Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

Spend Earth Day Working On Los Alamos Trails April 22

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

Celebrate Earth Day by helping to improve local trails with PEEC and Los Alamos County. Meet at 9 a.m. April 22 at East Park. Volunteers will work in Graduation Canyon and on the Pueblo Canyon Rim Trail. This photo shows volunteers removing fencing in Acid Canyon, below the nature center in 2017. Photo by Thomas Graves

PEEC News:

Celebrate Earth Day by working to improve local trail systems! Join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center and Los Alamos County for a spring workday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 22 in Graduation Canyon and on the Pueblo Canyon Rim Trail.

NNSA Los Alamos Field Office Completes Analysis Of Sitewide Environmental Impact Statement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

NNSA News:

The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos Field Office has completed and posted a Supplement Analysis for the 2008 “Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico” (SWEIS).

The document provides an analysis of changes in operations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) since the publication of the 2008 SWEIS, which covered the period from 2008 through 2017.

It also evaluates the continued adequacy of the 2008 SWEIS for the future of LANL operations from 2018 through 2022.

The Read More

Weekly Fishing Report: April 19

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

By GEORGE MORSE

Los Alamos Daily Post

Sports and Outdoors

The fickle spring weather has been something anglers have to deal with here in Northern New Mexico. Some days the wind blows so hard fishing is difficult at best. On others the wind is quite tolerable and may actually help the fishing by stirring up the water a bit. Mornings are usually less windy than afternoons, but Tuesday the wind was already blowing in the morning.

Last week there was a spike in the streamflow on the Rio Grande April 11 where the flow nearly tripled in just two days. This had me scratching my head. I found out the

National Parks Adventure Premieres On PEEC’s New Planetarium Projector April 21

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

The Los Alamos Nature Center is bringing the National Parks Adventure to its planetarium at 2 p.m., April 21 after the Earth Day festival and will be the first full-dome film to be shown on the new planetarium projector.

The power of America’s national parks is undeniable. Millions have packed up the family to hike through impossibly lush forests, to gaze upon towering cliffs and deep-plunging canyons, to witness the breathtaking arcs of natural history, and, to share moments of wonder amid the protected treasures of this land.

Adobe Brick Making Community Days In May

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

Get dirty in Santa Fe for four days in May at Historic Santa Fe Foundation. Courtesy photo

HSFF News:

For the first two Saturdays of the month – May 5 and May 12 – staff and volunteers will set up the hands-on workshop/demonstration in the courtyard of the Palace of the Governors with the third and fourth Saturdays – May 19 and May 26 – hosted at San Miguel Chapel.

All Saturday events will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and people of all ages are welcome to visit, ask questions and participate in making traditional adobe bricks. Cornerstones will

Los Alamos ScienceFest Discovery Day Exhibitors Register Free Until May 31

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

Scence from a ScienceFest day with attendees enjoying STEAM-related exhibits. Courtesy photo

Scence from a ScienceFest day of a STEAM exhibitor talking with a young attendee. Courtesy photo

SCIENCEFEST News:

Each year, thousands flock to Los Alamos for the three-time award-winning ScienceFest, which celebrates New Mexico’s past and present contributions to science and fosters science curiosity for future generations.

This year’s event is sponsored by New Mexico Magazine and runs July 11-15 with a “Science Rules in Los Alamos” theme.

Daily Postcard: American Robin Visits 48th Street

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

Daily Postcard: American Robin spotted perching in a tree Wednesday on 48th Street … Spring is here … maybe? Photo by Donna Reil Read More

U.S. Senate Passes ‘Kids To Parks Day’ Resolution

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded the passage of a bipartisan resolution that encourages children to get outdoors by designating May 19 National Kids to Parks Day.

First celebrated by the National Park Trust in 2011, the eighth annual Kids to Parks Day marks the beginning of a summer-long series of events at parks countrywide that promote outdoor recreation and active, healthy living.

“Our national parks and public lands are outdoor classrooms with endless

Jemez Springs Hosts Earth Day Cleanup Event, Evening Star Party April 21

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2018

JEMEZ SPRINGS News:

In honor of Earth Day, Jemez Sustainable Solutions in Jemez Springs, New Mexico is hosting its annual cleanup event 9 a.m. to noon, April 21, along the Jemez Mountain Scenic Byway, and invites the public to participate.

That evening at 8 p.m., the Village in cooperation with the Pajarito Astronomy Club will host the Village’s first star party in years. The day time clean up event will take place between the Trail House in Cañon, NM at mile marker nine – along the Jemez Mountain Scenic Byway – and continue past Jemez Springs to La Cueva,

NMED Hearing On Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Discharge Permit Slated For Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2018

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will hold a public hearing beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday at Fuller Lodge Art Center.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider Discharge Permit DP-1132 prepared in response to a discharge plan submitted by the Department of Energy and Los Alamos National Security, LLC. for the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Plant (RLWTP). Opportunities for general oral arguments or non-technical testimony from members of the public will be provided before the Read More

LANL: One Step Closer To Understanding Explosive Sensitivity With Molecule Design

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2018

LANL scientists from left, Daniel Preston, Virginia Manner and Geoff Brown prepare a drop-weight impact test on an explosive PETN derivative. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

Explosives have an inherent problem – they should be perfectly safe for handling and storage but detonate reliably on demand. Using computer modeling and a novel molecule design technique, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have replaced one “arm” of an explosive molecule to help unravel the first steps in the detonation process and better understand its sensitivity – how easily it begins a violent reaction.

“It Read More

Community Service Project At Tsankawi April 22

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2018

NPS News:

White Rock Cub Scouts Pack 326 will hold a service project at 2 p.m., April 22 at Tsankawi.

The service project includes dispersing pottery collection piles at Twankawi Ruin. This event not only showcases a local Cub Scout Troop performing a community service, but may educate the public to proper etiquette at local archaeological sites.

A Bandelier archaeologist will be at the event to help educate Cub Scouts on the importance of the project.

Daily Postcard: Springtime Pear Tree Blossoms

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2018

Daily Postcard: Springtime pear tree blossoms blooming in Los Alamos. Photo by Corrina Hughes

Photo by Corrina Hughes Read More

LANL’s Highest Honor Bestowed On Four Scientists

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 17, 2018

Winners of the Los Alamos Medal, the Laboratory’s highest honor, from left, Larry Deaven, Robert Moyzis, Scott Cram and Howard Menlove. Courtesy/LANL

Laboratory Director Terry C. Wallace, Jr., presents Howard Menlove with the Los Alamos Medal. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

Los Alamos Medal Awardees Honored For Exceptional Work

Four Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists were honored at the Los Alamos Medal ceremony Thursday, April 12, for their distinguished achievements that have impacted the success of the Laboratory, and consequently the nation, either through mission accomplishments Read More

BLM Announces Emergency Fire Prevention Restrictions For Santa Fe County

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 17, 2018

BLM News:

TAOS ― The Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office is initiating emergency fire prevention restrictions on public lands managed by the Taos Field Office in Santa Fe County, beginning today, due to high fire potential.

The restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

“We are joining our county and federal partners in these actions in efforts to protect lives and property,” BLM Taos Field Manager Pamela Mathis said.

Prohibited Acts include:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal,

Earth Day Festival At Nature Center Saturday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 17, 2018

Fun and entertainment for all ages is available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday at PEEC’s Earth Day Festival at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Pajarito Environmental Education Center’s (PEEC’s) signature event, the annual Earth Day Festival, is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Los Alamos Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Road.

The festivities include delicious food, demos of the brand new planetarium projector, fun activities and exciting entertainment.

Many community booths will provide all kinds of activities and information to celebrate Read More

Interior Department Releases Comprehensive List Of First Quarter 2018 Accomplishments

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 17, 2018

From The U.S. Department of the Interior:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of the Interior has released a comprehensive list of 2018 first quarter accomplishments that the Department has achieved under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke.

“Under the Trump Administration, Interior has made incredible strides in creating a conservation stewardship legacy, modernizing our infrastructure, helping combat opioid addiction, securing the southern border, and so much more,” Secretary Zinke said. “The Department is doing a Read More

Special Dinner At Bandelier Features ‘The Edge Effect: Re-Imagining The East Jemez Landscape’ April 27

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 17, 2018

PEEC News:

The community is invited to join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Bandelier National Monument and artists Kathleen Brennan and Shawn Skabelund for a special evening event at Bandelier National Monument.

Get a unique tour of the art installation The Edge Effect: re-Imagining the East Jemez Landscape and enjoy a dinner catered by Santa Fe’s Jambo Café with beer and wine included. This dinner is 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 27.

This dinner is serving as a fundraiser for the East Jemez Landscape Futures Project, which will be discussed

Area Snowpack And Streamflows Going Fast

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 17, 2018

Snowpack April 23, 2017 along US Highway 64. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.com

Snowpack April 15, 2018 along US Highway 64. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.com

By GEORGE MORSE

Los Alamos Daily Post

Sports and Outdoors

A recent trip across the high country of Northern New Mexico on US Highway 64 between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla provided a sobering picture of the effects of the dry winter that has recently ended and it wasn’t pretty. It stood in sharp contrast to last year’s above-average snowpack and healthy spring runoff.

The beautiful Rio Tusas river valley Read More