River Ecosystem River Ecosystem Restoration Initiative Restoration Initiative

(RERI)(RERI)

New Mexico Environment New Mexico Environment Department Department

Surface Water Quality BureauSurface Water Quality Bureau

Karen MenetreyKaren Menetrey

RERI FundingRERI Funding Governor Richardson’s 2007 “Year of Governor Richardson’s 2007 “Year of

Water” Water” Goals and objectives developed by Goals and objectives developed by

stakeholders in January 2007 stakeholders in January 2007 $2.5 million appropriated in 2007 $2.5 million appropriated in 2007

(Governor’s capital outlay funds)(Governor’s capital outlay funds) $2.8 million appropriated in 2008$2.8 million appropriated in 2008

(severance tax bonds)(severance tax bonds)

RERI GoalRERI Goal

To fund projects that restore instream To fund projects that restore instream ecosystem function and watershed ecosystem function and watershed health.health.

Primarily physical projectsPrimarily physical projects Planning, design, permitting, education, Planning, design, permitting, education,

outreach, monitoring costs funded if outreach, monitoring costs funded if integral to a physical project.integral to a physical project.

RERI Administrative RERI Administrative ProcessProcess

RFP issued spring 2007 and 2008RFP issued spring 2007 and 2008 25-30 proposals received25-30 proposals received Multi-agency Evaluation Committee: Multi-agency Evaluation Committee:

NMED, NMG&F, NMEMNRD (Forestry NMED, NMG&F, NMEMNRD (Forestry Division), NMDA, ISC, USACE, NMSUDivision), NMDA, ISC, USACE, NMSU

Finalists selected by Governor’s OfficeFinalists selected by Governor’s Office 12 projects in 200712 projects in 2007 15 projects in 200815 projects in 2008

RERI Objectives/Project RERI Objectives/Project Selection CriteriaSelection Criteria

Physical project addressing instream Physical project addressing instream ecosystem function and watershed healthecosystem function and watershed health

Clear objectives and measurable outcomesClear objectives and measurable outcomes Maximizes biological diversityMaximizes biological diversity Community support/partnershipsCommunity support/partnerships Pre-and post-project monitoringPre-and post-project monitoring Long term stewardshipLong term stewardship Education and outreach planEducation and outreach plan Leverages other funding/Links to an existing Leverages other funding/Links to an existing

projectproject

Typical Elements of an Typical Elements of an RERI ProjectRERI Project

Removing/changing manmade structuresRemoving/changing manmade structures Constructing erosion control and instream Constructing erosion control and instream

structuresstructures Removing non-native vegetationRemoving non-native vegetation Planting native riparian vegetationPlanting native riparian vegetation Fencing out livestock & large wildlife from new Fencing out livestock & large wildlife from new

plantingsplantings Providing other water sourcesProviding other water sources

Gila River- The Nature Gila River- The Nature ConservancyConservancy

Installing a piezometer to measure ground water level

Planting willows in the floodplain

Rio Puerco- Wild Earth Rio Puerco- Wild Earth Guardians Stream TeamGuardians Stream Team

John Horning, Wild Earth Guardians, directs volunteers

Volunteers plant willows, cottonwoods, other riparian species on a point bar

Galisteo Creek- Galisteo Creek- Earth Works Institute Earth Works Institute

Earthmoving to reinstate a meander

One rock dams for erosion control

Lower Pecos River at Lower Pecos River at Bitter Lake NWRBitter Lake NWR

Paul Tashjian, USFWS biologist directs baseline flow measurements and nets fish with Venture Scouts and 4-H club members

RERI Challenges RERI Challenges

Capital outlay limits funding usesCapital outlay limits funding uses Funding not directly to NMEDFunding not directly to NMED Funding may not be recurringFunding may not be recurring Difficult to show and attribute results in a Difficult to show and attribute results in a

short periodshort period

Restoration Results Restoration Results Take TimeTake Time

Newly planted cottonwood poles on the Rio Puerco compared to an older cottonwood tree

RERI SuccessesRERI Successes Tremendous interest and responseTremendous interest and response Interagency cooperation (evaluation Interagency cooperation (evaluation

process)process) Integrative projectsIntegrative projects Education and Outreach (adults and Education and Outreach (adults and

youth)youth) Promotes creative partnershipsPromotes creative partnerships Some 2007 projects nearly completedSome 2007 projects nearly completed

Timeframe for Timeframe for Completion and Updating Completion and Updating

of RERIof RERI Four year contractsFour year contracts Current RERI cycle completed by 2012Current RERI cycle completed by 2012 Ongoing discussions with stakeholders Ongoing discussions with stakeholders

about RERI’s futureabout RERI’s future

For RERI information:For RERI information:

www.nmenv.state.nm.us/SWQB/REwww.nmenv.state.nm.us/SWQB/RERIRI

Karen Menetrey Karen Menetrey (505) 827-0194(505) 827-0194