Environment

USDA Resumes Continuous Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment

USDA News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. As part of a 33-year effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on private lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
 
Eligible farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can sign up at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office between June 4 and Aug. 17, 2018.
 
“The Conservation Reserve Program is an important component of the suite of voluntary conservation programs USDA makes available to agricultural
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Udall Advances Strong Investments In New Mexico National Labs, Water Infrastructure, Tech Transfer

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

Udall’s committee approves $43.766 billion funding bill with funding for labs, cleanup, water projects, tech transfer

 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the committee has advanced key legislation to provide strong funding for New Mexico’s national labs, cleanup projects and technology transfer efforts, the Waste Isolation Pilot Program (WIPP), and water infrastructure projects throughout the state. The overall bill also provided strong increases Read More

Update On ‘375 Fire’ Near Glorieta Lookout

SFNF News:

Update as of this morning on the 375 Fire in the Pecos Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, west of Forest Road 375 and 1.5 miles east of the Glorieta Lookout.

Start Date: June 4

Cause: Lightning

Size: ½ acres

Containment: 100 percent

Fuel: Ponderosa pine and grass understory

Weather: Winds calm

Situation: As of 7:58 a.m. today, all lines held overnight with a few areas smoldering. Resources on scene include 4 fire crew members with 3 crew members enroute to help complete mop up operations.

Smoke/Air Quality: Local communities may be impacted by smoke because of prevailing Read More

Taos To Host Multiple Music Acts This Summer

MUSIC News:
 
TAOS The Town of Taos is hosting a variety of musical performances this summer as part of a town-wide effort to promote music in northern New Mexico.
 
The various concerts, festivals and events that are sponsored by multiple organizations throughout Taos began in May and run through September.
 
Michael Franti & Spearhead and The Original Wailers will perform at 5 p.m., June 9, at Kit Carson Park.
 
Additionally, a free 4th of July concert presented by the Town of Taos is set at Kit Carson park where Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members and R&B/funk legends
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Daily Postcard: Early Morning Visitors To IHM

Daily Postcard: A pair of deer pay an early morning visit Monday to the grounds of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at 3700 Canyon Road in Los Alamos. Photo by Fr. Glenn Jones Read More

LANL Road Construction Set To Begin Thursday

LANL News:
 
The first of three phases of road improvements to and from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) will begin Thursday, June 7.
 
The road improvements are part of a $34.5 million Supplemental Environmental Projects settlement agreement between the New Mexico Environment Department and the U.S. Department of Energy following the February 2014 drum breach incident at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, N.M. Albuquerque Asphalt, Inc., will perform the road work under a $7 million contract awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers through an interagency agreement
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Lightning Sparks ‘375 Fire’ Near Glorieta Lookout

SFNF News:

Lightning sparked a fire today in the Pecos Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, west of Forest Road 375 and 1.5 miles east of the Glorieta Lookout:

  • Start Date: June 4
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Location: Pecos Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. West of Forest Road 375 and 1.5 miles east of the Glorieta Lookout.
  • Size: Half an acre
  • Containment: 0 percent
  • Fuel: Ponderosa pine and grass understory
  • Weather: North, northwest winds 8-15 mph
  • Situation: The fire behavior is low to moderate. 

Resources on scene include one engine, and one helicopter. Firefighters are utilizing Read More

Nature Center Suds & Shows: ‘Mars Attacks!’ Thursday

‘Mars Attacks!’ shows at nature center at 7 p.m., Thursday. The doors open at 6 p.m. and drinks will be available from Pajarito Brewpub. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy drinks before the show at the nature center. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Watch “Mars Attacks!” at 7 p.m., Thursday in the Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium at 2600 Canyon Road.

This event is the first in the nature center’s summer movie and beer night series Suds & Shows. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and beer and wine will be available from the Pajarito Brewpub at a cash bar.

The community is invited to bring a picnic dinner, buy drinks Read More

Pacheco Canyon Forest Resiliency Project Decision Issued; Tesuque Pueblo Governor Voices Support

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) officials made a decision June 1 to proceed with the Pacheco Canyon Forest Resiliency Project on the Santa Fe National Forest. The decision to proceed with project activities follows more than a year of environmental analysis and collaboration with local, state and federal agencies, Tribal governments and non-governmental organizations.

The project area consists of approximately 2,042 acres of National Forest System lands surrounding tribal lands along Pacheco Canyon Road. The high tree density in the project area increases the risk Read More

Police And Fire Officials Investigate Lock Cutting At Entrance To Los Alamos Reservoir

One of two locks vandalized over the weekend at the Los Alamos Reservoir entrance gate. The second lock, which was completely severed has been turned over to the Los Alamos Police Department. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Fire Marshal Jeff Wetteland points out a Santa Fe National Forest sign, which clearly indicates that the reservoir area is closed to the public. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Fire Department Wildland Division Chief Kelly Sterna places additional caution tape at the reservoir entrance to discourage people from going

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Tom Wyant Speaks At Rotary About Local Snakes

White Rock resident Tom Wyant spoke recently at a Rotary Club meeting, describing ways to identify local snakes. Here he holds a bull snake. Bull snakes are non-venomous and are very powerful constrictors who eat small mammals, helping regulate the rodent population. Wyant is a popular speaker about snakes and also removes and rescues them. Residents may enlist his services by calling 505.672.1981; they may also call the non-emergency number at the Los Alamos Police Department, 505.662.8222. Photo by Rob Metcalf

A prairie rattlesnake was part of a program presented recently Read More

County Environmental Services: Recycle Right

COUNTY News:

There are many actions each of us can take to reduce our environmental impact and support a clean community. One of the easiest actions to take every day is to recycle.

Did you know, Los Alamos residents recycle approximately 23 percent of all household trash; unfortunately, the contamination rate is a whopping 17 percent. That’s why Environmental Services invites residents to visit their booth and sharpen their recycle skills at the following events in June:

  • June 9 at Chamber Fest 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
    • At 11 a.m., Business and Education Recycler of the Year winners announced;
  • June 13
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Valles Caldera Postpones Fiesta En El Valle Until September Due To Stage III Fire Restrictions

VCNP News:

 

JEMEZ SPRINGS — With Valles Caldera National Preserve and surrounding public land under Stage III fire restrictions, National Park Service (NPS) officials have decided to cancel the June 9 Fiesta en el Valle and reschedule the event for Saturday, Sept. 8.

 

“Public safety is paramount,” said Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos. “This event was anticipated to draw in a large crowd. In the event of a wildfire, it would have been difficult to evacuate everyone safely.” 

 

Under the increased fire restrictions, the Valle Grande entrance station and bookstore Read More

Update: Ute Park Fire Grows To 31,930 Acres … Remains At Zero Percent Containment

EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION:

Severe thunderstorms are predicted for the Ute Park Fire and the surrounding area throughout today. Up to 1” of rain and 30 mph winds from the south are expected to impact the area. Flash flooding is expected. Precipitation may help limit fire activity in the short term, but critical fire weather conditions are expected to return. Firefighters are prepared to respond to new starts within the area as wide-spread lightning is expected today as well.

Ute Park Fire, Colfax County

Start Date and Time: May 31, 2018 at 2:10 p.m.
Start Location: Near Highway 64

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Ute Park Fire Update: 30,000 Acres Burned … Zero Percent Contained

EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION:

Ute Park in Colfax County has been evacuated due to increased fire activity south of the community and crews are preparing for storms expected in the area today. 

Ute Park Fire, Colfax County
Start Date and Time: May 31, 2018 at 2:10 p.m.
Start Location: Near Highway 64 in Ute Park between Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron
Latitude:  36.551389
Longitude: -105.121125
Cause of Fire: Under investigation
Area Vegetation: Grass, Pinyon Juniper and Mixed Conifer
Acres Burned: 30,000
Ownership(s): State
Structures Threatened: Read More

More Scenes From 2018 Master Garden Tour

Paul and Nancy Arendt and friends Saturday visiting one of the five homes in White Rock on the 2018 Master Garden Tour that also included the grounds of the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road in Los Alamos. Photo by Felicia Orth

A garden path to a great view. Photo by Felicia Orth

Larry Deaven giving penstemon tour at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Photo by Felicia Orth

Scene from the 2018 Master Garden Tour Saturday. Photo by Felicia Orth

Scene from the 2018 Master Garden Tour Saturday. Photo by Felicia Orth

View of one part of the PEEC penstemon gardens. Photo by Felicia Orth

Blue buckle penstemon. Read More

County Celebrates National Trails Day

In recognition of National Trails Day, Los Alamos County Recreation Leader Eric Hill hosts a booth Saturday afternoon at the Canyon Rim Trailhead. The Los Alamos County Fire Department issued Stage III Fire Restrictions Friday, which prohibits access to unpaved trail systems within the County; however, Hill pointed out that paved trails are still available for use. Local paved trails include the Canyon Rim Trail, La Mesa Trail near East Park and the paved area at Overlook Park in White Rock. Hill provided bottled water, otter pops, buttons and other items to trail users. He said this is the first Read More

Los Alamos Middle School Students Collect Data At East Jemez River For Watershed Watch Project

 Josh Duran, left, Megan Rains, Miranda Lopez, Lindsey Thalman, Zayda Rodriquez and Karl Sinkula. Courtesy photo
 
From left, Elizabeth Adams, Ashley Hammond, Senna Luke, Carlos Herrera from Riversource, Inc. and Andrew Johnson. Courtesy photo
 
LAPS News:
 
Teachers who work at Los Alamos Public Schools truly go above and beyond to provide fun and informative lessons for their students. Megan Rains, a 7th grade science teacher at Los Alamos Middle School, is one such teacher.
 
In the fall and spring semesters of this school year, Rains took a group of students
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