A HUGE RESTORATION PROJECT IS UNDERWAY IN THE BOSQUE IN ALBUQUERQUE'S SOUTH VALLEY. STATE LAND COMMISSIONER RAY POWELL CALLS IT THE BIGGEST SUCH PROJECT IN THE AREA. HE TELLS US THEY'RE RESTORING THE BOSQUE ALONG THE RIO GRANDE NEAR THE OLD PRICE'S DAIRY TO ENHANCE FLOOD CONTROL AND REDUCE THE FIRE POTENTIAL.
HE SAYS 90 PERCENT OF THE PLANTS IN THAT AREA ARE INVASIVE AND SUPPLY NO FOOD FOR WILDLIFE … BUT PROVIDE A LOT OF FUEL FOR FIRES. SO THEY'VE BEEN CLEARED OUT. POWELL SAYS MANY OF THE COTTONWOODS THERE ARE ABOUT 70 YEARS OLD AND DYING OFF … SO THEY'VE PLANTED MORE THAN 7-THOUSAND TREES AND SHRUBS TO REVITALIZE THE AREA AND REDUCE FLOOD AND FIRE POTENTIAL.
HE SAYS THE TIMING IS RIGHT SINCE A MASSIVE EL NINO WEATHER PATTERN IS PREDICTED THAT COULD TAKE US FROM DIRE DROUGHT TO SIGNIFICANT RAIN.
