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MRGCD to manage 107‑acre Corrales bosque thinning; $380,000 state grant will reimburse village payments
Summary
A 107‑acre phase‑one bosque thinning project to reduce wildfire risk and remove invasive species will be managed by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. The project is funded by a reimbursable state forestry grant of $380,000; work will include cut‑stump herbicide treatments, chipping and staged removal, with public access to some wood chips and firewood.
The council heard a briefing on a state‑funded bosque thinning project that will treat 107 acres in and near Corrales.
Joe Strange, Bosque management coordinator for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, told the council the work will target invasive species such as salt cedar, Siberian elm, Russian olive and tree of heaven. "For these 107 acres ... we will be removing just invasive species," Strange said, describing the use of cut‑stump herbicide treatment, chipping of material and staged removal. Contractors will chip most material for removal and may leave some firewood and chips at staging areas for public pickup or community use.
Chief Martinez said the project is paid for with a reimbursable grant from the state forestry division and that the village will pay contractors and submit expenses for reimbursement. "This is a reimbursable grant, so it's 100% paid for by the state of New Mexico. It's $380,000," Chief Martinez said. He said staff plan to bring a budget adjustment request (BAR) to council for record‑keeping and to align the accelerated schedule with the grant reimbursement process.
Strange described the broader restoration approach: after removal and herbicide treatment, crews will perform follow‑up resprays and then replant grasses and riparian midstory where needed. He said phase‑one work should start in coming weeks or by April 1 if scheduling shifts, with follow‑on treatments for two to three years and additional dead‑and‑down removal in later phases. The project manager said some chipped material will be made available to the public via staging areas and a planned firewood pickup for residents at Romero Road on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.
The council did not vote to add new money beyond administrative approvals; staff said that because the funding is reimbursable the village will process payments to contractors and then seek reimbursement from the state. Officials said MRGCD will manage work on the ground and that Foresters and Associates is the awarded contractor.
