Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

Secretary Of Defense Reviews Plutonium Operations At Los Alamos National Laboratory

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 28, 2016

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, center, Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan, right and Bob Webster, Principal Associate Director for Weapons Programs, today in the pit casting area of the Laboratory’s Plutonium Facility 4 (PF-4), the nation’s only plutonium science, technology and manufacturing center. ‘A strong plutonium science and manufacturing capability is essential to the U.S. nuclear deterrent and cannot be underestimated,’ Carter said. ‘I want to express my sincere appreciation for the difficult and vitally important work done Read More

Deep Moonquakes Reveal Thickness Of Lunar Crust

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 28, 2016

Photo of the Moon. Courtesy/NASA

LANL News:

Charlotte Rowe of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Geophysics group and collaborators from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have reported the first use of the seismic interferometry technique applied to study the internal structure of the Moon. The Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets published the research and featured it as an Editor’s Highlight.

During the NASA Apollo missions, astronauts installed seismometers on the near side of the Moon to record moonquakes.

Summit Garden Club Meets Oct. 3

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 28, 2016

SGC News:

The Summit Garden Club will hold its next meeting at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at the home of Club President Shelby Redondo, 390 Manhattan Loop in Los Alamos.

The meeting will start with a program on Outdoor Lighting. Shirley Carter, Summit Club member and retired landscaper, will speak on light from a landscape architect’s point of view. Electrician Patrick Connolly will speak on the best products, recent code changes, and most frequently made mistakes.

The public is invited to the program as well as stay for refreshments

SFCC Recognized For Green Practices

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 28, 2016

SFCC News:

SANTA FE ― Santa Fe Community College has been awarded an honorable mention in Second Nature’s Higher Education Climate Leaders Competition.

The award is a partnership between Second Nature and the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It recognizes higher education institutions that create a sustainable environment and incorporate green practices on their campuses and in the curriculum.

A leader in clean energy and sustainability, in 2007, SFCC became a Charter Signatory to the Carbon Commitment (formerly known as

Eco Station And Overlook Convenience Center Closed On Columbus Day Oct. 10

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 28, 2016

COUNTY News:

The Eco Station will be closed Monday, Oct. 10 in observance of Columbus Day. No trash or recycling will be collected.

For residents whose collection day falls on Monday, trash and recycle will be collected Wednesday, Oct. 12.

The Overlook Convenience Center also will be closed Monday, Oct. 10.

Operating hours will resume Tuesday, Oct. 11 for both services.

Direct question to 505.662.8163. Read More

Public Field Trips Underway On SFNF

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 27, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is planning seven field trips this fall as part of the revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).

This Forest Plan will guide management for all resources throughout the forest for the next 10 to 15 years. These trips will give members of the public the opportunity to see resources on the ground and have conversations with SFNF resource specialists. The field trips will launch discussions on what should go into the Draft Forest Plan, which will be written over the next year.

DOE Awards Support Service Contract

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 26, 2016

DOE News:

CINCINNATI, Ohio ― The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the award of an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract to Boston Government Services, LLC (BGS), of Lenoir City, Tennessee.

BGS is a small-disadvantaged business under the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Program. The contract will have a maximum value of $4 Million over four years. Firm-fixed-price and time and material task orders will be issued from the basic contract.

The contractor will provide support services to the Office of Environmental Management

Managed Fires On SFNF Meet Objectives

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 26, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest have completed operations on both the 329-acre 138 Fire on the Jemez Ranger District and the 700-acre Cuerno Fire on the Coyote Ranger District.

Both the 138 and Cuerno Fires were lightning-caused and presented opportunities to capitalize on natural ignitions to achieve multiple objectives on the landscape.

Objectives for both fires included:

mitigating the risk of high-intensity destructive wildfires by reducing excess fuels, including ponderosa pine litter, dried grasses, and dead

Secretary Moniz Announces Removal Of All Highly Enriched Uranium From Poland

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 26, 2016

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

DOE News:

NNSA Helps Poland Become 31st Country Plus Taiwan to Be HEU-free

VIENNA – At the 60th IAEA General Conference, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz has announced that the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), in cooperation with Poland, the Russian Federation and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has successfully repatriated 61 kilograms of Russian-origin highly enriched uranium (HEU) from the Maria Research Reactor in Otwock-Swierk, Poland.

The shipment removes the last known HEU Read More

Home Efficiency Expo Shares Ideas Saturday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 25, 2016

Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities’ James Alarid and Angelica Gurule show off energy saving goodies at their booth at the Home Efficiency Expo Saturday at UNM-Los Alamos. DPU sponsored the event, which showcased ways to be more energy efficient at home. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

A representative from SunPower talks with a visitor about solar power. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

A vender shares information at the Expo. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Hazmat Incident On Interstate 25

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 23, 2016

NMSP News:

Around 8 a.m. Thursday, New Mexico State Police handled a hazmat incident on Interstate 25 at mile marker 257 northbound involving a commercial vehicle leaking liquid oxygen.

A State Police officer on patrol noticed the vehicle leaking fluid and initiated a traffic stop. After initial contact, both northbound and southbound I-25 lanes were closed as a precaution due to the potentially hazardous chemical.

Officers determined the cause for the leak was an issue with a safety valve on the commercial vehicle. A hazmat crew arrived and the chemicals were removed and the scene was rendered Read More

DOE Releases Final Request For Proposal For Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 23, 2016

DOE News:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Final Request for Proposal (RFP) Thursday for the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract (LLCC) acquisition.

A contract that primarily includes cost-plus-award-fee contract line items for the purpose of continuing the legacy cleanup mission is anticipated. The RFP provides for full and open competition, and the RFP includes requirements for meaningful work to be performed by small business concerns.

The total estimated value of the contract is approximately $1.7B over the prospective ten-year and three months period of performance,

Daily Postcard: Asters Explode Across Los Alamos

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 23, 2016

Daily Postcard: An explosion of Asters color the landscape this month across Los Alamos and White Rock. Asters are the grande finale to the perennial garden, displaying vibrant fall colors in shades of pink, purple, blue and white. They also are one of the last great feeding opportunities for bees, butterflies and other pollinators – finegardening.com. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Introducing The Daily Minor Planet: Delivering The Latest Asteroid News

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 22, 2016

CfA News:

Have you ever wondered what piece of cosmic debris is whizzing past the Earth right now? Do you crave up-to-the-minute information about asteroids large and small? Well you’re in luck because today you can subscribe to a new service: the Daily Minor Planet.

Developed through a partnership between scientists at the Minor Planet Center and volunteers from the Oracle Corporation, the Daily Minor Planet will deliver reports on the latest asteroid happenings straight to your inbox.

“Most people don’t realize how common asteroid flybys are,” said Matt Holman, director

SFNF Waives Fees For National Public Lands Day; Activities Include Trail Work, Kids’ Event In Cuba

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 22, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will waive fees at many recreation sites and amenities Sept. 24, 2016, as part of the 23rd annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD).

The largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands, NPLD is a great opportunity to encourage people to enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate our national forests and other public lands.

Fees at all national forests and grasslands will be waived at many day-use sites, such as picnic grounds, non-reserve campgrounds and developed trailheads. Day-use

Kiwanis Club Of Los Alamos Funds Another Season Of Family Nights At The Nature Center

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 22, 2016

Melissa Mackey teaches kids how to roast marshmallows, make musical instruments, and share stories around the campfire the second Tuesday of the month. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

Thanks to the generosity of the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos, families can continue to enjoy free, monthly family nights with Melissa Mackey at the Los Alamos Nature Center.

Family nights are 5:30 p.m., the second Tuesday of every month and feature games, songs, stories and more.

Linda Daly, head of the Boys’ and Girls’ Committee of the Kiwanis Club, says,

Mesa Potrero Prescribed Burn Planned On Coyote Ranger District

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 22, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest are planning to conduct the Mesa Potrero pile burn on the Coyote Ranger District.

Ignitions on the 470-acre fire, located 7 miles northwest of Coyote, could begin as early as Sept. 22 and run through Dec. 31, 2016. That window is dependent on favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts.

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These fires

Free Home Efficiency Expo UNM-LA Saturday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 21, 2016

COUNTY News:

Home owners and renters alike are invited to attend the second annual Home Efficiency Expo on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Hosted by the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities, this free event will focus on saving energy, water and money. Citizens are encouraged to drop in between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at UNM-Los Alamos, Student Center, Building 2 located at 4000 University Dr. in Los Alamos.

More than a dozen exhibitors will highlight water- and energy-efficient tips, retrofits and upgrades to improve the efficiency of one’s home and landscaping. Citizens will learn about renewable Read More

Macek: Snakes Need Our Protection

Submitted by Chris Clark on September 21, 2016

Non venomous adult bull snake and baby bull. Courtesy photo

By JAN MACEK

Los Alamos

“If you talk with the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them, you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys.” ― Chief Dan George (1899-1981)

A decade ago, on September 4, Steve Irwin (known as the Crocodile Hunter) died in a very freakish accident. Some may criticize his methods but no one did more to educate the masses on reptiles and their plight around the world. His love, compassion

Tips To Manage Waste To Minimize Bear Encounters

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 21, 2016

One of Dr. Kathleen Ramsey’s bear cubs enjoying delicious fruit donated from Los Alamos residents. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Bears have been making their way into residential areas in Los Alamos because of lack of food in the wild and ease of getting it out of trash roll carts.

Here are some safe practices for managing waste to minimize encounters with bears:

Avoid luring bears on to your property by maintaining any fallen fruit; bring it here to the ECO Station and help donate to Dr. Kathleen Ramsay’s bear cubs at her rehab center.
Stock up for the winter and preserve fruit by canning or drying fruit.

LOS ALAMOS

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