Open Space and Trail Network

Meeting Summary

21 April 2004

1. Public participation/Announcements.

A. EBID. The importance of Elephant Butte Irrigation District to open space issues was mentioned. It was observed that private ownership of such facilities elsewhere hasn’t always resulted in effective greenbelt protection, so the relationship with EBID will be critical to success here. A meeting of the City’s Ad Hoc committee on Natural Resources (scheduled for April 23) was suggested as a good opportunity to learn more about EBID’s potential cooperation with the City on such issues.

B. NASA Withdrawal. The portions of sections 15, 14, 13, 24, and 25 around Tortugas Mt. that are currently under a military withdrawal may be relinquished back to the BLM. This area is being included in the analysis being done by the committee appointed by County Commissioner Curry to work on the plans for the Tortugas Mt. Cultural and Recreational Area as well as the BLM’s upcoming amendment to the Mimbres Resource Management Plan.

C. Open Space Conference. City of Albuquerque, Trust for Public Lands, National Park Service and others are hoping to organize a statewide open space conference for the fall. Goals would include information sharing between different communities and working on legislation for the 2005 NM Legislature to provide state funding for open space projects.

D. Community Bike Ride will be held May 8, starting at 8 AM from Apodaca Park.

E. La Llorona Path extension (north of Highway 70) is complete. Area has been seeded with wildflowers, and trees, benches, and trash cans will soon be planted/installed.

F. Triviz Path extension (north of Lohman) is close to done. City is seeking NM Dept. of Transportation Enhancement Funds to pay for landscaping and better lighting.

G. Dos Suenos development. In this new development north of Highway 70, near Jornada Road, the developer may be looking to develop a recreational trail along a powerline right-of-way.

H. MPO transportation plan update. The MPO is beginning a 12-15 month process to update all its transportation plans, including the trail plan. Could be a good opportunity to suggest additional trails to include.

I. National Heritage Area Designation. The possibility of applying for this designation is being considered; it’s a fairly lengthy, detailed process, but might layer well with the Vision being developed by the Network.

2. Brochure Distribution. Quick update on where they’ve gone, where they still need to go.

3. Draft Vision. Draft maps, Rationale, and Inventory Study Area (ISA)list were examined. Primary concern was the definition of an inventory study area (especially river corridor area, which encompasses private lands, incorporated areas, etc.). A new version of the supporting document, with a clearer definition of ISA will be prepared for discussion at next Network meeting and the public outreach campaign will be put on hold for now. The role of network participants and consensus was also discussed. Consensus needed at this stage is simply that the draft Vision is ready for public outreach; various governments and organizations may eventually be asked to support, endorse, or adopt the Vision, but representatives to the Network can’t be asked to support the specific content of the draft Vision.

4. Land Trust Report was distributed. Farm and Land Forum the City is considering hosting is now tentatively going to be in November, not May as mentioned at the last Network meeting.

5. Adjourn: Next meeting, 19 May.