U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Leads Legislation To Transfer Federal Land To Pueblos For Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025, legislation to place three tracts of land from the former Albuquerque Indian School campus and surrounding land into trust for the benefit of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.
Heinrich’s Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 is cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and led in the House by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.).
“My legislation expands on Read More
Daily Postcard: Picturesque Sunrise Over Eastern Area
Daily Postcard: A picturesque view of the sunrise on Thursday over Eastern Area. Photo by Melissa Smith Read More
New Mexico Wild Issues Statement On Proposal To Allow Selling Off National Parks
New Mexico Wild News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced an amendment to the Interior appropriations bill that would pave the way for the Trump administration to sell off national parks to the highest bidder.
The Interior appropriations bill, as currently written, would prevent the Interior department from disposing of national park units—a provision introduced in response to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s suggestion that the Park Service does not need many smaller sites currently owned by all Americans. Read More
SFNF Issues Pile Burn Update
SFNF News:
Recent winter weather created favorable conditions to implement pile burns across the forest. Santa Fe National Forest fire managers will continue hazardous fuels reduction work throughout the winter as weather conditions allow, pending all required approvals.
Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim of reducing flammable fuels.
The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, Read More
Seasonal Road Closures On Santa Fe National Forest
SFNF News:
-
-
-
-
- Use caution while driving on forest roads in the winter
- Use caution while driving on forest roads in the winter
-
-
-
SANTA FE — Due to winter weather conditions, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will close some forest roads susceptible to damage to protect public health and safety, infrastructure, and natural resources.
Seasonal road closures generally occur between December and May because of winter weather and hazardous road conditions. The closures prohibit the use of motorized vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles, on restricted roads when gates are closed, locked or posted with a closure sign.
Current and Read More
Luján Applauds Committee Passage Of Legislation To Provide Greater Cooperation Between Federal Government And Land Grant Communities
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) applauded the passage of the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
This legislation will provide greater cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities.
There are 27 community land grant-mercedes recognized as political subdivisions under New Mexico law.
“I’m proud that my legislation to strengthen cooperation between the federal government and land grant Read More
New Mexico Parks To Host Polar Plunges & First Day Hikes
Participants at Eagle Nest State Park’s 2024 Polar Plunge. Courtesy/FEN-CCSP
State Parks News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico State Parks invites residents and visitors to welcome the new year with two outdoor traditions:
- Polar Plunges; and
- First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2026.
Families, outdoor enthusiasts, and first-time adventurers are encouraged to step into 2026 with fresh air, scenic trails, and maybe a cold splash.
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes, have been celebrated across all U.S. state parks since 1992, encouraging people nationwide to begin the year with movement and Read More
Daily Postcard: Sunset Colors Sky Over Line Of Commuters
Daily Postcard: A dramatic sunset colors the sky as night begins to fall over a long line of commuters traveling along N.M. 4 on Wednesday in White Rock. Photo by Kirk Christensen Read More
School For Advanced Research: National Museum Leaders Share Indigenous Collections Care Knowledge In New Series
SAR News:
The School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe and the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa have announced the launch of a free 2026 virtual speaker series for museum professionals and the public.
In this series, national museum leaders from Indigenous and non-Indigenous institutions will share how they are redefining collections care by centering Indigenous knowledge, authority, and lived experience.
The series precedes the national release of an Indigenous Collections Care Guide and features leading voices reshaping museum practice across the U.S.
Read full details here.
All sessions Read More
NPS Invites Public Comment On Bandelier’s Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment
Pile burning off Highway 4 in Bandelier National Monument. Courtesy/K. Honig/NPS, 2003
NPS News:
The National Park Service seeks public input on the Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment for Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico.
Bandelier’s Fire Management Plan will outline strategies to protect the public, surrounding communities, and critical infrastructure; reduce wildfire risk; conserve natural and cultural resources; preserve ecosystem processes; and ensure responsible stewardship of the park’s diverse landscapes.
The Environmental Assessment evaluates Read More
Santa Fe National Forest Holiday District Office Hours And Dates For Annual Christmas Tree Sink Dec. 27-Jan. 16
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — All Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) offices will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays. Please note that some district offices may have different hours during the holiday season. We recommend contacting us before purchasing a permit or pass.
Holiday District Office Schedule:
Jemez/Cuba Ranger District
- The Cuba District Office will be closed Dec. 24-26.
- The Jemez District Office will be closed Dec. 24-26.
Española/Coyote Ranger District
- The Española Ranger District Office is closed Monday and
Abiquiu Lake To Host Annual Midwinter Eagle Count Jan. 10
USACE News:
ABIQUIU — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Abiquiu Lake will host their annual midwinter eagle survey, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
The event is free and open to the public. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Abiquiu Lake Visitor Center for registration beginning at 9 a.m. The Abiquiu Lake Visitor Center is located on Hwy 96, just 2 miles west of the Hwy 84 junction.
“Abiquiu’s Eagle Count is one of our most popular events,” said Abiquiu Lake park ranger Kara Rapp. “This will be our 20th year of conducting eagle surveys at the lake!”
Hot coffee and snacks will be provided Read More
Daily Postcard: Golden Hue Fills Sky Over White Rock
DOE Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office Awards N3B 95 Percent Of Contract Available Fee
N3B loads transuranic waste into a container to ship to WIPP in Carlsbad. Courtesy/EM-LA
N3B loads the transuranic waste containers onto a truck for shipment to WIPP in Carlsbad. Courtesy/EM-LA
EM-LA News:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) legacy cleanup contractor, Newport News Nuclear BWXT-Los Alamos, LLC (N3B), earned more than $15.8 million, or 95 percent, of the fee available during the performance evaluation period of fiscal year 2025, according to a recently released scorecard.
As part of EM-LA’s commitment to transparency Read More
EM-LA Updates Los Alamos County Council On Efforts To Resolve Chromium Plume
Images of EM-LA’s various meetings with stakeholders regarding the hexavalent chromium plume. Courtesy/LAC
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
For more than 20 years, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been attempting to successfully eradicate the hexavalent chromium plume in the aquifer 1,000 feet below Mortandad and Sandia canyons.
Los Alamos County Council learned about DOE’s Environmental Management-Los Alamos Field Office’s (EM-LA) progress on resolving this long-term issue during its Tuesday night meeting.
EM-LA Manager Jessica Kunkle emphasized Read More
Aquifer Testing Work Plan Added To Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
New documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
- Submittal of the Work Plan for Aquifer Testing at Regional Aquifer Groundwater Monitoring Well R-80
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704056_EMLA-26-BF006-2-1_R-80_Test_Plan_121525.pdf
Heinrich & Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill To Reduce Deadly Roadway Collisions
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation to make permanent the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Wildlife Crossings Program and authorize funding for the program through 2031.
U.S. Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-Mont) and Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced companion legislation in the House.
The Wildlife Crossings Program is a competitive grant program established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation Heinrich championed Read More
Tickets To PEEC’s Backcountry Film Festival Available Now
PEEC News:
Still searching for the perfect stocking stuffer? Give the gift of adventure this holiday season with tickets to the Backcountry Film Festival, hosted by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), coming to SALA Event Center (2551 Central Avenue) in Los Alamos at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
For just $16.00 per ticket, recipients will enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating the human-powered experience through films that highlight adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, and ski culture. Purchase tickets here.
This special screening is the only Read More
NOAA Deploys New AI-Driven Global Weather Models
AIGFS Forecast map from Dec 10 showing the heavy precipitation from an Atmospheric River hitting the Pacific Northwest. AI Models will protect life and property by improving forecast accuracy and timeliness for events such as the catastrophic flooding that impacted the Northwest. (Credit: NOAA)
NOAA News:
NOAA has launched a groundbreaking new suite of operational, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven global weather prediction models, marking a significant advancement in forecast speed, efficiency, and accuracy. The models will provide forecasters with faster delivery of more Read More
Daily Postcard: Resplendent Afternoon On Barranca Mesa
Daily Postcard: Resplendent afternoon on Barranca Mesa. Photo by Tyler Marr Read More
