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Corrales interior drain plan and JPA draw public criticism after extensive outreach
Summary
Council reviewed the multi-year interior‑drain study and its JPA with the conservancy district; residents called the proposed plan ‘too manicured’ while officials emphasized the JPA, $150,000 state funding and a public outreach process.
The Village of Corrales governing body revisited the history and status of a long‑running study of the Corrales interior drain, the joint powers agreement (JPA) with the conservancy district and a consultant plan that has prompted intense public comment.
Administrator Curry recounted that an ad hoc committee was created by resolution in 2020/2023 and that the committee presented a plan to the village and to then‑Senator Brenda McKenna, who allocated $150,000 in capital outlay funding. Curry said the JPA required negotiation with the conservancy district and approval by the U.S. Department of the Interior and that the JPA was approved by the state secretary on 08/23/2023.
Consultant Amy Bell was contracted in November 2023 to draft a plan using the funding; Curry said the consultant’s work and the administration’s outreach included a multimodal tour on 10/06/2024 that drew about 80 residents, plus other outreach meetings. Curry said roughly $1,000 remained on the Amy Bell contract and that additional survey work was paid to other consultants.
Public comment at the meeting reflected sharp disagreement about the plan’s design. Bob Eichhorst said the feature is primarily a drainage ditch and urged the council to “leave the thing alone,” warning of liability and calling the proposed treatments inappropriate for Corrales. Multiple residents used words like “manicured” and criticized bollards and paving shown in the consultant imagery. Other members of the public urged more modest cleanup and widening in specific spots and stressed protection of wildlife and the village’s rural character.
Councilors and staff said the JPA and agreements clarify roles but that some maintenance responsibilities remain to be defined with the conservancy district; staff reported scheduled follow‑up meetings with MRGCD staff to clarify maintenance duties and limits.
Curry told the council that the planning process included two council resolutions, the consultant contract and substantial public input; he urged continued dialogue and pointed to the administrative track record of outreach while acknowledging the recent public meeting had been “heated.”
