Analysis & Planning Category
Descriptions of Drawings and Photographs 				Entry No. 565

Name of Project:	Middle Rio Grande Bosque Restoration

1.	565-01 – Existing Conditions and Potential for Restoration - Over the past 300 years, the riparian woodland or “bosque” flanking the river in the Albuquerque reach of the Rio Grande has become progressively degraded. In the last 100 years flood control, water diversion and urbanization have impaired the function of the bosque as wildlife habitat and recreational open space for people.
2.	565-02 – Hydraulic Features - Depletion of the water table and the lack of flood events are key reasons for the degradation of the bosque. The historic floodplain is indicated on the map by the light shading. The irrigation canals, drains and storm sewer systems are critical to water distribution throughout the former floodplain. 
3.	565-03 – Vegetation Type - This map illustrates a vegetation community classifications in order to depict the present ecological conditions found in the Project Area.  Salt cedar, Tree of Heaven and Russian olive are the dominant non-natives, while native areas include primarily coyote willow, cottonwood, New Mexico olive and Amorpha.  
4.	565-04 – Vegetation Structure – This map characterizes vegetation structure types by the vertical distribution of foliage present in the layers designated as overstory, midstory and understory.   Information about the quality of habitat and potential fire hazard can be derived from the vegetation structure.    
5.	565-05 – Habitat Value - Habitat value here is represented by the relative density of animals during the summer months.  The higher value habitat tends to be communities with significant brushy/shrubby areas and within these communities there tended to be a preference for edge, i.e. brush areas adjacent to open areas (e.g., near the levees) and water (e.g., ditches). 
6.	565-06 – Fire Hazard - Relative fire hazard is a function of fuel load and potential for spreading rapidly. High hazard areas are typically salt cedar and Russian olive–dominant shrub and wooded areas.  Other areas of concern are near Cottonwood areas with high dead and down fuel loads.  
7.	565-07 – Land Ownership and Land Use- Most of the land within the project area is public land, owned by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and managed by the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division. Most of the adjacent land uses outside the Central/Rt 66 bridge area are residential.  Adjacent parks provide opportunities for connection with the bosque.  
8.	565-08 – Trails and Access – This map portrays accessibility for recreational and interpretive uses.  Points of access, formal and informal parking areas are also shown.  
9.	565-09 – Community Input on Restoration - During public meetings, community members mapped areas for priority in restoration. Many participants expressed concern over the shrinking wildlife habitat and requested that preserves be set aside where wildlife would be left undisturbed.
10.	565-10 – Community Input on Education and Recreation - Community members were also asked to map priority areas for passive recreational activities. The trails they use most frequently for various uses were identified on the maps, as well as areas in need of improved access. Also noted was the interest in the potential areas for wildlife-viewing and cultural landscape interpretation. 
11.	565-11 – Refuge and Access Areas - This map shows priority areas (green) that will be the primary focus for study and development in subsequent phases of the project.  Areas that have been targeted to become enhanced or well-developed are in existing or planned high-usage areas in order ensure the success of restoration efforts in these areas. Also shown are areas designated as refuges with limited accessibility.
12.	565-12 – Restoration Opportunities for Further Study – This map and accompanying graphics illustrate key opportunities for the restoration of the bosque in the project area.  There are two kinds of opportunities, restoration of the riparian woodland and restoration and/or creation of various types of wetlands.
13.	565-13 – Educational and Recreational Enhancements for Further Study  - This map and accompanying graphics portray potential interpretive and recreational enhancements for the bosque, such as trails, wildlife viewing areas, etc.  Other than the bosque main trail, these enhancements will be concentrated in the high access areas. 
14.	565-14 – Proposed Restoration Strategies and Enhancements – This diagram portrays the process of restoration, moving from planning and analysis on the left to insertion of recreational and interpretive items on the right.  In each case a series of potential actions are diagramed
15.	565-15 – Bosque Restoration and Landscape Concept – This map is a conceptual landscape plan for reclamation of the bosque during the restoration phase.  Example strategies and plants are shown.