Environment

NNSA Issues Final Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement And Record Of Decision For Expanded Operations For Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) today issued its Final Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision to implement an Expanded Operations Alternative to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in the coming years.

The Record of Decision accompanies completion of LANL’s Sitewide Environmental Impact Statement, which followed the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate potential environmental impacts of three options for continuing LANL Read More

Free Well Water Testing Available To Ruidoso Residents

NMED News:

LINCOLN COUNTY — Ruidoso residents who rely on private wells for drinking water can get their water tested free of charge this Saturday, March 28, through a joint event hosted by the New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Department of Health.

Testing will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at 2917 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, NM 88345. The event is free to the first 100 participants or while supplies last. Well water tests typically cost about $150. 

Residents must bring their own water samples to the event.

Well water tests typically cost about $150 but will be free to the first Read More

Forest Service: Reducing Fuels On Steep Slopes

Helicopter logging is a critical resource for reducing stand density across the significantly overgrown North Yuba project area. Bringing forests back to a more resilient state will allow trees to grow larger and healthier, reduce wildfire risk and improve wildlife habitat. Photo by Lauren Faulkenberry/Forest Service

USDA News:

Tahoe National Forest’s North Yuba watershed is a highly productive water source for downstream residents and the agricultural industry across northern California. Although it is the largest continuous unburned landscape in the Central Sierras, it is also Read More

Wildfire Notification: Unified Fire In Valencia County

NMFD News:

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico.  

Update: The Unified Fire was discovered at approximately 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 23 near Madrone, east of Interstate 25 and south of Rio Communities in Valencia County. The fire is active and running through bosque fuels including grass, brush, and timber. Fire crews are employing a full suppression strategy during this initial attack response period. 

Multiple structures are threatened and smoke is visible from I-25 and the surrounding Read More

Future Outlook For CDT Southern Terminus

CDTC News:

SANTA FE — Deep in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, previously quiet places are receiving new attention. Namely, access to the southern terminus of Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) in southern New Mexico has undergone numerous changes during the past year, resulting in new infrastructure and requiring additional planning for some travelers. 

Last summer, management of lands encompassing the CDT southern terminus monument was transferred from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca with the creation of the New Mexico National Read More

Final Update For Nacimiento Wildfire—Now 100% Contained

Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

Location: The wildfire is in the Cuba Ranger District, south of New Mexico State Road 126 and the Nacimiento Mine 

Start Date: March 22, 2026

Size: 18 acres 

Containment: 100 % 

Cause: Under investigation 

Vegetation: Burning in oak, ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, and Douglas fir.  

Resources: 60 personnel  

Highlights: Fire crews remain actively engaged using a direct extinguishment strategy on the 18‑acre wildfire. On Sunday, firefighters, supported by large airtankers dropping retardant, were able to stop the fire’s forward progress. Handlines, along Read More

Daily Postcard: Colorful Red-naped Sapsucker Spotted Friday In Upper Water Canyon

Daily Postcard: A colorful Red-naped Sapsucker was spotted on Friday morning in Upper Water Canyon. Red-naped Sapsuckers are often seen during the spring and fall. They drill holes in trees in very neatly spaced rows, leaving the holes to fill with sap and then return periodically to drink the sap that has oozed out. Source: PEEC Bird Guide https://peecnature.org/learn/nature-guides/bird-guide/. Photo by Marc Bailey Read More