The Flying J is hosting a special performance of the White Mountain Christmas at the Ranch at 5:30pm on Tuesday December 20 to benefit the Alto Coalition for Environmental Preservation. The all-inclusive ticket price includes a donation to the Alto CEP.
As most of you know, Roper Construction has appealed that ruling to the Environment Improvement Board (EIB). So now we need to do it again. That hearing is scheduled over three days - October 18, 19 and 20. Speaking times are Noon and 5PM on the 18th, and 9 AM, Noon and 5 PM on the 19th and 20th. The 18th has Noon and 5 PM slots. The 19th and 20th have 9 AM, Noon and 5 PM slots. If you are willing to speak to the Board (please speak, even to just say "don't grant the petition") all you need to do is email pamela.jones@env.nm.gov telling her you wish to speak to the board, and telling her your preferred date and time. Adding EIB 22-35 in the reference line is helpful, but not mandatory. ALSO - when you email her please CC me at p.s.pfeffer@gmail.com AND Barbara at bseveran116@gmail.com so that I can continue filling out the spreadsheet I am maintaining, and which will become the scheduling / attendance list at the church. If you are speaking from home you will receive a webex link prior to the hearing. If you prefer to speak from our local venue that works also. Just let us know and come join us.
The local venue for the Public Hearing is Ruidoso First Christian Church, 1211 Hull Road, Ruidoso. Doors open at 8:30am. Rumor is coffee and donuts may be available. Please stop by, even if just to say hello. If you want to speak from this location, we will make that as painless as possible and with no technical issues for you to deal with.
Barbara Severance will be in attendance throughout the hearing. She is currently in communication with Pamel Jones at the EIB to work out any logistical issues. There should be excellent contemporaneous communication with Pamel Jones throughout the hearing and we fully expect the previous hearing issue where our public comments were truncated will not be repeated. The church has excellent audio visual facilities and the webex two way. communication should be operating without issue. A dedicated speaker area will be set up for those who wish to speak from the church.
What else can you do?
1. Write a letter to the EIB to register your opposition. You can snailmail to Pamela Jones, Runnels Building, 1190 So. St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505 or email the letter to pamela.jones@env.nm.gov
2. Sign the petition in opposition. Thank you for standing with us in February. Please stand with us again on October 18th, 19th and 20th.
Our FaceBook group is up and running. Please repost and reach out to all your FB friends.
to Pamela Jones
This email is my protest a second time to the proposed concrete facility at Hwy 48 and Hwy 220 in Alto, New Mexico. I can't believe we are jumping through the proverbial hoops again after a victory the first time with NMED Air Quality Board. Exactly how many times is Roper allowed to protest a decision by a government board? Pure folly and a waste of the State's time and money. Is this going to be never ending or is this public hearing to be the final say?
I have lived here 27 years. At the age of 50, I had a heart attack and therefore live constantly with a chronic condition that I do everything possible every day to combat and win the fight for my life. We moved here for the quality of life - clean air, clean water, wildlife, quietness, access to National Forest and Wilderness.
I do not believe I will be able to stay in my cherished location that protects me from unwarranted concrete dust and extremly caustic pollutants in the air. With the price of housing today, where could I move that would be equal to what I have here right now? To be force to move because of ONE man's need to make more money is despicable. How can he be allowed to impact the lifes of so many people? NMED is here to protect the public - not ONE man.
As I understand, this plant is to be only 1.3 miles from the White Mountain Wilderness area, which I live right beside. Is there not a Wilderness Area "rule" with the National Forest that heavy construction manufacturing cannot be within 3 miles of a Wilderness area?
I protest the planned operating hours from 3am to 9 pm on Roper's application. So, who gives a damn about the New Mexico Night Skies? We will see these glaring lights starting at 3 am and not to speak of the noise at that hour? The night sky here is pretty much unbeatable.
Water. Roper plans to spray water to control dust. What a waste of a precious commodity. Where is Roper's water coming from? The neighboring subdivision has no water in their wells and are buying water around the community from other water districts to supply their residents.
Water quality issue. Roper does not address what he plans to do with waste water from spraying to control dust and cleaning the cement trucks daily. To clean trucks is he to use Phosphoric acid and trisodium phosphate? Are these chemicals going to find their way into Little Creek (river) and the ground water therefore eventually ending up in our drinking water and in the formations of Snowy River Cave? Will it become a Superfund Site like those sites in Colorado from the gold mining that used arsenic and the uranium mines tailings?
Lastly, Roper's wind model is inaccurate. Is all the dust and chemicals going to just hoover in our valley - trapped by the Sacramento Mountains and the Capitan Mountains when we have an inversion, which is a common occurance?
Please deny this appeal on his permit.
HERE'S one letter: Reference: AQBP-Roper-AltoCBP-Permit Application Roper Construction’s Alto CBP
As homeowners in the Sun Valley Subdivision located in Alto, NM, we were shocked to hear about the Roper Construction plan to build a concrete batch plant, an obviously industrial facility, in our predominantly residential area. This is a devastating prospect! The strong winds we receive here will bring suffocating air pollutants throughout the area and I (Patsy) am exceptionally allergic to any and all air pollutants and experience the chronic condition of asthma as a result. (Please note that the letter you received recently from the Ruidoso Board of Realtors contains an excellent scientific discussion of the negative impact this type of proposed business will undoubtedly have on the quality of air in our community.) Also, if this application is approved, then the door is open to any number of other industrial businesses which could have the same type of impact(s) on our air quality. In this day and age of climate control, it seems to us that the State of New Mexico should be highly concerned as to the quality of the air in our local communities, especially those such as Alto which is a rural mountain community which thrives on the necessity of clean air for its primary commodities of tourism and the development of retirement and second home communities. Alto is NOT an industrialized area as most New Mexico as well as many Texas residents know and appreciate!
The many people with homes and businesses along Hwy 220 and throughout this entire area have extreme concerns as to what the construction of this plant would mean for everyone. Two of the major concerns are:
1. proven negative health issues related to particulate matter in the air;
2. degraded air quality and great increase in dust, which would also be detrimental to horses and other livestock as well as humans.
In closing, there seem to be no valid reasons for allowing this plant to be built in what is essentially a residential area dependent on retirees and tourism for its livelihood and survival. Surely there is plenty of space elsewhere that is more appropriate for an industrial business that would not adversely impact so many people. We would like to request in the strongest terms possible, that the application for a new air quality permit (or any permit) for the construction of a concrete batch plant at the above-referenced location by Roper Construction be DENIED!
In order for us to remain continually informed of the status of this issue in a timely manner, please add our names to the list for notification of any and all action(s) on this application. We also request that there be a public hearing on this matter.
Thank you for your time and attention to this most important matter.
HERE'S another letter one of the neighbors wrote in opposition asking that Roper' s permit be denied. It denotes some of the affects of a near-by Cement Plant:
" I most vociferously object to the permitting of this cement plant on the following grounds: "1. Air quality. At nearly 7500 feet, we enjoy nearly pristine air. Particulate matter ejected by a cement plant will destroy this. As I understood from one of the attendees, a children's church camp located nearby the proposed site was not mentioned in Roper's application and should have been for air quality purposes vis a vis children. Therefore, his application should be rejected for incorrect, misleading information.
"2. Water quality. Ours is a rural, residential neighborhood of homes ranging from simple summer cabins to high-end estates and everything in between. We all draw our water from the same aquifer. As stated by one of the attendees, approximately 32 - 39 gallons of water are used to make one cubic yard of cement. Roper has been quoted he wants to produce several thousands of yards per year. Obviously, he will suck the water table dry.
In addition, there is the issue of runoff from production, as well as runoff from washing the trucks, equipment, etc. This chemically polluted water will enter the water table, contaminating downstream sources. Apparently this issue is not addressed in his application, therefore it should be rejected.
"3. Road destruction. Cement trucks are not light vehicles. Roper's application did not address the destruction of trucks running 24/7 on County Road 220 and NM 48. Therefore his application should be rejected.
"4. Quality of life. Cement plants are not quiet factories. They create noise, smoke and odor. Again, ours is a quiet residential neighborhood whose residents chose to live surrounded by the sounds of birds, bees, bellowing elk, chattering squirrels and the laughter of children and barking of dogs. We do not want to live with 24/7 odor and noise. Roper's application should be rejected for destroying our way of life.
"In conclusion, reject Roper's application now. His plant, in the middle of an unzoned "out in the county" residential area, will destroy life as we know it."
HERE'S another letter:
This email is my protest to the proposed concrete facility at Hwy 48 and Hwy 220 in Alto, New Mexico.
I have lived here 26 years. First off - this location is part of the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway. One of my jobs at the Billy the Kid Visitor Center was to direct tourists to scenic places in Lincoln County. Needless to say - the byway was my first suggestion because of all the historic towns/museums that it leads people to, plus the scenery is just beautiful. A smoke/dust bellowing unsightly concrete manufacturer has no place being located on this SCENIC byway.
We moved here for the quality of life - clean air, clean water, wildlife, quietness, access to National Forest and Wilderness. As I understand, this plant is only 1.3 miles from the White Mountain Wilderness area. Is there not a Wilderness Area "rule" with the National Forest that heavy construction manufacturing cannot be within 3 miles of a Wilderness area?
Every day, I pass by this planned location on the way to my part-time job at Spencer Theater. With all the rain, the property is green and beautiful, a statement to rural living and openness. So in the future am I to fight heavy truck traffic and look at a disgusting plant/ rock crusher, bellowing out dust and who knows what else? What about the church camp/school nearby? Besides the fact the kids will get full brunt of the toxic chemicals and dust in the air, the camp will be bombarded with the NOISE.
Ah, the noise. I live on the opposite side of Hwy 48, up on the mountainside. The peace and quiet in the mornings is relished and cherished. Yes, I hear the occasional motorcycle ripping loudly down the highway and maybe a truck squealing its brakes, but otherwise it is heaven here. This valley is like living in a bowl though and the noise travels, especially with the loss of so many trees to bark beetles. Our noise cushioning has disappeared. I can hear hail falling on Angus Hill and know more than likely it is headed up the mountain towards my house and garden.
My next protest is to the planned operating hours from 3am to 9 pm on Ropers application. So, who gives a damn about the New Mexico Night Skies? We will see these glaring lights starting at 3 am and not to speak of, again, the noise at that hour? When The Night Skies law came out, I reached out to the neighborhood by writing in the Sun Valley Water Newsletter & Blog that it would behoove them to turn off their lights that stay on all night, to have motion sensor lights instead, because the night sky here is pretty much unbeatable.
Sun Valley Water and Sanitation District - I've been their bookkeeper for 25 years. I deal with the Office of the State Engineer reporting well readings. We are monitored to make sure we do not go over our allocated Water Rights, even though our rights from 1965 are lower in the priority appropriation. I understand Roper plans on producing 500,000 yards of concrete a year. It takes 39 gallons to make one yard of concrete, so that means, roughly calculated, he plans to use 49 acre feet of water PER year. Can the aquifer in this valley handle this consumption? Or will we have drawdown, just like what happened when the Village of Ruidoso put wells all along Eagle Creek, causing many property owners to lose their wells. NO, this is unacceptable.
Water quality issue. Roper does not address what he plans to do with waste water from cleaning the cement trucks daily. Is he to use Phosphoric acid and trisodium phosphate? Are these chemicals going to find their way into Little Creek and the ground water and eventually end up in our drinking water and in the formations of Snowy River Cave? Will it become a Superfund Site like the gold mining that used arsenic and the uranium mining in Colorado?
Lastly, Roper's application to NMED uses a wind model created by Holloman Airforce Base 16 years ago. We do not have similar terrain to Holloman. Secondly, the wind blows a lot of the time and mainly from the Southwest. But during this monsoon season, the wind hasn't been blowing. The sky is hazy from all the smoke coming from fires in other states. Is all the dust and chemicals going to just hoover in our valley - trapped by the Sacramento Mountains and the Capitan Mountains?
My goodness - too many questions unanswered. Please take my heartfelt concerns into consideration when hopefully denying Ropers application.
Attorney Tom Hnasko will discuss the upcoming appeal hearing with the Environmental Improvement Board regarding the denial of the air quality permit for the proposed plant. The path forward regarding this case, the pending cases in Judge Sugg’s court, and the funding challenges we face will also be addressed.
Alto Lakes resident Michael Miller, M.D. will discuss the often asked question of “Why should I care when I can’t see it?”.
Mr. Hnasko and Dr. Miller will be available to answer your questions whether you are in-person or online.
You can join the Zoom meeting by using this link
https://zoom.us/j/2829403304?pwd=Zmptajh4aDFSTnVBdDVaZ0t2dzRTUT09
Audio only participation is available by calling 1-669 444 9171 When prompted enter meeting ID 282 940 3304 and passcode: 834834
Please join us! More information is available at altocep.org
Update on ALL THREE lawsuits
First and foremost - the struggle to keep Roper Constructions proposed Concrete Batch Plant out of the 220 Corridor, also known as the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway, is not over. While it is true the New Mexico Environmental Department recommended the permit be denied, and the Department of the Interior signed a formal "final order denying the petition, Roper has appealed the matter to the Environmental Improvement Board. That hearing is scheduled for October 18-20. Once again, just as they were in the initial hearing before NMED, our voices must be heard. You can be heard simply by signing the petition now to stop the batch plant; … see link below.
Why should you care?
1. Your health! Even if Roper meets the air pollution standards required, and our experts say he is not even close, his plant will pose a very real health risk not just to his immediate neighbors, but to anyone within the toxic plume the plant will emit. Here’s what a permit allows him to legally emit annually (taken from the permit application):
a. 95 tons of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
b. 95 tons of Carbon Monoxide (CO)
c. 95 tons of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
d. 95 tons of Total Suspended Particulate (TSP)
e. 95 tons of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
f. 23 tons of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)
2. Your Property Values:
a. Properties in the immediate vicinity will be devalued by up to 50% or more. That alone will put downward pressure on local property value.
b. Potential buyers don’t move here to breathe toxic air.
3. Water:
a. Roper currently has no water rights, but if he were to secure those the amount of water required to mix concrete alone would impact the water table;
b. Add to that the acre feet of water he’ll need to consume to remediate air pollution and the water demands would be sufficient, in our opinion, to threaten the water table our golf course relies upon;
3. Traffic
a. The plant will operate 18 hours a day, 6 days a week;
b. Anticipated truck traffic will average 305 trips per day;
c. IF Roper doesn’t secure water rights, add another _____ trips per day to deliver water to the plant, both for air pollution remediation and to prepare mix loads.
Prominent Voices in opposition:
1. Ruidoso / Lincoln County Association of REALTORS Read their open letter here
2. Tom Stewart, Commissioner representing the Alto region.
What can you do?
a. Sign the petition to let EIB know you oppose the permit
b. Submit a letter online directly to the EIB here
c. Donate to AltoCEP to help us defray the $500,000 in attorney and expert witness fees we still owe.
d. Keep track of our progress. Stay up to date on the results of the EIB hearing and the two other lawsuits currently pending
The fight to prevent the construction and operation of Roper Construction’s proposed Alto concrete batch plant is NOT over!
WHY? Because the Final Order issued by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Secretary of the Environment to deny the plant’s air quality permit application, therefore preventing the start of construction of the plant, has been appealed by Roper Construction Inc.
The appeal will be heard by the Environment Improvement Board (EIB), an independent review board that advises NMED and reviews appeals to permitting decisions. The appeal will be held as a virtual public hearing October 18-20, 2022 using the WebEx application.
The latest information on our rebuttal to this appeal can be heard in a discussion with Alto CEP attorney Tom Hnasko at 6:30pm, Thursday, September 29 [New Date], in the Sierra & Stag rooms of the Alto Lakes Golf & Country Club.
Zoom Link available - go to AltoCEP.org for the link. Audio Only participation will also be available at 1-669-444-9171 Meeting ID: 282 940 3304 Passcode: 834834.
In-person and on-line participants will be able to ask Tom questions concerning the appeal, the pending deed restriction case in the New Mexico 12th Judicial District Court of Judge Sugg, as well as the financing of these efforts.
LET NMED HEAR WHY YOU STILL OBJECT! Similar to the previous public hearing, public comment is being solicited in writing prior to the hearing, and during orally during designated public comment periods. Written comments can be submitted at the public comment portal for the hearing and can include attachments up to 30 MB. Comments submitted for the previous hearing can be resubmitted, and you are encouraged to do so. Public Objection has been, and still is, a crucial part of our success!
for more information go to ALTOCEP.org
Alto Coalition for Environmental Preservation
PO Box 1213 Alto, NM 88312
PLEASE HELP FUEL OUR SUCCESS! Alto CEP is a 501(c)3 Public Charity and all donations to fund our cases expenses are tax deductible.
When: 6:30 PM
Where: Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club Pavilion
Updated information about Roper's appeal to the NM Environmental Improvement Board (NMEIB)
Update from our attorney
Status of our 12th District Court proceedings
Upcoming Fundraising Events
Defining our path to success
To help us out: If you use Amazon or Amazon Prime---type Amazon Smile in your browser. Then enter as your charity: "Alto Coalition for Environmental Preservation" Select it and you’ve helped the cause while shopping! A percentage of your $ spent will be donated to us.
To donate by check, make your check or money order payable to “ALTOCEP” and mail to:
ALTOCEP, PO Box 1213, Alto, NM 88312
All of the members of Alto CEP are unpaid volunteers. Donations are used solely to cover expenses incurred protecting and preserving our fragile environment.
Alternate platform to donate https://altocep.networkforgood.com/projects/166123-no-concrete-batch-plant
As a result of Roper Construction's appeal (permit request number 9295) because of the New Mexico Environment Department's denials at two levels, the Environment Improvement Board has scheduled a Public Hearing for October 18, 19, and 20, 2022. No other public details have been released at this time although the EIB is now receiving opposition communication through Pam Jones at email: pamela.jones@state.nm.us or phone at 505 660 4305 or postal hard copy to Pam Jones, Hearing Clerk, NMED, 1190 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Re-sending opposition letters that were received by NMED for the February Public Hearing will be accepted with any updates deemed appropriate by the writer.
Following is a partial list of concerns that have been generated during the last seventeen months of objections. These concerns are not to be considered limiting but your objections need to address the deleterious effects of a concrete batch plant at the current, proposed location which adjoins Josh Botkin's High Country Nursery to the east at approximately four tenths of a mile east of the State Highway 48 intersection on State Highway 220.
Concerns:
1. Primarily a residential area with two sensitive populations, children and elderly, within the half-mile affected zone as described by NMED requiring certified, written notification.
2. How a concrete batch plant will affect the air quality of the surrounding area (human and various aspects of the environment).
3. How fugitive dust (an unavoidable condition of CBPs) will impact health and property.
4. If you can, be specific as to how personal health issues (ex. – compromised immune systems) will be impacted by CBP air pollutants.
5. How CBPs negatively affect wildlife and vegetation.
6. Threats to endangered species in the White Mountain Class I Wilderness. At 1.1 miles, the proposed site is within the three mile outer limit for such a project.
7. The 1999 Night Sky Protecton Act that prohibits light pollution.
8. The corridor is currently federally funded as the Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway and as such, there is a six-part protocol to be met to maintain such a designation. A concrete batch plant violates the protocol.
9. Noise, traffic congestion, road maintenance. 10. Water issues regarding acquisition, transportation, consumption, potential ground water contamination.
Please encourage others to write as the AltoCEP is assured that a large quantity of letters will not be overlooked during the EIB evaluation of r. Roper' appeal.
(Information provided by Galen Farrington)
Alto Coalition for Environmental Preservation
Select it, and you’re done!
ALTOCEP, PO Box 1213, Alto, NM 88312
All of the members of Alto CEP are unpaid volunteers. Donations are used solely to cover expenses incurred protecting and preserving our fragile environment.
A new platform to donate recently came on line at: https://altocep.networkforgood.com/projects/166123-no-concrete-batch-plant
Link to attend the event: https://altocep.networkforgood.com/events/46190-magic-music-money-in-the-mountains
He has rejected or ignored all attempts to negotiate. We heard, and it is hearsay, that he bragged to an acquaintance he was going to drag out the process until he breaks us. Such a plant in this forested, semi-rural area will destroy the environment, pollute the underground stream area residents rely on for water, and decimate the quality of life we moved here to enjoy.
Your contributions have been funding our expenses to fight this encroachment. All of the members of our council are unpaid volunteers and all donated funds are dedicated to our legal fight.
Thank you for hearing our story and doubly thanks if you can contribute to help us win this fight.
This fight is FOR ALL OF US.
Please help by donating to Alto CEP, PO BOX 1213, Alto, NM 88312. Check made out to AltoCEP and it is tax deductible.
OR attend the next event: https://altocep.networkforgood.com/events/46190-magic-music-money-in-the-mountains
Join us on Friday, August 26th for an evening of food and drink, relaxing music, and amazing magic
Swing to the music provided by Marilyn Orr, pianist, a harpist and a flutist.
When the musicians take a break, a magician takes the stage.
Featuring Magician Bob Patillo.
Sip a cocktail while you peruse the fabulous silent auction featuring jewelry, art, furniture and more.
All proceeds cover the legal expenses of the Alto Coalition for Environmental Protection.
Cocktails at 5:00, Dinner at 6:00
The atmosphere is relaxed, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be amazed.
The Application for an air quality construction permit is hereby denied, and the corresponding permit shall not be issued by the Air Quality Bureau.
Digitally signed by Stephanie Stringer, Deputy Secretary of Environment
Just have to pay off lawyer bills now and be ever vigilant for any appeal from Roper OR any other industrialist submitting a new application. Expenses to combat the intrusion of this industrial polluter into our neighborhoods are substantially more money than our small group can afford so we are asking for your tax deductible donations.
AltoCEP is a tax exempt public charity as defined in Internal Revenue Code IRC 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions under IRC Section 170. Please consult your tax advisor for additional information.
To donate by check, please do the following:
Make your check or money order payable to “ALTOCEP”.
Mail your check to:
ALTOCEP
PO Box 1213
Alto, NM 88312
All of the members of AltoCEP are unpaid volunteers. Donations are used solely to cover expenses incurred protecting and preserving our fragile environment.
AltoCEP stands for "Alto Coalition for Environmental Preservation". Created to fight this particular Concrete Batch Plant, but also any future industrial intrusions into our neighborhoods.
Nicole Maxwell, Alamogordo Daily News
Lincoln National Forest and Guadalupe Mountains National Park both announced widespread closures Monday that effect Wednesday in an effort to stem the risk of wildfires to public safety.
A forest-wide closure order goes into effect for the Lincoln National Forest beginning at 8 a.m., May 25 and will be lifted on or before July 30, depending on weather conditions.
The 1.1 million-acre forest stretching through Eddy, Otero and Lincoln counties will be closed due to active wildfires across New Mexico and an extreme fire danger that remains in effect until further notice.
"All National Forest System lands, recreation sites, campgrounds, roads, trails, and trailheads within the boundary of the Lincoln National Forest will be closed to the general public," a Lincoln National Forest news release states. "County and state roads that cross Forest Service lands are not under the Forest Service’s jurisdiction and will remain open to vehicular traffic. Local communities will remain open for business during the closure." Residential and business indoor fireplace use is still allowed.
Prior to implementing fire restrictions or forest closures, forest managers consider factors such as fire danger, fire activity, weather conditions, firefighting re
source availability, economic impacts to businesses and communities and local, regional and national fire preparedness levels, the news release state.
NM State Forester Strengthens Statewide Fire Restrictions Due to Extreme Fire Danger – May 19, 2022
Today Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Cabinet Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst and State Forester Laura McCarthy signed a new Fire Restrictions Order (2022-02) prohibiting smoking, fireworks use, campfires, open fires, open burning, and operation of certain equipment (i.e. chainsaws, cutting torches, welders, grinders, and other similar equipment). Order 2022-02 applies to all non-municipal, non-federal, and non-tribal lands in New Mexico. The attached order 2022-02 outlines the rules and exceptions. This order supersedes any previous orders
BLM Roswell issues emergency closure for Ft. Stanton-Snowy River Cave NCA and Lincoln tracts MAY 24, 2022
Due to extreme fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management Roswell Field Office will temporarily close the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area and Rio Bonito Acquired Lands, also known as the Lincoln tracts. The closure is effective on May 25, 2022, at 8 a.m., and will continue until further notice.
During the closure, it is prohibited to enter the restricted areas, which includes BLM administered land within the Ft. Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area and the Rio Bonito Acquired Lands within Lincoln County.
The purpose of this order is for the protection of public health and safety by minimizing chances for wildfire starts. Abundant dry fuels, extreme fire danger, and expected worsening fire conditions, has prompted this action. The use of exploding targets and fireworks is prohibited on all BLM-managed lands in New Mexico by statewide order.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. Restitution for total costs of fire suppression or damage will be borne by the violator.
The BLM appreciates the public’s cooperation in helping to minimize the number of human-caused wildfires. For more information, please contact the BLM Roswell Field Office at 575-622-5335 or the BLM NM Fire Restrictions site. Additional fire restrictions information can be found at www.nmfireinfo.com.
New Mexico State Parks Announces Temporary Closures & Restrictions Due to Extreme Fire Danger – May 18, 2022
In particular - be prepared in case of evacuation. Read this Guide to staying safe during wildfires: https://www.safehome.org/resources/wildfire-safety-guide/
Also read this Ready, Set, GO brochure: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/FINAL-new-mexico-RSG-guide-2017_000.pdf
With the 2022 wildfire season off to an early start in New Mexico, it is vital to have an emergency kit and an evacuation plan in place for you and your family. The 2022 Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round campaign provides monthly wildfire preparedness tasks that follow the changing seasons. The May message from a partnership with NM wildfire agencies and nongovernmental organizations is: “Wildfire season is here. Pack a go-bag and keep it near!” Whether you live in the wildland-urban interface or in a rural area in the mountains, communication is key during wildfire season. Be sure to register with your local government’s emergency management office for text or email notifications and connect with your county or city’s social media. The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan.
Ready – Get Ready
• Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include the evacuation of large animals, such as horses, in your plan. • Put together an emergency supply kit or go-bag. The NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Preparedness Guide is a good resource for items to include. Keep an extra kit in your vehicle. Don’t forget important family documents like birth certificates, wills, deeds and insurance policies.
Set – Be Prepared to Go
• Monitor fire weather conditions and fire status. See inciweb.nwcg.gov and nmfireinfo.com. Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for updates and check official information sources on the internet. • Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets in place, and make sure all family members have a copy of evacuation and contact information. • Load your supplies and go-bags in your vehicle.
Go – Act Early, Evacuate
• Do not wait to be advised to leave if there is a possible threat to your home or evacuation route. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. If you are advised to leave by local authorities, do not hesitate. If you don’t follow the Go order, understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you. • Head to a predetermined location in a low-risk area, such as a relative’s house, Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, motel or school. Identify several routes in case your first choice is closed due to the fire.
Other helpful resources include the Ready, Set, Go! Program (video), Living with Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner, New Mexico, Firewise USA®, and Fire Adapted New Mexico learning network (FACNM).
Your NM wildfire cooperators, including the BLM New Mexico, the Forest Stewards Guild, the Fire Adapted New Mexico learning network, Santa Fe, Cibola and Carson National Forests, New Mexico Forestry Division, New Mexico Coalition of Conservation Districts, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, to continue in 2022 a wildfire preparedness calendar and share the message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars and community events. Bookmark the wildfire preparedness webpage to follow the campaign throughout the year.
On Friday evening, June 8, 2012, Sun Valley, Little Creek and La Junta subdivisions started getting warning calls through emergency notification systems, either Lincoln County’s CODE Red or Ruidoso’s E911Emergency Notification System. The calls informed everyone to evacuate the area by 1 a.m. By early Saturday morning the subdivision was empty of all residents. Only firefighters had a presence in the area.
With the help of some fantastic firefighters and a change in wind direction, all structures within the Sun Valley Water & Sanitation District escaped being burned. But, because of the fire still raged in the forest surrounding us, we stayed evacuated for eight days. Being kept away from our home for that length of time was a traumatic experience for most of us.
So there are three things we encourage every one with a home in SVW & SD to do, to be prepared for the upcoming fire season. Yes – it can happen again. Just look at the drought, beetle-kill trees, and little snow this winter (which also means no snow pack to melt and fill the rivers), PLUS a not too optimistic forecast for any moisture anytime soon. All these things implicate a risk for wildfire.
#1. If you own a home here, even if you do not live here full time, sign up on the web with Lincoln County CODE Red at https://www.onsolve.com/landing/sign-up-for-codered-emergency-alerts/
Also, since we are close to Ruidoso, sign up for Ruidoso E911Emergency Notification System at www.CallMeRuidoso.com
You may sign up for both notification systems. You will get calls at whatever number you provide, which may be here in Alto or at your primary home elsewhere. The emergency system will automatically call landlines in the area of the emergency. For example - it will call all numbers starting with 336 here in Sun Valley. Or providing a cell phone number allows you to get calls anywhere.
#2. Know what you need to take in case of an evacuation.
Evacuating During a Wildfire
When wildfires ignite, they can spread very quickly. It's important to know how to evacuate and what to bring with you.
If wildland fires threaten your area, listen to your radio or television for reports and evacuation information (Code RED and E911), and follow the directions of local authorities.
Every home and workplace/vehicle should have a basic disaster kit. This kit is specific to the needs of you and your loved ones.
The Five P’s of Immediate Evacuation: • People and Pets – And other livestock, too • Papers – Important documents • Prescriptions – Medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids • Pictures – Irreplaceable memories • Personal Computer – Information on hard drives and disks
Before the Fire: • Collect valuables, important documents, medications and other personal items in one place and ready for evacuation. • What you can fit into your vehicle is what you can take. Make priorities by determining what is replaceable and what is not. • Maintain a disaster supplies kit. This includes a first aid kit, emergency tools, a battery-powered radio and flashlight, extra batteries, extra car keys, credit cards, water and non-perishable food. Also consider blankets, pillows and sleeping bags. • Determine your need to have coverings for windows and skylights to increase fire resistance. Have these coverings readily accessible. • Have a means of transporting pets and livestock readily available. • Make sure the needs of children and any elderly or disabled family members are met. • Clearly post your name and address, so it can be seen from the street. • Establish and practice a family evacuation plan and a meeting location. Determine who you will notify about your evacuation. Determine where you will get fire updates. (Code RED and E911 both called during the Little Bear Fire with updates and public meeting notifications. This was also how we found out we could go home finally.)
When Fire Is Nearby: • Park your vehicle facing out. Put your valuables in the car. Place the car keys where you can find them quickly. • Dress appropriately. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief. • Confine or secure pets to one room or area. Prepare them to be transported.
If you have time: *Move all flammable furniture (including outdoor furniture) to the center of your home. *Close all your curtains. Heavy curtains will help deflect heat. Flimsy curtains may easily catch on fire and are best pulled down. *Clear a firebreak around the buildings. *Shut gas off at the meter. (Only a qualified professional can safely turn the gas back on.) *Turn off propane tanks. *Wet down your shrubs close to structures. *Wet down your roof and above ground fuel tanks. *Be sure to turn your outside faucets back off before you leave to conserve water for the firefighter later.
• Keep your electricity on and leave some lights on. When you leave, tie a bandana on your door knob to let the officials know you have left. They also recommend leaving the doors unlocked, but obviously this is up to you. When advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Chose a route away for the fire hazard and be alert to changes in the speed and direction of the fire and smoke.
#3. Fire Prevention Tips: *Take care with flammables. *Mow grass short. *Keep weeds trimmed. *Rake pine needles and leaves. *Clear away refuse. *Keep firewood away from structures, electric lines and rights-of-ways. *Allow your electric co-op, Otero County Electric Co-op (575) 336-4550, to keep power lines and rights-of-ways free of trees and shrubs. *Clear dead trees and limbs from your property. *Trim lower limbs of the trees up off the ground. *All home owners receive up to 12 yards of yard waste pick up as a service you pay for through Greentree Solid Waste Authority. *Trim dead or dormant shrubbery away from houses and out buildings. *Make a family evacuation plan. Have a meeting place in case you are separated at the time of the fire. The phone service was out all day June 9, both land and cell phone. This is why it is important to establish a meeting place. *Have an inventory of home valuables in a fireproof box.
!!If you own property in SVW &SD that does not have a structure on it – be a courteous, conscience owner. Keep your property free of dead or dying trees. Keep the wild grass and weeds trimmed and the pine needles raked. Call Greentree Solid Waste Authority (575) 378-4697 for information to dispose of your yard waste!!
Side note on the Little Bear Fire: Sun Valley Water installed a solar panel system to run their wells in April, 2012. When the power went down Saturday, June 9, because of the wildfire, our solar panels kept the water pumping and running the water system for the firefighters. The real fight with the wildfire on the borders of Little Creek and Sun Valley happened that day. You have some very forward thinking neighbors on your water board. We need to thank them for their time and effort.
During the days we were evacuated, Joe Buchanan, our system operator at the time, was here in Sun Valley every day making sure water was available to the fire fighters. We thank him for his dedication to his job.
If you have already purchased tickets, they will be honored on the new date.
More information will follow soon.
Thank you for your understanding.
If you are a member of Alto Lake Golf and Country Club, you can buy tickets from ALG&CC. Others go to the ALTOCEP.org website to purchase your tickets.
Recently, Roper Construction hired a PR firm in Santa Fe. The first results have been his presentation at the last Lincoln County Commissioners Meeting, emails sent to people who submitted comments to Enemy-D and who provided their email addresses, and USPS mailings to people who submitted their comments via the US Postal Service. We will come back to this.
One of our team asked Ryan Roper how he came by these addresses. His reply: “NMED.” How can that be, we asked?
Well, the answer is that the State of New Mexico does not consider your personal information to be private if you participate in a Public Hearing. You can read about that HERE.
In the category of “Too soon old, too late smart,” we apologize that we were not aware of this fact earlier so that we could alert everyone. However, given that the bureaucrats freely hand out personal information to anyone who requests it (if you participated in a public hearing), we don’t know what difference it would have made.
About those “The Truth” messages If we were to believe what Roper is now saying - as prompted by his PR hacks - the proposed Alto Concrete Batch Plant will actually clean up our air. Quite a departure from reality, huh?
Consider these points: (H/T Galen Farrington)
“... People have the obligation to make sure they know the facts about what they are opposing.” - Ryan Roper, “The Truth” information letter.
“... PM10 and PM2.5 reported in the air permit application are nonhazardous and nontoxic particulate matter.” - again Roper.
One study in Houston, Texas referencing the particulate matter emitted from concrete batch plants revealed 5,200 premature general population deaths.
Roper’s statements during the March County Commissioners' Meeting were that he would use 3,000 gallons of water per day. His “Truth” letter states, “4-acre feet of water per year.” The mathematical discrepancy is over 500,000 gallons per year.
“No TAPS are (sic) emitted by the facility.” The EPA recognizes “the cement sector as the third largest industrial source of pollution emitting more that 500,000 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.” This is a significant health risk to “sensitive populations” as defined by NMED.
“Water used to rinse out the trucks is recycled into the concrete mix.” Are you using the “closed loop” standard of the industry? Even the industry recognizes it is not possible to “close loop” an entire facility. Fugitive dust and contaminated water are recognized byproducts of the cement/concrete industry.
Scientists researching the Fort Stanton – Snowy River Cave system have weighed-in on the water percolation issue that will effect our soil and water resources.”
Your contributions to our Legal Opposition Fund are more important than ever. We have just learned that NMED Hearing Officer Gregory Chalakin has made a motion to convene a follow-on hearing with testimony from the NMED witnesses [for Roper] Our Attorney is on top of this and will do his best to protect our interests.
