The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposal to implement a 5-year action plan for Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, which will include projects designed to manage and expand the conservation, research, and education programs that were established by the Wind River Ranch Foundation prior to the Refuge’s establishment. Ongoing restoration and research projects include, but are not limited to, healing upland erosion in arroyos (with one-rock dams), monitoring and managing pinon-juniper encroachment on grasslands, river restoration and monitoring, invasive species control, and monitoring changes in flora and fauna that come from restoration efforts on the landscape.
Through this scoping process, Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge is seeking public input to facilitate early identification of issues and concerns. Following this scoping period, a draft EA will be developed. Once completed, the draft EA will be provided to the public for review and comment.
Written comments can be mailed or delivered in person to: Refuge Manager, Maxwel National Wildlife Refuge, PO BOX 276, Maxwell, NM 87728; or by email to leann_wilkins@fws.gov. Please put “Rio Mora EA – Public Input” in the subject line of the email. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the Refuge Manager at (575) 375-2331.
Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on December 19, 2014.
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