Stormwater Planning - Santa Fe, New Mexico
The city of Santa Fe is in the Northern Rio Grande Valley, at the southern end of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range part of the Rocky Mountains. At approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, and founded in the early 1600s, Santa Fe is the highest and oldest state capital in the United States. The city’s cultural significance, natural beauty, and outdoor recreational opportunities draw thousands of tourists each year. Additionally, valuable water resources such as snowpack on surrounding ski resorts and local rivers and streams that support trout fishing are critical in attracting tourism to Santa Fe. Surface water from the Santa Fe Watershed comprises a portion of the city’s drinking water supplies, and if not properly managed and protected, can lead to public health concerns and drinking water treatment costs.
| Santa Fe’s Long-Term Stormwater Planning Goals |
|---|
Generate reliable funding dedicated to the city’s stormwater program. |
Incorporate low-impact development and green infrastructure concepts into new development and redevelopment policies for public and private projects. |
Align stormwater efforts with the city’s broader functions and responsibilities, including sustainability goals and targets. |
Effectively plan, construct, and maintain stormwater assets over the long term to enhance opportunities to seamlessly incorporate stormwater into city projects. |
Define the stormwater program structure and organizational hierarchy. |
Continue regional planning efforts with Santa Fe County and the New Mexico Department of Transportation relevant to the City’s NPDES MS4 permit. |
