Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Isleta gets funding for river restoration

Julia M. Dendinger News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jdendinger@news-bulletin.com

Isleta Acknowledging the importance of clean surface water and a strong river ecosystem, Gov. Bill Richardson visited Isleta Pueblo last Wednesday to announce the 15 recipients of $2.8 million in capital outlay funding to help restore and improve the health of the state's river ecosystem.

After a competitive request for proposal procedure, Isleta Pueblo and 14 other recipients were chosen from among 30 applicants. The pueblo will receive $350,000 of the $2.8 million.

New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry was on hand to introduce Richardson, saying that the environment in New Mexico has no better friend that the governor. "He has stepped forward with bold leadership, setting sustainable environmental policies in New Mexico," Curry said.

As Richardson took the podium, he called the Isleta governor and lieutenant governor good environmental stewards.

"Congress has failed us," he went on to say. "The clean water act is under attack. We are not going to wait and support federal legislation to protect our limited surface waters."

Richardson said as a state New Mexico was moving ahead to protect water quality, aquifer recharge and recreational opportunities.

"This project will help the state maintain its biodiversity and ecodiversity as well as encourage ecotourism," he said. "We can't just continue looking to federal government. Even if the federal government won't make this a priority, we will."

Isleta Pueblo Governor Robert Benevidez said that the pueblo's plan to reestablish a strong river ecosystem was not just focused on the river in the valley but also the mountain streams.

"With dialogue, we have built good relationships with the communities to the north and south of us," he said. "During our restoration efforts, we have been thinning out the nonnative plants and encouraging the growth of native plants on the water."

Benevidez went on to say that the pueblo needed clean water to carry on its culture. "Without it, some of our culture dies. Our cultural committee has been an inspiration, working at identifying native plants that are still in the bosque," he said. "Isleta is the largest farming community among the pueblos. Water is an important part of how we make our living."

Not only has the pueblo been focusing on the river ecosystem, but the forest one as well. In its Manzano Mountain project, the Isleta governor said, they are moving forward with the removal of trees and brush, something that will save homes and property in the event of more fires."

"This money is going to go a long ways," Benevidez said. "The project is ongoing. If you trim the vegetation once, it doesn't stop growing. This is not about us today. Eventually we will be gone and leave this to our kids and grandkids."

This is the second year of Richardson's River Ecosystem Restoration Initiative. In 2007, 12 projects received $2.5 million. In addition to Isleta Pueblo, this year's recipients include the Upper Pecos Watershed Association, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Rio Puerco Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Wild Earth Guardians, Southwest Environmental Center, Earthworks Institute, Cimarron Watershed Alliance, City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Watershed Association, Los Amigos de Valles, Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District, The Quivira Coalition and La Jencia Ranch.

According to a recent press release, this initiative will help restore New Mexico's rivers to sustain the ecological, economic and social benefits they provide for the state. The projects will also help improve the state's biodiversity, bosque health and recreation and ecotourism opportunities.

The recipients will begin developing final work plans detailing their restoration process with the state environment department.

* See River, Page 8A

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