Conchas master plan to be updated

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Wednesday it would update the master plan for Conchas Lake and Dam for the first time in over 40 years.

The corps ordinarily would preside over a face-to-face workshop to request comments from the public about the master plan revision. However, it will conduct this public involvement process online because of precautions associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

Conchas Dam, built in 1939 northwest of Tucumcari as a project for flood control and irrigation, has not updated its master plan since September 1976.

The corps states the dam’s master plan needs revision “to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the revised Master Plan to include revised land classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special topics such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat.”

The original 1976 master plan can be read at https://bit.ly/2L8urlJ .

More about the revision process, Conchas Lake facts and its land-use map may be found at https://bit.ly/3fy6qCo .

To add comments, ideas, or concerns about the future land and recreational management for Conchas Lake, the corps asks people to submit comments using any of these methods:

• Fill out and return an online comment form here: https://bit.ly/3dnsUEc

• Provide comments in an email and send them to [email protected]

• Provide comments in a letter or use the comment form and mail to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dr. Peter R. Parham, Conchas Dam Project Office, P.O. Box 1008, 287 Bell Ranch Road, Conchas Dam, NM 88416.

Comments and suggestions must be submitted before June 22.

Questions about the revision can be emailed to Peter Parham, Conchas Dam natural resources manager, at [email protected] or by calling 575-868-2221.