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TURTLEBACK MOUNTAIN RESORT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
BASCOR provided engineering and environmental services to supplement the Land Planning provided by Nuzer-Kopatz of Denver Colorado to the new premier Sierra del Rio golf course and Turtleback Mountain Resort in Elephant Butte New Mexico. The project, envisioned and being developed by Turtleback Mountain Partners, LLC, has transformed a southwest desert property from its existing condition into a development with a balanced environmental setting including wetlands, lakes, new wildlife habitat and an 18 hole championship golf course intermingled with a 1,200+ unit subdivision offering unique living style in this quiet developing southwest community. The site currently exhibits erosion damaged arroyo features leading to a low grade wetland area immediately adjacent to the Mims Lake oxbow feature bordering to the Rio Grand River, just downstream of the Elephant Butte Dam and reservoir. US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the State of New Mexico are working with the project team to grant permits which will allow the rehabilitation of the arroyos and wetlands. Arroyos will be improved by providing proper retention and erosion protection, sediment control structures, and wildlife habitat corridors to allow management of current, unabated storm flow waters through the site and into the wetlands. The wetland area will be upgraded from its current condition by removing the existing invasive "Salt Cedar" and other species robbing precious water from the natural setting and downstream users. New "open water" areas with associated emergent wetland shelves will be constructed, and existing wetlands will be planted with native species throughout the wetlands. The engineering challenge presented at this site was to accomplish development while maintaining the New Mexico atmosphere with its southwest beauty. The area environmental improvements at this development are truly unique. The Sierra Del Rio golf course was planed as a total "Organic" managed course eliminating the need for synthetic fertilization, and reducing water requirements by over 50%. A new soil structure, capable of retaining moisture and providing nutrients necessary to sustain the grasses on the course was implemented in the new course. Project plans for development also included assisting the City of Elephant Butte with installation of its new sewage treatment facility resulting in removal of nearly 1,000 septic systems which are currently the only means of sewage disposal in the City. Innovative positioning of utility corridors and support facilities have allowed environmentally sensitive development of the project thus enhancing and preserving the natural desert and lake setting at this distinctive area. An existing Bureau of Land Management 30 acre abandoned landfill parcel adjacent to the site was reclaimed in partnership with the local communities and put to beneficial use as a public recreation area with appropriate grading and drainage on the site to enhance the adjacent wetland area. The site now hosts a full service golf driving range. BASCOR assisted to acquire necessary permitting for the activity including entry permits off of State Highways, Corps permits for work in jurisdictional areas, State of New Mexico permits for various environmental improvement activity, and local permitting requirements including work with Elephant Butte, Truth of Consequences, and Sierra County. Plans for the new international Space Port and NASCAR facility within 20 miles of the Turtleback Mountain Resort bring enthusiasm and promise along with this beautiful southern New Mexico development which will prove to be one of the high quality enhancements in the southwest providing a superior life style and environment. |
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Copyright © 2006
BASCOR Environmental, Inc.
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