Phase two of Animas Mitigation Project begins Nov. 2

Three locations across 30 acres to be mitigated

FARMINGTON, N.M. – The City of Farmington on November 2 will begin phase two of the Animas Park Mitigation Project. Crews will remove non-native vegetation, to include Russian olive and saltcedar, from three locations encompassing 30 acres:

—       West of the Riverside Nature Center.

—      On the north side of Animas River at the Cottonwood Landing near the rapids.

—      On the north side of the Animas River near All Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Native vegetation will be left in place. Fire mitigation and invasive species removal reduce hazardous fuel density, creates additional access for firefighters and reduces the intensity of fire should one occur. Phase one of the Animas Park Mitigation Project began in March with a 10-acre location near the Riverside Nature Center.

The entire project is a three-step process that will take approximately three years to complete. This year, crews remove invasive species and treat the area with an herbicide approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and New Mexico Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Pesticide Management to reduce the regrowth of non-native vegetation. In 2021, crews will apply a second application of herbicide treatment. Finally, in 2022 crews will plant native grasses, flowers and trees in mitigated areas.   

Parts of the park will be closed during the project. Users are asked to observe and obey all signage for their safety while traveling through these areas.

For additional information, please visit the Farmington Fire Department’s website at ffdnm.org or call 505-599-1430.

The Animas Park Mitigation Project is a coordinated effort in partnership with the San Juan Soil Conservation District and is paid for through grant funding.