Santa Rosa Lake:

The Flood Control Act of 1954 authorized the Santa Rosa Dam and Lake Project. The project consists of an earth filled dam about seven miles north of Santa Rosa, N.M. Construction began in 1976 and was officially completed in the spring of 1981.

Santa Rosa Dam is the first major dam along the Pecos River, with a 2,434 square mile contributing drainage area. It is a main component in the Pecos River Basin comprehensive plan, providing irrigation storage, flood control, and sediment retention. Recreation areas on the project are leased managed by the New Mexico State Parks and Recreation Division under a 25 year no-fee, out-grant lease from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Two Rivers Dam:

Two Rivers Dam and Reservoir is in Chaves County, N.M, about 20 miles southwest of Roswell, and consists of two dams (Diamond “A” Dam and Rocky Dam) with a common reservoir.

Diamond “A” Dam is located on the Rio Hondo about 17 miles north of Roswell and 34 river miles above the confluence of the Rio Hondo and Pecos River.

Rocky Dam is located on the Rocky Arroyo about 10 river miles above the confluence of the Pecos River and the Rio Hondo.

Two Rivers Dam is a dry reservoir with a steady flow of water during peak run-off season from the Rio Hondo which involves the clean-up of debris gathered at the trash rack inside the canal. The trash rack is a structure that allows water flow that accumulates debris which requires removal of debris to prevent obstruction of the intake and allows water to flow through the conduit with minimal or no blockage.

• The purpose of a master plan is to establish guidelines for comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural and cultural resources
• The main focus is stewardship of natural and cultural resources and provision of quality outdoor recreation facilities and opportunities
• The proposed effective life of a Master Plan is 25 years
• Recreational use of the water surface is addressed in a Master Plan

WHAT MASTER PLANS ARE NOT:

Master Plans do not address in detail the technical aspects of:

• Regional water quality
• Water management for flood risk management
• Water supply or water level management
• Shoreline management (Including boat docks, mowing, or other permits)

WHAT ABOUT DROUGHT/FLOOD?

• Master Plans cannot change how water in the lake is managed, this is addressed in a separate Water Control Plan
• Natural resources and recreation management must be implemented within the constraints of the primary missions of flood risk management, irrigation water supply, and retention of sediment

• Revision is needed to incorporate any changes in Public Law
• The current Master Plan is for Santa Rosa Lake is dated September 1977 and has exceeded its useful life. The way the lake is managed today is different from the vision set forth in the 1977 plan
• The need to re-examine land classifications
• The Master Plan must be revised to address current and projected future growth in the region

ADDITIONAL POINTS 

Key sections of the Master Plan Revision include:

• Resource management objectives
• Revised land use classifications
• Conceptual management plan for each land classification

Potential outcomes could be:

• Designation of lands for utility corridors, environmentally sensitive areas…

Protection of environmentally sensitive areas is given priority

• Upon completion of the Two Rivers Dam, a Master Plan was not developed for the project
• Changes in outdoor recreation trends, regional land use, population, current legislative requirements, and USACE management policy have occurred over the past decades
• Increasing fragmentation of wildlife habitat, national policies related to land management, and growing demand for recreational access and protection of natural resources are all factors affecting Two Rivers Dam and the region in general

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT

The MP Revision process includes compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.

The purpose of NEPA is to:

• Ensure federal agencies give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking a federal action
• Involve the Public (scoping) in the decision-making process
• Document the process by which agencies make informed decisions

NEPA Scoping Process:

• Opportunity for Public comments and questions on the potential impacts of proposed federal actions
• Includes comments by other federal, State, and local governments, and American Indian Tribal Nations

NEPA Includes:

• Public exchange of information related to problems to be solved, issues to be addressed, and potential alternatives
• Identification and evaluation of a broad range of alternatives
• Identification and quantification of potential impacts
• Screening of non-relevant issues from analysis
• Documentation of analysis and coordination through preparation of NEPA documents, such as an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Federal, State, and Public review of NEPA documents

What Types of Comments Can You Submit under NEPA?

NEPA requests your input on the proposed revision of the Santa Rosa Lake Master Plan, the development of the Two Rivers Dam Master Plan and the potential environmental impacts of these actions.

This broadly, covers any aspect of the natural and human environment.

Some examples of comment categories might include:

• Recreation availability and access;
• Fish & wildlife habitat;
• Public access to federal land;
• Economic impacts;
• Cultural resources; or
• Water and air quality