Paving of the Animas River Trail behind Durango High School has been put on hold until spring so the city of Durango can receive proper permitting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The work being done between Rank Park and Demon Bridge was found by an environmental consultant to have potential to affect an area that could be a habitat for the protected New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.
“We need to get a permit in place and have it reviewed, and that’s going to delay the project until springtime,” said Scott McClain, administrative officer with Parks and Recreation.
McClain said the area in question is a patch of vegetation just north of Rank Park.
“There’s a spot there where we have a lot of wetland vegetation,” he said. “The Army Corps has responsibility for that, and part of that is looking at habitat for protected species.”
In spring when the city has the proper permits, a new concrete path will be laid along the Animas River Trail behind Durango High School.
njohnson@durangoherald.com
