Intel Outside: Tech Company Cleaning Up Its Back Yard

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – Intel has a big back yard. And while there aren't any broken-down pickups or abandoned refrigerators, some neighbors say it's an eyesore.

In response, the company plans to undertake a serious landscaping project.

"We've been meeting with about 30 or so people in Corrales and Rio Rancho and they really want us to clean up our eastern slope," spokesman Fred Shannon said Wednesday.

Three conceptual landscaping plans were scheduled to be unveiled at a public meeting at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church last week.

Shannon said the company hired landscape architects from Dekker/Perich/Sabatini to design a back yard beautification project with community interests in mind. According to Intel’s Web site, the project site consists of approximately 35 acres of sloping land on the east and southeast edge of Intel’s boundary. The acerage abuts the southwest edge of the Village of Corrales.

"We've been working really for the past couple of months to include as many people as we can," Shannon said. "And the recommendations we implemented in the conceptual designs are based on the community's input."

According to a document provided by Shannon, key concerns include disrupted views to the west from the village, storm drainage into the village, solvent smells and noise from the microchip-making plant.

Ken Romig, a landscape architect with DPS, said the company came up with several "kits" to address community concerns, such as the use of water harvesting and planting native trees, shrubs and grasses.

"We have a number of things we need to focus on. Among them are physical security and opening up access to the east slope property," he said. "We've had a number of people express interest in trails for horseback riding and hiking. We also have to look at a sustainable design for the project, and ways to mitigate runoff and soil erosion."

Romig said native plants will play a crucial role in the project.

"There are a lot of native plants in the area and we'll attempt to use them as much as possible," he said. "The plants that grow naturally are the best."

Shannon said that Intel had tried to landscape the area several years ago but had not put in the necessary irrigation systems to keep the trees and plantings alive.

"We're taking a more holistic approach this time," he said. "In the past, the trees passed away and erosion washed away plants and we don't want that to happen this time."