Navajo Nation, Zuni Tribe, US Army, and New Mexico Trustees Finalize Restoration Plan for Fort Wingate

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A landmark restoration plan has been finalized for the Fort Wingate Depot Activity Site, marking a significant step forward in healing the natural resources damaged by historical military operations. The Zuni Tribe, the Navajo Nation, the New Mexico Office of the Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT), and the United States Department of the Army, collectively serving as Co-Trustees, announced the completion of the Final Resource Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for the site, located in McKinley County near Gallup, New Mexico.

In a settlement reached in March 2022 with the United States on behalf of the U.S. Army, the Co-Trustees were awarded $1,137,150 to address natural resource injuries caused by hazardous substance releases at the former Army facility. Fort Wingate, which historically served as a storage and disposal site for explosives and munitions, ceased operations in 1993.

According to settlement information from the court, the funds will be directed towards restoration projects, with priority given to initiatives proposed by the Zuni Tribe and the Navajo Nation. Key projects include Forest Restoration and Fuelwood Production and Bluehead Sucker Habitat Conservation. The Final Restoration Plan outlines the meticulous process undertaken by the Co-Trustees to evaluate, prioritize, and select projects for funding, ensuring that the settlement monies are used effectively to restore the affected natural resources.

The Trustee Council is now seeking court approval to release the settlement funds from the escrow account, allowing the commencement of restoration activities. This development represents a collaborative effort among federal, state, and tribal entities to remediate the environmental impacts of past military practices and restore the health of the land and water in the area. The Final Restoration Plan is accessible to the public on the ONRT’s website, providing detailed information on the selected restoration projects and the assessment process. This initiative underscores a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and the healing of lands that hold cultural and ecological significance to the Navajo Nation and the Zuni Tribe.

The settlement and subsequent restoration plan serve as a testament to the power of collaboration and negotiation in addressing complex environmental issues, offering hope for the recovery of the natural landscape at Fort Wingate and setting a precedent for future restoration efforts.

For more information and to view the Final Restoration Plan, visit the ONRT’s website at https://onrt.env.nm.gov/w p-content/uploads/2024/02/2024.02.01 .FWDAFinalRPEA.pdf