N.M. Delegation Welcomes Nearly $2 Million to Restore Watersheds

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 04 March 2024 04 March 2024

N.M. Delegation Welcomes Nearly $2 Million to Restore Watersheds Damaged by Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming nearly $2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund the development of a comprehensive Watershed Restoration Plan for the areas directly impacted by the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire.  

The investment is funded through the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, secured by the New Mexico Congressional Delegation.  

“I’m pleased to welcome nearly $2 million to help restore the watersheds damaged by the worst fire in our state’s history,” said Heinrich. “This funding provides us an opportunity to build a more resilient watershed that our communities can depend on. I will continue fighting to make sure that New Mexico families and communities impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire make a full recovery.” 

“Furthering New Mexico’s recovery from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire means investing in land restoration to protect our environment,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome this critical FEMA investment of nearly $2 million to develop a watershed restoration plan to repair the damage done to our environment and help guard against toxic waste and contaminants.” 

“I’m happy to welcome $1.9 million from FEMA to help repair watersheds that were damaged by the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire and the floods that followed,” said Leger Fernández. “As New Mexicans continue to rebuild after the fire ravaged our beautiful communities, forests, acequias, and intergenerational homes, the federal government must do everything in its power to restore the land and water one acre at a time and compensate all victims.” 

“I am pleased to learn about the new funding from FEMA that will help repair the devastating damages caused by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon wildfires and flooding,” said Stansbury. “In New Mexico, we are deeply connected to our lands and waters, and this additional funding will help our communities restore our land and watersheds. This additional funding will ensure a more prosperous and resilient future for generations to come.” 

“I am proud to welcome funding to restore the watersheds impacted by the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon wildfires,” said Vasquez. “While I welcome this federal funding, we must continue to ensure New Mexicans are compensated for the damages. I remain committed to holding the federal government accountable for causing one of the most devastating fires in New Mexico’s history." 

The Watershed Restoration Plan will create:  

A land and water resource inventory to identify land use, climate patterns, HUC-12 watersheds, impaired waters, soils, topography, floodplain areas, debris flow modeling, critical infrastructure, risk assessment, recreational information, fish and wildlife habitat, and flood vulnerability and inundation maps for the 10, 25, 50, and 100-year floods.  

A watershed resource and hydrologic assessment to analyze resource conditions in the 42 watersheds within the areas directly impacted by the fire.  

The data collected will be compiled into reports that will inform the adoption of the watershed restoration plan that will serve as a guiding document for future watershed management activities. 

Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández have fought tirelessly to ensure New Mexicans receive the resources necessary to recover and rebuild from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, pressing top Senate leaders and Biden Administration officials to ensure investments reach those in need. The delegation has secured a total of $3.95 billion to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild. The funding established the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claim’s Office at FEMA. 

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