County Residents Give Input on Stormwater Master Planning

Vice President Christina Montoya goes over the plan with attendees.

El Paso County residents voiced suggestions and concerns about flooding issues at the public meeting held Sept. 16 at El Paso County Courthouse. They were among 36 people attending the first of three public meetings held to discuss a county stormwater master plan.

Engineering firm URS is developing a master plan to address flooding that historically plagues county residents. Stormwater from arroyos in northwest El Paso County carries boulders, rocks, gravel and debris into Anthony, Vinton, Westway and Canutillo.

Stormwater runoff also wreaks havoc in the Mission Valley communities of Sparks, Socorro, San Elizario, Clint and Hacienda Real. After heavy rains, water from arroyos deposits several feet of debris and sand in these areas.

The scope of the project is limited by its $425,000 budget – $150,000 funded by El Paso County, a $150,000 grant from the Texas Water Development Board and $125,000 in project management services donated by El Paso Water Utilities.

“The plan is going to lay out the blueprint for what needs to be done – what projects in what areas,” explained Vice President Christina Montoya during her presentation. “There are many problems with flooding in the county, so it’s going to help us develop priorities on what needs to be attacked first and give us an estimate on what these improvements will cost.”

Two additional meetings have been scheduled. URS will present its preliminary findings and solicit additional input on Jan. 7, and the draft master plan will be presented on April 15. The final plan will be presented to the Public Service Board and Commissioners Court for approval in the spring.

After the plan is approved, additional funds will be needed for project design and construction.

“The funding that we have is only for the plan,” said Montoya. “It’s going to take some time before actually seeing improvements in your neighborhood.”