BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Isleta Phreatophyte Removal Project

The ONRT funded the removal of over 400 acres of exotic, high-water use plants called phreatophytes from the Pueblo of Isleta bosque.  The goal of the restoration project was to conserve groundwater through the removal and treatment of phreatophytes such as salt cedar, Russian olive, and Siberian elm.  The project also provided additional benefits such as reduction of fire danger, the opportunity for re-settlement and expansion of native vegetation to support wildlife habitat, and improvements to water quality, aesthetics, and recreation.  The Pueblo of Isleta implemented the removal of the phreatophytes, and will continue to maintain the suppression of invasive plants into the future.  The Mid-Region Council of Governments also provided project oversight assistance.

ONRT, in partnership with Bernalillo County, funded the connection of residential houses to municipal sewer and water systems.  This project targeted residential owners using septic systems and/or domestic drinking water wells, and who did not qualify for the Bernalillo County Partners in Improvement and Protection of the Environment assistance program. The goals of the South Valley Sewer/Water Connection Project were twofold: (1) protect groundwater from future contamination by decreasing the use of septic systems, and (2) decrease the demand for groundwater by switching users from private wells (which use groundwater) to a municipal supply (which uses primarily surface water).  

Public outreach for the project began in 2008 and included announcements sent to homeowners inviting them to participate in the sewer and water connection project, a door-to-door canvassing effort and a public meeting at the Mountain View Community Center.  The project successfully funded installation of a sewer trunk line as well as the connection of 11 households to municipal sewer and water systems, and the abandonment of the existing septic tanks.

A contractor for Bernalillo County is in the process of installing a new PVC sewer line from a private home to the nearest municipal sewer line.  4/16/09.  

Rio Grande Valley State Park Re-Vegetation Project

The Rio Grande Valley State Park Re-Vegetation Project was completed by ONRT in November 2009 with approximately 200 acres of Bosque revegetated. The goal of this project was to enhance wildlife habitat in the Bosque with native plantings primarily on land that ONRT had previously cleared of invasive plants. 

Plantings included over 7,000 native trees and shrubs consisting of cottonwoods, New Mexico olives, wolfberries, screwbean mesquites, four-wing saltbush, golden currants, coyote willows, seepwillows, and peach-leaf willows.  Native mix grasses were planted on approximately 50 acres of meadows along with sedges, rushes and other shallow depression plants on over 25 acres of moist soil areas.  In addition, three existing ponds were enhanced and several swales were constructed to support moist soil plants and shrubs, and to attract more wildlife. The project established several types of plant communities in a mosaic or patchwork of habitat.  The vegetation planted included those that re-create a historical Bosque as well as those that will provide food, shelter and nesting opportunities to resident and migratory birds and other wildlife.

Whitfield Re-Vegetation Project

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is overseeing the revegetation of the Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area. The Conservation Area has been replanted with approximately 1,300 native trees and shrubs (cottonwoods, screwbean mesquites, Gooding’s willows, New Mexico olives among many others) as well as grass and forbs seeds (Indian ricegrass, sand bluestem, purple threeawn, black grama, among others).  More plantings are to follow in 2010. The goal of this project is to plant native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs on approximately 27 acres in the Conservation Area to enhance wildlife habitat.

Briefing volunteers before a planting event.  3/15/08.

ONRT scientist Will Fetner planting a cottonwood.  3/15/08.

    Turtles, Tortoises and Trees Will Make Home Near Pond at Whitfield (3/22/08)

    Governor Richardson Announces Settlement with Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway to Cleanup Albuquerque Superfund Site (9/28/04)