Protect Our New Mexico Night Sky

Clear night vistas are one of the primary attributes of living in the mountains of the SW desert.  "Under ideal conditions, a viewer might observe a night sky with more than 15,000 visible stars.  Only about 10% of the U.S. population experiences these conditions regularly," according to the National Parks Magazine.  These ideal conditions explain why so many astronomical observatories are located in the Southwest.

Since Sun Valley is lucky to be in the 10% minority which can experience this exceptional view of the night sky, we should all band together to protect this heavenly resource.   Light pollution hinders the full potential of stargazing by literally making the stars fade away.

Personally, I am lucky live on the street where none of my neighbors have lights that stay on all night.  They courteously installed lights with motion detectors or have lights that only turn on when they turn them on.   But behind me sits a house with lights on all night whether they are here or not.  Also, a house close to Sun Valley Road has a light that burns nonstop all night which literally blinds everyone of us when we drive home in the dark. 


For several decades, many SW national parks and cities created strict lighting ordinances to impose limits and curfews on lights at night. Then, in 1999, the State of New Mexico passed the Night Sky Protection Act.  This statute states:

• The purpose of the Night Sky Protection Act is to regulate outdoor night lighting fixtures to preserve and enhance the state's dark sky while promoting safety, conserving energy and preserving the environment for astronomy. 
• To see if YOUR lights are in compliance, see the full statute at: 
•  www.delapp.com/codes/nm_night_sky_protection_act_nmsa74-12-1.php 

    Our night sky is a treasure worthy of protection from light pollution.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO!

• Be sure that your outdoor lighting fixtures meet the  requirements and spirit of the Night Sky Protection Act. An added benefit of compliant lighting is that it is often more energy efficient than older non-compliant fixtures
• As a rule of thumb, good outdoor lighting fixtures need to be shielded and  downward-facing.  No light should escape above the horizontal plane. 
• By law, no mercury vapor light fixtures or replacement bulbs are allowed in the state.
• It makes good economic sense to buy only those fixtures that are shielded and otherwise in compliance.

The “spirit” of our laws and ordinances is to create a safe, secure, environment that places light only where it is needed, saves energy, prevents glare, light trespass, energy waste, sky-glow, unnecessary over lighting, and protects the magnificent night sky.  As New Mexicans (or a visitor), you too, share in and appreciate the benefits of appropriate lighting and a better, safer, more night-friendly environment.
This "Here's what you can do" information from http://www.nmheritage.org/wp/night-sky-program/

Sign up with Code Red

Be sure to sign up with Lincoln County Fire & Emergency Services - CodeRED.  This is a reverse 911 calling system to get phone calls on impending dangers, such as fires and floods.  You get calls when evacuation is necessary.  You may give your land line or cell phone number.  It even calls out-of-state phone numbers. For CodeRED registration or to get a CodeRED Mobile Alert app
 go to:    http://www.lincolncountynm.gov  (click "read more" on the last paragraph in the center column)

Fire and Emergency information is also available at: 
http://www.lincolncountynm.net/services/fire_and_emergency_services/index.php
The above internet address tells you of fire danger and restrictions for Lincoln County.
Keep up-to-date on fires in New Mexico at http://www.NMFireInfo.com

Save Our Water - TIP #1

By fixing that leaky pipe or faucet you'll be amazed at how much water and money you save over time.  How much water can be wasted in a slow kitchen faucet drip?  The Drip Accumulator calculator on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) website can tell you.  A single slow leaky faucet dripping 30 drops per minute wastes 3 gallons per day (1 gallon = 15,140 drips) or the equivalent of 27 baths a year.  Whoa - that's a lot!  So take care of your dripping faucets knowing in the long run it saves both water and $!  See the science at: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/sc4.html

Greentree Solid Waste 2015 schedule to pick up woody slash

The dates for the grapple truck are listed as follows:

03/08/15

05/03/15

06/28/15 

08/23/15

10/18/15

12/13/15

The actual dates can vary because of weather, mechanical problems, etc., but this gives you dates to aim for to be sure your slash is on the curbside and ready to be picked up. 

Logs can be stacked on the curbside separate from the slash and people in the community will pick it up for firewood.

January 2015 Board Election Results

On January 13, an election of directors was conducted.  Only NM registered voters and property owners in the water district could vote.  Twelve mail -in ballots and 12 in-person votes resulted in the following directors: Jim Miller, Marc Stewart, Sarah Mazur and Charles Britten.  Sarah received the most votes.  The board selected  Jim Miller to be chairman and Marc Stewart to be vice-chairman.

Be sure to thank your directors for serving.  This is an unpaid position, but they make vital decisions to keep the water district running smoothly -- and to keep the water flowing!