BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. — A large-scale cleanup effort in the Rio Grande Bosque has wrapped up after multiple agencies worked together to remove debris and address safety concerns in the area.
According to Bernalillo County, crews cleaned up 74 sites between Rio Bravo Boulevard and Interstate 40, removing a total of 16.21 tons of debris and hazardous materials.
During the operation, crews documented 31 sites showing signs of fire activity and 34 sites with evidence of drug use.
County officials say reducing fire risk was one of the primary goals of the project.
“All the debris removed and every site we addressed directly reduces the risk of fire in the bosque,” said Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Chief Zach Lardy. “I’m proud of the collaborative work across all agencies and grateful to the crews who dedicated their time to making the bosque safer for everyone.”
The cleanup brought together several agencies, including Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, county behavioral health and animal care teams, the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division, the City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Department, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.
Officials say the effort focused on removing trash, hazardous materials, and other debris while addressing environmental and public safety concerns throughout the Bosque corridor.
Bernalillo County says additional cleanup efforts may be considered in August as agencies evaluate future needs.
