East Mountain Trails & Bikeways Master Plan - Bernalillo County

Chapter II. Policy Context & Public Involvement
Section A. Applicable Policies
and Plans
Many adopted plans govern or guide the
development of the East Mountain Trails and
Bikeways Master Plan. Most of these documents
call for the creation of a system of open space,
parks and trails, with inter-connected bicycle and
trail networks joining origins and destinations,
both for recreation and transportation. They
support improved safety, efficiency and choice
for non-motorized transportation alternatives.
They encourage opportunities for joint
management and funding.
1. Plans adopted by Bernalillo
County
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County
Comprehensive Plan (1988, amendments
through 2002) This Rank I plan provides
guidelines for land use, environmental and
resource management. It emphasizes the need
to link parks, open space and trails throughout
the County.
East Mountain Area Plan (1992) An update of
this Plan is underway in 2005. The plan was
"developed to guide future development by
addressing resource preservation, commercial
development in designated areas, maintenance
of the area's rural character, wastewater
regulation requirements and environmental
protection.” It contains policy and specific
recommendations. The goals and objectives
make numerous references to the development
of a bicycle and trail network. The East Mountain
Trails and Bikeways Master Plan fulfills a
recommendation of the EMAP.
Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation
Parks, Open Space and Trails (POST)
Masterplan 2003 -2010 This Plan was adopted
October 14, 2003. The plan will guide the
County over the next seven years in developing
new facilities, improving existing facilities and
securing project funding. The plan envisions "an
interconnected system of parks, open space and
trails that facilitates active and passive recreation
opportunities,” as well as "encouraging bicycling
and walking as transportation modes and as a
means of fitness.” It also contains an excellent
and extensive overview of existing plans and
policies, including the Albuquerque/Bernalillo
County Comprehensive Plan, Major Public Open
Space Facility Plan, East Mountain Area Plan
and the Trails and Bikeways Facility Plan (City of
Albuquerque), relevant portions of which were
incorporated into this review. The East Mountain
Trail and Bikeways Master Plan is a key part of
implementing the POST.
Trails and Bikeways Facility Plan (1993, 1996)
The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County
adopted this plan in 1993 and updated the map
in 1996. This plan addresses policy, standards
and trail locations. It calls for development of a
metropolitan area-wide bicycle and multi-use trail
system and outlines policy for future trail and
bikeway development and usage. Design
standards and objectives for various types of
users and locations are included. Proposed
revisions to design standards are currently being
reviewed. The TBFP did not address trails in the
East Mountain Area, stating "Policies for trail
development in the East Mountain Area are
contained in the East Mountain Area Plan."
East Mountain Open Space Resource
Management Plans (2004)
Separate site-specific plans are currently being
developed for each County and City open space
property in the East Mountains. The plans will
EAST MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND BIKEWAYS MASTER PLAN Page 5