Questa council plans waste rock pile redesign
A waste rock pile in Questa left over from mining is about to get a make over and local businesses could get a promotional boost with help from the village.
Civic leaders from the Village of Questa discussed both the projects during their regular council meeting online Wednesday (Jan. 26).
The council discussed and appointed members and alternate members to the Holy Cross Board of Trustees Nominating Committee and the Northern Pueblos Regional Transportation Planning Organization.
A special presentation was given by Lynn Skall, director of the Questa Economic Development Fund, who outlined plans for civic enhancements designed to help local businesses.
The enhancements would include new light pole banners, provided by Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, a proposed mural project targeting abandoned buildings and a series of welcome signs that would be placed on the road into town.
Skall also presented her plan to inventory empty commercial spaces along State Road 522.
“I think it’d be beneficial, whatever inventory that you come up with, because we’ll be moving on in the next month or two with our planned zoning ordinance, developing a map for the business district, what’s going to be multi-use properties,” said Mark Gallegos, the mayor of Questa.
A second special presentation was given by Deborah Miller, a geotechnical consultant working on behalf of the village. Miller outlined the design and engineering plans for the Rock Pile Project.
The Rock Pile Project is an effort to re-grade and re-contour waste rock piles, which would then be covered and planted. Watermanagement systems and access roads would also be included in the program.
The project has been in the planning phase for several years, and is overseen by a technical working group that includes the Environmental Protection Agency, the New Mexico Environment Department, the Village of Questa, the environmental nonprofit Amigos Bravos and others.
The waste rock piles slated for re-grade are Goathill North and Capulin. The Goathill North pile would reach a maximum height of 1,100 feet, while Capulin would reach 780 feet.
The construction phase is set to begin in April. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2026.
“Do we know how many bulldozers are going to be up there?” asked Gallegos. “Do we know how much equipment is going to be passing through the city streets over the next six months?”
Miller suggested a follow up meeting with the contractor and the village, to plan for traffic management once heavy equipment starts to roll through Questa.
“Regarding increased traffic through the village, we’ll get a better idea soon of what that would be,” said Christian Isely, a representative from Chevron. “And then certainly, local suppliers and local hiring are encouraged whenever possible.”
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