Paso del Norte Watershed Council Draft Draft Work/Business Plan 12/3/04 Dr. Susan Watts, Chair

Draft PdNWC Business / Work Plan Draft Identify the Council's role in current legislative efforts to improve the Rio Grande. Compile inventory of funding sources and grants to match with member needs and objectives. Seek and evaluate alternative methods for funding specific projects plus Council administrative expenses. Actions common to all goals and objectives:

GOAL A PROMOTE WATERSHED PLANNING & MANAGEMENT & PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS

Objective 1 Identify water quality issues of salinity control & salinity management techniques. a.Water quality variation in the ElephantEPA /2005-Fahy-Fierro- Butte Reservoir and its impacts on theEPWU /2007Sheng-King sustainability of water supply downstream.TAES / NMWRRI b. Management of desalinationEPWU /2005-Fahy- Fierro- concentrate.USBR /2007Keyes- Sheng- SandiaCreel c. Develop a water quality database,IBWC /2005-Fahy- Fierro- Link to Clean Rivers Program,EPWU /2007Brown- Sheng- IBWC work, and that of NMED, PROFEPA, USCOEKing TCEQ, and in Mexico. d. Develop salinity management strategiesIBWC /2005-Fahy- Fierro- and study the Colorado River SalinityEPWU /2007Brown-Sheng Control Program.USCOEKing- Michelsen TaskFundingTimelineProject SourceLead

Objective 2 Compile existing information about natural resources. a. Continue to develop & maintain the EPWU / 2004-Michelsen- Coordinated Database/GIS.COE/ TAES2007Creel-Brown- / NMWRRISheng b. Expand the data portal capabilities COE / 2005-Brown-Sheng and refine to provide links with TAES / 2005Creel-Michelsen other GIS data. NMWRRI c. Develop a baseline natural resourceF&WS /2005-Brown-Bixby inventory (see Goal B-1a).World2007 Wildlife / EPA d. Help biological resources inventory F&WS / 2005-Brown-Keyes committee (Goal B) to compile data World2007 and information (see Goal B-1a).Wildlife / EPA TaskFundingTimelineProject SourceLead

Objective 3 Develop modeling tools for Watershed planning and management. a.Riverware model development for COE /2004-Sheng-King- flood control.TAES /2007Keyes NMWRRI b. FLO-2D Model Review.COE /2004-King-Sheng- TAES /2005Keyes NMWRRI c. Evaluate other models (toCOE /2004-Fahy-Fierro- conform to salinity transportTAES /2005Sheng-King- requirements).NMWRRIKeyes TaskFundingTimelineProject SourceLead

Objective 4 Provide official input to sponsors of activities that affect the Watershed and recommendations for watershed planning and management. a. URGWOM Technical Review.COE /2004-Keyes-Creel- TAES /2007Sheng NMWRRI b. URGWOPS (EIS).COE /2004-Keyes-Creel- TAES /2005Sheng NMWRRI c. RGCP (EIS) & RGRP (EIS).IBWC / EPA2004-Bixby-Darden 2007 d. Review watershed groups F&WS /2005-Hanks- around the nation.EPA2007Michelsen-Creel TaskFundingTimelineProject SourceLead

GOAL B SUPPORT RESTORATION & ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS IN THE WATERSHED

Objective 1 Review & provide recommendations for restoration, mitigation, & enhancement projects. Create a GIS of extant/remnant native floodplain vegetation including an inventory of existing project (see Goal A-2c and -2d). Summarize in a written report the historic and existing information in the watershed that describes or analyzes hydrology, landscape, vegetation, fish, wildlife, and ecological processes. Analyze in a written report the human pressures and stresses on the watershed, pinpointing the locations where these pressures exist. Write recommendations and strategies for general and specific actions that can improve the health of the watershed, such as removal of exotics, protection of wetlands, and elimination of erosion. Incorporate public input, review of draft plan, and review of each of the actions under the plan itself. PROPOSED TASKS IN DRAFT FORM

Objective 2 Seek additional funding for recommended Watershed restoration, mitigation, & enhancement projects. Create a database of funding possibilities for watershed projects and put it on the Council’s web site PROPOSED TASKS IN DRAFT FORM

GOAL C FACILITATE COMMUNICATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS & WITHIN THE COUNCIL

Objective 1 Provide opportunities for improving communication among Watershed stakeholders. Fill empty seats on the Executive Committee with representatives of agriculture. Compile a database of potential contacts for and mailing lists (groups, individuals, legislators). PROPOSED TASKS IN DRAFT FORM

Objective 2 Provide opportunities for improving communication among Council members. Form a program committee for Council meetings. PROPOSED TASKS IN DRAFT FORM

Objective 3 Provide opportunities for communication with watershed councils outside the region. Attend meetings of other watershed and agricultural groups to present the Council. PROPOSED TASKS IN DRAFT FORM

GOAL D PROVIDE EDUCATION & OUTREACH TO THE PUBLIC & TO COUNCIL MEMBERS

Objective 1 Develop a drought education program (in conjunction with the Technical Working Group). Distribute "Drought Watch." Develop informational resources about regional water sources (surface water, groundwater), basic hydrology in watershed, salinity issues associated with drought and use of brackish groundwater. Present a display of the watershed and how it works. Develop educational materials about drought education. Improve the Council website, add educational material, and link/subscribe to other watershed websites. Sponsor public speaker for "town hall meeting" or annual meeting on drought issues. Develop summary of water conservation information aimed at the general public. PROPOSED TASKS IN DRAFT FORM

Objective 2 Develop an agriculture outreach program. Determine best methods for reaching producers and others in agricultural community (district newsletters, grower meetings, extension activites, etc.). Develop informational resources about issues conveyed by the agricultural community. Develop presentation about alternative management strategies when using brackish water for irrigation. Develop a presentation about the Council, its mission, and its resources, aimed at the agricultural community. PROPOSED TASKS IN DRAFT FORM

Next meeting of the Paso del Norte Watershed Council Executive Committee Friday, January 7, 2005, 1:30 pm at the IBWC