Village of Ruidoso - CFMP

History

By 1996, New Mexico Energy Minerals Natural Resources Division - Forestry, along with the Lincoln County Forest Health Coalition, a Ruidoso citizen’s group were facilitating forest health workshops and meetings. The purpose was to raise the awareness of declining conditions of forest and other natural ecosystems. The group met regularly and lobbied the Village Council to develop a program to address wildfire and forest health issues.

In 1998, the Village Administration directed the Solid Waste Department to buy a “grapple truck” and institute a forest debris pick up service for Village residents. A contract to receive forest debris was developed with Sierra Contracting Inc. (SCI) in Ruidoso Downs and the system was born. The initial contract allowed for 20,000 cubic yards of forest debris to be collected annually and transported by the Village to the SCI facility. The debris was mulched and recycled into compost. A charge of $3.50/month was added to residential solid waste billing.

In 2000 as demand for the service increased, The Village purchased another "grapple truck" and driver and added an Urban Forester to the Planning and Zoning staff. The forester was charged with: raising the public awareness of forest issues and providing technical support for residents; assess current forest conditions and seek funding for treatment of municipal and private lands; coordinate and facilitate coalitions with Federal, State, and nearby communities; and evaluate existing Forest Management policy and make recommendations.

PUBLIC LANDS: In response to the devastating 2000 fire season, the US Congress required a National Fire Plan (NFP) be developed. The NFP funds and implements program activities in five key areas. The five areas are: firefighting
preparedness and facilities; rehabilitation and restoration of wildfire effected areas; hazardous fuel treatments; forest health projects; and community assistance. In November of 2000, the Greater Ruidoso Area Wildland Urban Interface Working Group (GRAWUIWG) was created. The group meets monthly and is hosted by the Village at the Ruidoso
Convention Center. Land holding members include the Lincoln National Forest, NM State Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero Apache Tribe, Lincoln County, City of Ruidoso Downs, NM State Land Office, and the Village of Ruidoso. Please see the Forestry Partner Web sites page.

This coalition of agencies and entities established a geographic designation called the Greater Ruidoso Area Wildland Urban Interface and agreed in 2000 on an overarching wildfire protection plan that evolved into a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) in 2004. The plan has four goals:

1. Encourage or establish and implement catastrophic fire mitigation measures on public, private, state, and tribal lands utilizing the best available science regarding wildfire hazard reduction.

2. Restore and monitor forest ecosystems and watersheds to maintain forest health and protect communities.

3. Engage private enterprise by supporting existing and emerging forest-based economic development.

4. Maintain the high quality of life in forest areas while sustaining and nurturing real estate and tourism-based economies.

In January 2001, the Western Governors Association convened to plan implementation of the Southwest Strategies initiative. The goal was to begin the process of creating multi-jurisdictional coalitions that could address wildfire issues in the two states. During the conference, the progress of the GRAWUIWG was noted and suggestion made the GRAWUIWG become a planning template.

The Village continues to represent the GRAWUIWG at seminars and workshops, mentoring other communities in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Wyoming. In June of 2003, the “GRAWUIWG story” was presented by the Village at the Western Governors Association, Forest Health Summit in Missoula, MT.

PRIVATE LANDS: In 2002 Mayor Eggleston and Council appointed a Forest Task Force to assess the status of the Village with regard to the risks of wildfire. This resulted in recommendations that incorporate Firewise concepts into Ruidoso’s Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP).

Firewise concepts were taken from FIREWISE COMMUNITIES, a program developed by the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program. Members include: USDA Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters, USDI BLM and BIA, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife, National Fire Protection Association. Elements of the CFMP included language for ordinances and increasing the capacity of the forest debris pick up service and forestry program. In 2003, Ruidoso was recognized by the FIREWISE COMMUNITIES/USA program. See FIREWISE COMMUNITIES/USA

Following the Forest Task Force’s recommendations, the Council expanded the forest debris pick up service. It doubled the contract with SCI to 40,000 cubic yards annually, approved purchase of two additional “grapple” trucks and drivers, and expanded service to include vacant lots and commercial property. This expansion was funded by increasing the monthly solid waste fee from $3.50 to $5.00 per month.

In June of 2002, a series of ordinances were passed mandating fuels management and site development on all lands within Village limits. Ruidoso was the first municipality in the state of New Mexico to create and mandate enforceable fuels management and wildfire hazard abatement measures. Council also expanded the charge of its Urban Forester and created a Forestry Department to coordinate and implement the CFMP. The Forestry Department then added a Forestry Technician to assist with implementation.

In 2004, Council amended the Forestry ordinances to enhance implementation and address the bark beetle habitat reduction and protection of old and large trees. Also in 2004, the Forestry Department added a second Forestry Technician, a Forestry Secretary and moved to its present location at 421 Wingfield Street, one block south of Midtown next to the site of the new Wingfield Park.