Middle Rio Grande Bosque CWPP

Bosque Wildfire - 2004. Greg Everhart, 2004

There is significant environmental and urban and rural community diversity throughout the project area, encompassing an area from Cochiti Pueblo to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. A variety of different bosque ecosystems occur throughout this area, along with significant numbers of residents, ranging from large metropolitan communities to remote ranching and farming communities. Due to the diversity of the natural landscapes, coupled with the diversity of community types (urban/rural), we will consider the varied landscapes, ecosystems, potential fire regimes, climate factors, and levels of public involvement throughout the project area to ensure that the CWPP is comprehensive. The values and concerns of each community will be considered individually, with recommendations and guidelines tailored to their unique needs. Recommendations will be based on the risk assessment and community feedback, but also the work entities such as MRGCD and the counties have already completed in various other plans.
The comprehensive plan will be developed in accordance with the following handbooks: Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, A Handbook for Wildland-Urban Interface Communities, and Leaders Guide for Developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD/FireMgt/Fire.htm). The plan will assist MRGCD in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The project integrates existing geographic information systems (GIS) datasets to develop a risk assessment framework for the vegetated lands—grassland swales, forests, agricultural lands, and riparian areas—and developed communities within the project area. The plan will be collaboratively developed, will identify and prioritize areas for hazardous fuels reduction, and will recommend realistic measures that homeowners and communities can take to reduce the ignitability of structures throughout the project area.
Thinning projects and removal of exotic plant species that may be recommended as part of the CWPP can also be put into operation in conjunction with current policies of the MRGCD to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and maintain water yield. We will use a wide range of community participation tools to encourage stakeholder participation and public involvement throughout the planning process. Given the level of diversity throughout the project area, ensuring that all stakeholders' views, concerns, and experiences have been considered throughout the planning process is imperative for developing a CWPP that is applicable for all jurisdictions. Finally, the CWPP can be used to seek funding for implementing the recommendations it contains. The CWPP will be a live document that MRGCD will be able to update in future years.

Meeting Minutes

Public Meetings

Maps
    Project Area Map
      Northern Project Area Landownership Map
     Southern Project Area Landownership Map

Draft CWPP -- The Draft CWPP review period has ended. Public comments were accepted throught December 14th, 2007. The Final CWPP is now available.

Final CWPP -- The Final Middle Rio Grande Bosque CWPP is NOW available. Please check back after January 1, 2008 for the Final version with signatures.

Final CWPP Report - High resolution (27.1 mb)
Final CWPP Appendixes - High resolution (35.2 mb)

Final CWPP Report - Low resolution (2.7 mb)
Final CWPP Appendixes - Low resolution (3.2 mb)

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