Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Flood Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ruidoso officials press for recovery funding, buyouts and drainage projects after repeated fires and floods
Summary
Local leaders from Ruidoso and Lincoln County described watershed changes from recent fires and floods, outlined a Rio Safe buyout and greenway plan, and requested state and federal support for road, bridge and watershed projects; officials said a $5,000,000 award is starting a barrier program.
Mayor Crawford, village manager Ron Sena and Lincoln County manager Jason Burns briefed the committee on ongoing recovery and mitigation work after repeated fires and flooding in the Ruidoso area.
Jason Burns said the county has been awarded a $5,000,000 portion of previously approved funds to start a fire‑barrier program and is coordinating a separate community thinning program; he said the county requested further funds for buyouts and flood mitigation projects. Burns described a proposed Rio Safe program — a watershed restoration and community resilience buyout plan intended to reestablish a managed floodway and reduce catastrophic damage.
Officials noted several recovery funding sources are being used, including FEMA, EWP/NRCS programs and state Water Trust Board grants. Burns said the initial buyout list of properties has been prioritized (ranked 1–5 by urgency) and that an expected federal EWP/NRCS award will be a 75/25 federal–local share; he said state match options are being explored.
Village manager Ron Sena described challenges with designations for federal‑highway maps and temporary bridge structures; he asked the committee to assist with complex federal and tribal easement processes that affect reconstruction. Mayor and county staff highlighted projects in design or under contract (drainage improvements on NM‑48, safety and sidewalk repairs along US‑70) and sought continued legislative support for maintenance and targeted capital funding.
Committee members asked technical questions about watershed engineering, buyout details and the status of local assets such as the racetrack; officials said they will provide updates to the legislature and continue coordination with state agencies.
No formal votes were taken; the committee recessed for lunch and scheduled follow-up consideration of funding in the next session.
