Forest Supervisor Shaun Sanchez signed the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Thursday. Courtesy photo

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Surrounded by State, Tribal, and Local partners Thursday, Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Supervisor Shaun Sanchez and Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor Jeremy Marshall finalized and signed the Santa Fe Mountains Landscape Resiliency Project (SFMLRP) EA.

“We want to thank the community for engaging in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and helping us make this project a reality,” Forest Supervisor Shaun Sanchez said.

The SFMLRP is a 10-year restoration project with actions focused on helping the ponderosa pine and frequent-fire mixed conifer landscapes near New Mexico’s capital city increase resiliency to threats like high-severity wildfire, insects and disease infestation, and climate change.

Over the past 5 years of planning and public involvement, the SFNF worked in close coordination with the public and partners in the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition, including other Federal agencies, State, Local and Tribal governments, and Non-governmental and Community organizations to complete the environmental analysis.

“The city continues as a partner in the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition. For more than 20 years, the Coalition has successfully conducted restoration work in the Municipal Watershed and the surrounding Wildland Urban Interface,” Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber said.

The Santa Fe Mountain Landscape Resiliency Project will be implemented as funds become available and will involve stakeholder engagement and dialogue. For more details on the project visit Santa Fe National Forest website.