(A) A city of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Constructed Wetlands Study Group (the “Study Group”) shall be formed to evaluate the feasibility of using constructed wetlands in a variety of situations, to communicate with and educate the public concerning constructed wetlands, and to prepare one or more reports for the Mayor, City Council and County Commission.
(B) The Constructed Wetlands Study Group shall undertake the following tasks:
(1) Examine constructed wetlands techniques and their uses, and provide a description of their designs and applications including examples from around the country;
(2) Evaluate the extent and impact of the loss of wetlands along the Rio Grande in the Albuquerque area;
(3) Ascertain the impact of new NPDES permit requirements, Pueblo of Isleta stream standards, and endangered species protection requirements on the city's wastewater treatment process;
(4) Analyze and identify feasible applications of constructed wetlands in relation to the following:
(a) Open space development;
(b) Parks development;
(c) Urban, semi-urban and rural growth, especially with regard to the city's planned communities policies;
(d) The Ground Water Protection Plan, especially related to septage treatment in mountain areas of Bernalillo County,
(e) Wastewater treatment, especially in light of new NPDES discharge requirements, Pueblo of Isleta stream standards, and the endangered species protection requirements, including a comparison of wetlands to other alternatives;
(f) Other situations as determined by the Study Group.
(5) Develop and submit grant applications for constructed wetlands demonstration projects as appropriate;
(6) Identify changes to existing plans and policies which follow from the findings of the Study Group;
(7) Provide the Mayor, Council, and Commission with study scoping information, including a cost estimation, for a contract to evaluate the costs and benefits of alternative methods of meeting new wastewater discharge requirements, which would include the use of constructed wetlands;
(8) Determine the impact of constructed wetlands projects on the adequacy of the city's water rights and other regulatory requirements with regard to water;
(9) Hold meetings to inform the public and potentially affected parties about constructed wetlands and to solicit their ideas and concerns;
(10) Perform additional activities as appropriate.
(C) The Constructed Wetlands Study Group shall include the representatives of the following: City Public Works Department - Wastewater Division; City Public Works Department - Water Utility Division; City Planning Department; City Parks and General Services Department - Parks Design and Development Division; City Parks and General Services Department - Open Space Division; a representative of the village of Los Ranchos; a representative of the Pueblo Office of Environmental Protection of the All Indian Pueblo Council; a biology professor and an environmental engineering professor from the University of New Mexico; Bernalillo County Environmental Health Department; Bernalillo County Public Works Department; Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation Department; two public members appointed by the city and two public members appointed by Bernalillo County. The city members, the UNM professors, the representative of the village of Los Ranchos, and the representative of the All Indian Pueblo Council shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. The UNM professors shall represent the interests of the entire county.
(D) The Constructed Wetlands Study Group shall produce the following products:
(1) If needed, the wastewater treatment study scoping report, as described in division (B)(7), to be delivered as soon as feasible;
(2) A final report to be completed within six months of the approval of its membership;
(3) Grant applications for constructed wetlands demonstration projects as appropriate;
(4) Other reports and materials as determined by the Study Group.
(E) The Study Group shall perform primary oversight and monitoring with regard to the wastewater treatment study should it be conducted.
(F) The Constructed Wetlands Study Group may obtain consultant and intern assistance to carry out its work program.
(Res. 150-1992, approved 10-16-92; Am. Res. 41-1993, approved 4-30-93; Am. Res. 132-1993, approved 9-7-93)