U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin the public involvement process for the Conchas Lake Master Plan revision

Published May 5, 2020

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is beginning the revision of the Conchas Lake Master Plan.

The public is invited to view a presentation found at https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Conchas-Lake/Master-Plan/ discussing the revision process and instructions for public participation in the revision. The website contains a brief presentation describing the revision process, a copy of the current master plan, a map of the current land use classifications, and instructions for submitting comments to USACE. All members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments and suggestions before June 22, 2020.

The historic Conchas Lake and associated lands is a multipurpose project built for flood control and irrigation. The primary purposes of Conchas Lake are flood risk management, irrigation, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat.

A Master Plan is defined as “the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resource development project.” In general, it defines “how” the resources will be used by the general public.

The current Master Plan for Conchas Lake was completed in September 1976 and is in need of revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the revised Master Plan include revised land classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special topics such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat.

Public participation and feedback is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.

Questions pertaining to the proposed revision can be addressed to:

Dr. Peter R. Parham, Conchas Dam Natural Resources Manager

Conchas Lake Project Office

P.O. Box 1008, 287 Bell Ranch Road

Conchas Dam, NM 88416

Phone: (575) 868-2221

Email: peter.r.parham@usace.army.mil

or

Rhonda Fields, Project Manager

CESWF-RPEC-PM

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

P.O. Box 17300

Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300

Phone: (817) 886-1681

About the Albuquerque District: The Albuquerque District covers all of New Mexico, about a third of Colorado, and one-fifth of Texas. Visit the Albuquerque District Web site at: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil and Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/albuquerquedistrict

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Contact
Dr. Peter R. Parham
575-868-2221
peter.r.parham@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-031