Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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Final Comment Letter
Modification 23-2 Application for Brie 1, Partial Release of Financial Assurance on 5.13 Acres of Reclamation
On September 6, 2023, the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received a permit application from Miocene, LLC, to modify permit number MK039MN. The application requests partial release of financial assurance associated with approximately 5.13 acres of reclamation performed at the Brie 1 mine located in T20N, R6W, Section 7.
On September 26, 2023, the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received an application from Landcaster Resources Inc. ("Applicant") requesting a minimal impact exploration permit for the Alkali Flats Lithium Brine Phase 1 Exploration Drilling, Permit No. HI023EM. The application for the minimal impact exploration permit proposes to drill three (3) drill holes up to 2600 feet deep, in Hidalgo County, New Mexico. The proposed drilling site is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Lordsburg, NM. MMD has deemed the application administratively complete.
Grant County is proposing to replace a single span bridge along Hamilton Road, near Mimbres, New Mexico. Hamilton Road is a single lane, dead end, gravel road that provides access to a few residential properties located on the east bank of the Mimbres River. The existing single span bridge crossing the Mimbres River has been closed due to the degree of scour, and a gravel, low water crossing located on the north side of the bridge is currently providing access to the residences. The road and bridge are located on easements crossing private land. Grant County is proposing to replace the bridge using state funding through the Black Fire Response and Recovery fund for design, with additional state funding anticipated for construction through the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Transportation Project Fund (TPF). The new bridge will follow the same horizontal alignment and the construction of additional scour protection is planned both up and down stream. Grant County is acting as the project proponent and lead agency on this project.
US 285, New Port of Entry-Study Phase IA-ID, MP 0 to MP 7
The US 285 corridor in southeastern New Mexico is a critical piece of infrastructure that has seen an explosion of use due to the growth of the oil and gas industry in the region. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has already invested in upgrading the roadway to provide additional capacity, improve safety, and address structural issues. Given the connectivity US 285 provides at the Texas/New Mexico border, there is a significant volume of heavy commercial traffic entering the state at this location. A new Port of Entry (POE) would help protect the state's infrastructure and improve safety for the corridor.
The purpose of studying a new Port of Entry to the US 285 corridor between MP 0 to MP 7 is to facilitate the continued economic growth in the region by ensuring the commercial vehicles entering the state are safe and legal. The need arose due to of the significant increase in heavy commercial vehicle traffic throughout the corridor; gross vehicle weight (GVW) must be regulated to protect the state's infrastructure, improve safety, and ensure commercial drivers are following state law.
NM State Parks requests that we evaluate the landscape around the Living Desert Zoo for enhancement and protection opportunities to go alongside Zoo improvements. Introductory workshop begins November 16, 2023 and the project will continue into 2024. This request is to understand the rare plans and crucial habitat concerns that occur within the property so that the state park can work to better protect them.
Tierra del Sol Housing Corporation plans to acquire 32 lots in a new subdivision, Las Flores Phase II, Berino NM using $165,000 of 2018 HUD SHOP funds (S-H1-80-36-0000) and $315,000 of 2019 HUD SHOP funds (S-H1-90-33-0000). These funds will be leveraged with $850,000 in private funding. The homes will be built through the Section 523 Mutual Self Help Technical Assistance Program to provide construction training for groups of 8-10 low income families to work together to build their homes. Sweat equity labor will reduce the cost to purchase the homes by low income families. HOME funds are planned to provide up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for low income homebuyers.
As a colonia, Berino lacks adequate water, sewer, or decent housing. Lack of paved streets and improper drainage compounds flooding issues. More affordable homeownership opportunities are needed for low income families that experience poverty and unemployment at higher rates. 97.1% of Vado residents are Hispanic. Poverty and low income are endemic in Berino and Dona Ana County, NM. 43.7% of homeowners in Dona Ana County are cost-burdened. The median income of households in Berino at $31,731, is 47% lower than the median income of Dona Ana County at $59,726. Poverty in Berino at 19% is higher than Dona Ana County at 17.6%. 13% of households in Dona Ana County have zero net worth, meaning their debt and liabilities exceed their assets. 39% of households have liquid asset poverty meaning they lack sufficient financial resources to support themselves for at least 60 days. 6% of households are unbanked and 17% are underbanked. This project will provide new affordable homeownership opportunities in a new subdivision with paved streets, sidewalks, water and sewer utilities, and improve broadband access for rural colonia residents. The project will help low income families create assets through homeownership and equity through self-help homeownership programs, addressing racial inequities. Homeownership counseling through Tierra del Sol will increase knowledge about banking, and the obligations of homeownership.
This recovery plan draft provides a vision, strategy, and criteria thought necessary to recover the Arkansas River shiner. The recovery strategy is based on potential future conditions of the species that are reasonably likely to occur, depending on the level of conservation effort and severity of future threats (USFWS 2018, pp. 123-159). Based on the anticipated future conditions, measurable delisting criteria are provided that are designed to indicate when the threats have been removed or reduced to such an extent that the species may be considered for removal from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (delisting). Following the delisting criteria are specific recovery actions which further delineate the steps required to achieve delisting. In the final section of the plan, a time and cost estimate for implementation is provided. Recovery of the Arkansas River shiner is largely based on protecting existing populations and establishing a third population within the historical range of the species, along with achievement of the delisting criteria (Table 1). With successful implementation of this plan, recovery is estimated to occur by 2053 and cost approximately $89.2 million.
Draft Environmental Assessment and FONSI for the Water Control Plan for Operation of Abiquiu Dam, Rio Arriba County, NM
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, has conducted an environmental analysis in accordance with NEPA. The Water Control Plan for Operation of Abiquiu Dam addresses water management purposes, contractual updates directed by Congress, opportunities, and feasibility in Rio Arriba County, NM. The recommended plan includes changing conservation storage at the dam from a volume of 200,000 acre-feet to an elevation of 6230 NGVD29. It also includes amending or entering into new storage contracts/agreements with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and other users of storage space at the dam to allow for storage of San Juan-Chama project water and/or native Rio Grande system water up to elevation 6230 NGVD29.
SWQB Wetlands Program Development Grants - request for support letters
SWQB is applying for three EPA Wetlands Program Development Grants and is seeking letters of support from the NMDGF to attach to their proposals.
Proposal 1: "Springs Mapping Phase 1 and Technical Guide for Arid-Land Spring Wetlands." Proposal 2: "Wetlands Standards, Regulations, and Monitoring Team for New Mexico." Proposal 3: "New Mexico Rapid Assessment Method for Sub-Alpine Riverine Wetlands."
Our client proposes to construct a 199-foot self-support tower in a new 50-foot by 50-foot lease area. A proposed fiber conduit will be routed within a new 20-foot-wide utility/access easement extending from the lease area west then northwest for a total of approximately 430 feet, terminating at a proposed fiber vault within the right-of-way. A proposed 12-foot-wide utility easement will connect with the west end of the 20-foot-wide access/utility easement, extending approximately 300 feet southwest. Another proposed 12-foot-wide access easement will run approximately 30 feet along the west side of the lease area. The site is located in undeveloped dirt and grass covered land off the east side of Snell Road.
This project will include the development of an 75,600-SF MOB and one 50,400-SF IRF Building located northeast of the intersection of Unser Boulevard SE and Wellspring Avenue SE in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
State Parks has identified an undertaking at Fenton Lake that involves replacing all 10 existing vault toilets. The first phase involves VT's #1, 6, 7, 9, and 10; the second phase is not in the design stage yet; two toilets will be replaced in situ, one slightly moved, and two moved to adjacent locations, all of which are shown. Our contractor, Otak, had their sub, SWCA, undertake the cultural, biological, and water assessments. We are currently working with Jack Young and the USFS on the cultural report, and have reached out to the USFS biologist for the BR and ARIR, but are also reaching out to your office for review of the BR and ARIR reports. Please note that SWCA reviewed areas much larger than necessary for these five small vault toilet APE's, although they do have those APE's marked in their maps. The BR report identified one suitable area for NM Meadow Jumping Mouse adjacent to VT #7, but not within the APE. The other four toilet areas do not have suitable habitat or identified impacts. As a result, SWCA determined that VT #7 will have potential affects, but no adverse effects, kicking in the USFWS' informal consultation level. We would like to have NMDGF's review and recommendations for avoidance if needed for the five vault toilet APE's based on state listings, and to confirm that your agency is fine with State Parks consulting with the USFWS as the project proponent and operator of the park.
Monarch Butterfly Species Status Assessment Report Update (v2.2)
Review of updated SSA document for the monarch butterfly - a document used to inform the listing status of endangered species. The updated version (2.2) added new findings and reports from recent scientific studies since the original document publication in 2020.
This is a Forest Management Plan for the New Mexico Forestry Division forest stewardship program. This plan is for planning purposes only on private land.
This is a Forest Management Plan for the New Mexico Forestry Division forest stewardship program. This plan is for planning purposes only on private land.
The NMDOT is modifying the I-25 interchange with US 380, which requires a natural resources survey as part of the Phase I-C process. The NR survey is scheduled Oct 14-16th.
City of Truth or Consequences Water Meter Replacement
The City of Truth or Consequences' CDBG Water Meter Replacement project will consist of the design and construction related to the replacement of aged and deteriorated water meter assemblies. The current manual read water meters will be replaced with new advanced metering infrastructure radio read meters. The meter replacements will take place throughout the municipal water system service area which includes the City of TorC and Village of Williamsburg. The condition and location of the meter assemblies varies widely throughout the service area and therefore the location of the assemblies and surface improvements to be replaced will vary as well. In locations where the existing meter assemblies have failed and are located within the sidewalks, the improvements will also include the replacement of the meter setters, meter cans, lids, plus the removal and replacement of the sidewalk section as needed to complete the installation.
The full scope of the project will include the replacement of approximately 981 meters, 98 meter assemblies and 88 square yards of sidewalk removal & replacements. The general scope of work is the same for the full and phased projects, with the only difference for the phased approach being a reduction in quantity. The state of the inflated construction costs will be the deciding factor for the overall completion of the intended project. The best-case scenario will involve reasonable bids for the completion of the work that will allow the City to replace all 981 water meters and accompanying appurtenances. The worst-case scenario will involve inflated bids, reducing the number of meters that can be replaced and therefore require a ranking and/or prioritization of replacing those meters that are in the worst condition first.
Proposed construction of a new 265-foot (overall height) lattice (self-support) telecommunications tower and installation of associated equipment within an approximate 3,000 square-foot lease area.
Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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