Environment

County: Be Bear Aware

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 19, 2017

This bear was spotted earlier this month roaming around Andanada Street and El Corto in Los Alamos. Photo by Ken Hanson

COUNTY News:

Bears continue to make their way into residential areas due to lack of food in the wild and ease of getting it out of trash roll carts.

If a bear does not find a food source, it will move on. However, bears that are accustomed to eating human food are more likely to become habituated and are more prone to have dangerous human encounters. Here are some safe practices for managing trash to minimize encounters with bears:

  • Keep your family, neighbors, pets, and property safe:
Read More

Quorum Notice: Environmental Sustainability Board

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 19, 2017

COUNTY News:

Members of the Environmental Sustainability Board may attend a Recycle Audit, 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 22 and Sept. 29 in White Rock.

A quorum may be present but no action will be taken. 

The meeting is open to the public. Read More

Special Astronomy And Climate Show And New Film At Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 19, 2017
Chick Keller will share relationships between climate and astronomy during a presentation Sept. 22 at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Courtesy photo
 
PEEC News:
 
Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is planning a special planetarium show and presentation by Chick Keller at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22.
 
PEEC is also bringing in a new full-dome film Aurora Storm that will play in at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24, in the Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium. The Saturday and Sunday screenings
Read More

Udall, Heinrich Urge U.S. Trade Rep. To Support New Mexico’s Pecan Farmers, Lower Export Tariffs

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 19, 2017
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined a bipartisan group of six other senators Sept. 18 urging U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer to help New Mexico’s pecan farmers increase exports by taking action to lower the tariffs on pecan exports to India.
 
India’s current high tariffs on pecans are impacting New Mexico and American pecan farmers, and have created a trade barrier not imposed on other tree nut producers. 
 
In a letter to Lighthizer, the senators note that the current tariff on U.S.
Read More

Hard Work Pays Off On Bandelier’s Frijoles Canyon Trail

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 19, 2017

Trail volunteers using a 2-person crosscut saw to remove a fallen tree from the trail. Courtesy/NPS

Volunteers who just finished making stonework to support trail. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

One of Bandelier National Monument’s most scenic and popular trails, the Frijoles Canyon Trail between Upper Crossing and Alcove House, can now be hiked without having to climb over the huge logjams and other barriers caused by the floods following the 2011 Las Conchas Fire.  

For several years volunteer crews have been gradually working their way up the canyon, making spaces in the debris piles, Read More

DOI Announces $62 Million Construction Contract On Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 19, 2017
DOI News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Department of the Interior announced Friday that the Bureau of Reclamation is awarding a construction contract of almost $62 million for part of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project in New Mexico to increase the supply of clean drinking water to surrounding communities.
 
“This contract is a big step toward completing the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, which is a top priority as it fits into the administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said. “The project
Read More

PEEC’s Forest Explorers Program Continues This Fall

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 18, 2017
PEEC takes kids out in nature to play, hike, and be creative. Courtesy photo
 
PEEC News:
 
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC)’s popular summer program for 5 to 8 year olds will return this fall.
 
Forest Explorers, a hike-and-play club, will take children on hikes from 1-3 p.m. every other Wednesday from Oct. 4 through Dec. 13 and give kids ample time for child-directed play in nature.
 
Forest Explorers is a drop-off program that will meet at 1 p.m. every other Wednesday
Read More

NMED Confirms ‘Boil Water Advisory’ For Artesia Municipal System & Morningside Users Cooperative

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 18, 2017
NMED News:
 
SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Drinking Water Bureau (DWB) is confirming the required “boil water advisory” for the Artesia Municipal Water System and Morningside Water Users Cooperative.
 
More details about precautions in English and Spanish can be found on the DWB’s webpage at: https://www.env.nm.gov/drinking_water/boil-water-advisories/
 
Artesia Municipal Water System is required to issue the advisory today after bacteriological contamination (E. coli) was detected in repeat drinking water samples
Read More

Smoke Visible From Three Fires On SFNF

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 18, 2017
SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― Three lightning-caused fires on the Santa Fe National Forest put up visible smoke Saturday as crews keep an eye on the Beaver Creek, Deer Creek and Ojitos Fires.
 
The Ojitos Fire on the Coyote Ranger District started July 7 in a 90,000-acre block that has been cleared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for forest restoration. 
 
Fire crews have taken advantage of favorable conditions to add low-intensity fire to the ground on both sides of Forest Road 468 and on the west side of the fire perimeter to remove
Read More

Valles Caldera Hosts Fall Star Parties

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 18, 2017
NPS News:
JEMEZ SPRINGS — Valles Caldera National Preserve will be hosting two star parties this fall 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 and 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. 
 
To minimize light pollution, gates will close 1.5 hours after the event begins, so late arrivals risk not being able to participate.
 
These star parties will take place near the Valle Grande Entrance Station. Park staff and educators from the Pajarito Environmental Education Center will provide short talks, telescopes for viewing, and youth activities. Visitors
Read More

Annual Gathering Along NNM Waterways Sept. 20-23

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 18, 2017
Courtesy photo
 
CCNS News:
 
Daily on-site blessings of Northern New Mexico waters is the theme for the 21st Gathering for Mother Earth Waters, Wednesday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 23 at sites in Abiquiu, Pilar, Nambe and at the Pojoaque Pow Wow Grounds.
 
Tewa Women United and colleagues are organizing the events and invite the community to join in the blessings. Bring a sack lunch, drinking water, a chair, shade, sunscreen, and follow the blue balloons to each site. https:////tewawomenunited.org/.
 
At 10 a.m. Wednesday,
Read More

Bob Hautman Wins 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 17, 2017

Bob Hautman’s winning entry in the 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. Courtesy photo

USF&WS News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bob Hautman, an artist from Delano, Minn., is the winner of the 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. The announcement was made Saturday by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan at the annual art contest, held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at the Noel Fine Arts Center.

Hautman’s acrylic painting of a pair of mallards will be made into the 2018-2019 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or Duck Read More

DOE Announces WIPP Contract Extension

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 17, 2017

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad. Courtesy photo

WIPP News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement after the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a three-year extension to the AECOM Management and Operations Contract for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad:

“WIPP is a major contributor to the Carlsbad economy and plays a critical role in our nation’s security. The site’s success does not come from the company who manages, but rather the community that supports it, and the dedicated employees Read More

Appropriations Bill Passes With Pearce Amendments

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 17, 2017
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act of 2018, which finishes the FY18 appropriations process for the House of Representatives by providing funding levels for eight funding bills.
 
This package included two amendments by U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce that rollback excessive and duplicative regulations on the oil and gas industry. Inclusion of these amendments will greatly benefit New Mexico.
 
“New Mexico’s oil
Read More

Daily Postcard: Bear Visits Walnut Street

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 17, 2017

Daily Postcard: A bear is spotted on the hunt for a picnic basket Saturday morning on Walnut Street. Photo by Gerald Antos

Daily Postcard: A bear is spotted Saturday morning at a home on Walnut Street. Photo by Gerald Antos Read More

Back From The Brink – California Condors Talk Sept. 19

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 16, 2017
New Mexico Wildlife Center’s Executive Director Melissa Moore is part of the four-person presentation Sept. 19 at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Courtesy photo
 
PEEC News:
 
The largest bird in North America, which only existed in captivity since the 1980’s, is taking to the skies in growing numbers, and their story will be shared at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the Los Alamos Nature Center. 
 
Four condor experts, Bette Korber, Melissa Moore, Shorty Esch and Jeanne Fair, will talk about the California Condor’s story and bird science conducted at Los
Read More

Fire Suppression Now Hot Topic For National Leaders

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 16, 2017
NWTF News:
 
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation applauds Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s continual efforts to advance sportsmen’s priorities, particularly his latest secretarial order, which begins the push to end catastrophic wildfires.
 
Zinke directed all Department of the Interior bureaus, superintendents and land managers at all levels to adopt more aggressive practices to prevent and combat the spread of those catastrophic wildfires.
 
Zinke’s order also spells out how he expects those orders to be carried out, as he wants to see
Read More

Daily Postcard: Marguerite Daisies Line Trail

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 16, 2017

Daily Postcard: Yellow marguerite daisies line the Cañada del Buey Trail in White Rock. The Cañada del Buey Trail is about 2,100 feet long and begins just south of N.M. 4 east of Sherwood Boulevard and ends just west of Rover Boulevard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Search
LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems