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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Culbert

DATE TYPED 02/02/05 HB 459

SHORT TITLE

La Barranca Drainage Facility Improvements

SB

ANALYST Moser

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$368.0

Non-Recurring General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Transportation

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 459 would provide to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT)

three hundred sixty-eight thousand dollars ($368,000) from the general fund for the first phase to

improve severe erosion and drainage problem at the lower La Barranca facility in Sandoval

County by stabilizing the reach directly downstream of the New Mexico highway 528 crossing;

in order to protect the structure crossing the highway, the existing soil cement drop structure, the

existing waste water treatment plant, and the adjacent residential areas from erosion damage.

Significant Issues

The major issues identified by the NMDOT pertaining to the bill are the following:

•

Drainage improvement could require over one million dollars ($1M) or more than three

times of the amount of this first phase of $368,000 to reshape the arroyo to its historic condi-

tion. Additional funding will be required in the future.

•

Materials were mined downstream of the soil cement drop structures several years after its

completion of construction; and could have caused the head cut of approximately 10 feet.

House Bill 459 -- Page 2

•

It may require approximately 10-foot grade control within the arroyo and bank stabilization

at the waste water treatment plant.

•

Construction of the drainage improvement requires permit application and approval from the

New Mexico Environment Department and the US Army Corps of Engineers in compliance

with the Clean Water Act program.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

This bill may result to a cost increase to the Department of Transportation’s program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $368 thousand contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the Gen-

eral Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert

to the General Fund

.

The NMDOT believes that

t

his bill may require federal or other local, state

and/or federal matching funds; as well as it may take two to three years of design and construc-

tion

.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The NMDOT believes that passage of this bill will be beneficial to the public and a long term

savings to the State of New Mexico. Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority

(SSCAFCA) or Sandoval County should be responsible in taking the lead of the drainage im-

provement.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This bill will require compliance with the Clean Water Act program.

ALTERNATIVES

NMDOT feels that a comprehensive drainage study should be conducted and their should be

continuous temporary drainage maintenance to keep the arroyo from migrating laterally, prevent

continuous erosion of the banks, and degrading the channel bottom that eventually could damage

the structures under NM 528. The NMDOT also requests local agencies such as, SCCAFCA and

the City of Rio Rancho to assist in the study and maintenance.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

The consequences of not enacting this bill could result in continuous deterioration of the arroyo

and severe erosion that could jeopardize the adjacent properties, the structures under NM 528,

and public safety

GM/sb