Archive for Santa Fe County
With Mud Season Just Over, Fire Season Approaches
by John Weckerle
We’ve all seen the stories in the newspapers recently reminding us that fire season is upon us. With high winds and relatively little recent moisture, conditions favorable to wildfire are already upon many of us. We wish to add our voice to the chorus, as it were, and urge all our readers to take adequate precautions, and learn what they can to protect themselves against loss of life and property. Your editor’s firm, WeckTech, provides web services to a number of local/regional organizations that provide information and, in some cases, financial support to efforts such as thinning and defensible space projects that may mean the difference between disaster and avoidance thereof:
- The East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association
- Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District
- East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District
- Edgwood Soil and Water Conservation District
- Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District
We encourage you to contact these organizations and learn about the help and information they can provide.
El Nino Rides Again
by John Weckerle
Winter Sunrise - Southern Santa Fe County
Sunday’s snowstorm brought about a foot of snow to New Mexico Central headquarters. Fortunately for us, the snow melted sufficiently to allow us to make our appointments in Albuquerque yesterday afternoon. First thing in the morning, though, the snow was fresh and deep, allowing your editor and Senior Snowpack Analyst Wilson to set out just before sunrise and survey the situation. We were not disappointed, and we’re looking forward to the April (and thereafter) flowers that will likely benefit from the recent weather.
Winter Storm Dumps Major Snow Load (So Far)
Sedillo Hill camera at 8:33 a.m.
by John Weckerle
Snow is falling heavily here at New Mexico Central headquarters, and has been since sometime during the night. Depending on where we dig, we can see anything from eight inches to a foot. Areas shoveled less than half an hour ago are under two to three inches of snow already. Road reports are not encouraging, and neither are the roadside camera shots from NMRoads.com. Cameras at I-40 & NM 14, and at Carnuel, are iced over, with no image available except for the ice on the camera. The I-40 & Zamora Rd. Camera shows some snow in both lanes, and having looked at two consecutive images, we think it may be getting worse there. The Sedillo Hill camera shows at least some snow in all lanes – and both cameras show snow still falling. According to KOB.com, the following schools in our area are closed:
- East Mountain High School
Senior Meteorological Correspondent Wilson Taking Scientific Snow Depth Measurements
- Edgewood Christian School
- Mountainair Junior High
- Albuquerque Public Schools East Mountain Schools
- Estancia Municipal Schools
- Moriarty-Edgewood Schools
- Mountainair Public Schools
TCPO To Go Transportation and the Estancia and Moriarty Magistrate Courts are also closed. If we’ve missed any schools, we’d appreciate it if our readers would let us know.
Lest the local climate change “skeptics” get too excited, let’s remember that winter storms of this nature (and the frequency with which they’ve been occurring) are typical of El Nino conditions – a warming of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean.
Wolves Wend Way to Wildlife West
by John Weckerle
Yesterday saw the arrival of three very important personages at Albuquerque’s Double Eagle Airport aboard an aircraft provided by Lighthawk, a conservation organization of volunteer pilots providing support to environmental and ecological efforts. Three Mexican grey wolves arrived from the National Zoo to begin the last leg of the trip to their new home – Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, New Mexico. The plane was scheduled to return east with a retired female wolf from the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility, bound for New York.
The arrival of the male and two females represents a substantial increase in Wildlife West’s participation in the wolf recovery effort, more than doubling the Park’s population of lobos. The new arrivals will take up residence in new habitat space adjacent to the existing wolf enclosure.
The Park’s Christmas present comes with a price, however; food, veterinary care, and other expenses will require financial resources that are already strained. Those wishing to help the Park and its participation in the wolf recovery program would do well to visit the Park’s web site and consider making a donation; any support would certainly be appreciated.
Oh, The Weather Outside…
by John Weckerle
Last night brought us some fairly intense weather here at NM-Central headquarters, with times of snow, freezing rain, thunder and lightning, and high winds. This morning seems dominated by the wind, although weather authorities warn of more potential precipitation before the system has passed. Local TV stations indicate that the Estancia Valley, including Estancia itself, will likely bear the brunt of the storm in our area. The northern part of the state has received substantial snowfall. Here at NM-Central, we’ve received a few inches or so.
NMRoads.com reports that road conditions in the area are (at best) snow-packed and icy. According to KOB.com, Moriarty-Edgewood schools and Estancia schools are closed, and East Mountain High School and APS schools are on a two-hour delay. We have not been able to find any information on Mountainair’s schools. We recommend that our readers stay home if they can, and to those who can’t, please be extra cautious.
Santa Fe County Presents Water Plan Update, City Watershed Thinned
by John Weckerle
On September 29, 2009, Karen Torres of Santa Fe County presented the latest information on the plan for a backup for the Buckman water diversion to serve County residents in the Santa Fe vicinity. Ms. Torres outlined the County’s strategy for identifying potential locations for backup wells, including soil/rock type (primarily interested in the Tesuque Formation as well as Precambrian granite and Permian limestone), groundwater chemistry, distance to existing water lines, pressure zones, proximity to springs, distance to aquifer decline areas, slope, and proximity to springs/sumps, among others. Ms. Torres indicated that the County was looking for sources near Santa Fe and was not considering sources in the Estancia Basin, indicating that the County is “not doing to badly on supply in our own area.” Only two local residents attended the Edgewood meeting.
In related news: Many of us saw smoke rising to the more-or-less north recently. This was the result of an open-burn project aimed at thinning the Santa Fe Watershed, which provides about 40% of the city’s water supply. The burn was completed successfully, and we hope that Santa Fe benefits from the project.
Time To Circle The Water Wagons?
by John Weckerle
Today, we received the following message from Karen Torres of Santa Fe County, forwarded by the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association:
The Santa Fe County Water and Wastewater Operations Department will be conducting a series of public meetings to facilitate public input on proposed well locations to serve as a back-up water supply to the Buckman Direct Diversion Project.
- Wednesday, September 23rd 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Nancy Rodriquez Center (1 Prairie Dog Loop)
- Thursday, September 24th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Eldorado Senior Center (14 Avenida Torreon)
- Monday, September 28th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Rodeo Grounds Extension Office (3229 Rodeo Rd.)
- Tuesday, September 29th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Santa Fe County Edgewood Satellite Office (1916 Old US 66, Edgewood)
- Wednesday, September 30th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Pojoaque Satellite Office (West Gutierrez, Suite 9, Pojoaque Center)
For more information, call Karen Torres at 992.9871.
Public Service Announcement: Wildlife Safe Passage Meeting Tomorrow
by John Weckerle
We have received word from Linda Hill that the New Mexico Department of Transportation will be holding a meeting on Wildlife Safe Passage from Tijeras to Edgewood tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at Wildlife West Nature Park’s Bean Barn. Wildlife Safe Passage uses a combination of tactics – fencing, underpasses, etc. to help prevent wildlife from crossing highways such as Interstate 40 and being struck by vehicles. Wildlife Passage also helps reduce the impacts of highways on animal migration, reproduction, foraging, access to water, and other ecologically essential activities. A similar effort was undertaken in Tijeras Canyon, where the DOT worked with the City of Albuquerque and local groups such as the Tijeras Canyon Safe Passage Coalition and others.
For a map and directions to Wildlife West, see the Park’s map & directions page.
Criticism of Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District Inaccurate – Some Press Coverage Unbalanced
by John Weckerle
Disclosure: Your editor provides web services to four Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Edgewood, East Torrance, Claunch-Pinto, and Ciudad. However, this article has not been prepared at the behest of the Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District and represents the opinions of the author alone.
In relatively recent editions of The Independent and the Mountain View Telegraph, local resident Craig Springer has aimed some very harsh criticism at the Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District. Having had a substantial amount of interaction with the District over the years, we have been surprised at what we have read – so we decided to do a little checking into the situation. According to documentation provided by the District, Mr. Springer’s cost-share project began with a 2004 Cost-Share application. At that time, it was required that ESWCD Cost-Share projects be completed by August 31 of the year following the submittal of the application (that date has since changed to June 30), so Mr. Springer’s application would have expired on August 31, 2005. Because of staff turnover, the District actually continued to reimburse Mr. Springer until June 14, 2006, at which time he was informed that he would have to re-apply. Apparently, Mr. Springer feels that he should be able to continue collecting on the expired application. Mr. Springer was provided an application, the minutes of the Board meeting at which his situation was discussed, and a letter advising him that he needed to submit a current cost-share application in order to receive reimbursement for future efforts on March 9, 2009, weeks before his complaints ran in the local papers.
I have so far conducted two cost-share projects on my property – one for tree thinning and one for a rain harvesting system – and am preparing an application for a third (drip irrigation). I have also purchased a number of trees and shrubs through District Spring and Fall plant sales. I have been absolutely, 100% satisfied with the program and the support provided by District personnel. As far as I am concerned, Mr. Springer’s complaints are completely off-base, and he should fill out another cost-share application just like everyone else. (NOTE: Cost share applications must be submitted by tomorrow, April 30, 2009).
With regard to the press coverage: The Independent was fair and considerate in allowing the District to respond to Mr. Springer’s letter. The Mountain View Telegraph, however, took another approach. »» Criticism of Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District Inaccurate – Some Press Coverage Unbalanced
Edgewood Kite Festival and Green Energy Fair
by John Weckerle
The Town of Edgewood will hold its annual Green Energy and Kite Festival at Wildlife West Nature Park this Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event includes kite flying contests; stunt kite demonstrations; and remote control gliders. Green energy and sustainable living demonstrations will be given including solar electricity; renewable energy; water harvesting (tours of Wildlife West’s water harvesting features); wind energy; biodiesel, hybrid; electric, and fuel cell vehicles; a solar oven; and solar-powered car kits. Workshops will be conducted on the T. Boone Pickens plan for restructuring the nation’s energy system, permaculture, and more. The Albuquerque Astronomical Society will be providing stunning views of the Moon and Sun, and there will be music from Trombone Troubadours and the Messangers Choir. The event also marks the debut of Wildlife West’s new Disc Golf Course. All the aforementioned events are free to the public and vendors.
In addition, inside the Park’s enhanced zoo (see the Park web site for admissions information), Artists for Wildlife West will hold their Pre-Mother’s Day Artistfaire. For more information, see the event flyer and the Wildlife West site, or contact Roger Holden, Edgewood Parks and Recreation Director, at (505) 286-4518 (e-mail: parksrec@edgewood-nm.gov).
Gimme Shelter – Part 1
by John Weckerle
(Editor’s Note: Chuck Ring contributed substantially to this article)
In a January 22 article on outlining financial problems faced by the Moriarty-Edgewood School District, Mountain View Telegraph writer Lee Ross reports on apparent consternation among the local school board members regarding the new Estancia Valley Regional Animal Shelter proposed to be located in Edgewood’s Section 16, south of Edgewood Middle School. According to the article, Moriarty-Edgewood School Superintendent stated: “I honestly did not have any idea that this was going into place.”
Excuse me?
As pointed out by former Town Council member and animal friend Chuck Ring, the regional animal shelter has been the subject of at least 13 articles in the Telegraph alone, all but one of which mentions Section 16 as the location for the facility. One would expect that elected officials would keep abreast of issues affecting the interests of the District, and that District personnel would be scanning the news for such issues and reporting back to the school board. Further, a naming contest was held in coordination with the school district, and Ms. Couch reportedly participated directly in that effort. »» Gimme Shelter – Part 1
Edgewood Considering Windmills Without Requiring Permits
 by John Weckerle
Tonight, with very little fanfare before the fact, the Town of Edgewood will hold public hearings on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow windmills as a permitted use in all residential areas. Towers may be up to 80 feet tall on small lots (1/2 to 1 acre) and with no limit on height on larger lots. The ordinance can be found here.
The proposed revision appears overly simplistic and indicates that inadequate consideration was given to the complex issues associated with wind turbine use in residential settings. For example, the noise requirement states that a level of 60 decibels may not be exceeded at the “closest neighboring inhabited dwelling.” In some situations, there may be many undeveloped lots between the windmill and the next inhabited dwelling, potentially rendering those lots uninhabitable and depriving the owners of the ability to build homes on them. Taken in that context, some may suspect that the windmill ordinance has a certain “anti-development” goal. Allowing wind turbines – and their associated towers, to be permitted rather than conditional uses seems to ignore the complex and varied residential configurations found within Edgewood’s rather extensive land area. »» Edgewood Considering Windmills Without Requiring Permits
One Way Or Another — You Will Go Roundabout
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Roundabouts, traffic circles, calming devices; call them what you will. Some of them are touted and proven as efficient traffic handlers. There is a difference between roundabouts and traffic circles, so it is beneficial to get them settled in one’s mind. Here’s a webpage that will assist in helping everyone to sort out the differences between the twoÂ
Solar-Power Incentives — Bah, Humbug!
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
Of course, I’m not against incentives for solar or wind power. Let me explain. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) has just approved regulations that requires Public Service Company of New Mexico (PSC) to pay commercial customers 15 cents for ever solar-generated kilowatt used by its commercial customers. This is in addition to a 13 cent scheme for residential customers. The PRC stopped short or refused to require PSC to pay for any excess power generated by the company’s customers. Whether this refusal is good for the customer and PSC is anyone’s guess, but one reason given by the PRC is that the PRC didn’t want the customers to become mini-utilities or words to that effect. On balance all the forgoing seems great for PSC’s customers and it allows PSC to comply with regulations that require it to be more green.Â
Bacon Fried Is Pork Applied
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)Â
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
The Rio Grande Foundation (RGF) has just published their latest piggy booklet