The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding a 30-day public comment period for the Draft Galisteo Dam Master Plan.
The 2023 Draft Galisteo Dam Master Plan (MP), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Environmental Assessment (EA) are available for public review. The 30-day public comment period ended Dec. 29, 2023.
General Information
The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Albuquerque District, is developing a Master Plan for Galisteo Dam. The Master Plan is intended to serve as a comprehensive land and recreational management plan with a life span of 25 years. It guides the stewardship of natural and cultural resources and the provision of outdoor recreation facilities and opportunities to ensure sustainability of federal land associated with Galisteo Dam.
About Galisteo Dam
Galisteo Dam is an earthen structure placed into operation in 1970, which is authorized solely for flood and sediment control. Operating in concert with Cochiti and Jemez Canyon Dam, it helps mitigate flood risk along the Rio Grande. The reservoir contains water only during flood flows and empties as soon as the water can flow through the dam's uncontrolled outlet works. There is no permanent pool of water.
Galisteo Dam is in need of a Master Plan to address regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the Master Plan include land classifications, natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special topics such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat. Public participation and feedback is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.
What is a Master Plan?
The Master Plan is the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all project recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resources project.
Why develop a Master Plan?
Army Corps of Engineers regulations require that Master Plans be developed at all civil works projects operated and maintained by the Corps and kept current to support the operations and authorized missions of the project. Key topics to be addressed in the Master Plan will include land classifications, natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs and special topics such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat. Public participation is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.