2022 Black Fire Recovery
With the destruction of the Black Fire in spring of 2022, many producers within the Sierra District suffered significant damages to their operations. An above average surge of monsoonal moisture (while much needed) combined with the effects of the fire to create a perfect storm of catastrophic flooding in the area. Sierra SWCD has worked to partner with landowners and agencies by offering assistance, in effort to streamline recovery efforts.
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Fence Material Packing: Due to The Wilderness Act, some projects require all materials to be “packed in” on mules. Requires experienced individual who is familiar with landscape and has access to packing animals and equipment. Contractors used mules to pack in fencing materials into designated wilderness areas where mechanical transport is prohibited.
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Las Palomas Community Ditch Irrigation: Contractors installed 60 feet of irrigation pipeline and an intake riser that filters debris out of water that a from acequia that provides irrigation water to over 30 farms.
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Spring Box Development/Repair: The spring box functions to protect the spring water from contamination, normally by surface runoff or contact with human and animals, and provides a point of collection and a place for sedimentation. Materials were provided to landowners/permitees to repair damages to spring boxes that provide water to wildlife, livestock, and the public.
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Dirt Tank Reconstruction: Large water catchment structures that serves two purposes: (1) catch and slow down flood water, (2) provide water source for animals. Sediment was removed from three large earthen ponds that can potentially save entire watershed from increased flood damages by slowing down and holding water during large flood events, allowing water to travel down slope in a more controlled manner.
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Forest Service Road Repair: Roads were severely damaged by flood and moving debris, large gullies ran down the middle of them, making them impassible. Repairs were completed along 13 miles of a Grade 2 Forest Service Road. Various structures were put in place to help mitigate further erosion. Sediment was removed from existing cattleguards to render them effective again.
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NRCS- Emergency Watershed Protection Sponsorship
Sierra SWCD served as the project sponsor to implement erosion control projects on private lands affected by the Black Fire. These projects prevented further flooding damages to private property by providing grade stabilization and overbank flow through sediment removal.
Tiffany Fire Rehabilitation Plan
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In June of 2017, the Tiffany Fire was ignited by a lighting strike near San Marical, NM. The fire ended up burning 9,200 acres of primarily Tamarisk dominate vegetation. The Sierra SWCD continued to partner with 9 other entities to restore the burned area to the historic, productive state on projects started last year. Sierra SWCD secured funding from New Mexico State Forestry to complete 115 acres of salt cedar removal on private lands within the Tiffany Fire Burn Scar. Sierra SWCD hired a private contractor to pluck salt cedar and root ball with an excavator, then mulch and spread slash material.
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Bureau of Reclamation - Transmission Line Restoration Project
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Sierra SWCD was contracted by the Bureau of Reclamation to complete restoration project activities along the transmission line near Ft. Craig Historic site. Sierra SWCD completed pre-project vegetation mapping, identified a 49 acre area that was best suited for a salt cedar removal and restoration project. Sierra SWCD hired a private contractor to pluck salt cedar and root ball with an excavator, then mulch and spread slash material. Then Sierra SWCD harvested 750 Gooding’s (Black Willow) and Cottonwood poles from a neighboring site and planted them into 4-6ft deep holes that were previously augured by contractor. Sierra SWCD will continue to monitor site and plans to complete native grass seeding before rainy season begins.
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Moticello Box Salt Cedar Removal Project
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Using BLM funds for Noxious/Invasive Weeds Grant, Sierra SWCD completed 25 acres of salt cedar removal at the head of Moniticello Box Canyon near Winston, NM. Sierra SWCD hired a private contractor to pluck salt cedar and root ball with an excavator, then mulch and spread slash material. Sierra SWCD will continue to monitor project area for any resprouts.
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Ralph Edwards Park Salt Cedar Removal Project
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Using a portion of the Noxious/Invasive Weeds grant from BLM, Sierra SWCD completed a cut-stump treatment of salt cedar along the riverbank of Ralph Edwards Park for the City of Truth or Consequences. Sierra SWCD hired a private contractor to cut down standing salt cedar and noxious weed: Giant Cane with chainsaws and City of T or C took slash material to a proper waste facility. Sierra SWCD followed behind contractors and sprayed freshly cut stumps with an herbicide safe for use along rivers. Sierra SWCD placed educational signs along project area educating the public of the benefits of salt cedar removal.
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Middle Percha Creek RehabilitationIn the aftermath of the Silver Fire, project goals and objectives include reduction of stream velocity, decrease bank erosion and instability, reduce turbidity in the stream, and promote the restoration of a healthy riparian area. This project is made possible by the New Mexico Environment Department in collaboration with the United States Forest Service.
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Community Wildfire Protection PlanSierra SWCD serves as the lead agency in Sierra County in drafting the Wildland-Urban interface fire plan. Member participants include the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land management, Bureau of Reclamation, NM State Forestry Division, County of Sierra, Department of Transportation, utility companies and the eleven volunteer fire departments.
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Tiffany Fire Rehabilitation The Tiffany Fire started on June 26th, 2017 from a single lightning strike near the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad bridge, San Marcial, NM and spread quickly through the nearby Rio Grande bosque. In total, 9,200 acres were burned, making it the largest wildfire in the Middle Rio Grande Bosque in the past 20 years. A diverse group of landowners were impacted, with 50.4% of the fire affecting private lands and 49.6% federal (BOR/BLM) land. To deal with these issues, a diverse group of stakeholders have come together to initiate a large-scale restoration project that will require planning, implementation, and maintenance in order for it to be successful. Current partners include Sierra SWCD, New Mexico State Forestry, private landowners, the SOBTF, BOR, USFWS and BLM.
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74 Salt Cedar RemovalSierra SWCD mechanically removed 17 acres of Salt Cedar in Monticello Canyon. This Salt Cedar had encroached near the stream that feeds the Monticello Ditch Association irrigation canal. By removing the invasive species which has the potential to use 200 gal/day, more water will travel down the stream to used for irrigation purposes.
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Sierra Co. Fair Grounds Rainwater Catchment SystemSierra SWCD installed 6 Polyethylene water storage tanks. The purpose of this project was to turn water that was having a detrimental impact and using it for beneficial use. The issue faced was flooding of the fairgrounds from the water that runs off the two main buildings. To solve this issue, Sierra SWCD installed catchment tanks. Captured rainwater will be used by Sierra SWCD to fill spray tanks to treat state listed noxious weeds around the county. Water will also be utilized by fair exhibitors to fill water buckets for their show animals.
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