Publication

City of Albuquerque Habitat Restoration Project Final Environmental Assessment

URL: https://webapps.usgs.gov/mrgescp/documents/SWCA%20Environmental%20Consultants_2007_COA%20Habitat%20Restoration%20Project%20Final%20Environmental%20Assessment.pdf

Date: 2007/02/21

Author(s): SWCA Environmental Consultants

Publication: Report prepared for U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and City of Albuquerque Open Space Division

Abstract:

The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division (City) seeks to implement part of the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) in the March 2003 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion (BiOp) for Reclamation’s Water and River Maintenance Operations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Flood Control Operations, and Related Non-Federal Actions on the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico, 2003 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 2003) and to address priority habitat restoration goals of the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Act Collaborative Program (Collaborative Program). The City proposes to implement river and riparian restoration techniques for the benefit of the federally listed Rio Grande silvery minnow (silvery minnow) and southwestern willow flycatcher (flycatcher), specifically activities to improve habitat within the Albuquerque Reach of the Rio Grande. Restoring riverine and riparian habitats that support these species is considered an essential element for the recovery and ongoing success of these species (Federal Register [FR] 1993) and the Middle Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem.