Environment

LANL Top Science Stories Of 2021

Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy/LANL 

Staff Report

Despite the year’s many challenges (and, in some cases, because of them), there were some incredible scientific and technological innovations out of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in 2021.

Here’s a look back at just a few of them:

Mission to Mars!

Perseverance rover takes New Mexico to Mars
When NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover touched down on the surface of Mars on Feb. 18, a bit of New Mexico landed along with it, thanks to work done at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Watch this video to learn about the rover’s first two Read More

Year In Review: How LANL Made A Difference In 2021

Staff Report:

As 2021 came to an end, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) took a look back at the ways it made a difference from boosting businesses to building an economic hub:

Boosting small businesses in New Mexico

The Lab reported in February that it awarded more than $413 million in contracts to New Mexico small businesses in fiscal year 2020. That is a 43 percent increase from the previous year. Link

Triad and union craft labor collaborate to secure continued growth and partnership

Twelve labor unions signed their collective bargaining agreements Dec. 2, completing their negotiations Read More

BLM Continues Prescribed Fire Operations Near San Pedro

BLM News:

TAOS — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Taos Field Office will continue prescribed burn operations near San Pedro throughout the month of January.

The agency began burn operations in November with the intent to burn up to 200 acres near San Pedro in two units. The first unit is on BLM-managed lands in Santa Fe County on the south side of NM Highway 344, approximately one mile east of NM Highway 14 and NM Highway 344.

The second unit on Verbina Road was completed during the November burn operations. This location is on lands managed by the State of New Mexico to the east of the first unit.

This Read More

State Legislators Pre-file Joint Resolution To Propose Adding Environmental Rights To New Mexico Constitution

The New Mexico State Capitol in downtown Santa Fe. Post file photo

STATE News:

A Joint Resolution to amend the New Mexico Constitution in order to add environmental rights was pre-filed Jan. 5, 2022, by Senators Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Rep. Joanne Ferrary.

More than a dozen other legislators stating intent to support the proposal:

  • Sen. Harold Pope, Jr;
  • Rep. Tara Lujan;
  • Sen. Bill Soules;
  • Sen. Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics;
  • Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino;
  • Sen. Carrie Hamblen;
  • Sen. Shannon Pinto;
  • Rep. Andrea Romero;
  • Rep. Karen Bash;
  • Rep. Debbie Sarinana;
  • Rep. Roger Montoya;
  • Sen. Linda Lopez;
  • Rep.
Read More

Public Meeting On LANL Legacy Waste FY 2022 Annual Cleanup Plan Via WebEx Tonight

NMED News:

The State of New Mexico’s Environment Department (NMED) is issuing a courtesy reminder that NMED and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) will host a public meeting 5:30-7 p.m., Jan. 6, 2022 in accordance with Section VIII.C.3.d of the 2016 Order on Consent (CO).

This reminder is in addition to English and Spanish public notices sent to local and regional newspapers, the NMED external events calendar, and the NMED LANL Facility Mailing List.

The CO is a settlement agreement between the NMED and EM-LA that was issued in 2016. The Read More

New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund Helps Raise $210,000 For Community Organizations

Together4Brothers’ bicycling in the Bosque. Courtesy/EDD

Hiking with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project. Courtesy/EDD

EDD News:

SANTA FE — The 2021 Outdoor Equity Fund has catalyzed an additional $210,000 in private philanthropic out-of-state funding, the Outdoor Recreation Division announced today.

Four $20,000 Outdoor Equity Fund awards helped raise the profile of the awardees and attract philanthropic funds from The Schmidt Family Foundation’s 11th Hour Project based in California. Those grantees are the Semilla Project, Together4Brothers, Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, Read More

County LARES Task Force Meets Friday Jan. 7

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Resiliency, Energy and Sustainability (LARES) Task Force will meet at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7 virtually on Zoom. 

This meeting is open to the public. 

Find the agenda to this meeting here: Jan. 7, 2022 LARES Agenda.

Find the link to this meeting here.

Webinar ID: 814 3546 3514
Passcode: 518492 Read More

Air Force Research Laboratory Detects Moon Around Asteroid With Smallest Telescope Yet

AFRL’s 3.5 meter telescope on Kirtland AFB, N.M. uses its laser to produce a guide star for a reference for adaptive optics, and previously held the record for the smallest telescope to image an asteroid’s satellite. The larger of the two domes to its left houses the 1.5 meter telescope, which now holds the record, without using a laser. Photo by Robert Fugate

By Dr. JACK DRUMMOND 
AFRL

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Starfire Optical Range (SOR)* telescope on Kirtland Air Force Base near Albuquerque, recorded an image Nov. 29, 2021, of an of asteroid (22) Kalliope and its natural satellite Read More

Bureau Of Land Management Takes Next Steps To Protect Chaco Canyon National Historical Park

Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. Courtesy/NM Tourism Dept.

BLM News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today formally proposed to withdraw approximately 351,000 acres of public lands surrounding Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. 

This action, published today in the Federal Register, follows President Biden’s announcement Nov. 15 of the Department’s new efforts to protect the Chaco Canyon and the greater connected landscape, and to ensure that public land management better reflects the sacred sites, stories, and cultural resources in the region.

Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Pushes For Climate Action, Calls For Senate Passage Of Build Back Better Act

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the cofounder of the first-ever Electrification Caucus and member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is kicking off his return to D.C. by continuing his fight for investments in the Build Back Better Act that meet the challenges of the climate crisis, create good-paying jobs, and reduce costs for families.

WATCH: Heinrich Calls For Senate Passage Of Build Back Better Act During Virtual Press Conference

Heinrich participated in a virtual press conference Tuesday with U.S. Read More

Weekly Fishing Report: Jan. 4, 2022

By GEORGE MORSE
Sports And Outdoors
Los Alamos Daily Post

Historically, some of the coldest weather New Mexico will experience during the winter occurs during the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January.

So far this year, that pattern is holding true. After above-average temperatures in October and November, December has delivered much-needed snowfall and colder temperatures. In some mountain valleys, below-zero temperatures have been recorded.

Despite the cold, there is very little ice fishing yet available. The most popular spots like Eagle Nest Lake, Fenton Lake Read More

More Snow Falls On Pajarito Mountain Ski Area

This webcam shot early this morning shows Pajarito Mountain Ski Area has received more snow in recent days, however more is needed. Lift tickets will go on sale as soon as the opening date is announced. Courtesy/Pajarito webcam

View early this morning shows more snow has fallen on Beginner Hill at Pajarito. Courtesy/Pajarito webcam Read More

SFNF Road Closures On Cuba And Jemez Ranger Districts

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Inclement weather has prompted additional road closures on the Cuba and Jemez Ranger Districts of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF).

District personnel will close several forest roads beginning today, Jan. 4, to protect public health and safety, infrastructure, natural resources and wintering wildlife.

Forest Roads (FRs) 144 and 376 on the Jemez District were closed last week after ice and snow stranded six vehicles that required assistance.

Roads to be closed:

  • Cuba District: FRs 70, 69, 531, 534 and 93; and
  • Jemez District: FRs 10, 378, 280, 268 and 289.

The spur roads Read More

Skakeboarders Clear Snow At Park For Love Of The Sport

Patrick Wolf and his mom Bridget Wolf work as a team to help clear the snow this afternon at the Los Alamos County Skate Park in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Aashkii Sheppard helps clears snow from the Skate Park this afternoon – saying he is doing it for the love of skateboarding and biking. Sheppard said he had been clearing snow for about an hour and had made good progress but that there was a lot of snow to be removed … ‘It’s worth the effort,’ he said. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More

Los Alamos National Laboratory Launches Road Trip In 2022

LANL Director Thom Mason holds the ribbon being cut by Bradbury Science Museum Director Linda Deck during a launch event in December at the White Rock Visitor Center. ‘The Challenge Tomorrow trailers have a lot of pizzazz,’  Mason said at the launch of the new traveling educational outreach and community engagement program. Courtesy/LANL

BRADBURY SCIENCE MUSEUM News:

  • New outreach program will hit the highway to connect communities with Lab careers

On a recent December morning, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Director Thom Mason, LANL leaders and Los Alamos County partners gathered Read More

Search
LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems