This three-year project aims to develop a comprehensive bosque and riverine restoration plan for the pueblo ofsan felipe, utilizing tribal administrative resources and specialized consultants

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded $411,638 to the Pueblo De San Felipe under the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program (CFDA 15.580) on August 27, 2025, for a three-year bosque and riverine restoration planning initiative extending through December 31, 2028. The project delivers a comprehensive restoration plan for the pueblo's riparian and floodplain areas through four primary deliverable categories: administrative support including consultant engagement and technical assistance for future funding; scoping activities that define management objectives, identify cultural and historic resources in coordination with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and integrate existing irrigation infrastructure survey data; data collection encompassing vegetation mapping, bird species inventories, floodplain and hydraulic mapping, wetland inventories, and GIS database development with tribal staff training; and report development that analyzes key features, assesses wildfire risk and water reliability impacts, conducts hydraulic modeling, and produces a restoration plan with prioritized actions, cost estimates, and implementation timelines.

The final deliverable encompasses environmental compliance documentation meeting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and long-term sustainability planning for the restoration program, scheduled for completion in the project's third year. Funding support is structured across two federal sources, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs covering the restoration manager position for the first two years and Bureau of Reclamation funding supporting the third year and associated technical activities. This collaborative planning effort positions the pueblo to identify construction and implementation funding opportunities and establishes the foundation for subsequent ecosystem restoration activities.

The project encompasses thefollowing key tasks:administrative support:solicit consultant support for the restoration plan.provide initial program development recommendations and guidance.identify opportunities for construction and implementation funding.offer technical assistance for future program funding.BIA funding will cover the restoration manager S position for the first two years, with reclamation fundingcovering the third year.scoping:further define management objectives and locate existing resources.coordinate with the tribal historic preservation office to identify critical cultural and historic resources.utilize previously funded irrigation infrastructure surveys as an overlay for planning.minimal involvement from the BIA technical consultant, who will be invited to key meetings.data collection:develop vegetation mapping and bird species inventories within the BIA grant scope.include floodplain and hydraulic mapping, wetland inventories, and GIS database integration within thereclamation project scope. Train tribal staff on GIS operation and maintenance.report development:analyze and assess key features to aid in planning.include mitigation assessments of wildfire risk, heat island impacts, and surface water reliability on the biaside.conduct limited hydraulic modeling and assess permitting needs within the reclamation scope.develop a restoration plan with clear actions, preliminary costs, and a realistic implementation schedule.analyze environmental compliance requirements for implementation.implementation planning:complete environmental documentation in compliance with nepa requirements.plan for the long-term sustainability of the restoration program. This task will be undertaken in the third year, with no participation from the BIA scope.projected hours and budget details are provided in the subsequent sections. This project will guide the pueblo ofsan felipe through a sustainable and long-term restoration program.