project
in the Cimarron Watershed with The Nature Conservancy")***

*\$ 705,479 (Federal) \$465,616 (State) \$1,171,095 (Total)*

OBJECTIVE(S): The Cimarron Watershed Alliance (CWA) includes interests
from incorporated and unincorporated areas of Colfax County. Members of
this nonprofit organization include a diverse group of local ranchers,
landowners, elected officials, business owners, state/federal agency
representatives, civic groups, and private citizens. Their common
interest is in maintaining and/or improving water quality and quantity
within the Cimarron Watershed with the ultimate goal of full support for
all designated uses. The Alliance's Mission Statement is "to strive for
and maintain a healthy watershed for all residents through collaborative
community activities involving all stakeholders with an interest in
water." BMPs for this project will primarily focus on upland and/or
streambank erosion. Although some structural BMPs such as fencing, water
developments, and/or gully plugs are to be implemented, the major focus
will be on land management practices-most notably riparian grazing
management. Currently livestock have unrestricted access to all of the
Cimarron's major tributaries the impacts of which are most evident in
the montane grasslands of the Moreno Valley. 9 TMDLs have been approved
for this watershed. Several of these combine multiple streams and
include listings for chronic aluminum, turbidity, stream bottom
deposits, temperature, and fecal coliform.

***03-L Sharing the Power of Partnerships-Watershed Alliances***

*\$49,744 (Federal) \$33,163 (Match: \$1,500 Cash, \$31,663 In-Kind)
\$82,907 (Total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* Through this proposed project, local watershed
partnerships - or Alliances - will be formed. These Alliances are
voluntary groups of landowners, producers, educators, advisors and
others interested in addressing conservation and economic needs of a
community. By helping these Alliances become strong, effective and
action-oriented groups, this project will ensure that environmental,
economic, social and cultural objectives of the watershed are integrated
into Alliance action plans for water quality improvement. This will help
to enhance local and regional economic viability in ways that are
environmentally sound and consistent with defined watershed objectives.
In addition, viable Alliances with diverse stakeholders will become a
sustainable entity in watersheds, providing long-term efforts for water
quality improvement.

Through a series of four workshops, two targeted New Mexico watersheds
(to be identified) will assemble a public/private partnership to form
Watershed Alliances to promote water quality improvement. These
workshops will form a common vision for that partnership; develop a
mission statement; create a business plan, including prioritized NPS
issues; and outline action steps for the next 12-24 months. 

While the Alliances may envision long-term (5+ years) goals, the
workshop will focus the Alliance on setting short-term goals and
emphasizing attainable objectives and realistic milestones. It is
important to have short-term successes to maintain the vitality of the
Alliances. The Alliance business plan becomes a living document, an
organizational guidance tool reviewed and revised annually. The business
plan also serves as an external outreach tool -- helping to promote
Alliance efforts, obtain funding and communicate the Alliance message
about water quality improvement.

CTIC will encourage the Alliances to hold regularly scheduled meetings
to revisit their 12-24 month work plan and complete the items listed. In
addition, CTIC will encourage the Alliances to document work completed
in meeting notes.

CTIC proposes a Train-the-Trainer workshop that will follow the Healthy
Watersheds training and expand the skills of the New Mexico participants
and help them to implement what they've learned in their home
watersheds. This two-day training will teach participants how to
facilitate alliance-building workshops and strengthen leadership skills.
The skills will be used to organize an effective watershed process in
specific areas of concern, as proposed in the 604(b) work plan.
Participants who complete this training then become a network of
qualified, objective facilitators who can help neighboring watersheds
build collaborative efforts through the alliance-building process. These
trained facilitators will use knowledge from Healthy Watersheds and
skills obtained through Train-the-Trainer to perpetuate Watershed
Alliance successes and water quality improvement throughout the state.
For all Alliances, CTIC will provide organizational assistance after
workshop completion, in the form of other training, such as membership
development, fund raising, etc.

The number of Train-the-Trainer participants is dependent upon the
number of people who attend New Mexico's Healthy Watershed Training. The
number of Alliances formed as a result of the Train-the-Trainer workshop
is wholly dependent upon the enthusiasm of the participants and their
effectiveness in sparking interested landowners to join together to form
new alliances.

## *[Watershed Protection Section Projects 2004]{.underline}*

**04- A Development of a Stormwater Management Plan for Los Alamos
County, NM, and Implementation Measures in the Pueblo Watershed**

*\$ 148,000 (Federal) \$ 208,500 (Match) \$ 356,500 (Total)*

*Project status: on time*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project focuses on actions to reduce total alpha
and selenium nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in Pueblo Canyon, a
ten-mile tributary of Los Alamos Canyon, which drains to the upper Rio
Grande. This project will develop a comprehensive stormwater management
plan for Los Alamos County with a focus on the Pueblo Watershed.
Components of the plan will include general stormwater management
objectives, a proposed ordinance and possible changes to the County
development code, and construction standards and methods to meet the
TMDLs. Characterization of current conditions, prioritization of areas
where effective treatments are critical, and implementation of control
measures and appropriate runoff management will decrease peak flows and

reduce sediment transport throughout the Pueblo Watershed.

*04-B Watershed Group Formation in Upper Rio Grande, Mimbres and Conejos
Watersheds, New Mexico - Conejos Watershed Project*

*\$56,700 (Federal) \$27,100 (In-Kind Match \$27,100) \$83,800 (Total)*

# *Project Status: On-Going*

Objective(s): The objective of this watershed project is to establish a
collaborative community based process involving all key interests and
affected parties. The process will help develop local understanding of
the State's water quality management system (including TMDLs and load
allocations), identify contributing sources of those pollutants to be
controlled under the TMDLs, develop a locally acceptable remediation
plan for efficiently achieving the load reductions, develop work plans
for future funding of on-the-ground watershed rehabilitation projects,
and identify ways in which individuals and organizations can otherwise
contribute to improving water quality.

Meridian institute and SWQB believe that this watershed would benefit
from a collaborative approach to identifying and reducing the impact of
priority of non-point sources of pollution by building local interest
and increasing local involvement in defining the problems and
implementing the solutions.

***04-C Taylor Creek, Upper Gila Watershed Restoration Project***

\$31,728 (Federal) \$24,830 (Match In-Kind) \$56,558 (Total)

*Project Status:* *on-going*

*OBJECTIVE (S):* The Sierra Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
will make the initial contact to a broad range of stakeholders that are
interested in forming a watershed group within two weeks after funding
has been awarded. The method to engage stakeholders consists of
soliciting input, contact the local news media to inform them of the
on-gong meetings, employ a facilitator during the first three meetings
to aid in a collaborative process bringing focus to individual and
personal concerns and all attendees will be asked to participate with
the Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) planning team and
information gathering regarding resource conditions.

The Sierra SWCD will take the lead role in developing the workgroup as a
watershed management tool that also satisfies the New Mexico Soil and
Water Conservation District Act. The Sierra SWCD will utilize its close
relationship with the communities, local/state/federal governmental
entities and local landowners/users of the Taylor Creek Watershed and
the Gila National Forest for their involvement.

We are expecting the outcome of facilitation to be a positive process,
involving all stakeholder concerns. Education regarding the watershed
will be incorporated within the facilitation to help ensure the success
of the long-range plan for the overall improvement of the resource,
directly affecting surface water quality. Each individual will have a
voice within an informal round-table setting. Consensus building will be
one of the tools to encourage priority agreements within the group. The
Sierra SWCD will provide thorough outreach programs with stakeholders to
broaden the understanding of how watersheds function and their affect on
surface water quality. The process should provide the New Mexico
Environment Surface Water Quality with educated stakeholders, landowners
and governmental entities that can produce better decisions regarding
the restoration of our watersheds.

One of the by products of forming a watershed group is a WRAS or
watershed plan. The Sierra SWCD is charged with the responsibility of
working with local, state, federal agencies and private landowners to
implement best management practices (BMPs) on watersheds and has been
very successful at this for many years. We have at our disposal the
technical assistance of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the
Resource Conservation and Development, United States Forest Service, New
Mexico State Forestry, Bureau of Land Management along with the New
Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality staff. It will be
through these agencies and private sources that a WRAS will become an
excellent representation of the Taylor Creek Watershed and provide a
long-term living document within twelve months after funding.

***04-D Comanche Creek Watershed Restoration Project -Restoring Habitat
for the Rio Grande***

***Cutthroat Trout, Part 2***

*\$143,510 (Federal) \$75,760 (State) Cash-Match \$21,400 \$240.670
(Total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This project is being implemented by several
organizations working together as the Comanche Creek Working Group.
Their efforts are directed towards reducing temperatures and sediment
loading in Comanche Creek, in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson
National Forest, in northern Taos County. Temperature is recognized by
the New Mexico Environment Department (on the 2004-2006 303(d) List) as
the main water quality problem in this stream, with sedimentation also
posing a threat to fisheries. The Comanche Creek Working Group is
addressing these problems with construction of strategically placed mini
exclosures to permit colonization of willows and cottonwoods,
construction of post vanes and baffles to encourage colonization of
vegetation on eroding banks, drainage improvements on the main road
through the area, and construction of low-tech rock structures to
stabilize gullies and halt headcut progression. Much of the work will be
done by volunteers during erosion control and riparian restoration
workshops, and many of the participants will use their experience gained
in this project to benefit water quality elsewhere in New Mexico.

 

***04-E Rio Puerco (De Chama) Watershed Project***

*\$158,170 (Federal) \$181,251 (Match In-Kind \$181,251) \$339,421
(Total)*

*Project Status: On-Going*

Objective(s): The objective of the Rio Puerco De Chama Watershed
Restoration Project is to reduce non-point source pollution. The three
main tributary streams in this project area include Mesa Poleo Creek
(NM-2116.A_023), Coyote Creek (NM-2116.A_022), and the Rito Resumidero
(NM-2116.A_025). The specific pollutants within these watersheds are
turbidity and stream bottom deposits. The probable sources are
agriculture, silviculture, road maintenance runoff, land disposal,
riparian vegetation removal, and bank destabilization.

The primary focus of the Rio Puerco (De Chama) Watershed Project is to
address the impacts of rangeland grazing on water resources. Through a
series of range improvements and implementation of a new allotment plan,
grazing management will be improved. As a result non-point source
pollutants (turbidity and stream bottom deposits) will be reduced
through the implementation of this plan. Three allotments will be
affected in this project, they include the Coyote Allotment, Mesa Poleo
Allotment, and the Mesa Alta Allotment.

BMP Project Improvements on three allotments are:

Trick Tanks (3)

Fencing (11 miles)

Corrals (5)

Spring Developments (20

Cattle Guards (7)

Ponds (13)

Sage Brush Mowing (240 acres)

Monitoring will consist of photo documentation.

***04-F Cordova Creek In The Rio Costilla Watershed Project***

\$153,950 (Federal) \$202,182 (Match In-Kind \$202,182) \$356,132
(Total)

*Project Status: On-Going*

The objectives of the project are:

Objective 1: Improve water quality and remove sources of impairment so
that water quality standards can be met.

Objective 2: Update and refine the Watershed Restoration Action Strategy
(WRAS) for Cordova Creek.

Objective 3: Design and install Best Management Practices (BMPs) to
improve the stability of the slopes along Cordova Creek.

Objective 4: Identify and evaluate potential new roadway alignment for
NM 196 that will relocate it away from the (Cordova Creek) stream
channel.

Objective 5: Improve habitat for the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout in
Cordova Creek.

Objective 6: Evaluate and document the effectiveness of these
activities.

Furthermore, the project is to improve the condition of the Rio Costilla
watershed to meet current water quality standards and to restore normal
hydrologic function to the Rio Costilla and its tributaries (especially
Cordova Creek). Completely achieving this goal will likely take decades.
Over the next three years, however, we hope to address a critical source
of sediment to the Rio Costilla watershed. This sediment originates in
Cordova Creek, a major tributary to the Rio Costilla. The portion of
Cordova Creek to be addressed by the is project is adjacent to NM 196
which provides access to the Ski Rio Resort.

BMP project improvements are:

-Stormwater management

-Terracing and revegetating slopes

-Installing vortex weirs, replacing culverts

-Installing retaining walls and concrete barriers along erosive slopes

-Recreating meanders or step-pool and morphology ultimately restoring
the characteristics of the creek to improve its stability and provide
coldwater fishery habitat.

Monitoring will consist of collecting baseline data on geomorphology,
riparian conditions within this reach of Cordova Creek. This data will
provide foundation of the Drainage Report and the subsequent
recommendations for measures to control erosion in the stream channel.
To the extent possible existing studies on stream morphology, riparian
habitat conditions, temperature, and water quality will be used to
assess existing conditions.

***04-G Rio Grande---Albuquerque Watershed Group Formation Project***

\$80,000 (Federal) \$60,400 (Match) Total: \$ 140,000

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The objective of this watershed group formation project
is to establish a collaborative community-based process that builds the
capacity and attracts participants to make informed decisions that will
lead to water quality improvements in the Rio Grande-Albuquerque reach.
The process will help advance local understanding of the State water
quality management system (including stream standards, the Nonpoint
Source Management Plan and TMDLs); identify contributing sources of
pollutants to be controlled in accordance with the TMDL for fecal
coliform bacteria; develop and implement locally acceptable remediation
plans using recognized best management practices at priority locations
within the watershed; and identify and advertise ways in which
individuals and organizations can contribute to improved water quality
through behavioral changes.

Through the collaborative process, individuals and organizations will be
asked to reevaluate the way they perceive and live in their watershed.
The process is expected to span a two-year period, during which a
full-time Watershed Coordinator, hired by the Ciudad Soil and Water
Conservation District, will work with a contract facilitator (CTIC), and
coordinate the efforts of stakeholders to form a local Watershed Group.
They will produce a Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) and
list of potential future projects for the Rio Grande-Albuquerque. The
WRAS will guide future efforts by the Watershed Group to seek grant
funds with which to install BMPs that can improve water quality by
reducing discharges of fecal coliform bacteria to the Rio Grande.

Capacity building, including education, will be an important aspect of
the work. This may include a variety of tasks, such as working with the
Watershed Group to develop an organizational structure and initial
goals, devising mechanisms for involving the public in decision making,
identifying and evaluating training needs and opportunities, and
organizing these concepts into a formal WRAS.

Initially, the Watershed Coordinator and the contract facilitator will
help existing stakeholders scope preliminary issues and concerns, help
identify other stakeholder groups that may wish to be involved, and seek
other local complementary or overlapping efforts. Based on the results
of this scoping assessment and discussions with SWQB staff, the
Watershed Coordinator will contact key stakeholders to further clarify
and focus on substantive issues and concerns, and identify the
stakeholders that will form the Watershed Group. They hope to
accomplish:

-   Gain an understanding of water quality standards, TMDLs, and the
    Group's role in achieving TMDL objectives;

-   Develop an educational program to build the capacity of the
    participants to make informed decisions;

-   Develop a public outreach strategy that enhances the flow of
    information to and from the Watershed Group;

-   Identify data needs and available information;

-   Identify broader issues and concerns and define potential options
    for remediation;

-   Select priority sites for installation of BMPs;

-   Work with the SWQB to develop a WRAS that includes well-defined and
    achievable goals and an effective implementation plan.

***04-H Collaborative Red River Restoration ORV Impact Remediation***

\$ 75,000 (Federal) \$50,796 (Match: \$5,700 Cash) \$ 125,796 (Total)

##### OBJECTIVE(S): The goal of this project is to reduce sediment and turbidity due to illegal ORV use by implementing the following best management policies (BMPs):

-   Obliteration of temporary roads

-   Surface erosion control of recreation sites

-   Management of off-road vehicle (ORV) use

-   Public information on water quality protection at recreation areas

-   Revegetation of surface disturbed areas.

A load reduction of 50.6 lb/day Al in Bitter Creek and 350.4 lb/day Al
in Upper Red River is called for in the draft TMDL. To control for
stream bottom deposit in Bitter Creek, a load reduction of 72% fines is
required. A load reduction in turbidity of 390.5 lb/day is called for in
Pioneer Creek. The BMPs listed above will be implemented to help meet
these load reductions by helping to control for erosion and stormwater
runoff from illegal, steep, and poorly maintained roads that are a major
contributor to turbidity, stream bottom deposits, and aluminum in the
Red River.

There are three main components of this project -- reclamation of
illegal roads, public outreach and education, and enforcement of
recreational regulations.

*Reclamation of Illegal Roads:*

The first step will be to identify and map illegal roads in the project
area. This will be done in the Fall of 2004 and the Spring of 2005.
During each field season during the grant period three work sessions
will be organized and implemented. These work sessions will utilize
volunteers to reclaim illegal roads by re-grading, seeding, installing
proper signage, and creating barriers to deter future use. Before and
after photos will be taken to document the progress of illegal road
reclamation. Amigos Bravos, with assistance from the Forest Service,
will organize volunteers, order reclamation supplies, and supervise the
work sessions. Amigos Bravos will document the progress of road
reclamation.

*Public Outreach and Education:*

Two public meetings will be organized for each field season. The purpose
of these meetings is to educate the public, including ORV users, about
where it is legal to recreate in ORVs and about the impacts illegal ORV
use is having on the Red River ecosystem. Press releases and fact sheets
will also be implemented to educate the public about the project and
where it is legal to drive ORVs. Amigos Bravos and the Red River
Watershed Group will work together on education and outreach tasks.

*Enforcement of Recreational Regulations:*

During each field season an enforcement officer will be hired to patrol
the project area and to educate about and enforce legal ORV use. The
enforcement officer will report enforcement actions to the project
manager and will help disseminate educational materials. It is expected
that after the first season the enforcement officer will serve a
deterrent agent and less enforcement actions will be necessary. The
presence of the enforcement officer will help the reclaimed roads
revegetate by keeping vehicles off fragile new growth areas. Amigos
Bravos and the Forest Service will work to implement the enforcement
component of the project.

*Start and End Dates*: 11/1/04-10/31/07

***04-I Rio Pueblo de Taos Watershed Stakeholders Action Initiative***

\$17,800 (Federal) \$12,680 (State) \$ 30,480 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The project's initial stage will be the development a
Watershed Group. Stakeholders will be identified first by locating the
major landowners along the Río Pueblo de Taos. Once these landowners are
identified, the Watershed Coordinator will conduct outreach activities
to these landowners as well as to the general community of Taos.
Outreach will consist of arranging meetings with, for example, members
of neighborhood associations, business leaders, the director of the Taos
Pueblo Environmental Office, US Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
representatives, the manager of the Wastewater Treatment Facility, and a
representative from the Taos Country Club.

A Clean Water Act (CWA) workshop covering water quality standards, the
303d list, and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) will be advertised and
all identified stakeholders will be invited to attend. This training
will provide knowledge of the pertinent policy issues surrounding the
impairment of the Río Pueblo de Taos, and also serve as a forum for
stakeholders to identify some of the sources of pollution they believe
are impacting the river. It will also provide an opportunity for
stakeholders to discuss what an Río Pueblo de Taos Watershed Group would
look like and how it would function. A watershed group formation meeting
will be planned at the end of the workshop.

To encourage participation by all residents and businesses in the Taos
area, articles and announcements about the CWA workshop and the
formation of a watershed group will be published in *Taos News*. At the
watershed group meeting, the notes from the workshop will be passed out
to stimulate discussion. At this meeting and subsequent meetings the
name, structure, mission, and communication strategy of the watershed
group will be discussed and decided upon. This process will take
approximately six months.

The Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) scoping process will
begin during the third month of the project. This process will include
working with stakeholders to identify the causes and sources of
pollution, pollution control measures, and measurable milestones for
determining whether pollution controls are working. Consultants will be
hired as necessary to compile public input, research, and write sections
of the WRAS. A draft WRAS will be disseminated to the public in
September of 2005. After public comments are addressed and incorporated,
a final working document will be distributed.

While developing the WRAS, the watershed group will identify -- and
draft workplans for -- at least two projects eligible for future Section
319 funding. If potential projects for the group are identified and
investigated early on, the group can work out the details and smooth out
any potential roadblocks before submitting an on-the-ground 319(h)
application for a future funding period. A number of key stakeholders
could potentially serve as fiscal agent for future projects. These
include the BLM, Taos Pueblo, the Town of Taos, and Amigos Bravos.
Amigos Bravos has a working relationship with many of the potential
fiscal agents and is willing to help facilitate relationship building
between the watershed group and the potential fiscal agent.

*Start and End Dates: 11/1/04-10/31/05*

## *[Watershed Protection Section Projects 2005]{.underline}*

**05-B Watershed Group for the Upper Pecos River**

\$27,700 (Federal) \$18,800 (State) \$ 46,500 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S):* Watershed group formation and outreach education in the
Pecos Headwaters concentrating on the area from San Ysidro to
Villanueva. The project will commence summer of 2005 and end in the
summer of 2006. Measures of success will be the completion of a WRAS,
and attendance at meetings.

**05-C Collaborative Watershed Project for Supporting TMDL
Implementation in the San Juan Basin**

\$246,078 (Federal) \$91,050 (Cash Match) \$73,107 (In-kind) \$410,235
(Total)

Project summary: Collaborative water quality improvement for the San
Juan River Watershed - Phase I

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The purposes of this project are to develop a
comprehensive database for determining the location and origin of
bacteria and nutrients within the San Juan and Animas Rivers in support
of enhanced technical decisions for source remedial action, and to
conduct specific projects for reducing bacteria and nutrients loadings
from priority source areas. The two project actions are in concert with
the recently completed San Juan Basin Watershed Management Plan that
details the overall needs and problems of the watershed. The project
includes a coordinated set of investigative actions and field
subprojects as follows:

*Subproject A: Identification of bacteria and nutrient sources and BMP
recommendations*

A single incorporated GIS database of the San Juan Watershed from the
state line to the Hogback (where the San Juan River fully enters Navajo
Nation lands) will be created that contains layers of existing water
quality information and land-use data in an interactive map format to
identify actual and potential areas of significant loadings (hotspots)
of pollution. The products will include a database, maps, list of
hotspots, potential sources for each hotspot, a study design for each
potential source, a list of identified pollutant sources prioritized
based on established and estimated pollutant loading, recommended BMPs
for each identified pollutant source, and a prioritized list of sites
where more information is needed to locate the pollutant source.

# *Subproject B: Correction of septic system problems at Flora Vista -- Phase 1*

This subproject includes investigative work needed to support the
selection and construction of improvements to replace the malfunctioning
septic systems in the Flora Vista area, an unincorporated community of
several hundred dwellings located along the Animas River between
Farmington and Aztec.

# *Subproject C: Improved operation of septic systems in Farmington and Bloomfield* 

The Cities of Farmington and Bloomfield have combined efforts to locate,
identify, and inspect existing individual sewage treatment systems
(septic systems) located within their respective City limits. This
subproject will help septic system owners use their systems more
efficiently, by recommending upgrades or replacement when warranted,
improving operational performance, and encouraging routine preventative
maintenance measures.

# *Subproject D: Project coordination, collaboration, and continuation*

This subproject entails continuation of the ongoing collaborative
process by the SJWG involving approximately 25 participating entities
and interests who will serve in an oversight role for this and
subsequent projects, overall coordination and administrative support for
this project, and pursuit of follow-up activities and funding
opportunities as needed to attain and maintain water quality standards

**05-D Respect the Rio -- Phase II**

*\$240,534.00 (Federal) \$200,940.00 ( Match) \$441,474.00 (Total)*

*OBJECTIVE(S):* This proposal requests federal funding to match private,
non-profit and state funding to support continued efforts by the Santa
Fe National Forest to implement BMPs in this high-use watershed. The
overall intent of Respect the Rio is to improve watershed conditions so
as to decrease stream temperatures and sediment delivery (turbidity and
stream bottom deposits). The approach is through the development of
long-term stewardship while implementing mechanical changes.

Due to its extremely high use, and multiple land uses it is important to
have a holistic management strategy when addressing the water quality
impacts in the Jemez Watershed. The Phase 2 tasks cover the management
disciplines of Education; Recreation; Fish, Wildlife, and Watershed;
Range; and Roads.

The initial proposal was for \$481,068.00, which was then reduced to
\$240,534.00 by NMED when EPA's funding was reduced. This reduced budget
will result in limited accomplishments in the specific tasks that had to
be reduced in funding. These tasks were the Education Coordinator,
Contact Ranger, Multi-Media, East Fork Trail, Respect the Rio Law
Enforcement, Noxious Weed Control and the Penas Negras Road Obliteration
project. The reduced budget also eliminated other tasks including the
San Antonio Hot Springs Recreation Area Restoration, Buck-n-Pole
Fencing, San Diego/Buchanan Rx Burn, and the Blue Bird Fence projects.

**05-E La Cieneguilla Open Spaces/ Santa Fe River Restoration**

\$101,425 (Federal) \$86,400 (State) \$187,825 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The Santa Fe River has been on the New Mexico list of
impaired waters for at least two decades, indicating that the river has
been degraded for quite some time. Like many river systems in the
Southwest, the Santa Fe River has been modified by numerous activities,
all of which have both individually and synergistically severely
modified the river's functioning. According to the New Mexico
Environment Department's most recent 303d list, which identifies the
state's polluted waters, sediment and widely varying dissolved oxygen
and pH levels impact the stream.

Road building and maintenance, levee construction, sand and gravel
mining, livestock grazing, off-road vehicles and polluted runoff from
urban areas as well as discharges from the municipal wastewater facility
each negatively impact the Santa Fe River. Some of these factors are
more significant than others but each collectively prevents attainment
of water quality standards along the Santa Fe River.

In large part, as a result of these damaging activities non-native trees
have proliferated on the site and in some cases are causing additional
ecological and hydrological changes that exacerbate the degradation. In
addition, high nutrient levels in the wastewater discharge from the City
of Santa Fe's treatment plant in conjunction with poor habitat
conditions have resulted in excessive growth of algae, thereby affecting
dissolved oxygen and pH, further degrading aquatic habitat for fish and
amphibians.

In addition, off-road vehicle use appears to be increasing in the
unfenced and unmanaged riparian area, potentially creating a whole new
non-point source pollution problem.

Furthermore, because it is severely degraded, the communities of La
Cieneguilla and Santa Fe have become disconnected from our namesake
river. Opportunities to reconnect with the river corridor, though
significantly improved over the last few years, could be further
enhanced in a way that engages the local community.

With the success of Forest Guardians first restoration project along the
Santa Fe River, and the improvement of water quality and stabilization
of water temperatures along that section of river, we are confident that
the continuation of restoration efforts along the Santa Fe River will
further improve water quality and the ecology of this riparian system.

**05-F Collaborative Restoration Forestry**

\$200,000 (Federal) \$156,025 (State) \$1,000 (non-matching federal
contribution) \$357,025 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S:* The proposed initiative is designed to have long-term
effects on reducing and preventing turbidity levels in Sapillo Creek
through tree density reduction combined with increases in native
herbaceous ground cover. By using small diameter wood removal through
on-the-ground implementation of a combination of BMPs, this project
proposes to mitigate the watershed damage from fire suppression efforts.
As a result, over time, the tree component of the plant community will
be reduced and herbaceous vegetation will increase. By restoring
herbaceous coverage and by reducing the risk of a stand replacing fire
in the project area, UGWA proposes that project activities will reduce
or prevent non-point source water quality problems in Cow Creek and
Sapillo Creek. Restoring herbaceous coverage will reduce soil erosion,
increase water absorption rates, and supply more water and nutrients to
the vegetation. Reducing the risk of a stand replacing fire will also
prevent large increases in sheet-type, gully and head-cut erosion that
is associated with a highly destructive fire and prevent the subsequent
increases in TOC and turbidity levels in Sapillo Creek.

One of the ways CFR seeks to continue to reduce the costs of forest
restoration is by developing methods to completely utilize the
byproducts from thinning. Most of the grant funding that has been
received by Gila Wood Net (GWN) in the past has been focused on the
development of products and the creation of a small log processing
complex. The timeframe for completion of the processing complex is June
of 2005. At that time GWN will have the capacity to thin and process the
byproducts from more than 200 acres of forest per year. The bulk of the
material will be used by Fort Bayard as fuel for its steam plant.

This proposal will serve as an investment in the reduction of future
forest restoration costs by supporting GWN's forest treatment program
during the completion of its development phase.

The primary goals of the proposal are to restore herbaceous ground cover
and reduce the risk of a stand replacing fire in order to reduce and
prevent soil erosion in the Cow Creek watershed while supporting and
creating sustainable local livelihoods in Grant County, New Mexico.
Ecological objectives will be obtained by improving forest function,
composition and structure by reducing tree density and enhancing
horizontal and vertical diversity. Economic objectives will be obtained
by implementation of forest restoration projects, small diameter wood
removal, processing, utilization and marketing. Additional objectives to
help reach these goals include monitoring of restoration efforts,
community education / outreach, and community development. The NMED has
informed us that a new updated WRAS will be completed in 2005 for the
Upper Gila Watershed and this partnership and project will be used to
help complete the new, updated WRAS. The new WRAS will be used to
improve this project's ability to restore health to the Upper Gila
Watershed and reduce TMDLs on Sapillo Creek.

The proposed project is grounded in the principles of Natural Processes
Restoration. This model works with positive aspects of the existing
forest structure to move toward natural structure and function by using
the largest trees to create groups that will develop more quickly toward
old growth condition. The standard forest products industry prescription
applied to timber harvesting is high-grading the biggest trees and
leaving the little ones. This proposal seeks to replace this practice
with a restoration prescription in order to bring the forested watershed
back to good health. Logging equipment specialized for small diameter
tree removal with emphasis on minimizing environmental impacts and
reducing operating costs is used. The Yarder/Forwarder is essentially a
scaled down off-road, self-loading, winching log truck. The platform is
a small (8000#) articulated off-road tractor and trailer with high
floatation tires to minimize soil disturbance. On the platform are
mounted a small knuckleboom grapple loader and a winch.

The benefits of using this equipment include:

-   Substantial reduction of ground impacts compared to conventional
    tractor skidding

-   Fewer trips

-   Efficient collection of small diameter timber

-   Mobility

-   Low cost of equipment

-   Low cost of operation.

Ability to make several entries over time with minimal ground
disturbance and bringing forest structure to a desired condition in
stages may be better than single drastic manipulation methods.

-   Reduced shock to plant and animal communities.

-   Retention of the potential to modify the applied restoration
    prescriptions based on the assessment and experience.

**BMPs that will be used to protect soil cover include:**

-   Forwarding of restoration byproducts to staging area will not occur
    on any steep slope or erodible soil portions

of the area

-   No new roads will be constructed, only existing roads and skid
    trails will be used

-   Existing roads used would receive routine maintenance such as
    blading, covering rock outcrops with native

material, culvert and ditch cleaning

-   Activity slash will be lopped and scattered to provide ground cover
    until herbaceous ground cover is restored

-   Designated equipment crossings when water is present in riparian
    areas

-   When necessary to provide ground cover, forwarding trails and
    landings, and other disturbed areas would be

scarified and seeded with native grasses and forbs at the conclusion of
thinning activities

-   Waterbars and small check dams may be placed as needed to mitigate
    erosion problems or improve watershed

conditions.

**05-G Gila Watershed Partnership of NM**

\$28,153 (Federal) \$18,769 (State) \$46,922.00 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S):* The goal of this proposal is to establish an assisted
community-based infrastructure and process that builds the capacity of
its partners to make informed decisions that will lead to water quality
improvements. The resulting infrastructure shall consist of a salaried
coordinator, and a voluntary administration and research advisory staff.
Expected time of delivery of an active watershed group and
implementation plan is one year after funding commences, June 2005 to
July 31, 2006.

Achieving this goal will:

Improve local understanding of the state's water quality management
system (including TMDLs and load allocations),

Identify contributing sources of those pollutants to be controlled under
the TMDLs,

Develop acceptable remediation/management plan for efficiently achieving
the load reductions

Implement remedial/management activities at priority sites, and

Identify ways in which individuals and organizations in our communities
can otherwise contribute to improving water quality.

It is thus critically important that all the partners play an active
role in developing the process for achieving the above tasks. Capacity
building, especially education, will be an important aspect of the work
performed. This capacity building may entail a variety of tasks- from
working with the group on the initial development of mission statement,
goals, organizational structure, to helping the group to identify and
evaluate training needs and opportunities as it prepares to transition
from grant funded facilitation and management to a totally locally-led
voluntary professional staff effort. Once all stakeholders have been
identified and briefed, the coordinator will convene the group, evaluate
the group's composition to ensure that important interest, individuals,
and perspectives are represented. Currently, many exiting groups are in
progress to improve watershed health and the Gila Watershed Partnership
can serve as central voice in surface water quality issues.

Once these foundational elements are in place, the partnership
anticipates accomplishing the following:

-   Work with the SWQB to develop a WRAS that includes well-defined and
    achievable goals as well as an

effective implementation plan;

-   Develop an educational program to build the capacity of partners to
    make informed decisions;

-   Gain an understanding of prevailing water quality standards, TMDLs
    and The Partnership's role in influencing

the TMDLs;

-   Develop Youth component to GWP, joining with our local teachers and
    school science clubs

-   Develop a public outreach strategy that enables information about
    the watershed effort to flow from and to the

Partnership;

-   Identify available information and data needs;

-   Research problems, identify sources, and prioritize them;

-   Identify broader issues and concerns and define viable remedial
    options;

-   Select sites for early remediation actions and define an ongoing
    monitoring plan to track water quality

improvements; and continue with site remediation to work toward
attaining established water quality standards

-   Identify, recruit and train a voluntary professional staff to
    administer GWP and advise partners

-   Report quarterly the progress defined in our proposal and
    implementation plan.

**Coordination, Roles and Responsibilities:** The coordinator, will be
responsible for organizing and coordinating the watershed group, and the
processes for gaining involvement of diverse interests. The coordinator
will develop and implement an entirely voluntary staff to assist in the
administration of the Partnership and provide professional scientific
advice and will seek opportunities for additional funding support for
the program and other projects that evolve through collaboration of
agreement in the watershed.

*The Customers*, (Watershed Partnership members), will include the
interests of ranchers, farmers, miners, land managers, local
governments, state and federal agencies, environmental Non Governmental
Organizations (NGOs), citizens, and other interested parties. Members
will draw from all key stakeholder organizations and communities
including Silver City, Virden, Cliff/Gila, Pleasanton, Glenwood, and
Reserve; Catron, Grant and Hidalgo Counties, The Southwest Council of
Governments, The Black Range Resource, Conservation and Development
(RC&D) Council, Soil Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), local School
Districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Gila National Forest,
Bureau of Land Management-Las Cruces Office, The New Mexico State Land
Office, The Nature Conservancy, The Upper Gila Watershed Alliance, The
US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Quivira Coalition, The Southwest
Region Water Plan Steering Committee, the Arizona Gila Watershed
Partnership, and many others.

## Public Participation: The efforts described in this proposal represent public participation efforts designed to secure broad input and ownership in the cleanup of the Gila Watershed, consistent with completed TMDLs. The coordinator will not only serve as facilitator and administrator, but also oversee development of the public outreach activities. She be will responsible for assuring that all key interests are involved in the decision making process. Core Group members include: Grant SWCD; Grant County; Town of Silver City; San Francisco SWCD; Catron County; Hidalgo County; Town of Duncan Az; Gila WoodNet; GWP-AZ; Black Range RC&D; The Nature Conservancy; Upper Gila Watershed Alliance; Silver City Daily Press; Sherry Tippett; Vance Lee; and the Silver City Office of SWQB.

It is essential that these stakeholders are involved throughout the
process, with attention given to identifying and engaging existing
groups to adopt and implement the WRAS or its components.

-   Information mailings,

-   Meeting minutes,

-   Facility tours, and

-   Education presentations.

Other communication tools, used to exchange information, include:

-   Open group meetings, workshops, community forums, etc

-   Email and Internet based web sites, list serves and discussion
    groups,

-   Other organizational meetings,

-   Surveys,

-   Newsletters,

-   Interviews, and

-   Public comment and reviews.

**05-H El Restauro- Phase II - Upper Rio Grande Watershed Project**

\$80,200 (Federal) \$53,467 (State) \$133,667 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S):* Watershed group formation and outreach education within
the Upper Rio Grande Watershed and include the Rio Embudo (Rio Grande to
Canada de Ojo Sacrco) and the Rio Grande (non-pueblo Santa Clara to
Embudo Creek).

**05-I (Upper) Rio Vallecitos Watershed Project**

\$125,280 (Federal) \$83,520 (State) \$208,800 (Total)

*OBJECTIVE(S):* To improve the water quality of the Rio Vallecitos;
listed impairments are: turbidity, sediment, and metals. The objective
is to reduce the listed impairments by developing a Range Management
Plan and by implementing on-the-ground Best Management Practices.