By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Council attempted Tuesday night to find a solution that satisfies all concerned parties regarding the proposed bike projects in Pueblo Canyon.

In the end Council unanimously voted to have County staff work with all involved stakeholders to develop an updated, collaborative process, which includes expanded evaluation of options, documents pros and cons on these options and accounts for the feedback provided in the past, at Tuesday’s meeting and future meetings.

The motion passed 6-0; Councilor David Reagor was absent at the meeting.

Councilor Sara Scott made the motion.
“I would just note that understanding that there are concerns about proposed projects in Pueblo Canyon but also a broad community interest in expanding mountain bike opportunities …,” Scott said.

She further noted areas of a general, even if not absolute, agreement by community members that seem to be a basis for continued discussions. These areas include the importance of trails to the community, as well as open space and being environmentally and culturally sensitive. Scott added she felt the four projects proposed for Pueblo Canyon should be treated separately including locations and method of execution.

Furthermore, Scott said a timeframe for decisions regarding the projects needs to be discussed, additional clarity needs to be included in presentations about the projects (including options that have been suggested/evaluated and pros and cons for the options), and that trail maintenance, opportunities for rehabilitation, and impacts such as erosion and degradation should be considered and clearly noted in information for the community. Council discussion on this project was spurred by a citizen’s petition asking that the proposed bike projects in Pueblo Canyon be halted.

Los Alamos resident Cheryl Kustke presented the petition.

The four proposed projects are: a 7-mile International Mountain Biking Trail, a connector trail that would allow bikers to travel from the roundabout on San Ildefonso Road to the Aquatic Center, a bike skills park in Pueblo Canyon and a six-mile National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) trail loop. Kustke said the petition garnered 257 signatures and 56 individual comments. The main issue isn’t offering mountain bike trails but putting them in Pueblo Canyon, she said. There are concerns about endangering wildlife habitats, degradation of the landscape and encroaching on protected architectural and cultural sites, Kustke said. Plus, petitioners felt the bike trails would displace other users.

“Our canyons are a unique and precious resource,” she said. “We should keep them natural and tread lightly.”

During public comment, fellow petitioner Sue Barnes pointed out that the County’s own Integrated Community Services Master Plan survey shows that the public felt the bike trails are fine as is.

Barnes said that survey respondents expressed that trail maintenance is needed but is not a priority because needs on the trails are being met.

“Let’s maintain and protect what we have and turn attention to more pressing needs and wants in our community,” she said.

The proposed bike trails did receive support during public comment. Many argued that the proposed trails do not pose any environmental threat and more mountain bike amenities could bring greater economic diversity and development into Los Alamos.

In other business, council:

• Unanimously approved an ordinance to enter into a loan agreement with the New Mexico Environment Department for the purpose of obtaining project loan funds in the principal amount of up to $25 million for the replacement wastewater treatment plant in White Rock and the Bayo Lift Station. The annual interest rate on the loan was negotiated to be significantly lower.
• Unanimously approved a resolution to authorize the application of New Mexico Department of Transportation program for approximately $4.7 million to fund the Atomic City Transit. The local match is approximately $2 million.
• Unanimously approved a resolution for a NMED Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan.
• Proclaimed August as Bear Month in Los Alamos County.