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This project will restore and enhance the fish habitat, water quality and angler access to a small reservoir located on the south end of Carlsbad New Mexico. Fish habitat has been impacted by tamarisk clearing, grass carp, sedimentation and past dredging practices. The project will add about 300 fish habitat areas, restore native 4 miles of shoreline vegetation, propagate aquatic vegetation, partner with the City of Carlsbad and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to develop two new kayak access and handicapped fish areas. Some of the fish habitat and living shoreline features will be specifically designed for nutrient conversion to better utilize carrying capacity and mitigate the occurrence and impact of green and golden algae based on best practices from the upstream RFHP Spring River Pond (Roswell) project, the RFHP Carlsbad Revival project and scholarly studies in Texas and New Mexico. Specific small areas near the dam and irrigation drain outfall will be targeted for sediment removal using siphon techniques reviewed at the 2020 Kansas City RFHP workshop and endorsed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Access is extremely limited due to steep banks, undeveloped roads, private farmlands and lack of non-motorized canoe and kayak launches. Sun Country Outdoors has been consulting and providing in-kind assistance to the City of Carlsbad and the Bureau of Reclamation to develop kayak access, parking areas, observation and picnic areas near the dam. Both entities are extremely supportive of Sun Country completing the Carlsbad Revival project and partnering in restoration of the Six Mile Dam stretch of the Pecos River. Additional kayak launch areas are needed at the upper reach of the reservoir and if possible midway on private farm property. Sun Country has consulted with the Fishes and Farmers Habitat Partnership for best practices. The farmer has been approached and is open to discussions. It is likely that the City of Carlsbad will provide all equipment, manpower and materials to complete all angler access elements of the project using non-federal funds.
Special design consideration will be given to the potential for severe flooding. Best practices will be applied to all aspects of the project. Sun Country and the BLM have discussed significant channel improvement near the irrigation drainage outfall, where backwater areas could be reconnected with the river and restore the fishery, provide safe boater access and connect the farmland drain to the river.

• Point source pollution
• Nonpoint source pollution
• Excessive nutrients
• Algae blooms
• Siltation
• Mudflats/shallowness
• Limited connectivity
• Nuisance species
• Large water fluctuations

• Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, White Bass, Crappie, Grey Redhorse

Little is documented about the history of Six Mile Dam. It is mentioned in 1911 as a small diversion dam on the Pecos River about 4.5 miles south of the town of Carlsbad and it was constructed by the Water Users Association to irrigate small parcels of land near the village of Loving, New Mexico. It was destroyed at least once by floods including the flood of 1911 which destroyed the upstream Avalon Dam. No definitive documentation could be found for the rebuild of the current dam. It is no longer used for irrigation diversion. It is owned by the City of Carlsbad and has been the subject of intense interest for development as a recreational area. The mayor of Carlsbad has personally asked Sun Country Outdoors to assist in the planning and development of the area, especially with respect to improving the fishery. BLM has also contracted with New Mexico Bass Nation to help plan improved recreational use of the area just upstream of the dam on BLM properties. A master plan has been developed that includes trails, kayak access, handicapped fishing access, bird/wildlife observation and visitor control. New Mexico Bass Nation and Sun Country Outdoors are actively involved in detailed planning.
Many impairments and challenges exist for the reservoir. One major feature is the discharge from the wastewater treatment plant at the upper end of the pool. During the recent oil boom, the population of Carlsbad more than doubled and wastewater treatment capacity was inadequate to maintain discharge standards. Excess nutrients still exist and are trapped in the sediments. In addition, grass carp from upstream unauthorized introductions have removed most of the native aquatic vegetation. Previous dredging and bank clearing have left shallow, sandy shorelines for most of the target areas. Siltation from the irrigation drainage outfall has also filled in the channels that connected the drain to the river. In summary, the area is ripe with opportunities for improvement.
Although the target area is only about 30 acres, the restoration will have a major impact on access, connectivity, fish production, water quality and user satisfaction. Over 300 fish habitat sites will be developed and integrated into the overall plan for the reservoir. The re-introduction of native trees in the area will help with shoreline water temperatures in an area that annually sees over 60 days of 100 degree Fahrenheit afternoons. Local cooling will help in dealing with the continued higher temperatures and drought experienced in recent years. Clearing backwater channels will also reduce water temperatures and increase fish and wildlife in key areas.

Sun Country Outdoors, NMGF and and the BLM are in an excellent position to partner in creating an exceptional fishery and recreation destination. Methods will be incorporated from a large number of RFHP projects, BLM fisheries development plans for nearby ponds, documented hazardous algae bloom (HAB) mitigation strategies, and custom fish habitat designs developed by Sun Country Outdoors and NMGF that are intended to survive occasional intense flooding.
Specific methods include simulated ell grass panels based on studies at MIT that will trap and develop suitable soils for reintroduction of native aquatic vegetation. https://news.mit.edu/2019/study-seagrass-erosion-0503 A prior donation of over 30 miles of drip tubing by the Chino copper mine is being used to refine the ell grass panels for the Carlsbad Revival project and should be very cost effective for this project. Large structure is also being developed using a combination of reclaimed oil field hydrofracturing water pipes that are very strong and dense to be used as anchored fish habitat foundations with a wide variety of "add-on" features to simulate branches, logs, bushes, and submerged native cactus serving to increase surface area and overhead cover for the fish. NMGF and local anglers will monitor the fish habitat and provide what data can be gathered through creel surveys, catch photographs and electroshocking surveys to determine if the desired results are being achieved.

Monitoring Plan Overview:

Goals of the Six Mile Restoration are as follows: 1) To improve and revitalize degraded aquatic habitat and enhance local aquatic communities through aquatic invasive species removal, 2) to improve aquatic habitat by stabilizing eroded shorelines and improving bank shading through planting live stakes, and native vegetation establishment and management, 3) to create spawning and viable fish habitat by deploying fish habitat structures adjacent to restoration sites, 4) increasing the availability of prey-base fish , 5) to increase angler use of fish habitat sites (boat and shoreline anglers), and 6) to increase angler/user knowledge about the value and benefit of a healthy reservoir ecosystem.

Project success will be measured primarily by the reintroduction and survival of native trees and native aquatic vegetation, fish use of habitat structures at restoration sites (e.g., increased large mouth bass catch rate in NMDGF samples and by anglers), and the measured reproductive success of prey-base fish (mainly bluegill and shad).

Survival and growth of native aquatic vegetation and woody vegetation plantings will be monitored through biannual and post flood photo point surveys of the restoration sites. Species-specific survival/mortality will be documented so that future plantings can be adapted for success.

Fish use of submerged habitat structures (eel grass panels, plastic structures, wooden structures) will be monitored by NMDGF using standard electrofishing sampling protocols pre- and post-installation. Largemouth bass will be targeted for data analysis during these samples but crappie spp., catfish spp., and sunfish spp. usage will be documented as well. Samples will be conducted fall 2021, spring and fall 2022 prior to installation of structures. Samples then will be conducted spring and fall 2023 and 2024 to document changes in use post installation.

There is already a massive outreach plan underway headed up by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad BLM office. The local newspaper, the Carlsbad Current Argus has already done stories on the plans and cleanup efforts for the Six Mile Dam recreation initiative. Sun Country Outdoors and New Mexico Bass Nation also have Facebook pages and close connection with angler and wildlife communities in the area. This project will receive a very high level of attention and media exposure. Local educators, conservation groups and even gardeners are very interested in the living shoreline and floating islands features and are preparing to support the Carlsbad Revival project. This should provide a significant jump-start to the Six Mile Restoration project.

• 300 fish restoration sites with an average of 20 discrete fish habitat features and 1 floating feature. 50 native tree plantings, 20 native aquatic plants inside exclusion cages, clearing of 200 feet of backwater channel, 18 inches of sediment removal in 1 acre, 2 new kayak access areas, handicapped access (by City of Carlsbad), Signage and recreation features (by BLM),

The New Mexico Game and Fish is already actively engaged in the planning and fish habitat restoration in cooperation with Sun Country Outdoors, the City of Carlsbad and the BLM. Shawn Denny, warm water fisheries biologists supervisor has expressed strong desires to tackle Six Mile Dam after the Carlsbad Revival project is completed. Although there is not a letter of support specifically for Six Mile Dam, there is a support letter for this stretch of the Pecos River. A specific letter will be obtained and forwarded ASAP. The project is also in agreement and support of the New Mexico Fisheries Management Plan. NMGF has provided bathymetric mapping, detailed fish habitat plans and developed unique fish habitat for the Pecos stretch using locally sourced pecan slash, juniper and oil field materials. They have been active collecting fish health information in preparation for the project.

• Six-Mile-Partner-list.docx
• Six-Mile-Budget-Narrative.docx

Amount requested: $30,000

Amount of in-kind contributions: $60,000 (minimum in-kind with a goal of $10,00 minimum cash grants and donations)
Clarification: Non-federal cash contributions are expected to exceed $10,000 collectively from grants and private donations. An additional $50,000 is expected in non-cash, in-kind material, equipment and labor donations.
The Bureau of Land Management will contribute to the compliance and permitting effort and assist in coordinating public involvement and work days. The in-kind support is valued at approximately $20,000.
(Federal funds cannot be used as in-kind contributions)

*Volunteer labor calculated at $10/hr for age 16 and under; $18/hr for other volunteers; agency staff labor rates @ $24/hr

Budget Narrative:
All RFHP grant funds for the Six Mile Restoration will be used for artificial fish habitat, project DIY construction materials, commercially available fish habitats, plants, plant enclosures, and equipment necessary to siphon sediments using the existing fish habitat pontoon boat. No RFHP grant monies will be used for any administrative services.

Direct RFHP grant funding ($30,000) will be used for:

A) $11,000 A variety of construction materials will be purchased to build custom fish habitat structures using volunteer labor for assembly to the maximum extent possible. Materials include 300 cattle panels, 2000 landscaping pins, 20 cutting blades, 20 gallons marine adhesive, 10,000 sq. ft. Americo polyflo plastic matrix, spawning mats, 300 feet of geotextile webbing
B) $2,500 Plant enclosures will be constructed to prevent herbivore predation following the guidance in the Cochiti Lake WOTS assessment performed by Lynde Dodd, USACE and the Texas Parks and Wildlife aquatic plant propagation guide (private Richard Ott version)., 200 T-posts, plastic-coated fencing,
C) $2000 Terrestrial plant plantings: 50 seedling plants from the NM State Forestry program, one trip to Conoco Pond to collect local willow and cottonwood pole cuttings, rental of a skid steer and auger attachment, 50 beaver protection cages.
D) $5,500 Selected commercial artificial fish habitat structures and fish attractors. Selections might include fish trees, artificial bushes and angler-friendly reef balls for handicapped areas.
E) $2,000 Anchor materials and hardware will be purchased to ensure that fish habitat structures are not displaced during floods or moved by boaters.
F) $8,000 Floating plant propagation mat construction materials and/or locally constructed floating “chinampas” will be purchased to facilitate aquatic and pollinator plant production. Best practices from the New Mexico Elephant Butte and Carlsbad Lake projects will be used to determine the best route for collection and propagation of willows and cottonwoods. This will also bolster the educational hands-on participation of the youth groups with similar fixtures at the Carlsbad Lake Community Center.

Non federal, non-grant budget components include:
G) $10,000 Up to a mile of 4-inch ABS heavy oilfield hydrofracturing water pipe will be donated and reclaimed for use in anchoring and fish habitat construction by Conoco Phillips or their oilfield subsidiary. These pipes will be transported to the lake and installed using a habitat pontoon supplied by Sun Country Outdoors.
H) $35,000 The City of Carlsbad is expected to renovate the existing outlet gate area for handicapped fishing access requiring concrete repairs, excavation and bank stabilization retainer wall construction.
I) $4000 Technical services from Sun Country Outdoors and New Mexico Game and Fish to develop fisheries restoration plans, educational materials, plant propagation guides, grant writing support/services, and partnership development.
J) $10,000 cash raised through grants and partner donation/fundraisers will be needed to pay for material transportation, work-day safety supplies, disposable supplies, habitat barges, rental equipment, prototype materials, baseline monitoring services, and field collection/propagation of native plants such as collection of Black willows from Conoco Pond (BLM).
K) $2000 Habitat Pontoon deployment and operation. Includes the transport and operation of the Elephant Butte Adapt-a-Cove Pontoon to the site and temporary installation of two additional pontoons to accommodate the sediment siphon pumps and piping. The pontoon boat must be transported approximately 600 miles round trip per use.
L) $9000 Volunteer labor will be needed to construct fish habitat, deploy habitat, collect plants, construct plant enclosures, plant plants, etc. This will be a major component of the in-kind contributions of all partners. Conoco Phillips has expressed interest in funding and coordinating “heavy” work days including supplying heavy equipment and operators, welders and other industrial equipment as needed. BLM has demonstrated that even during COVID, they were able to employ over 100 volunteers on Public Lands Day at Six Mile Dam. There is high confidence that above average people and skills will be available to complete the project.
M) $???? It is unclear how much Conoco Phillips and other local corporate and private partners may contribute to the project. A ConocoPhillips representative has approach Sun Country Outdoors, BLM and the City of Carlsbad and offered to support the project