SFNF Begins Implementation Of Riparian Restoration

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will begin implementation of the first two riparian restoration projects approved under the 2021 riparian restoration decision signed by the Santa Fe, Carson and Cibola National Forests to improve watershed health, water quality and riparian habitat in Northern New Mexico.

Work on the Rito Peñas Negras project on the Cuba Ranger District near Deer Lake will be completed in two phases.

In the first phase, the SFNF will place instream stabilizers built onsite with natural materials into approximately 6 miles of the stream to stabilize the channel and restore floodplain connectivity. The structures will allow water to pass through while trapping sediments, creating shallow pools along the creek.

The second phase will address erosion issues that directly affect stream function and water quality.

The Polvadera Creek project near Cañones will also include instream structures along approximately 2 miles of stream to improve fish habitat along with erosion stabilization, the planting of native riparian vegetation, and the installation of barriers to limit illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV) access.

These projects are the result of an environmental assessment (EA) completed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that reflected public comments received by all three forests during the 2019 scoping period and the 2020 comment period. The final decision notice was signed on July 29, 2021.

Riparian areas or wetlands provide essential ecological functions for plants and animals in an otherwise arid landscape. Although only 2 percent of the 4.7 million acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands in Northern New Mexico are riparian areas, they represent the highest plant, bird, insect, reptile-amphibian, and mammal biodiversity on the forests.

At the same time, they have been impacted by significant stressors, including climate change, wildfire, agriculture and grazing, urbanization, recreational use and invasive species.

The three forests worked together to increase the pace and scale of riparian ecosystem restoration by identifying a broad range of projects to promote watershed health, species recovery and sustainable human uses, including hunting and fishing.

Additional information on the Northern New Mexico riparian, aquatic, and wetland restoration project is posted on the project webpage. Stay up to date on SFNF news by checking the SFNF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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