State

Udall: Time to Reform ‘Broken’ Chemical Safety Law

by

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Senate should build on bipartisan agreement and pass law to protect Americans from dangerous chemicals

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a hearing of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udal, D-N.M., urged his colleagues to work together to pass major bipartisan legislation to protect Americans from toxic chemicals.

 

Udall, who chairs the EPW Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health, has been leading a bipartisan effort with Senator David Vitter (R-La.) to update and replace the federal government’s Read More

Back-to-School Tax Free Holiday Aug. 2-4

by

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE– Gov. Susana Martinez urges New Mexicans to take advantage of the upcoming Back-To-School Tax Free Holiday this weekend.

Martinez says parents, teachers, and students can purchase school supplies, clothing, computers, and other back-to- school items, without paying gross receipts tax. The Ninth Annual Tax Free Holiday starts 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2 and ends midnight Sunday, Aug. 4.

“The beginning of the school year can be an expensive time for parents, teachers and students,” Martinez said. “In these challenging economic times, this weekend Read More

Aerial Mulching and Channel Clearing Begins on Tres Lagunas Burned Area

by

Tres Lagunas burn area. Courtesy/SFNF

 

BAER News:

PECOS – Monday, July 29, Salmon River Helicopters began aerial rehabilitation operations.

Straw mulch was dropped by helicopter on top of seed and in other areas. The straw mulch holds moisture in place, which aids in seed sprouting and slows water flow. In addition to providing forest regrowth, the treatments help reduce rain runoff. However, hydrology modeling indicates that many areas within or downstream from the fire burn scar will experience twice as much flooding for several years during annual monsoons. 

Private land Read More

Governor: Tourism Up 3rd Straight Year

by

STATE News:

  • 2012 Saw Large Increases In Tourism Spending Leading To Solid Job Growth in Hospitality and Leisure Sectors

 

ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Susana Martinez announced Monday that New Mexico tourism has increased for the 3rd straight year, causing tourism spending and jobs in New Mexico to surpass pre-recession levels.

 

In 2012, direct tourism spending is estimated to have increased 7 percent to a record $5.9 billion. As new tourism dollars flow into the state, new jobs have been added at an increasing rate. In June, Tourism jobs increased to their highest levels ever with Read More

Eagle Scout Project Removes Radio Tower at Bandelier National Monument

by

Scouts disassembling radio tower for recycling. Courtesy/NPS

NPS News:
 
On a recent Saturday morning, members of Los Alamos Boy Scout Troop 22 removed a radio tower on the mesa top along N.M. 4 near the Bandelier National Monument entrance.
 
Due to improvements in the Bandelier radio system, the antenna had become obsolete, and was one more 21st-century object that no longer had to clutter up the scenery. It was 70 feet tall and had been installed securely, with concrete around its base and strong guy wires to resist wind; this combination presented an ideal challenge
Read More

Udall: We Need a Functioning FEC to Reform our Campaign Finance System

by

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M. called for a functioning Federal Election Commission (FEC) to enforce federal campaign finance laws.

His remarks came during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Rules & Administration to consider President Obama’s nominees to serve on the FEC.

“As you know, I am a strong supporter of reforming our campaign finance system. I believe one important step is to have a functioning FEC, where all six seats are filled with commissioners in terms that haven’t expired. Regrettably, that hasn’t been the case for quite a while,”
Read More

Friday’s Record Storm Event – Thoughts, Historical Wind Data

by

Courtesy photo

By Kerry Jones, NOAA

ALBUQUERQUE – I was at the office during Friday’s severe wind/flash flood event working the aviation/fire weather desk and it was arguably the most surreal moment of my career not related to wildfire.

Given the number of large outdoor events that were underway, it’s truly remarkable that there were no fatalities. The scenes at the zoo and Isleta Amphitheater were truly disheartening; scenes that, through our strong partnerships and continued outreach/communication Read More

Frijoles Canyon Expected to Re-Open After Flood Event

by

Bandelier’s Entrance Road is covered in mud. Photo by Luke Gommermann/NPS

Mud and debris flow into parking lot. Photo by Luke Gommermann/NPS

BNM News:

Around 11:45 p.m. Thursday, July 25, law enforcement rangers began receiving warnings that heavy rains would soon cause flooding in Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier National Monument. 

“Staff drove down into the canyon to make sure protection was in place including closing a gate that protects Bandelier’s Visitor Center from high water, “Chief Ranger Tom Betts said. 

By 12:30 a.m., staff observed water flowing into the canyon Read More

Governor Celebrates LANL’s 70th Anniversary Today

by

Gov. Susana Martinez

 

LANL News:

 

Gov. Susana Martinez will help celebrate Los Alamos National Laboratory’s 70th Anniversary with lab employees, their families and retirees. 

 

Tours will be offered to more than a dozen of the laboratory’s unique facilities and a picnic event will feature several musical groups.

 

What: Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Los Alamos National Laboratory 

 

Who: Gov. Susana Martinez, LANL employees, families, retirees

 

Where: Los Alamos High School, Football Field, 1300 Diamond Dr.

 

When: Saturday, Read More

Valles Caldera Birthday Celebration This Weekend

by

 East Fork of the Jemez in the Valles Caldera from the air. Photo by Greg Kendell/ladailypost.com

VALLES CALDERA News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS–The Valles Caldera National Preserve will host the Jemez Valley Storytelling Jamboree 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 27 and 28 at the Valle Grande staging area located just inside the Preserve’s main entrance.

There is no admission charge to attend the jamboree, so bring your family and friends for a day of fun and entertainment by some of the area’s most talented storytellers.

The Jamboree will anchor the 2013 Preservation Act Celebration that will commemorate Read More