BLACK RANGE RC&D COUNCIL

The Black Range RC&D Council serves Grant, Catron, Luna and Hidalgo Counties and covers 11,054,080 acres. The RC&D Area was originally authorized in 1967 as the Southwest New Mexico RC&D. Later, upon request from Dona Ana, Sierra and Socorro Counties (who were not yet authorized), the RC&D area expanded. In 1991, when the Jornada RC&D was authorized, the Black Range RC&D Area was established to serve the original four counties. Black Range was incorporated and granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1988. The area is extremely diverse in culture, climate and landscapes.

Twenty-six Council sponsors represent a population of over 57,000. Most of the concerns revolve around water quantity and quality, mining, agriculture, forestry (as it relates to watershed health) and human and economic development.

The Black Range RC&D Council directly initiated Regional Water Planning in the area.  The planning area includes portions of four major surface water drainage basins and nine declared underground water basins. The area contains about 40 percent of  New Mexico's surface and subsurface basins.

Three water quality projects are underway in the Upper and Lower Gila River and in the San Francisco River (referred to as the Gila Monster Project). Goals focus on improving the watershed and the riparian corridors through holistic watershed management. 

The Councils of Black Range RC&D and Coronado RC&D in southeastern Arizona, in cooperation with 27 partners in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and California, are putting conservation to work in the Gila Watershed which encompasses over 12,890 square miles. The endeavor is continuous and will take a concerted effort by all of the partners.

The Luna Valley Interpretive Ruin (Hough Site) Project contains at least one Grand Kiva and many more rooms that will be undisturbed and intact. This project, when completed, will be the only handicapped accessible rest area/cultural/visitors site in New Mexico. The Council is working with the USDA's Forest Service (USFS), Catron County and the State Highway and Transportation Department on the funding and technical aspects of this project. Total cost of the project is $400,000.

The Hurley Cemetery is subjected to harsh southwesterly winds. An RC&D project sustains a drip-irrigated windbreak to control wind erosion and provide habitat for many songbirds. The new vegetation provides a serene and beautiful setting for loved ones that have passed on. The Black Range Council and the New Mexico Division of State Forestry provided the Village of Hurley with planning and design assistance and helped secure $3,200 to complete the project.

Coordinator:
Richard Olson