Board Approves Palisades Property Purchase

At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Public Service Board approved the purchase of 202 acres of land in the Franklin Mountains. The acreage, known as the Palisades Canyon, is located north of the Sierra Crest and Los Compadres subdivisions at the southern end of the mountain range. The sale is expected to close within 60 days.

The $2.5 million purchase will serve a dual purpose. It will manage stormwater runoff from the Franklin Mountains while protecting and preserving valuable open space. The Public Service Board and City Council authorized the purchase with the adoption of the Stormwater Master Plan. The land was also identified for acquisition and preservation in the City’s Open Space Master Plan.

“It’s a beautiful piece of land,” said President and CEO Ed Archuleta. “This is our Central Park in El Paso, but it’s owned by the private sector. It’s the gateway to the Franklin Mountains State Park, so it’s really very important.”

Stormwater Ordinance
The ordinance that established the stormwater utility requires El Paso Water Utilities to use arroyos and other natural drainage systems to manage stormwater whenever possible. EPWU is also required to identify projects that preserve open spaces and wilderness areas in their natural state while channeling or retaining stormwater runoff.

Ten percent of all stormwater fee revenues must be set aside for such projects, and $3.1 million will have been earmarked for open space when the fiscal year ends in March. Eleven parcels have been identified for acquisition in the next three years.

“This is the first purchase that I’m recommending from this fund,” said Archuleta. “I want to compliment the City Council that had the vision when they set up the stormwater utility to be able to dedicate 10 percent of the money for open space acquisition.”

Additional Benefits
Archuleta said that while making the acquisitions preserves El Paso’s open spaces and wilderness areas, there are additional benefits that make the purchases attractive. Ratepayers will not have to spend money to extend infrastructure into arroyos and other areas that should not be developed.

Palisades Canyon is above Arroyo Park, which experienced a great deal of flooding in 2006. After the property is purchased, EPWU plans to build a culvert to channel stormwater and remove rocks and debris that come down the mountain with the runoff to reduce flooding. In the future, the property might be transferred to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for incorporation into the Franklin Mountains State Park.

“But for now, the point is to acquire it and have it in public hands and then work with the City to make it better for El Pasoans to use and enjoy,” said Archuleta.

 Map of Palisades Property (PDF)