Environment

Little Joe II Rocket Restoration Project Launches At New Mexico Museum Of Space History In Alamogodo

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NMMSH News:

ALAMOGORDO — The New Mexico Museum of Space History (NMMSH) is refurbishing the shining star of its Rocket Park, Little Joe II. This restoration will bring it back to its original glory. During this time, the Rocket Park at New Mexico Museum of Space History at 3198 N.M. 200 in Alamogordo and the nearby playground will be temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety of everyone. However, this also presents a unique opportunity for our visitors to witness the meticulous restoration process, a privilege not many get to experience.

Received by the museum in 1985, Little Joe II Read More

McQuiston: Why You’re In A Wildfire Area … Even If You Don’t Have A Single Tree On Your Property … A Common Misunderstanding

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
It’s easy to assume that if you don’t live in the woods, you’re safe from wildfires. After all, your yard might be mostly gravel, your trees are sparse, and you’re nowhere near the forest line. But wildfire risk doesn’t stop where the trees end — and that’s one of the biggest misconceptions many homeowners in New Mexico face.
Wildfire danger isn’t just about trees or dense vegetation. It’s about wind, embers, and defensible space.
When a wildfire burns—even miles away—it throws off burning embers that can travel up to
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New Mexico Environment Department Announces That Chromium Plume From Los Alamos National Laboratory Migrates Onto Pueblo De San Ildefonso Land

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NMED News:

A toxic chromium plume from Los Alamos National Laboratory has spread beyond lab boundaries onto Pueblo de San Ildefonso land for the first time, with contamination levels exceeding state groundwater standards, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) announced today.

Recent groundwater sampling conducted by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) found hexavalent chromium, a toxic and carcinogenic substance, at levels ranging from 53 to 72.9 micrograms per liter (ug/l), depending on the depth sampled. The ground water Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Prepares For Pile Burns

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SFNF News:

          • Favorable weather conditions are in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is planning prescribed fire pile burns, pending all required approvals. SFNF estimates this work to continue through the winter as weather conditions allow.

Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim of reducing flammable fuels. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather and wind, and resource availability. SFNF Read More

County Has Plan For Improving Athletic Ball Fields

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These images show how the North Mesa and White Rock athletic fields look now versus how an artificial turf feasibility study proposes they could look in the future. Click here for more detailed images. Courtesy/LAC

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post 
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Turf that is neatly trimmed, perfectly leveled and colored a single shade of green could be in the future for several athletic fields on North Mesa and in Overlook Park. Not because of some breakthrough in sod botany but because Los Alamos County installs artificial turf.

If the County follows through on this project, Read More

Public Comment Period Open For Draft Revisions To VW Beneficiary Mitigation Plan For State Of New Mexico

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NMED News:

The New Mexico Environment Department (Department) is seeking public comment on proposed draft revisions to the Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Plan for New Mexico. The Plan summarizes the state’s goals for the expenditure of the $17,982,660.90 allocated under the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries (Trust). The Trust funds allow the state the opportunity to offset (mitigate) the impact of excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions caused by Volkswagen’s (VW) use of illegal defeat devices in affected diesel vehicles registered within Read More