DAM REHABILITATION PLANNING
Supplemental Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment for the Upper Rio Penasco Sites 1, 2, and 3A Dam Rehabilitation Project
Sponsored by the Otero Soil and Water Conservation District
The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in cooperation with the Otero Soil and Water Conservation District, as the project Sponsor, will be preparing a Supplemental Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Upper Rio Penasco Sites 1, 2, and 3A Dam Rehabilitation Project. The Supplemental Watershed Plan-EA will be prepared and funded in accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL 83-566), which provides for cooperation between the Federal Government and the States and their political subdivisions to address resource concerns due to erosion, floodwater, and sediment and provide for improved utilization of the land and water resources. The project will identify and evaluate alternatives to bring the dams at Sites 1, 2, and 3A into compliance with current NRCS and State of New Mexico dam safety standards.
Current Project Status
Currently the NRCS and the Sponsor are initiating a scoping process to provide the community with an
opportunity to comment on issues, potential impacts, or alternatives that you would like to see considered in the Supplemental Plan-EA.
How can I learn more and provide comments?
To facilitate the community’s participation, NRCS will hold a Public Scoping Meeting Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 6:30 PM to provide more information about the project and to collect written public comments. Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available. Presentations will be given throughout the meeting to further describe the PL 83-566 Program, gather feedback from attendees, answer questions, and collect any written comments. Details on how to attend the Public Scoping Meeting can be found below:
In-Person Public Scoping Meeting
Mayhill Community Center
15 Civic Center Drive
Mayhill, NM 88339
Virtual Public Scoping Meeting
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87934943843
Meeting ID: 879 3494 3843
Phone #: 1-719-359-4580
Comments can be submitted in any one of the following ways:
· Submit written comments at the in-person Public Scoping Meeting
· Mail written comments to:
USDA NRCS-New Mexico
Attn: Merceidez Fabok
100 Sun Avenue Northeast, Suite 602
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109-3434
· Email your comments to: Merceidez.Fabok@usda.gov
All comments must be postmarked by Thursday, February 27th, 2025.
Additional information can be found on the NRCS website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/watershed-and-flood-prevention-operations-wfpo-program/new-mexico/watershed