Can you believe this guy? I think he showed up for the first city council meeting regarding TIRZ 12, but I don’t think we’ve heard from him or EP Water since. Then, when he does comment somewhat publicly, he only does so through a newsletter available only to subscribers. How about posting this on your social media accounts, John, and/or front & center on the EP Water website? If you’re attempting to be transparent, this newsletter message doesn’t qualify. I’ve heard alot about this agreement between EP Water, the City, & the BMBA, though I have yet to see it in writing. Care to share? A Message from John Balliew, P.E., President/CEO EPWater has a long history of preserving natural open space and working with stakeholders. El Paso Water manages thousands of acres of land in El Paso County as well as water rights for those and many more acres. If the land is not needed for our water systems, EPWater sells the land and uses the revenue to help offset infrastructure costs to ratepayers. But EPWater also has a long history of carefully preserving land to support sustainable growth. Recent headlines on possible development in the Northwest near Transmountain leave out some important historical facts about large amounts of EPWater-managed land that have already been preserved as open space. Largest urban park in the nation Since the 1980s, the City of El Paso and EPWater have contributed over 11,730 acres to the Franklin Mountains State Park, helping to create the largest urban park in the nation. Franklin Mountains State Park now boasts nearly 27,000 acres of open space, which is prized and explored by mountain bikers, hikers, rock climbers and nature enthusiasts 365 days of the year. EPWater hired a consultant to perform research, gather public input and put together a Master Plan for the Northwest side of the mountain to allow for sale of the property and associated revenues for water resource development. The Northwest Master Plan was approved in 2005, and public input resulted in designations for open space, hiking and biking trails and access to Franklin Mountains State Park. Conversations continued over a period of years. With additional input, a national urban planning leader was brought in to give a fresh look at the plan and apply SmartCode principles and zoning. We made significant efforts to balance economic development, open space and recreation objectives. Of the original 2,500 acres in and around the current Northwest plan area, only 750 acres or about 30 percent has been designated for potential development. Of the remaining 70 percent, about 1,500 acres has already been conveyed to the Franklin Mountains State Park, and an additional 250 acres has been designated as open space. Trails located near the Franklin Mountains We’ve also worked hard to collaborate with outdoor enthusiasts on trails located on both sides of the mountain, granting use of lands for trailheads for such trails as Lost Dog, Lazy Cow and Roundhouse. Our Lost Dog Trail license agreement with the Borderland Mountain Bike Association granted access to EPWater managed property for a temporary parking area and trailhead for public use, with the understanding that future development might require the trailhead to be relocated. In fact, a future parking lot and trailhead site was proposed in the license agreement. We remain committed to granting access to EPWater-managed property for a permanent parking area and trailhead at the proposed location. We work hard to build relationships in our community and to be a good neighbor. Assuming all parties honor the agreements made, SmartCode developments have the potential to position El Paso as a leader in the region, demonstrating how to balance development with open space protections. We hope our many actions over time demonstrate our commitment to preserve open space just as we remain committed to a long-term sustainable water supply and the economic vitality of our city. On the Water Front is a publication of El Paso Water. Contact Christina Montoya at 915.594.5596 or cmontoya@epwater.org with any comments or questions.