USDA Celebrates National Small Business Week
USDA Celebrates National Small Business Week
- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces $4.7 million in additional investment for rural small businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked off National Small Business Week by highlighting USDA’s actions to help rural small businesses create jobs, get access to capital and spur economic growth.
He also announced the selection of recipients for USDA’s Rural Business Enterprise Grants. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty.
“Small businesses Read More
Udall on Syria: Intervening in Another Middle Eastern Civil War Not in U.S. Interests
Sen. Tom UdallPublic Invited to Comment on STIP
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – The public is invited to comment on the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s implementation of the 2014-2017 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP.)
The program will serve as the new four year plan for the state’s federal aid highway program.
The STIP contains proposed road and bridge projects and is required by federal regulation. Projects on the list are on federal and state highways (roads with I, U.S. or NM designations.)
The NMDOT has posted the 2014-2017 STIP on the internet asking for public comment until July 18, 2013. In addition, the NMDOT Read More
Thompson Ridge Fire: Minimal Activity Expected Today as Crews Continue Rehab, Mop Up, Perimeter Patrol
Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust
Thompson Ridge Fire
Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline: Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 80 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 7 crews, 12 engines, 12 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 526 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.
Summary: For the third consecutive day, fire activity was restricted to unburned fuels within the interior where a total of four acres have burned since Friday. Minimal fire activity is expected today Read More
NM Delegation Introduces Bill to Improve Tribal Education
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON– Friday, June 14, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with Reps. Ben Ray Luján, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Steve Pearce announced they have introduced legislation to improve tribal education and preserve Native American language in schools.
Graduation rates for American Indians and Alaska Natives are less than 50 percent – lower than the graduation rates for all other ethnic groups in the United States. The Building Upon Unique Indian Learning and Development (BUILD) Act would remove barriers that tribal leaders often encounter in teaching Read More
NMDOT: Delivery of 910,000 Lb. Transformer to Cause Roadblock Tuesday
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation, State Police and Motor Transportation Police will be working together to coordinate the transport of a 910,000 lb. transformer for Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc.
The transformer will be driven on a 20’ x 290’ trailer from Santo Domingo Pueblo to Chili (north of Espanola) beginning Tuesday, June 18 and arriving at its final destination the next day. The transport trailer will take up two lanes along the route and will travel at speeds varying from 5 to 30 mph.
The transport will begin Tuesday at 9 p.m. Read More
BAER Team Assembled To Assess Fire Damage
SFNF News:
Rehabilitation of fire damage will be addressed by the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team.
Specialists of different disciplines will work with the various agencies and pueblos affected by the Thompson Ridge Fire to assess damage and recommend actions to protect the burned area and mitigate hazards.
A BAER team is established for all fires greater than 300 acres. The BAER team leader is typically selected by the Forest Supervisor in late spring, at the start of the fire season. This leader initiates action when the fire is about 60 percent contained. After quickly evaluating Read More
Isolated Thunderstorms Shower Thompson Ridge Fire Overnight – Now 80 Percent Contained – Allowing Some Crews To Return Home
Smoldering from the Thompson Ridge Fire remains visible on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust
Thompson Ridge Fire
Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 80 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 8 crews, 22 engines, 17 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 602 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.
Summary: Last night interior fuel continued to burn but no new growth or interior runs were observed. Read More
No New Growth On Thompson Ridge Fire Overnight
The sun sets Friday looking west from the Summer Concert at Ashley Pond toward the direction of the Thompson Ridge Fire. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Thompson Ridge Fire
Acres: 24,032; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 75 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 13 crews, 29 engines, 29 water tenders, 3 dozers; Total personnel: 763 and Available air support: 5 helicopters.
Summary: Last night fire activity was minimal, and there was no new growth on the fire. Read More
Udall Named Chair of Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.
U.S. Senate News:
WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Sen. Tom Udall has been named Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.
Udall was named the new to lead the subcommittee by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., Chair of the full Appropriations Committee. He succeeds Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who passed away June 3, 2013.
“As Chairman I look forward to the responsibility of ensuring taxpayers dollars are spent wisely and the interests of hardworking families in New Mexico are protected,” Udall said. “I am honored to build Read More
