Rio Grande near Leasburg 2007

319(h) Watershed Restoration Grant for the Lower Rio Grande

The Paso del Norte Watershed Council (PdNWC), established in 2000, has been awarded a grant from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) through the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) known as a 319(h) Watershed Restoration Grant. The purpose of the grant is to assist stakeholders in planning for and obtaining the resources and support needed to enhance stewardship practices within the watershed. It is a coordinated process that will result in the development of a Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS), which will identify Best Management Practices (BMP's) for enhancing watershed health and reducing nonpoint source pollution.

The guiding principles for creating a WRAS are stakeholder partnerships, a geographic focus, and sound science. Over the years successful 319(h) projects have demonstrated the positive effects of involving stakeholders in watershed management decisions by generating sustainable levels of long-term support. A good WRAS document institutes a plan for protecting and restoring watershed health and water quality.

Documents:

• USEPA-Approved TMDL for the Main Stem of the Lower Rio Grande in New Mexico (pdf document)


• USEPA-Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters (pdf document)


• Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (Submitted to EPA Dec 07) (pdf document)

Informational Handouts:

• 319(h) Presentation September 2009 (pdf document)

• 319(h) Water Quality Grant (pdf document)

• The Nine Elements of a Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (pdf document)

• 2006-2007 Clean Water Subcommittee Progress (pdf document)

• Coordinated Database Project for Watershed Management (pdf document)

• Paso del Norte Watershed Council Brochure (pdf document)

• Best Management Practices for Addressing Pathogenic Water Quality Impairments (pdf document)

GIS Mapping Services:

• NMSU Department of Geography GIS Data Mapping Services

Participants:

• The PdNWC Clean Water Subcommittee (pdf document)

• Lower Rio Grande Stakeholder Participants (pdf document)

Links:

• NMED Watershed Protection Section

• EPA 319(h) Resources