Teschner: Castner Range a liquid asset for El Paso
Castner Range National Monument: A Major Liquid Asset for El Paso
This past January the Public Service Board unanimously passed “A Resolution Expressing Support for the Creation of the Castner Range National Monument.”
The resolution states several well-known reasons why the 7,081-acre Castner Range (Fort Bliss’s famous Northeast artillery range, active from 1926-1966 and closed since then) should be conserved as a monument — Castner provides a natural habitat for unique local wildlife, the views both of and from the range are among the best in the West, a conserved range would greatly enhance El Paso’s quality of life.
The PSB then drew attention to what it knows well: water. Castner Range “contains dozens of natural canyons, arroyos, and alluvial fans which transport run-off from the Franklin Mountains to city-owned channels that lead to large retention ponds that help reduce flooding,” the resolution reads.
It goes on to recognize the importance of preserving Castner in its current natural state in order to control rainfall runoff.
The PSB understands that public safety is enhanced by a Castner Range that’s conserved in its present state.
The PSB is also aware that a conserved Castner Range will allow stormwater infrastructure (such as Northgate Dam and Fusselman Canyon Dam) to be maintained while not eschewing the possibility of adding natural low-impact infrastructure to the list.
