East Mountain Trails & Bikeways Master Plan - Bernalillo County

propose appropriate uses and management
strategies, including resource-based recreation,
trails and trail access, for each of the nine City
and County Open Space properties in the East
Mountain Area. To date, plans are underway and
site specific trails and access points are
incorporated into the East Mountain Trails and
Bikeways Master Plan.
Major Public Open Space Facility Plan (1999)
The Albuquerque City Council and the Bernalillo
County Commission adopted this plan in January
1999. The plan establishes policy for planning,
land use decisions and management of the Major
Public Open Space (MPOS) System and
includes a section on Major Public Open Space
in the East Mountains. Page 66, Policy B.1.b.
states: "Provide opportunities for outdoor
education and recreation including picnicking,
trails for multiple users and forest-based
environmental education." Page 68, Policy D.5.
states: "The city shall investigate opportunities for
trail linkages, joint management and/or funding of
East Mountain MPOS facilities with the National
Forest , Bernalillo County, and other agencies
which provide environmental education."
2025 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)
for the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning
Area, The Mid-Region Council of Governments
(MRCOG) approved this plan in May 2003 and
updates it every three years. This 20-year plan is
developed based on input from its member
agencies and includes policy and funding
designations for transportation projects within the
Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area. The
Planning Area includes the East Mountains, but
has few specific recommendations affecting it.
The goals of the plan support the development of
an integrated multi-modal transportation system.
It includes the 2004-2009 Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP), which details
federal funding for the first six years of the MTP.
Adoption of the EMTBP and integration into the
MTP could result in future funding for trails.
Long-Range Bikeway System Map (2004) This
map is developed by MRCOG to reflect longrange
policy for bicycle facilities in the
Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area and to
provide a framework for developing the longrange
Metropolitan Transportation Plan and
short-range Transportation Improvement
Programs. It currently is being revised and
expanded to a broader regional system
perspective to provide greater regional
connectivity. It will incorporate trails identified in
the final adopted East Mountain Trails and
Bikeways Master Plan.
Bernalillo County Ordinance 58-105 Operation
of Motorized Vehicle in Certain Areas
This ordinance prohibits the use of motorized
recreational vehicles on County lands within a
quarter of a mile from a residence, school,
hospital or convalescent home.
New Mexico Public Recreation Statute
This statute eliminates the liability of private
landowners for public recreation use of private
land. See Technical Appendix for the full statute.
2. Other Relevant Planning
Documents
These documents provide relevant information
regarding development of facilities, including
alignment, destinations, design standards and
management, within and adjacent to the East
Mountain Trails and Bikeways Master Plan area.
Cibola National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan (Forest Plan) as amended
1990 & 1996This plan defines the long-term
direction for managing the Cibola National
Forest. As such, it prescribes types and degrees
of development for recreational use on the Cibola
National Forest. A significant portion of the
Forest within the East Mountains is federally
designated Wilderness, which precludes
mechanized and motorized use. Environmental
Analyses and Decision Notices which were
completed after the initial publication of the
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EAST MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND BIKEWAYS MASTER PLAN