Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

Thief Steals Wooden Passport Post To Pajarito Plateau

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 24, 2016

Someone stole this wooden post in Acid Canyon for PEEC’s Passport to the Pajarito Plateau program. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

A thief has stolen the wooden post in Acid Canyon for PEEC’s Passport to the Pajarito Plateau program.

PEEC will replace the post as soon as the announcement plates are remade. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the police at 505.662-8222.

Information about the Passport to the Pajarito Plateau program: www.peecnature.org/passport.

Starting April 23, the Passport to the Pajarito Plateau is a fun program to get families outside, Read More

Daily Postcard: Happy Earth Day!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 23, 2016

Daily Postcard: Wonder where this butterfly was hiding out Monday? Quemazon … looks like spring is here! Photo by Trisha Ancell Read More

PEEC Earns Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 23, 2016

PEEC News:

On Earth Day, April 22, Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) accepted a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for environmental education and outreach.

The award ceremony was held at the Rio Grande Nature Center, where awardees accepted recognition of excellence in one of seven environmental categories: water resource protection, resource stewardship, wildlife and ecosystem stewardship, environmental education and outreach, youth projects, environmental leader of the year, or lifetime achievement. The Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards Read More

Arborist Laural Hardin Talks About Trees Sunday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 23, 2016

Arborist Laural Hardin answer tree questions at PEEC Sunday. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

Selecting the right tree for one’s yard and the best location to plant it has more impact on the landscape than one might realize. Understanding what the tree needs to thrive and whether it may cause future plumbing problems can save home owners time, stress, and money down the road.

Join Laural Hardin 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, April 24 at the Los Alamos Nature Center to discover the important questions to ask when shopping for a tree and learn how to select the right tree for the right place.

Hardin is a Read More

Udall Presses EPA Administrator On Reimbursements, Compensation For Gold King Mine Spill

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 22, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall urged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to move more quickly to respond to requests for reimbursements and process tort compensation claims by Navajo Nation residents and other New Mexicans harmed by the devastating release of toxic water from the Gold King Mine in Colorado.

Speaking at the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, Udall, the lead Democrat on the subcommittee, told McCarthy that it’s unacceptable that

Pajarito Astronomers Hold Dark Night May 7

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 22, 2016

PA News:

The Pajarito Astronomers will be holding a County-Sponsored Dark Night at 8 p.m. (sunset,) Saturday, May 7 at Spirio Soccer Field, Overlook Park.

Weather permitting, the public is invited to come out, wander among the telescopes, and star gaze. The planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn and its rings will be visible. There will be a tour of the spring constellations, and there will be telescope views of double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

Viewing will end before midnight. Call Steve Becker at 505.662.3252

NMED On Risks Associated With Dust Storms

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 22, 2016

NMED News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Environment Department, along with the cities of Las Cruces and Deming, and Doña Ana and Luna Counties, is advising the citizens of Doña Ana and Luna Counties of the potential risks associated with dust storms.

A combination of weather conditions, features of the natural environment, and human activity can contribute to high levels of windblown dust, or dust storms. High winds can raise large amounts of dust from areas of dry, loose, exposed soil. In the Doña Ana and Luna County area, high winds are most common during the spring.

Doña Ana and Luna Counties Read More

NASA Tweets Out Purple Nebula In Honor Of Prince

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 22, 2016

NASA shared an image Thursday afternoon of a purple nebula to honor Prince. https:////go.nasa.gov/1r2pT3W Courtesy/NASA

CARVER COUNTY News:

Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson has released a press release on the sudden death of artist Prince. He said that at about 9:43 a.m. today, sheriff’s deputies responded to a medical call at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minn.

When deputies and medical personnel arrived, they found an unresponsive adult male in an elevator. First responders attempted to provide lifesaving CPR, but were unable to revive the victim. He was pronounced Read More

Closer Than Ever To Establishing New Wilderness Areas Within Río Grande del Norte National Monument

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 22, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) secured final Senate passage of their bill to establish two new wilderness areas, the Cerro del Yuta Wilderness and Rio San Antonio Wilderness, within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument northwest of Taos, New Mexico.

The legislation was included as an amendment to the Energy Policy Modernization Act, which passed the senate by a vote of 85 to 12.

“For many years now, a broad coalition

Volunteers Invited To Clean Up Broken Branches April 30

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 21, 2016

During this week’s snow storm, a resident in Western Area was awakened at 3 a.m. by a loud snap and discovered that about a fourth of his large tree had broken off and landed on his fence. Courtesy photo

COUNTY News:

Following Monday’s recent ice/snow storm, the Los Alamos County Environmental Services Division has issued a call for volunteers to help collect and dispose of branches in those areas that have already received bulk item collection on the quarterly pick up schedule.

Residents are encouraged to help with branch clean up and ask others to help in neighborhoods. Trees around Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Announces Seasonal Road Closures On Cuba, Jemez Ranger Districts

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 21, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― The Santa Fe National Forest has issued seasonal road closure orders for areas on the Cuba and Jemez Ranger Districts that are susceptible to damage under severe weather conditions. The orders are in effect until Dec. 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier.

The closures will protect public health and safety, natural resources and infrastructure during periods of extreme soil moisture and heavy snowfall. Closures usually occur in the winter months between December and May.

The closures restrict the use of any type of motorized

Environmental Sustainability Board Meets Thursday

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 20, 2016

COUNTY News:

The Envrionmental Sustainability Board will meet at 5:30 p.m.,Thursday at 1000 Central Ave., suite 110 in the Municipal Building.

Agenda:

1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

This section of the agenda is reserved for comments from the public on items that are not otherwise included in this agenda.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

8210-16 ― Approval of the March 17, 2016 and March 31, 2016 Environmental Sustainability Board Minutes

Presenters: Environmental Sustainability Board

Attachments:

Community Wildlife Habitat Event At PEEC Saturday

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 20, 2016

Photo by Selvi Viswanathan, Community Wildlife Habitat Team Member. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Volunteers at the Los Alamos Nature Center, operated by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), invite the public to recognize New Mexico’s first “Community Wildlife Habitat“ (CWH).

Los Alamos is not only the first in the state to earn this important designation, but also one of only 85 communities in the nation to receive this prestigious title.

Luisa Grant of the Washington, D.C. office of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF),

NNSA Recognizes Laboratory And Site Partners For Achievements In Environmental Innovation With 2016 Sustainability Awards

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 20, 2016

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recognized several sites across the Nuclear Security Enterprise with 2016 Sustainability Awards for innovation and excellence in environmental sustainability.

The awards recognize exemplary individual and team performance across more than a dozen categories. Laboratory and site partners are honored for achieving sustainability objectives through innovative and effective programs and projects that increase energy and water efficiency, and reduce

Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce LWCF Purchase Of Galisteo Basin Historic Sites At Burnt Corn Pueblo

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 20, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján have announced that the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will be used to promote preservation and open up access to more than 2,000 acres of land in Santa Fe County’s Galisteo Basin.

$1.5 million in LWCF funding will purchase the Burnt Corn Pueblo site, a 365-acre parcel near Santa Fe County Road. Burnt Corn Pueblo is one of 24 nationally significant archaeological sites in the basin, home to Native American and Spanish ruins.

Volunteers Needed To Clean Up Jemez Mountain Trail

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 20, 2016

JMT News:

Jemez Mountain Trail – a national scenic byway – is amping up its aesthetic appeal with a more than 30 mile cleanup effort April 23, in honor of Earth Day. Volunteers are needed.

“The drive to Jemez Springs along the idyllic Jemez Mountain Trail is beautiful any time of year, so we want to ensure that the view isn’t spoiled by trash and empty bottles dumped along the side of the road,” said Margaia Forcier-Call of Jemez Sustainable Solutions. “We encourage anyone who cares about the earth and wants to pitch in on Earth Day to head up to this beautiful region, and lend a hand.”

Beginning at 9 a.m. Read More

Udall, Heinrich Urge Action On Zika Virus, Call On Congress To Approve Emergency Funding

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have joined Senate Democrats in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran calling for immediate passage of President Obama’s emergency supplemental funding request of $1.9 billion for prevention and treatment of the Zika virus outbreak.

Specifically, the new letter calls for the Senate Appropriations committee to mark-up the president’s emergency funding request as soon as possible to ensure swift

Santa Fe National Forest Invites Public Participation In Forest Plan Revision, Wilderness Inventory

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― Nearing the midway point in the multi-year process of writing a new management plan for its 1.6 million acres, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) announced a series of upcoming public meetings to help determine if there are lands that are or are not suitable for Wilderness.

In 2012, the Forest Service updated the directives that guide the planning and management of 154 national forests and 20 grasslands. The new planning rule is intended to reflect 21st-century issues, like sustainable recreation and climate change, while encouraging