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Residents, watershed advocates raise alarms about rock sizing on Santa Fe River Greenway
Summary
Multiple citizens and watershed advocates told the commission that recent Greenway construction used rock materials smaller than the design specs and urged county staff and the consulting engineer to confirm compliance. Public Works later confirmed the contractor was on notice and remedial steps are planned.
Several speakers at the May 12 meeting urged the county to review construction materials used on the Santa Fe River Greenway between Seiler and San Ysidro.
Neil Williams, a retired environmental and river-restoration engineer, told the commission "the rocks are just too small" compared with other segments and the plans he reviewed. Williams said he had raised questions with Public Works and asked staff to confirm whether the installed material matches the engineer's specifications.
Maury Hensley, executive director of the Santa Fe Watershed Association, said SFWA and other stakeholders are "deeply invested" in the Greenway's success and flagged durability and stormwater-pollution-control compliance risks—particularly with El Niño projections. A local contractor and former project participant corroborated concerns about rock sizing and urged stronger use of local expertise in award decisions.
County Manager Greg Schafer updated the board later in the meeting, saying Public Works and the contractor have been notified that rock sizes were out of compliance and that the engineer of record has been engaged. Schafer said project staff will meet with concerned constituents in the field in June to review remedial steps.
The county did not announce a formal remediation schedule at the meeting; staff said the contractor is on notice and that field review and corrective steps are in progress.
