More Good News for the Rio Bosque

More good news for the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park.

The El Paso Water Utilities has received a draft authorization from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality which will allow water from the Bustamante Treatment Plant to go to the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. 

Here is the draft agreement. Note the language on the first page that Type I and Type II reclaimed water will be used for the irrigation of "constructed wetlands" - e.g., the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park.

Authorization for Reclaimed Water

EPWU has responded with some minor typographical corrections. The TCEQ should respond with a signed final copy in about two weeks. EPWU CEO John Balliew says that, once he receives the final copy, he will "immediately give them [TCEQ] a 45 day notice that we will begin transferring water to the RB [Rio Bosque] - even though it will take longer to build the line."

There has been concern within the environmental community that nothing was actually getting done to get water to the Bosque from the Bustamante. The pipeline has not yet gone out to bid. Changes suggested by the PSB in the design of the pipeline has caused the delay. Nevertheless the process, though slower than expected, is continuing. The new authorization is proof of the seriousness and sincerity of Balliew and the EPWU regarding a committment to the Bosque. The process is not a Hail Mary if you will; but a slow, methodical working the ball down the field, avoiding mistakes and penalties while doing so. A touchdown is pretty much certain and the environmental fans are sure to roar delightedly when the ball crosses the goal line.

Recently anxiety levels increased over an item on this coming Wednesday's PSB agenda. Item #5 is a proposal by the Water Improvement District #1 for additional surface water (not effluent) that will come from the construction of a regulating reservoir where the old Socorro wastewater plant was located. Some identified this item as a possible alternative to the pipeline from the Bustamante and there was speculation whether the length of time to begin the pipeline project wasn't a stall in order to slip in something more favorable to the WID#1. CEO John Balliew responds: "It does not have anything to do with wastewater effluent or the Rio Bosque. The Rio Bosque line will still be built."

It would be good for the environmental community to dial back its distrust and paranoia buttons just a bit. Good things are happening albeit slowly - but they are happening. Balliew has been good to his word. It might help to remember that this is the guy who recently authorized an environmental policy that protects wildlife by doing EPWU projects in accordance with habitat schedule. By itself, that was a huge victory for local ecology and the environment.

In fact, at the next PSB meeting (Wednesday, January 15, 2014), consideration will be given to award a contract to CMD Endeavors to clean up the organic sediment at the Charl Ann Pond off Doniphan in the Upper Valley. (See background material for Item #14.) CMD will be using a technique that unobtrusively removes the sediment through a vacuuming process. Their work schedule was determined in consultaion with wildlife biologist, Lois Balin and in accordance with the new policy authorized by Balliew. CMD officials toured the pond recently with members of the public including an experienced birder, James Newlin. Charl Ann pond is a favorite of birders in El Paso and was one of the outdoor birding events of this past fall's Celebration of Our Mountains. Here is a video of the technique:



Muchas gracias, John Balliew.