Gov. Richardson Announces $3.5 M for Land, Wildlife, Clean Energy Projects

From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson announced yesterday he will distribute a total of $3,514,000 to 17 projects throughout the state designed to promote land, wildlife and clean energy.

“We must protect our state’s extraordinary landscape – including working farms and ranches – and our abundant wildlife, and promote clean energy development,” said Governor Richardson. “A concentrated effort to fund these types of programs creates an important legacy for future generations to enjoy, while positioning our state to build a more vibrant economy for a cleaner, more secure energy future.”

Funding includes $2,314,000 for land and wildlife projects, and $1,200,000 for clean energy projects:

Farm/Ranch Land Protection and Natural Lands and Wildlife Projects include:

Circle A Ranch Conservation Easement $500,000
Conservation easement on 300 acres in the Los Pinos Valley of the Naciemento Mountains above Cuba in Sandoval County. The property is surrounded by the Santa Fe National Forest and is near the San Pedro Wilderness Area and the National Continental Divide Trail.  This is a priority watershed that provides agricultural and domestic surface water and this project will help ensure the quality and quantity of surface water for the future.  The conservation easement will tie the high priority water rights to the land and protect the acequia from divided ownerships. 

Socorro Bosque Project Conservation Easement $294,000
Socorro Bosque project provides for flood plain and wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration, watershed health and control of exotic species, plus a limit on future development.

Ranchland Conservation Easement in Southeastern New Mexico $180,000
This project will protect approximately 10,000 acres of prime rangeland for ongoing livestock production from subdivision and development. The easement will also preserve high-quality habitat for a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope, as well as scenic, open space.

Conservation Easement in Tome, Valencia County $125,000
A conservation easement that is located on traditional farmland on one of the middle Rio Grande’s most historic farming areas.

Bioresearch Ranch Conservation Easement in Hidalgo County $75,000
This project will protect 1,700 acres of pristine, natural habitat in the Peloncillo Mountains for a variety of flora and fauna, including several state and federally listed threatened and endangered species.  The property is adjacent to the Central Peloncillos Wilderness Study Area, administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and is part of a larger landscape that has been federally designated as both an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and a Research Natural Area.

Forests, Watersheds, Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat Protection Projects include:

Rio Grande/Tonuco $300,000
These funds will be used for protection and enhancement for the first phase of 784 acre project straddling Rio Grande in Selden Canyon for wildlife habitat, recreation, agricultural preservation, and research.

La Cienega/Rael $200,000
This is a fee purchase of 180 acres on the Santa Fe River in BLM’s La Cienega Area of Critical Environmental Concern. El Camino Real National Historic Trail runs through the area.

La Joya, Bernardo Ladd Gordon Waterfowl Management Area $75,000
La Joya, Bernardo Ladd Gordon Waterfowl Management Area, owned and managed by the State Game Commission, provides wildlife habitat for hunting and viewing.  This project will upgrade outdated water infrastructure for 1,000 acres of wetland ponds.

Black River Watershed $6,000
Black River Watershed contains over 25 species of great conservation value occurring in the Black River drainage, including 13 listed species.  This project will inhibit trespassing that poses a threat to the critical habitat by providing protective fencing. 

Black River Learning Center $2,500
This project will provide watershed education and outreach in an outdoor educational display focusing on ecological diversity of the ecology of the Black River Watershed (the main tributary of the Pecos River).

Pecos River Aquatic Species $4,500
This is an outreach and education project about the introduction of nuisance species.

Outdoor Recreation and Trails:

Bottomless Lake State Park $252,000
This is a wetlands restoration project on 43 acres that will restore and enhance native aquatic habitat for 150 species (including several rare species), help restore ecosystem function within a tributary watershed to the Pecos River, and expand wildlife-related outdoor recreation and education opportunities.

Turquoise Trail; Gutierrez Canyon $300,000
This is a fee purchase of 420 acres that stretches from NM highway14 National Scenic Byways to the existing Gutierrez Canyon Open Space.  This project would double the size of this widely used recreational area and create a trailhead right off NM highway14.

Clean energy projects include:

Northern Recycling $200,000
Funding will enhance recycling opportunities in Northern Counties above Santa Fe.

The Renewable Energy Transmission Authority - $500,000
This is an authority designed to develop electric transmission infrastructure with an emphasis on renewable energy development.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Act Audits $350,000
This program will conduct certified energy audits and provide certification to the New Mexico Finance Authority, which can issue up to $20 million in bonds to fund energy efficient and renewable energy renovations at state government, university and public school facilities.

Sustainable Building Professional Infrastructure Development $150,000
This program is designed to advance and expand the energy efficient green building professional infrastructure, provide for training workshops and develop promotional material.

In all, the $3.4 million will enable these projects to move forward with other matching funds that are valued at more than $30 million.  These projects cover the state and specifically focus on rural areas in Sandoval, Hidalgo, Santa Fe, Valencia, Lincoln, Chaves, Eddy, Dona Ana, Bernalillo, Socorro, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Guadalupe and Quay Counties.