11.2.1.010 Findings

(a) The United States Bureau of Reclamation ("BOR") under the River Maintenance Program has authority to maintain the Rio Grande under the Good Control Acts of 1948 and 1950.

(b) The goals of BOR are Support Channel Sustainability, Protect Riverside Infrastructure and Resources, Be Ecosystem Compatible and Provide Effective Water Delivery.

(c) In about year 2006 the Pueblo identified an area of concern north of the fishing pond by which the Rio Grande River flow was migrating east causing an abrupt bend and erosion.

(d) In spring 2007 as erosion progressed, BOR installed eight rock vanes to reduce forces and redirect flows away from the bank.

(e) The Spring 2009 runoff eroded the vegetated area upstream of the rock vanes which resulted in up to 80 feet of lost bankline.

(f) Due to time constraints associated with designing and securing permits for an extensive bank protection method, a temporary fix was implemented in 2010 by installing riprap in a trench reventment parallel to the east bankline and a windrow above the ground along the diagonal vane to prevent flanking of the buried vanes.

(g) The temporary fix was to protect the fishing pond and the east bankline for at least 1-2 spring runoff flow events until the design, selection, and construction of a more extensive bank stabilization project is completed.

(h) The erosion of bankline and bend of river continues and is now a threat to the integrity of the fishing pond.

(i) The BOR and the Pueblo have been working collaboratively to develop alternatives and methods to protect tribal land and property.

(j) The BOR and the Pueblo have come to a consensus on selecting an alternative which will be in two phases; Phase I will be on the east side of river, north of fishing pond and Phase II will be on the west side of river, northwest of fishing pond.

(k) The BOR requests approval from the Pueblo de San Ildefonso to proceed with the project design, environmental and lands compliances, and construction and maintenance of project.