Environment

County: Winter Sidewalk Guidelines

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 7, 2016
County reminds residents that it is important to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Courtesy photo
 
COUNTY News:
 
During the winter months, the County would like to remind residents that it is important to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice so that they remain pass­able for postal workers, children walking to school and others who need to use them.
 
When possible, and depend­ing upon available resources, County crews will conduct sidewalk-clearing operations by removing snow first from the adopted “safe routes to school” and then move to other selected sidewalks. The
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County Issues Winter Driving Safety Tips

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 6, 2016

Los Alamos County issues winter driving safety tips. Courtesy photo

 

COUNTY News:

Winter weather is here, and the County would like to remind residents of some important safety considerations for motorists to take in order to make their travel as safe as possible.

Motorists are encour­aged to equip their vehi­cles with chains and/or snow tires and carry a con­tainer of sand and a shovel in their vehicle. Additionally, motorists should make sure their vehicle is ready for winter driving by making sure the washer fluid reservoir is topped off with washer fluid that is winter rated, the windshield Read More

Join Local Birders In The 117th Annual Christmas Bird Count Dec. 17

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 5, 2016
Enthusiastic bird watchers. Photo courtesy of Beth Cortright
 
PEEC News:
 
In the 1800’s, many in North America participated in a common holiday tradition of going out on Christmas day and competing to kill as many birds as possible.
 
At the turn of the 20th century, American ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested that perhaps it would be a better idea to simply count the birds rather than shoot them. Chapman enlisted the help of 26 like-minded bird enthusiasts and in December of 1900 held the first annual Christmas Bird Count.
 
For the last 116 years, the National
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Amateur Naturalist: The Forests Of The Cerros Del Abrigo

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 5, 2016
Grasses growing among burnt tree trunks at the start of the Cerro Del Abrigo trail. Photo by Robert Dryja
 
PEEC Amateur Naturalist: The forests of the Cerros Del Abrigo
By Robert Dryja
 
Clear cut logging in the early 1970’s left a large area of the Cerros Del Abrigo a blank slate for plant regeneration.
 
From this starting point different trees and grasses started to regrow. Three variables affecting the regeneration were: (1) the steepness of a slope; (2) more or less moisture; and (3) more or less soil available for growth. The Las Conchas forest fire created another
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DOE Secretary: U.S. Commits To IAEA Monitoring For Six Metric Tons Of Plutonium Disposition

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 5, 2016

U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz

DOE News:

VIENNA – At an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz today announced the United States is embarking on an effort to dilute and dispose of six metric tons of excess plutonium from the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, and that the United States is prepared to work with the IAEA in 2017 to develop a monitoring and verification plan for the disposition process.

Below are Secretary Moniz’ remarks at the conference, which begin with a message from President Obama to the conference:

“Let me start Read More

NM Natural Resource Trustee & U.S. Fish & Wildlife Seeking Public Comment

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 5, 2016
USFWS News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― The New Mexico Office of Natural Resources Trustee and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (collectively, the Trustees) seek public comment on the Draft Addendum to the Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (RP/EA) for the Chino, Cobre and Tyrone Mine Facilities in Southwestern New Mexico.
 
The trustees have completed an evaluation of wildlife and wildlife habitat restoration projects that were proposed after holding an informational meeting in Silver City Oct. 21, 2015, which reopened the restoration
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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Welcomes Decision To Reject Easement For Dakota Access Pipeline

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 5, 2016
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, the incoming vice chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to reject the current route for the Dakota Access Pipeline and explore alternatives:
 
“I appreciate the president and the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision today to deny an easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing under Lake Oahe in North Dakota and to explore alternate routes. Over the last seven months, thousands of people, including Indian nations from
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Tussock Moth Outbreak On Santa Fe National Forest Appears To Be Almost Over

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2016
SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― The defoliation of Douglas-fir and White fir on several thousand acres on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest appears to be coming to a natural end. 
 
In August, specialists from Forest Health Protection out of the Forest Service’s Southwestern Regional Office in Albuquerque documented an outbreak of the Douglas-fir tussock moth (DFTM), a native defoliating insect that feeds on the trees’ needles, in the Cañada de los Alamos area near Shaggy Peak. 
 
In the most heavily affected areas, defoliation ranged
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WIPP: Ground Control Progress In Panel 7

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 3, 2016
An Underground Operations employee, wearing anti-contamination clothing and a respirator, installs bolts in Panel 7 of the WIPP underground. Courtesy photo
 
WIPP News:
 
Underground operations personnel installed 360 bolts in one recent week – doubling the previous weekly record.
 
The significant progress made in ground control maintenance over the past several weeks in the WIPP underground has exceeded expectations. Ground control is important to ensure safe working conditions for resuming waste emplacement.
 
“The performance of our underground
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New Mexico’s Bees – Abundant, Beautiful, And Overlooked – Nature Center Talk Dec. 6

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 3, 2016
Dr. Olivia Carril

 
PEEC News:
 
Few people know that close to 4,000 species of bees can be found in North America, and that is only one intriguing aspect of these diverse insects.
 
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Dr. Olivia Carril will reveal the complexities of bees, how to attract them, and ways to identify these small, fascinating insects. This is a free talk at the Los Alamos Nature Center.
 
Bees provide an essential ecosystem service in their role as pollinators, yet few know that that there are roughly 1,000 species of bees in New Mexico. They include specialists, ones
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Gallinas Watershed Prescribed Burn Continues On Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 3, 2016
SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest plan to continue the Gallinas Watershed prescribed burn next week, focusing on a 180-acre block in the Las Dispensas area and a 1,120-acre unit on Johnson Mesa. 
 
Ignitions may begin Monday, Dec. 5, if conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, are favorable and may continue through Thursday, Dec. 8.
 
The Gallinas Watershed, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM, is a priority for forest restoration, including prescribed
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Public Meeting Notice: Replacement Wastewater Treatment Plant In White Rock

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 2, 2016

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

White Rock, New Mexico

Los Alamos County White Rock Water Resource Recovery Facility Project

Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Time: 4:00 – 7:00pm

Place: White Rock Branch Library, 10 Sherwood Blvd., White Rock, NM 87544

Agenda: 4:00 – 4:30pm – Open House

4:30 – 5:30pm – Presentation

5:30 – 6:30pm – Question and answer session

Purpose: Los Alamos County is in the process of rehabilitating and replacing the existing White Rock Water Resource Recovery Facility. The project is proposed to begin design in early 2017. Several alternative methods are under consideration Read More

Ski Season Opens On Pajarito Mountain Saturday!

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 2, 2016
Pajarito Mountain making snow Nov. 30. Courtesy photo
 
PM News:
 
Pajarito Mountain kicks off ski season this Saturday, Dec. 3 with top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding on the Aspen Lift with access to Bruce’s Boulevard, and Lone Spruce. Additional terrain may be available as conditions permit, including beginner terrain.
 
“Pajarito picked up eight inches of fresh snow with this latest storm and our snowmaking team has been very productive with our snowmaking efforts recently so we’ll open with top-to-bottom skiing,” stated Tom Long, general manager
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Jemez Ranger District Conducts Thompson Ridge Prescribed Burn

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 2, 2016
SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest are conducting the previously announced Thompson Ridge prescribed pile burn on the Jemez Ranger District.  
 
Conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, are favorable to complete the burn. The 40-acre treatment area is north of the community of Thompson Ridge off of Forest Road 106. 
 
Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These
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‘Fix-It Friday’ At Los Alamos Makers 6 p.m. Dec. 2

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 2, 2016

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

By Prisca Tiassé Yoder, PhD
www.biodidact.net

What if we fixed, re-purposed or donated our “stuff” instead of throwing it away?

Who’s got time for that, right?

Fixing, re-purposing and even donating can be an investment in time AND money. Sometimes it’s just easier to trash it…But where does it all go? Well, that is probably a loaded question.

What are the options currently available to consumers? Besides municipal recycling facilities, some grassroots efforts like “Freecycle.org” and local “Buy Nothing” Read More

School Delays, Cancellation, Early Dismissals

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 1, 2016
LAPS News:
 
Los Alamos Public Schools has issued the following message to help prepare for the winter of 2016-17:
 
Communications
  • The decision to close school or delay the start of school will usually be made by 5:30 a.m.;
  • Official announcements will be made via the media, district web page, LAPS School Messenger, the school district’s information line (505.663.2223), and each individual school line;
  • LAPS will be coordinating with LANL and the County on all decisions about a delayed start, cancellation or early dismissal;
  • In general, if the Lab is on a delay, school opening
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Eastern New Mexico Businesses Receive Energy Efficiency Funds

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 30, 2016

USDA News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner announced today two grants to Eastern New Mexico businesses to help improve their energy efficiency. 

Highland Dairy in Clovis, NM received a grant of $16,522 for the purchase and installation a chiller with heat recovery for their dairy. The chiller is expected to save 441,013 kWh which would power the equivalent of 40 homes. 

Russell’s Endee Truck & Travel Center, LLC in San Jon, NM received a grant of $18,810 for the replacement of existing equipment towards more energy efficient Read More

Los Alamos Geological Society’s 2016 Earth Treasure Show At Masonic Lodge Dec. 3-4

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 30, 2016
Participants at the 2014 Earth Treasure Show check out many varieties of rocks, minerals and other pieces on sale at the Masonic Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
 
LAGS News:
 
The Los Alamos Geological Society is hosting the 48th edition of the Earth Treasure Show at the Masonic Temple on 15th Street and Canyon Road as part of Winterfest.
 
The event is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Admission is free.
 
Activities include a children’s craft table, silent auctions, geode cutting, faceting demonstrations, educational
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