Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

Luján And DeGette Call For Oversight Hearing On Spill

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 25, 2015

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Representatives Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Diana DeGette of Colorado have called for an oversight hearing on the Gold King Mine spill that released 3 million gallons of wastewater into the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

Both members serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. DeGette is Ranking Member on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

The lawmakers sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy requesting

Advocates Call To Reform Federal Coal Lease Program

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 24, 2015

BLM News:

DENVER ― Thursday, Aug. 20, nearly one hundred New Mexicans representing over a dozen organizations gathered at a session hosted by the Bureau of Land Management to testify in support of reforming the outdated federal coal lease program.

“Coal mining and coal fired power plants have had devastating impacts on the Navajo Nation for over 50 years,” said Colleen Cooley, energy outreach coordinator of Dinè Care. “Despite big promises from polluters about the benefits of coal mining and coal energy, many on the Navajo Nation are still at poverty

Seed Harvesting Hikes Begin Friday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 24, 2015

Seed collection volunteers. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Since the Las Conchas Fire, many areas of the Pajarito Plateau are in stream channel stabilization and floodplain restoration. To help in this effort, join Chick Keller to collect grass seeds and look at other interesting native plants.

These seeds will be used next spring in the post-fire restoration project along Frijoles Creek near the Visitor Center in Bandelier National Monument. This project, managed by Keystone Restoration Ecology, is part of a New Mexico River Stewardship grant to protect New Mexico’s water quality and resources. Read More

Learn About Hidden Treasures Of Mesa Prieta Tuesday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 24, 2015

Mesa Prieta Petroglyph. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Which site has 50,000 volunteer-logged petroglyphs? What is the largest petroglyph site in North America? The answer to both of these questions is Mesa Prieta, an amazing archaeological treasure just in our own backyard.

To learn more about this fascinating area and unique nonprofit, come hear Katherine Wells, founder of Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project, discuss her work at 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Los Alamos Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Road. It is free to attend, and no registration is required.

Wells will show petroglyphs from the Archaic, Puebloan Read More

Upper Gold King Mine Spill Still Not Cleaned Up

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 23, 2015

Mine Wastes on Animas River bank rocks in Durango Aug. 14, 2015. Courtesy/Dr. Jack Nyhan

By Dr. JACK NYHAN

Independent Environmental Scientist

Northern New Mexico

The ghost town of Gladstone is found in one of the most stunningly beautiful areas of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, located at the head of Cement Creek about 6 miles north of Silverton.

Proceeding south along the Animas River from Silver City leads to the most beautiful farmland in all of Colorado and New Mexico adjacent to the Animas River. So, from Gladstone, it’s 6 miles to Silverton, and then 47 mi to Durango Read More

SFNF Releases Final EIS For Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 22, 2015

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) announced the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and draft Record of Decision (ROD) for one of the largest forest restoration projects in the Southwest.

The Southwest Jemez Mountains (SWJM) Landscape Restoration Project is a long-term collaborative effort to restore forest ecosystems at the landscape scale and improve resilience to major disturbances, including fire, insects and disease, and climate change.

SFNF Supervisor Maria T. Garcia said the plan of action selected for the SWJM project is based Read More

Hazy Los Alamos Sky From Western Fires

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 21, 2015

Hazy skies. Courtesy photo

LAFD News:

The Los Alamos Fire Department explains that the smoky haze occurring in the sky over Los Alamos is coming from fires burning in the western states.

“We’re getting into the Fall pattern and the jet stream is pulling all the smoke from fires in Washington, Idaho, California, Oregon and Colorado right through Los Alamos,” Deputy Fire Chief Justin Grider said. Read More

NMED Proposes Repeal Of 20.2.36 NMAC Sulfur Limits

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 21, 2015

NMED News:

After review and evaluation, the New Mexico Environment Department―Air Quality Bureau proposes to repeal 20.2.36 NMAC, Petroleum Refinery―Sulfur (Part 36).

A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18, in Santa Fe. Part 36 was adopted in 1974 and establishes sulfur limits (sulfur recovery standards) and other requirements for existing and new petroleum refineries.

The rule was identified in the November 2012 Improving Environmental Permitting Report as a rule for potential revision or repeal.

The NMED will host informational open houses

WIPP: New Hybrid Bolting Machine Ready For Service

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 20, 2015

New hybrid bolting machine assembled at Wipp. Courtesy/WIPP

WIPP News:

WIPP’s new hybrid bolting machine was recently transported to the WIPP underground, where it was reassembled by site personnel.

The bolter is designed to run on either diesel or electricity. The unit was inspected and acceptance tested at the manufacturer’s site before it was disassembled and transported to the WIPP site. Operational checks have been completed, and the automatic fire suppression system has been installed on the unit.

Before the bolter can be placed into service, portable power units that will Read More

Project Underway To Repair Flood Damage In Bandelier Visitor Center Area

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 20, 2015

Work has begun on a project to clean up and repair the area across Frijoles Creek from the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center. Courtesy/NPS

Fallen branches are being removed as part of a project to clean up and repair the area across Frijoles Creek from the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center. Courtesy/NPS

Map. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Work has begun on a project to clean up and repair the area across Frijoles Creek from the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center, which has been damaged by flash floods following the Las Conchas Fire in 2011.

Using emergency relief funds Read More

Sierra Club Applauds New Methane Pollution Standard

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 20, 2015

SIERRA CLUB News:

The Obama Administration Tuesday introduced the first-ever proposed methane pollution standards for new and modified oil and gas facilities, a landmark announcement that will blunt the projected growth of methane and smog-forming pollution produced by the industry in New Mexico.

The newly proposed standards will help to safeguard public health and put the United States closer to being on track to meet the Administration’s goal of reducing oil and gas methane pollution by 40 to 45 percent by 2025.

“New Mexicans were shocked to hear about the country’s

Results Of Well Water ‘Walk-in’ Samples Sent To 570 Residents Concerned With Gold King Mine Spill Effects

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 20, 2015

NMED Secretary Ryan Flynn said

NMED News:

SANTA FE – Results of domestic well water testing are being mailed to approximately 570 concerned residents of San Juan County following the Aug. 5 EPA-caused Gold King Mine Spill.

“We mobilized about 25 environment department staff in the wake of the Gold King Mine Spill for a variety of purposes, and we still have many in the field. Many of these environment staff tested water on behalf of more than 500 domestic well owners who brought their ‘walk-in’ samples to the County Fair last week,” NMED Secretary Ryan Flynn said. “Many test participants received Read More

Hummingbird Spotted In Downtown Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 20, 2015

A hummingbird sips sweet water Tuesday from a dispenser in a yard near downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com

Udall, Heinrich Announce $500K For Outdoor Projects

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 18, 2015

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON ― Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the State of New Mexico will receive $500,138 through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to support outdoor recreation and conservation projects throughout the state.

LWCF funds are a highly effective tool for creating and protecting urban and rural parks and open spaces that provide recreation opportunities, enhance communities and create jobs, but the program will expire in September unless Congress takes action.

Udall

Albuquerque Wildlife Federation & Los Amigos De Valles Caldera To Conduct Ecological Restoration Project

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 17, 2015

AWF News:

Albuquerque Wildlife Federation (AWF) is teaming with Los Amigos de Valles Caldera (Amigos) to host a weekend-long volunteer project, Aug. 14-16, in the Valle Seco section of the preserve.

Volunteers from both groups will be working to improve integrity of Sulphur Creek and adjoining wetlands in the area via stream restoration work and repairs to enclosure fencing. The August event is the second such collaborative project between AWF and Amigos in the Valles Caldera in 2015.

“We’re very excited to get back to this beautiful,

Sunset Scenes Over Los Alamos And White Rock

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 17, 2015

This past weekend, Phillip Noll sent some beautiful sunset photos from the Los Alamos/White Rock area to the Los Alamos Daily Post to share with the public. Please visit his website www.ravenmountain.com. Photo by Phillip Noll

Photo by Phillip Noll

WIPP: Radiological Contamination Mitigation Continues

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 17, 2015

Courtesy/WIPP

WIPP News:

Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) personnel will complete the installation of the brattice cloth and salt barrier tthis week on a 570-foot section of floor in the WIPP underground.

The installation process includes rolling the brattice cloth out to cover the entire surface area of the floor and securing it to the ribs (walls) and in the center of the drift (access tunnel). Once the cloth is in place, it is covered with six to eight inches of mined salt to create a walking/driving surface.

This ensures radiological contamination

New Mexico, Colorado Delegations Urge President To Direct Federal Resources To Gold King Mine Response

Submitted by Chris Clark on August 17, 2015

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Members of the New Mexico and Colorado congressional delegations are urging President Barack Obama to direct any and all appropriate federal resources to help respond to damage from the Gold King Mine spill that occurred last week in the Animas River.

Communities in both states along the affected rivers are working quickly to minimize the short-term and long-term public health and economic challenges caused by the tragic spill.

Recovering from the spill will take a full and coordinated approach from the Environmental Protection

LANL: Young, Jupiter-like Planet Discovered

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 16, 2015

Jupiter-like planet. Couresy/LANL

LANL News:

A team of researchers has discovered a Jupiter-like planet within a young system that could provide a new understanding of how planets formed around the sun.

The new planet, called 51 Eridani b, is the first exoplanet discovered by the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI), a new instrument operated by an international collaboration headed by Bruce Macintosh, a professor of physics in the Kavli Institute at Stanford University. It is a million times fainter than its star and shows the strongest methane signature ever detected on an alien planet, which should Read More

Ban Lifted On Water Supply Connection To Animas And San Juan Rivers And Public’s Recreational Use

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 16, 2015

NMED NEWS:

Governor Susana Martinez’ Long-Term Impact Review Team in Place

FARMINGTON – New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ryan Flynn, Game and Fish Department Director Alexa Sandoval and Health Department Secretary Retta Ward Saturday lifted the ban on San Juan County’s drinking water systems’ supply connection to the Animas and San Juan Rivers and on the public’s recreational use of the rivers.

The ban is lifted with certain prudent health practices, following the Aug. 5 Gold King Mine Spill.

“Because the waters of the Animas and San Juan Rivers are now meeting all applicable Read More

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