Flooding Update 11-24-14
Post date: Nov 24, 2014 12:50:39 PM
From: "Medrano, Mike"Â
Subject: Petroglyph National Monument News
Date: November 20, 2014 12:00:20 PM MST
To: (email addresses removed)
Mr. Whitmore and the rest of the Santa Fe Village Neighborhood Association:
Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through addressing the flooding issues along the monument boundary.
Here is an update of recent happenings that may be of interest to the residents:
1) A selection for the permanent superintendent for Petroglyph was recently announced. The person selected is Dennis Vasquez, who is currently the superintendent at Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the New Mexico/Texas border. Mr. Vasquez is coming to us with a broad background in park management and we are anxiously anticipating his arrival around mid-December. I believe it will take him a few weeks to get his feet under him, but I know he is excited to get started and get out in the community.
2) The City of Albuquerque submitted a request for the temporary flooding solutions (straw bales) in September. We are currently working though the request. Earlier this week we hosted the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and two of the topics of discussion were the proposed temporary and permanent drainage solutions. We received some excellent feedback from the SHPO and are continuing to work through the natural and cultural resource compliance process.
3) I have a representative from our NPS Regional Environmental Compliance Office in Denver visiting the monument on Monday (24 November). We are going to discuss the proposed flooding solutions and any issues or concerns at the regional level. Since this has been a high-profile issue, we are keeping regional management informed and involved. A scoping letter will likely be going out to the residents in the next week or two regarding the proposed temporary solution.
4) Discussions between the NPS Lands Program (our real property folks) and the City of Albuquerque have begun and are progressing regarding a potential land swap so the City can install the permanent drainage structure along the present park boundary. We are working on the boundaries for the proposed land swap to ensure park resources are protected and the needs of the drainage solution are met.
As we enter the new year with a new superintendent at the helm, I anticipate things moving a little more rapidly. I will be briefing Mr. Vasquez about this issue as soon as he is on site and get him up to speed right away. If you have any questions regarding the progress of this process, I am available to discuss them with you and/or the residents.
Best Regards,
Mike
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Michael F. Medrano, Ph.D.
Acting Superintendent &
Chief, Division of Resource Management
Petroglyph National Monument
6001 Unser Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Voice: (505) 899-0205 ext. 334