August 15, 2005

I. BACKGROUND

In June of 2004, Linda Ford attended a meeting of the Cimarron Watershed Alliance after reading an article in The Chronical stating that the Alliance had received a $650,000 grant to work on water-related projects over a 3 year period in Colfax County. She wanted to know if there was any possibility of proposing a project in Taos Pines because of the water problems we were experiencing on our roads. The Board was also talking about water storage areas to be used in the event of a major forest fire.

That meeting led to another meeting at Linda’s home with Diana Johnson, Dick Neff (property owners), Don Fink, Ass’t. Fire Chief, District 6 and Roger Terry, Colfax County Wildland Urban Interface Specialist. Roger suggested the TPA join the CWA and prepare a water-related project that would include erosion, drainage, purification, road problems, etc. We could then submit our proposed project to see if it would fly. It took off like a jet airliner.

Roger Terry, Frank Atmore and Alan Johnson, all members of the CWA, next met with Linda and toured the Taos Pines subdivision looking for possible watershed protection activities. The first and most viable project they came up with involves the removal of standing small diameter trees (SDT’s), which hinder the growth and health of larger trees and serve as ladder fuel in the case of a forest fire. The overcrowding of trees and underbrush also destroys the quantity and quality of the water supply. Protection of the quantity and quality of the water in our area is the primary concern of the Watershed Alliance.

After several more meetings of the Alliance, which Linda and Diana attended, and many phone conversations with Linda, the project is now happening on this date, August 15, 2005.

II. WHAT THE PROJECT IS

Alan Johnson, manager of the Flying Horse Ranch, began clearing trees and restoring riparian areas and meadows on his ranch a couple of years ago. It was hard work using small equipment. He purchased larger equipment but it still was slow going and he began looking around for a better way to do things. He and others were instrumental in forming the Cimarron Watershed Alliance and receiving a $650,000 grant to thin and restore, not only his land, but others as well. The Alliance made contact with a contractor who has major tree trimming equipment and is now nearly finished with those projects. The results of months of hard labor are very dramatic indeed. Trees are healthy, grass is growing and streams are flowing again.

The Alliance still has money available to continue the work in other areas and Taos Pines is now a part of the water conservation objectives of the Alliance.

After a week of training operators to use new equipment that was delivered to 2 lots owned by Troy and Linda Ford, they are now clearing those lots. The contractor for the project will proceed according to Phases 1 and 2, which have already been established. There are 6 lots in Phase 1 slated for this year and 6 lots in Phase 2 slated for next year.

The opportunity to participate in the pilot project was first offered to POA members who live in the community full-time and have been active in POA activities. However, the chance to be part of the project is not limited to active POA members and anyone might apply to participate. However, it must be understood that the project will continue at no cost to the property owners only as long as there is money available to pay for it. The estimated cost of the project is $650 per acre. It is planned that money received from poles and posts taken from the owners’ properties and sold at the Eagle Nest reload station will go back into the project and provide more funds for more participation. If any property owner is interested in having trees thinned on his or her property, he or she may apply to participate in the project or he or she may request that the contractor do the work at the owner’s expense. This offer is also available to anyone currently in Phase I or 2 who does not wish to wait for an indeterminate amount of time to get the work done. The contractor will cut the trees and masticate (chip) the byproducts (slash) but it will be up to the property owner to dispose of the chips left behind. At least 60 trees per acre will be left standing and the contractor will review the work with the owner prior to any work being done. Time is of the essence, as the contractor will work only as long as work is available.

Property owners in Phase 1 are:

Troy & Linda Ford Lots 75 & 76

J.M. and Diana Johnson Lot 28

Larry & Vicky Leahy Lot 4

Klaus Steinbrecher & Lot 72

Lore Kohniein

Larry & Stephanie Parnes Lot 70

Property owners in Phase 2 are:

Bob & Terri Randall Lots 64 & 65

Fred & Elaine Pretzer Lot 86

Jim & Cheryl Lewis Lot 52

David & Patricia Lown Lot 39

Guy & Keta Lowe Lot 77

This project is a contract between the owner and the contractor and the Taos Pines Ranch Property Owners’ Association will serve only as a facilitator so that the owner and the contractor may reach an agreement.

III. HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECT

Any property owner who would like to be part of the next Phase of the project should fill out the Taos Pines Trespassing Authorization and Prescription (forms). However, there is no guarantee that the money will still be available for more than 2 years.

If a property owner wishes to hire the contractor while he is in the area at $650 per acre (this may vary depending on the slope of the land and the work to be done), may do so also by completing the form.

The form must be signed and mailed to the Taos Pines Ranch POA , P. O. Box 656, Angel Fire, NM 87558. Upon receipt of the form, the Association will pass the information on to the contractor.

For further information, call Linda Ford at 505-377-1264.

Cimarron Watershed Alliance, Inc.

31094 U.S. Highway 64

Cimarron, NM 87714