Rio Grande Sierran Volume 55, Issue 1 News of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter: New Mexico & West Texas January/February/March 2017 The Environment Under Trump Rays of hope

Photo of Albuquerque Standing Rock demonstration by Jim MacKenzie Our climate, water, animals and land face unprecedented federal threats. But in New Mexico and El Paso, the elections created opportunities for real progress. A newly green Legislature Citizens speak up for Chaco How you can make a difference What changes Tribal communities are If you’re feeling will we see as a pro- packing public meet- distraught after the elec- environment major- ings to talk about oil tion, you don’t need to ity takes over New and gas development in feel helpless. Countless Mexico’s House in the Northwest New Mexico’s actions can make a upcoming legislative greater Chaco Canyon positive impact on the session? Page 5. region. And citizens world around us and Read about the are taking their health on ourselves. Check many encouraging into their own hands by out the “How you can local election results training to test the air in make a difference” boxes and their implica- communities impacted by throughout this issue. tions for our children’s drilling. Page 3. You’re sure to find an future. Page 8. action that suits you!

EXPLORE, ENJOY AND PROTECT THE PLANET More inside:

Rio Grande Chapter Non-Profit Org. PNM files for another rate hike Sierra Club U.S. Postage But in good news, the utility withdrew its request to build a 1807 Second St., Unit 45 PAID $100 million natural-gas plant and pipeline. Page 6 Santa Fe, NM 87505 Albuquerque, NM Permit No. 612 El Paso’s next generation of planet-savers Americas High School students build wheelchair-accessible trails, count pollinators and campaign to save Castner Range. Page 10 Military outings program serves those who served Program created by and for veterans makes its inaugural hike. Page 11 More: Standing Rock and New Mexico: Page 4. BLM finalizes climate-protecting rules; will they survive Trump? Page 7. Year in Review: the thrill of victory, the agony of oil executives running our state agencies: Page 9. Southern N.M. Group: Page 10. Verde Line: Page 13. Bandelier trail rehabilitation: Page 14. Hikes: 15 and 16 Rio Grande Chapter Contacts Executive Committee 310-0595, [email protected] 915-526-6297 (El Paso). Nathan, Jim Baker, Claire McKnight Western New Mexico Bag-Free Team: Jody Benson, David Coss, chair, Fundraising: John Buchser Robert Tohe, Our Wild America se- Pajarito Group representative, (505) [email protected] Members: David Coss, Jim Baker nior organizing representative, (928) 662-4782 Shane Woolbright, vice chair, 405- Legal: Richard Barish, 505-232- 774-6103, robert.tohe@sierraclub. Organ Mountains Desert Peaks: 323-2569, [email protected] 3013, [email protected] org Ken Newtson, newtsonk@comcast. Legislative: Co-chairs: Melinda Laurence Gibson, secretary, Sierra Club National net, 575-644-8793. 915-309-5419, [email protected] Smith, Patricia Cardona. Members: 85 Second St., 2nd Floor, San Fran- Conservation Issues Susan Martin, 505-988-5206, cisco, CA 94105, 415-977-5500 John Buchser, Judy Williams, Elliot Conservation: Chair: Ken Hughes, [email protected] Roger Singer, senior field organiz- Stern, Mary Katherine Ray, Jim Kluk- 505-474-0550, b1family@comcast. Ray Shortridge, treasurer, 505-604- ing manager, (NM, CO, UT), mobile: kert, Melinda Smith, Tom Gorman net 3908, [email protected] 303-884-0064, office: 303-449-5595 Membership: Open Energy/Climate Change: x103, [email protected] John Buchser, jbuchser@ Chair: Denise Fort, denisefort@msn. Nominating: Ken Hughes, John comcast.net, 505-820-0201 Local Groups com; Verne Loose (natural gas), Buchser, Allyson Siwik, Ken Newtson, newtsonk@com- Central New Mexico Group, 2215 [email protected], 505.301.2917; Personnel: Chair: John Buchser. cast.net, 575-644-8793 Lead Ave SE, Albuquerque, 87106 Elliot Stern, willistar4142@gmail. Members: David Coss, Laurence Allyson Siwik, (575) 590-7619, Co-chairs: Fred Houdek, fjhoudek@ com; Shane Woolbright, mesoinc@ Gibson, Ken Hughes, Fred Houdek [email protected] gmail.com, 630-809-4234. hotmail.com, 405-323-2569; Ken Political Team: Susan Martin, 505- Eric Patterson, (575) 776-2833, El Paso Group, P.O. Box 9191, El Hughes (solar), b1family@comcast. 988-5206, [email protected] [email protected] Paso, TX 79995, Chair: Laurence net, 505-474-0550 Members: David Coss, Richard Bar- Fred Houdek, Central New Mexico Gibson, [email protected], 915-309- Water: Chair: John Buchser, 505- ish, Ken Newtson, Jody Benson Group representative: fjhoudek@ 5419. 820-0201, [email protected]; gmail.com, 630-809-4234 Northern New Mexico Group, Allyson Siwik, allysonsiwik@gmail. Political Compliance Officer: Richard Barish, 505-232-3013, Tom Gorman, Northern New Mexico 1807 Second St., Unit 45, Santa Fe, com, Eric Patterson, Paul Paryski; Group representative: 505-438-3932, NM 87505, 505-983-2703, Chair: Te- Ray Shortridge, Kurt Anderson, [email protected] [email protected] resa Seamster, tc.seamster@gmail. [email protected] Sierra Student Coalition: Neysa Dairy: Dan Lorimier, 575-740-2927, Jody Benson, Pajarito Group repre- com, 505-466-8964. Hardin, [email protected] [email protected] sentative, (505) 662-4782 Pajarito Group, P.O. Box 945, Los Alamos, NM, 87544, Chair: Jody Public Lands Team: Tom Gorman, Coalitions/Working Groups Southern New Mexico Group repre- Benson. Teresa Seamster, Mary Katherine America Votes: Susan Martin sentative: Open Southern New Mexico Group, Ray, Ken Newtson Chaco Coalition: Miya King-Fla- El Paso Group representative: Open P.O. Box 735, Mesilla, NM, 88046; Wildlife: Chair: Mary Katherine herty, Robert Tohe, Teresa Seamster Ray, 575-772-5655, mkrscrim@ Offices and Staff Chair: Ken Newtson, 575-644-8793, Coalition for Clean Affordable [email protected]. gmail.com Albuquerque office Energy: Denise Fort 2215 Lead Ave SE, Albuquerque, Four Corners: Robert Tohe, 928- Outings Doña Ana County: Ken Newtson 87106, 505-243-7767 774-6103, robert.tohe@sierraclub. Outings: Odile de la Beaujardiere, Environmental Alliance of New Camilla Feibelman, Rio Grande org [email protected], 505-433-4692 Methane: Camilla Feibelman, Mexico: Dan Lorimier Chapter director, 505-715-8388 or Central New Mexico: Odile de la [email protected] Friends of the Rio Grande del [email protected] Beaujardiere, [email protected], Miya King-Flaherty, Chapter pub- Mining, Sand & Gravel: Open Norte: Eric Patterson 505-433-4692 Zero Waste: Open lic lands fellow, (505) 243-7767, El Paso: John Walton, walton@ Valles Caldera: Teresa Seamster [email protected] utep.edu, 915-539-5797 Activism Teams Rio Puerco Management Southern New Mexico Northern New Mexico: Tobin Communications Team: Chair: Committee: Tom Gorman Dan Lorimier, conservation co- Oruch, [email protected], and Open. Members: Jim Klukkert, Lau- National Representatives ordinator (Southern and El Paso Alan Shapiro, [email protected] rence Gibson, David Coss, Benton Groups), Chapter lobbyist, 575-740- Southern New Mexico: Howie Howell, John Buchser Council of Club Leaders Del- 2927, [email protected] Dash, [email protected] Rio Grande Sierran Edito- egate: Susan Martin, 505-988-5206, Northern New Mexico Office Inspiring Connections Out- rial Board: Laurence Gibson, Ken [email protected] 1807 Second Street, Unit 45 doors: Ted Mertig, 915-852-3011, Hughes, Mary Katherine Ray, Jody Sierra Club Board of Directors Santa Fe, NM 87505 • 505-983-2703 [email protected] Benson, David Coss member: Liz Walsh, 915-342-7630 Mona Blaber, chapter communica- Sierran Editor: Mona Blaber, 505- Building Healthy Communities tions coordinator, 505-660-5905, Action Teams 660-5905, [email protected] Team Facilitator: Ken Hughes [email protected] Bosque Action Team: Richard Web Editor: Ellen Loehman, Claire McKnight, PAC treasurer, Barish, [email protected], [email protected], (505) 328-2954 BLM Subcommittee of the Wild- (646) 864-0209, claire.mcknight@ 505-232-3013. Elections: John Buchser lands Committee: Tom Gorman gmail.com Otero Mesa Action Team: Jerry Finance: Ray Shortridge, chair, Rio Grande Water Fund: Teresa Brintha Nathan, bookkeeper 505- Kurtyka, [email protected], 505-604-3908; Members: Brintha Seamster

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Submissions Contents of the Group You can make a difference club.org. by Rio Grande Chapter pages are the responsibility of The opinions expressed members will take prece- the editor for that Group and Volunteer opportunities — photographer: Are you great at in signed articles in the dence over others. any policies that are in place composing shots, lighting, catching a moment? Rio Grande Sierran are the Articles are subject to edit- from that Group. We need folks who can photograph our events and people opinions of the writers and ing. Letters to the editor may If you wish to opt out for sharing in newsletters, social media, etc. We’d also love to not necessarily those of the be up to 500 words, are also of the mailed copy of this have someone give a workshop on taking good photos. Please Sierra Club. subject to editing and are newsletter and read it contact [email protected] if you can occasinally Articles may be reprinted printed at the discretion of online: Contact Mona Blaber volunteer your skills and/or your photographs. for nonprofit purposes, the editorial board. at [email protected]. 2 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017 Drilling in the Chaco region Community members conducting air tests By Miya King-Flaherty Juan Reynosa, a mile of a resident’s home. The sight of Chapter Public Lands fellow center, of the flare reflected the grim reality that ir monitoring for a commu- SouthWest communities in the Greater Chaco area nity health assessment that will Organizing Project face flaring all morning and night. inform BLM’s plans for fracking trains community Among the five sites chosen as isA well under way. sampling locations is a spot near volunteers in Thanks to community volunteers and northwest New Lybrook Elementary School in other partners, the coalition is making Mexico to test Counselor. progress toward a full Health Impact for contaminants Delandira Butsie, who lives in Assessment. in the air. an impacted area, carried out the The assessment is an objective evalu- air sampling, despite at times being Photo courtesy ation of the potential health impacts of confronted by oil and gas workers hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the Miya King-Flaherty who tried to prohibit her from taking Greater Chaco area. It will be used to samples on public lands. provide recommendations to the Bureau cies before approval of new oil and gas own air testing. All samples were analyzed by ALS of Land Management’s Farmington drilling. Community volunteers were also Environmental Labs. Analysis on the Field Office as the agency updates its In October, Juan Reynosa of trained on using air-quality logs to track samples was done by staff scientist 2003 Resource Management Plan and SouthWest Organizing Project trained when certain smells and emissions are Mark Chernaik of the Environmental Environmental Impact Statement to community members to collect air noticeable, and on completing a Chain Law Alliance Worldwide. In a couple include the impacts of fracking. samples at oil and gas sites. Reynosa of Custody form — forms that are of samples, high levels of the vola- The report will also be used to demonstrated how to collect air necessary when sending samples to a tile organic compound toluene were offer recommendations, proposed by samples using buckets developed by laboratory. detected. Though the levels are not of impacted community members, to Global Community Monitoring that The volunteers practiced sampling a health or environmental significance, the Navajo Nation Council, Bureau of are used worldwide as a cost-effective after the training session at a well site the data help set a baseline to compare Indian Affairs and other relevant agen- way for communities to carry out their where flaring was occurring within half future data. Chaco comments flood in to BLM By Miya King-Flaherty Piñon Pipeline: Chapter Public Lands fellow Another victory for n October, the Interior people power Department announced that the Bureau of Land n Dec. 16, the BLM IManagement is reopening its Oannounced that Denver- public scoping process to update based Saddle Butte LLC had its out-of-date management plan withdrawn its application for for oil and gas development in a right of way for the Piñon northwest New Mexico. Pipeline, which had threatened The 2003 Resource to quadruple oil drilling in the Management Plan failed to Chaco Canyon region. analyze the impacts of oil and Two years ago, Saddle Butte gas extraction from the Mancos- applied to build the 130-mile Gallup shale formation. The pipeline across federal, state and Navajo land, cutting between plan also lacked adequate tribal Chaco Culture National consultation, a thorough envi- Historical Park and outlier ronmental review, and, having Pueblo Pintado and coming been written before new technol- Photo courtesy Miya King-Flaherty within feet of thousand-year-old ogies made horizontal fracking A Navajo Nation Museum meeting room in Window Rock, Ariz., wasn’t big enough to hold all the Puebloan ruins. more viable in the Mancos shale community members who attended on Dec. 2 to express concerns about fracking on tribal lands. Thousands of you sent formation, lacks a comprehen- at Navajo Nation Museum comments through the Sierra sive plan for addressing fracking in Window Rock, Ariz., on Club and our allies, and the in the Greater Chaco region. How you can make a difference Dec. 2. The meeting was BLM responded by slowing The BLM is partnering with The BLM is approving drilling permits in the Chaco area despite down the fast-track process the the Bureau of Indian Affairs so well-attended that entry admitting that its management plan is out of date because it pipeline had been on. This is to hold eight public scoping into the meeting room was doesn’t address fracking. Please urge the agency to halt leasing a huge victory for climate and meetings in the Navajo Nation. managed by allowing one person in as another went until its amendment to the plan is complete. Write to BLM_NM_ the communities in the Greater These meetings provide opportu- [email protected]. Need help? Contact Chaco region, and it wouldn’t nities for community members out. Several public comments referred to the water protec- [email protected]. As we saw with the halting of have happened without your and the broader public to voice help. concerns and offer alternatives tors at Standing Rock in North the Piñon Pipeline, public engagement works! that they want incorporated into Dakota and the need to protect the management plan. Chaco in the same way. plan, including: ing down approval of new wells. The BLM started the first The meetings demonstrated • an immediate morato- Almost 370 wells encroach upon land uses and public health. meeting, on Nov. 10, on the overwhelming consensus that rium on drilling, fracking and this sensitive landscape. The The unprecedented inclusion of wrong foot when Chapter fracking in the region is having approval of new leases until the BLM continues to approve drill- the BIA in the scoping process President Duane “Chili” Yazzie, profound negative effects on amendment is complete; ing permits through conduct- may help assure that indigenous following chapter protocol, the environment and surround- • tribal consultation at the ing individual environmental interests, and community health insisted that the agency allow ing communities. Residents state and local chapter level, assessments citing “no signifi- and safety, are addressed. community members to commented on increased rates not just the governmental level; cant impacts” and skirting the Please submit a personal comment in an open discus- of cancer and asthma, noise and • a comprehensive health and process. The BLM plans to lease comment asking the BLM for sion forum. The BLM abruptly dust pollution, soil contami- social impact assessment and an additional 843 acres in the a drilling and leasing mora- shut the meeting down because nation impacting crops and thorough analysis of cultural area for oil and gas development torium until the amendment that did not follow its process. medicinal plants, constant resources and sacred sites for at a January 2017 lease sale. In is complete. Comments can Criticized for being disrespect- exposure to toxic fumes and the affected communities; and an effort to avoid public scrutiny, be sent to Mark Ames, BLM ful and culturally insensitive, desecration of sacred sites. • alternatives for local it is holding the lease sale online. Farmington Field Office project the BLM changed its format to The Sierra Club is part of the economic development that The “multiple-use mandate” manager, at BLM_NM_FFO_ allow for public comments at Chaco Coalition — groups, don’t depend on fossil fuels and requires the BLM to balance [email protected]. later meetings and is planning citizens and community leaders offer a just transition to clean, uses of public lands for a variety For more information on on rescheduling the Shiprock calling on the BLM to incor- renewable energy sources. of activities. Yet for decades how to help, please visit www. meeting. porate key alternatives in the In spite of the current public BLM has prioritized oil and riograndesierraclub.org/stop- The latest meeting took place amendment to its management process, the BLM is not slow- gas at the expense of all other auctioning-off-chaco. January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Sierran 3 Look forward, inspired by the past sually when something bad dissolve into sweet chuckles. I don’t have happens, time soothes the to do much, just be there, and that makes bad feelings and my outlook me want to give him everything I have. Uimproves. But I think we can all agree He offers us a lesson: that we must keep at that every day is a little worse than the it. We must not shut off. It’s easy to want last with the Trump administration that to hide from the news and take refuge is taking shape. from the speculation. But now more than For the Environmental Protection ever, we have to stand tall and fight. We Agency, he nomi- have to organize for what is right, and we nated Oklahoma have to do it in new and innovative ways. Attorney General I think of U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who Scott Pruitt, a climate was the head of the Student Nonviolent denier and one of the Coordinating Committee in the ’60s. leads in the lawsuit He and his collegues tried something against the Clean that had never been done. They trained Photo courtesy Birmingham News Power Plan. His pick themselves in Gandhian nonviolence, put In the early ’60s, John Lewis, above, now a U.S. congressman, led the Student for Secretary of State on their Sunday best and sat at Nashville Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in a new approach: training themselves in Camilla is the ExxonMobil lunch counters. They reacted peacefully Gandhian nonviolence, putting on their Sunday best and sitting at lunch counters. Feibelman CEO whose relation- to name-calling, spitting and beatings. Chapter director ship to Russia will The evening news was being broadcast Our little people learn to smile, laugh, Will we fight for the future of our kids surely boost stalled in more homes throughout the country, roll, sit, stand, crawl and walk, some- and grandkids? efforts to drill the Arctic. For the Interior and people were horrified that American times seemingly against all odds. We too We are laying the groundwork to do Department, he slated Montanta Rep. citizens could be treated in such a way. must pick ourselves up. Resist the instinct just that. We’ve had incredible turnout Ryan Zinke, who has a 3% League of It was a long road, with bridges to cross, to place blame — the Russians or the FBI at event after event. People are signing Conservation Voters rating. marches to walk and buses to ride, but stole the election; we should have gone for up in droves to volunteer. Donations of My only relief is that when I’m not eventually, with creativity, insistence and Bernie; our base didn’t do what it needed support are coming in. looking at the computer, I’m looking at perseverance, they did overcome, winning to; the Republicans have institutionalized Rafael, my 5-month-old. His smiling and those first fights for voting rights and voter disenfranchisement. Some of these Together, we move forward and striving to develop rest my mind. He is desegregation. So now we must act in the things may be true, but the most impor- continue in the long tradition of creat- adamant that he’ll roll from his tummy great American tradition of persistent tant truth will be what we do from here. ing progress. Please join us. Bring your to his back. My very face makes him striving for the right and the good of all Will we stand up? Will we get creative? grandkids, your kids, your friends and smile, and just a little laugh causes him to — for progress. Will we get strategic? Will we get trained? your families. Protectors in Standing Rock and New Mexico By Camilla Feibelman Left: About 750 people Trump has promised to complete very now and then gathered in Albuquerque as many pipelines as the corpo- something happens to stand with the rate entities here in the United that sheds light on the Standing Rock Sioux States desire, it is up to you to bigger picture in a way to stop the Dakota take leadership in this matter. Ethat would be hard to other- Access oil pipeline that Please request a full EIS on the wise achieve. The protests at endangers their water. entire DAPL 1,200-mile route. Standing Rock are an example. Photo by Tom Solomon There are many other crossings of Tens of thousands of people Below: Oceti Sakowin tributaries of the Missouri and have joined Standing Rock camp in November, Mississippi rivers by the DAPL Sioux tribal leaders to protest the construction of the Dakota with scars of military pipeline, and every single cross- Access Pipeline under the brushfire in background. ing presents a risk. The nearly Missouri River on Army Corps Photo by John Buchser one-per-day significant failure of lands adjacent to the reserva- pipelines in the United States is tion that the tribe claims as a threat to the drinking water of theirs under treaty. millions of citizens and an indict- Even 1,000 miles away, the ment of the technology involved. urgent issues in North Dakota I would also appreciate if you are relevant in New Mexico, would ask for restraint by the state where expanded oil and gas of North Dakota and Morton operations are putting cultural heritage sites near Chaco County Sheriff’s department. The Canyon and adjacent commu- threats that have been issued, nities at risk (see Page 3). starting with the revocation of More than 750 tribal repre- a permit for the Oceti Sakowin sentatives and community camp, eviction threats, followed by members gathered at the Army threats of withholding food, wood Corps of Engineers building in and supplies from the campers, is Albuquerque Nov. 15 in one reservation. We had an unfor- Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851. dum signed by Jo-Ellen Darcy beyond belief. The nearest compa- of hundreds of Standing with gettable experience of military In reading the Army Corps of of the Army Corps of Engineers rable level of threats and physical Standing Rock protests across brutality against the water protec- Engineers’ letter on the permit (presumably of Dec. 4). It states engagement by police forces on the nation. More than 400 tors. I am still in mourning for situation under Lake Oahe for that “Because of security concerns civil nonviolent protests is that people signed the Sierra Club’s Sophia Wilansky, who may lose and sensitivities, several documents of the 1965 Selma, Ala., voting- petition to halt oil and gas lease the Dakota Access Pipeline, it her arm, and Vanessa Dundon supporting the Environmental sales near Chaco Canyon. appears that there is no assurance rights movement. I am in personal who — while responding to a cry Assessment were marked confi- Some of our own members that a full environmental impact fear for our citizens, as President- for help at the Backwater Bridge dential and were withheld from have gone to Standing Rock statement will be performed on elect Trump is showing disdain for — is losing sight in one eye due to the public or representatives and in solidarity and to better the entire 1,200-mile route. women, people of color, and the understand the landscape. John the excessive military response that Apparently, permitting for experts of the Standing Rock Sioux laws of our great country. night to a peaceful protest. Tribe.” Consultation with the tribe Buchser, former Rio Grande pipelines is routinely broken into I thank you for eight years of small segments, thus bypassing should be a government-to-govern- Chapter chair and current I thank you for the small service to the country, and I wish victory issued by the Army Corps of the requirement of a full impact ment consultation. The tribal Water Issues chair, and his wife us both success in protecting the Engineers that temporarily denies statement. I do not believe this government is within our nation, Linda spent several days there rights of our country, our citi- and wrote the following letter the permit for the Dakota Access was the intent of the National and risks to our nation, our land, zens, and the planet upon which to President Obama: Pipeline to go under Lake Oahe Environmental Policy Act of and our people are also risks to we reside. Dear President Obama, one-half mile from the reservation, 1969. the tribe. This is an inappropriate On Nov. 20, my wife and I and within the area that rightfully I am particularly troubled by restraint on sharing of risk analysis. Sincerely, were camped on the Cannon Ball the tribe should control under the Item 5 of the undated memoran- Given President-elect Donald John R. Buchser 4 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017 Legislature and regulations Groups challenge changes to water rules

By Rachel Conn Amigos Bravos he New Mexico Environment Department is in the process of revising statewide regulations that Tgovern how the department protects our groundwater and surface water. The Department has conducted two rounds of public comments on its proposed revisions and hosted public and stakeholder meetings and an online public listening session. All comments, including those by Sierra Club, Amigos Bravos and Gila Resources Information Project and New With a much more environment-friendly Legislature in place in New Mexico, there’s new optimism for passing bills that Mexico Environmental Law Center are increase renewable-energy requirements, ban trapping on public recreation lands and protect the state’s water resources. available online. But will the governor sign them? Conservation and community voices in New Mexico have identified several concerns with the proposed revisions, which include eliminating the five-year limit on water-quality variances. Cleaner state ahead Currently, polluters need a variance By Dan Lorimier Even with a more environ- from groundwater-quality rules if they Rio Grande Chapter How you can make a difference mentally sympathetic legisla- will contaminate groundwater above conservation coordinator Our small state and citizen legislature allow everyone ture, some of these attempts water-quality standards, and polluters a strong voice in policy-making. We are hosting citizen may gain a foothold with the must reapply for the variance every five here’s hope for years. Given the importance of grant- legislation that lobby trainings where guest legislators discuss how you changes in federal policies. can effectively communicate with elected officials. Meanwhile, we are prepar- ing a variance, only the 14-member boosts renewable Water Quality Control Commission can Las Cruces: 6-8 p.m. Jan. 4, Southwest Environmental ing to face the challenges energy, wildlife approve them, and the public is allowed Center, 275 North Main St., Las Cruces, N.M. and opportunities of this Tand air and water protec- to participate in these proceedings and tions during this year’s New Albuquerque: 6-8 p.m. Jan. 11, St. Mark’s Episcopal legislative session by activat- provide comment. The Environment Mexico legislative session, Church, 431 Richmond Place, NE, Albuquerque ing you, our members, with Department is proposing to allow facili- thanks to the November Santa Fe: 5-7 p.m. Jan. 19, Christus-St. Vincent Medical several two-hour citizen ties that pollute water to obtain variances elections. Dental Building Suite 201, 465 St. Michael’s Drive. lobby training sessions where for unlimited durations instead. And the There will also be lobby trainings during the session at With the New Mexico guest legislators help us department’s periodic review would not Land, Water and Wildlife Day on Feb. 8 and Renewable House of Representatives understand the best practices require a public process. firmly back in Democratic Energy Day on March 3. For more info, contact camilla. for challenging, supporting Conservation and community orga- control and Democrats [email protected]. and influencing our senators nizations are also concerned about strengthening their majority and representatives. These proposals to expand the Environment in the state Senate, legislative Currently, the New Mexico • Banning coyote-killing training events are scheduled Department’s power to change discharge dynamics will shift. standard ends in 2020 at contests; for Las Cruces on Jan. 4, permits and cleanup standards without a Instead of the state Senate 20%. • Banning the importa- Albuquerque on Jan. 11 and robust public process. being the backstop for • A study to determine tion of parts or products Santa Fe on Jan. 19. environmentally threaten- The department is also proposing some how much water it takes to made from the world’s most But wait! We, and state positive changes, including updating New ing legislation coming from endangered species. support oil and gas develop- Sen. William Soules, are also Mexico’s groundwater standards to be a Republican-dominated When the next presiden- ment and production. How sponsoring the Land, Water consistent with EPA recommendations, House, Gov. Susana tial administration takes many barrels of water does and Wildlife Day at the which will result in stronger standards for Martinez now becomes office on Jan. 20, many envi- it take to produce a barrel Legislature on Wednesday, many pollutants. In addition, the depart- a backstop for bills that of oil? ronmentally protective poli- threaten her questionable Feb. 8! This is a great day ment is proposing to increase the permit • Requiring all-source cies will face reversals. These fees that polluters pay. Currently permit economic agenda, within are going to have a power- to visit the Roundhouse, which she sees New Mexico’s requests for proposal when explore more than 20 fees only pay for about 8 percent of the utilities want to add energy fully negative environmental discharge-permit program, meaning that environment as only an impact here, as common- organizations’ accomplish- obstacle. capacity, with an indepen- ments and plans, lobby your taxpayers substantially subsidize the ability dent evaluator to review, so sense regulations are aban- for industry to discharge waste into our The Rio Grande Chapter’s doned in favor of a free-for- legislators and participate utilities can’t make foolish water resources. To ensure that this permit Legislative Team and I will all approach to energy policy in an outdoor rally for the purchase decisions that fee increase is included in the department’s be asking for your support reflected in state legisation Mexican gray wolf. We will benefit shareholders but cost final proposal, the public must keep the at the Roundhouse in the like these bills we have seen consumers. also offer lobby trainings pressure on Gov. Susana Martinez’s office. 60-day legislative session in recent years: that day as well as on March • Updating New Mexico’s The Department met with representa- that runs from Jan. 17 until 3, Renewable Energy Day. Property-Assessed Clean Destructive legislation tives from Amigos Bravos, Gila Resources March 18. Some of the legis- Every New Mexican, lation we will be advocating Energy program so owners • Abandoning our renew- Information Project, Sierra Club and especially when compared for in 2017: of federally mortgaged able-energy requirements New Mexico Environmental Law Center homes can install renew- • Attempting to seize to high-population states’ and committed to address some of these Positive legislation able-energy systems whose public lands in New Mexico. citizens, has a powerful voice concerns in its next draft of revisions. • Strengthening our financing stays with the • Disallowing counties at our Legislature. Your legis- The proposed revisions can be viewed Renewable Energy Act to home rather than with the and municipalities the right lators want to know you and at www.env.nm.gov/gwb/. A new draft is require investor-owned New installing owner if and when to control the methods what you think. Help New expected to be released in January. Public Mexico utilities to provide the home is sold. used and the areas zoned Mexico protect itself from hearings on the proposal are expected 50% of their electricity • Banning traps and for oil and gas development the worst changes in federal to be scheduled for April or May. To from renewable energy by poisons on public lands in and production. State rules policy by participating in stay up to date on the process, write to 2030 and 100% by 2050. New Mexico; would “preempt” local rules. these empowering events! [email protected]. January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Sierran 5 Energy and climate PNM files for new rate hike PNM By Mona Blaber to air-conditioning, the util- drops Communications ity reports higher on-peak coordinator usage during summer days. or the second time in PNM says it must continue gas-plant a year, New Mexico’s to construct power plants largest electric utility (or purchase power) to meet wants to raise rates. demand during peak periods, request FOn Dec. 6, Public Service but the costs are spread across fewer kWh sales, so the cost Company of New Mexico filed By Mona Blaber for a $99 million rate hike, per kWh goes up. Of course, keeping demand high keeps In October, Public Service an overall increase of 14.3%, Company of New Mexico with a 15.8% hike to residential capital investment high, which is in PNM’s interest because it withdrew its application to ratepayers. If the state Public build a $100 million natural- Regulation Commission allows can add capital costs to rates and earn a rate of return. So gas plant, good news for the full increase, PNM is willing ratepayers and those who don’t to recover the rates through PNM does little to invest in demand-reduction programs, want increased dependence on a two-part increase: A $50 climate-damaging energy. million rate increase effective which could be a cost-effective Last year, PNM filed at the Jan 1, 2018, and a $9.2 million way to reduce demand but Public Regulation Commission increase on Jan 1, 2019. If it wouldn’t help PNM investors. for a 187-megawatt natural- doesn’t get the whole increase, The proposed increase would gas plant as part of a deal with PNM wants the hike all at once. pay for pollution controls at Gov. Susana Martinez’s admin- The average residential bill the remaining two units at istration to retire two units at (563 kilowatt-hours per month) coal-fired San Juan Generating coal-fired San Juan Generating under the proposal would Station and for nuclear power Station. increase by $5.82 in 2018 and as replacement for the two San another $4.69 in 2019. Photo courtesy San Juan Citizens Alliance Juan units to be retired in 2017. The utility withdrew that request because it couldn’t show The residential-customer PNM proposes to charge customers for pollution controls at PNM also proposes to it needed the added power, and charge would increase from Four Corners coal plant, above. But the utility didn’t run a cost add the cost of new pollu- a PRC hearing examiner wrote $7 to $13.77 a month, a 97% analysis on renewing its ownership stake in Four Corners when tion controls at Four Corners that evidence showed that the increase on every bill. This coal plant to rates. Part of its contract expired. El Paso Electric, which also serves New power would be more cost- charge was just increased from September’s rate increase was Mexico, crunched the numbers and dropped its stake. effectively procured through $5 to $7 in the PNM rate case for a renewed coal contract at solar facilities. decided in September. The customers pay 7.6 cents per ers would actually see a rate the plant. The Coalition for higher base charge reduces kWh and high-use custom- reduction to their kWh charge Clean, Affordable Energy, to This spring, PNM filed the incentives for customers to use ers pay 14.7 cents per kWh in the peak summer months, which Sierra Club belongs, current request — for a smaller, less energy, punishing low- (summer months). PNM while low-use customers (less argued in that case that PNM 80-megawatt gas plant and income and energy-efficient would raise the kWh charge than 450 kWh per month) didn’t prove that renewing its pipeline. Sierra Club allies New customers with higher rates for low-use customers to 8.3 would see a 24% increase. ownership in Four Corners Energy Economy testified that no matter how little electricity cents per kWh, and lower PNM is predicting a was prudent or in the best PNM’s own numbers didn’t they use. the kWh charge to high-use continued decline in energy interest of ratepayers. The justify the added capacity. And PNM is also reducing the customers (usage over 900 sales, attributed to energy effi- commission did not take up once again, PNM admitted in differential in rates between kWh per month) to 13.9 cents ciency, and increased residen- that argument, but it is again October it did not need more low-use and high-use custom- per kWh. tial solar, but it says demand relevant to consumer interests capacity, dropping the request. ers. Currently, low-use As a result, high-use custom- is not decreasing. Likely due in this case. Other utility issues: Several cases that determine how much renewable energy New Mexico’s utilities add will be heard this Model shows path to 100% renewables year, and public input is criti- cal. See below for how you can We vary the ratio of wind to solar By Robb Thomson, Karl Braithwaite The simplified model participate. and Mark Williams generation to see what amounts would Chapter energy volunteers shows that PNM can use best match variations in consumer You can make a e will demonstrate in this existing gas resources to demand and found an optimum at about article that PNM can retire the one-third solar. Then we vary the amount difference remaining coal production at offset retiring the remain- of total renewables to find the point SanW Juan Generating Station and replace • New Mexico’s Public where total renewable overproduction for it with renewable energy complemented ing units of the aging San the year balances the total gas use, and Regulation Commission is one of the nation’s most (for the most part) by gas producers the call that the optimum operating point Juan Generating Station. powerful state regulatory utility already has online. for the utility. This is because, ultimately, In December 2015, the New Mexico ting down San Juan is the first phase of a bodies, with a big impact on when storage replaces gas, this defines the energy sources and climate. Public Regulation Commission accepted transition to a system with zero greenhouse- operating point for the utility, because PNM’s negotiated proposal to close down gas emissions. We use current PNM gas For updates on how you storage capacity exactly matches renew- sign up for about half of PNM’s generation of elec- facilities to back up the inherent fluctuations can participate, able underproduction. our energy action alerts at tricity at San Juan to comply with an EPA in renewables to meet demand at any given In summer, the overall net demand is riograndesierraclub.org/ rule that coal generation of electricity in time. We find that existing gas plants are higher than the net production. In the climate (signup is at bottom the West was interfering with visibility at nearly adequate for the job. We assume that, future this seasonal difference becomes an of page). You’ll also receive Grand Canyon and other national parks. in a future system when large-scale storage is issue to be dealt with either by the avail- updates on climate-related As part of the ruling, the commission available, overproduction will be stored for ability of lower-cost long-term storage or bills at the upcoming legisla- required that PNM present it with a plan subsequent use. But storage is not necessary other means. tive session. for the future of the remaining coal genera- to replace the electricity at San Juan in the • Part of your PNM tion of electricity at San Juan in 2018. To interim model. While changing capacity factors and bill is dedicated to energy prepare this plan, the PRC advised PNM We thank PNM for sharing hourly data incoming data vary the ideal amount of efficiency, the cheapest way to use its current Integrated Resource for demand, and wind and solar energy renewables and therefore the price, a very to transition from dirty Planning process to model the details of generation from current facilities for the rough estimate for the system envisioned energy. Take advantage of year 2015, from which we explore vari- shows that ramping up solar and wind to various options for the future of San Juan PNM’s energy-efficiency ous levels of new production of wind- and replace coal-fired energy is cost-effective. Generating Station. Sierra Club members programs with PNM’s can be active in helping make the important solar-produced electricity by scaling up the We believe the simplified model we have home energy checkup: renewable behavior for 2015. We assume developed shows that PNM can make use decisions being considered for further coal- www.pnm.com/checkup. of existing gas resources to offset shutting based electricity production in New Mexico. that when the renewable resource is inade- The cost includes CFLs, down the remaining parts of San Juan To this end, a group of volunteers on the quate to meet demand, a current gas genera- new showerheads, power- Generating Station, and that this makes Rio Grande Chapter’s Energy Action Team tor (storage in the future) would be turned strips and a programmable created a simplified model of electricity on to meet the actual demand and track sense as a transition to an ultimate fully thermostat. production in New Mexico in which shut- overproduction by renewable generation. renewable system with storage backup. 6 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017 The Environment under Trump Conference lesson: Stop crying, get to work Denise Fort Club staff and volunteers are active and the greenhouse gases associated with abdication of the U.S. in its pledge to help Chapter Energy Chair participants in international organiza- them. Nonetheless, a few of the interna- developing countries with adaptation and I was fortunate to attend the COP-22 tions drawn from civil society, and tional aid organizations seemed reluctant mitigation. The business sector also was in Marrakech, Morocco, as part of the the civil-society tent was the site of an to criticize animal agriculture. Their reluc- well represented. From a business perspec- Sierra Club delegation. intense, fast-paced set of news confer- tance made sense when one realizes that tive it makes sense to grow investments COP-22 is an official United Nations ences, caucuses, conversations, and small-scale animal agriculture in a devel- in sustainable activities rather than the meeting about climate. COP-21 was the communications with the official partici- oping nation bears little resemblance to outdated fossil-fuel sector. big event, where the Paris Accords were pants. I decided to follow agricultural the industrial-scale dairies we have in New I met activists from China, the finally hammered out, giving each nation issues, and found the many perspectives Mexico, so it was a reminder to speak Philippines, Brazil and other nations the opportunity to set its own contribu- fascinating. In short, to paraphrase our carefully about climate impacts associated who have advanced climate work tion to reducing climate damage. state’s informal slogan, “solutions that with meat and dairy production. despite threats to their lives. Perhaps the Just before COP-22, enough nations work in the developed world are not Being in Marrakech during the U.S. complaining about the election sounded ratified the Paris Accords for it to go into likely to work elsewhere.” elections gave rise to a maelstrom of like whining to them; their courage was effect. With ratification a host of ques- As an example, the EU’s desire to move emotions. Word went out to “hug an a necessary reminder that we have no tions about implementation needed to be to biofuels threatens arable land, rain- American,” and the tears were free-flow- excuse for backing off now. We in New addressed, and new issues will arise. So forests, and other valuable resources in ing. It’s hard to know how damaging the Mexico can do an enormous amount there will be continuing meetings as we Africa. In another example, there’s wide- Trump administration will be to climate locally, from transitioning utilities off coal try to get meaningful action on climate. spread understanding in the environmen- measures. One impressive step occurred and gas to reducing methane from oil and From our perspective, the most impor- tal community that animal agriculture after the U.S. elections, when the “Most gas development to facilitating a switch to tant step is international action to reduce (meat and dairy) is unsustainable because Vulnerable Nations” committed to move electric vehicles. We will “cowboy up” and projected warming to 1.5 C. of the land, water, and forage required quickly to renewables despite the likely do what needs to be done. Climate-saving rules at risk Explore, enjoy and protect the planet By Camilla Feibelman Rio Grande Chapter director riddle: What is invisible and odor- less and does more harmA than carbon diox- ide? If you’ve been paying attention to the Rio Grande Chapter’s work over the last year, you know the answer. Methane is the primary With your help we component of natural gas can protect the wolf and is unfortunately acci- Sierra Club Water Sentinels are the rst line of dentally leaked and inten- defense of America’s waters. We live on the water tionally vented and flared planet. However, water is a nite resource with by the oil and gas industry only about 1 % of the world’s water actually being during extraction, gathering, available for human consumption. Water pollution storage and distribution. & over-use are threatening both the quality & In addition to being a quantity of our water resources at an alarming rate. devastating greenhouse gas, Photo courtesy San Juan Citizens Alliance Lead the pack and JOIN Sierra Club. wasted methane, extracted The BLM in November finalized rules that would limit waste of methane, a greenhouse on our public lands, repre- gas much more powerful than carbon dioxide, from oil and gas operations. Name ______sents a huge loss of royalties Address ______to our state. In fact, over a avoid such a repeal. five-year period New Mexico How you can make a difference If Congress decides City ______State ______Zip ______lost out on $50 million of Draft a letter to President-elect Trump reminding not to spend its time on Phone ______revenue due to natural-gas Congressional Review Act him of his commitment to curb government waste. Call Email ______waste on public lands. Those on him to preserve EPA and BLM methane rules that fights, the administration revenues could have gone would protect health, reduce waste, and increase federal must spend considerable to support public educa- and state royalty income. We’re collecting letters at the time and effort if it wants to tion, infrastructure projects Join today and receive Sierra Club office, 2215 Lead Ave. SE, Albuquerque. For rescind finalized rules. And a FREE Sierra Club such as roads and bridges or more info, write to [email protected]. while the new EPA leader- Weekender Bag ! conservation efforts. ship could try to weaken Although some states, enforcement, internal checks tion), and leaks from exist- most notably Colorado, Management, proposed safe- such as ethics rules and ing and future oil and gas Check enclosed. Please make payable to Sierra Club have created state rules to guards requiring oil and gas career staff who know they projects on our public and Please charge my: Visa Mastercard AMEX deal with this issue, most, operators to detect leaks and must follow the law can including New Mexico, repair them, in addition to tribal lands. make it difficult to do so — Cardholder Name ______other measures that would have not. The conse- The BLM rule is built as can lawsuits if the agency Card Number ______Exp. Date ____ / ______quences are real and serious. curb these emissions. on the strong action taken refuses to enforce. Signature ______Methane is 86 times more But as with much of the by the EPA earlier this year Industry claims that any potent than CO2 over a progress we’ve made for the regulating new sources of regulation hurts business, environment over the last methane pollution from Membership Categories Individual Joint 20-year period, but as I’ll but a study of implementa- eight years, these rules are Special O er $ 15 N/A discuss, is fairly easy to oil and gas facilities. The tion of the rule in Colorado Standard $ 39 $ 49 capture. Volatile organic at risk under the incoming BLM rule is at risk from showed it came at low cost Supporting $ 75 $ 100 compounds known as Donald Trump administra- the Congressional Review for operators and brought Contributing $ 150 $ 175 VOCs are emitted from oil tion. Act, which allows the U.S. in millions per well over Life $ 1000 $ 1250 and gas operations along On Nov. 15, the BLM Congress to repeal any rule the years. In New Mexico, Senior $ 25 $ 35 with the methane, forming finalized after late May or Student $ 25 $ 35 finalized its rule to cut about $101 million worth Limited Income $ 25 $ 35 smog and contributing to methane waste, updating early June, depending on of natural gas is wasted each Contributions, gifts & dues to Sierra Club are tax deductible; they support our serious health problems, 30-year-old regulations how the timing is calcu- year, or enough energy to e ective, citizen based advocacy & lobbying e orts. Your dues include $ 7.50 for a leading to lost days at by taking action to reduce lated, with a simple majority heat 530,000 homes. subscription to SIERRA magazine & $ 1.00 for your Chapter newsletter. school and work. venting (intentional releases vote in both houses and a These are common-sense Enclose a check and mail to: Two federal agencies, the of gas into the atmosphere), signature from the president. safeguards, and we will be Sierra Club, PO Box 421041 1700 Environmental Protection flaring (burning off gas that There is hope that the EPA vigilant in determining the Palm Coast, FL 32142-1041 F94Q W 1 Agency and Bureau of Land is a byproduct of extrac- rule was finalized in time to best ways to preserve them. or visit our website: www.sierraclub.org January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Sierran 7 The Environment Under Trump Locally, the environment won

By Mona Blaber Albuquerque-area PRC seat Chapter communications is another victory for a safer coordinator climate and affordable rates. any of us are feel- As a former PRC attorney, ing gutted after Hall will bring knowledge, Nov. 8’s presi- experience, ethics and a strong dential result. commitment to cleaner, more MThe Sierra Club is preparing responsible energy sources. for a long, difficult battle Santa Fe County ahead. But locally, the elections Ed Moreno and Anna bring real rays of hope, even Hamilton won uncontested in the face of the presidential elections and will bring integ- result. rity and fairness to the county In the biggest shift, New commission. Mexicans elected a solid pro- Sandoval County environment majority in both One local result that the state House and Senate. will make protecting our • With this Legislature, we resources more difficult can pass a Renewable Energy was the defeat of Sandoval Act that requires 50% renew- Sierra Club volunteers head out to canvass for legislative candidate Ane Romero in October. County Commissioner Nora able energy by 2030 and 100% Romero lost to an incumbent, but pro-environment lawmakers regained a majority in the House. Scherzinger, who advocated by 2050. for a moratorium on oil and • With this Legislature, we Joanne Bill Tallman Liz gas drilling while the county can ban cruel trapping on Ferrary Stefanics develops ordinances to address public lands. On her third Tallman Stefanics drilling impacts. Citizens can • With this Legislature, try, Ferrary knocked on brings a still successfully advocate there we can outlaw coyote-killing won the seat thousands conservation as they have in the past year. contests. she lost by of doors to approach to Getting these bills past Gov. 8 votes in notch an a swing Grant County Susana Martinez’s veto pen will 2012. upset victory. district. Alicia Edwards and Harry be challenging. But in 2018, Browne, two of the Rio Grande we will elect a new governor, Chapter’s three endorsed Liz Nathan Jeff and all New Mexico citizens Thomson Small candidates, won on Nov. 8. will have better access to voting Steinborn Former state Both Browne and Edwards with Maggie Toulouse Oliver Steinborn representative Small hope to protect the Gila River as secretary of state. beat an Thomson won unseated from a billion-dollar diversion How did New Mexico buck incumbent plan that experts have called back the seat wolf-hating the national trend? It was with a 0% infeasible and that the county she lost in Rep. Andy people like you being engaged environment has previously supported. in the process, voting and 2014. Nuñez. record. volunteering. Dozens of Rio Secretary of State Sanchez, who fell victim to an Grande Chapter volunteers Councilor Nathan Small allowed polluters and industry Voter suppression has played onslaught of deceitful attack knocked on more than 3,000 unseated state Rep. Andy interests a disproportionately an insidious role in recent elec- ads. But Sanchez’s successor as doors in key swing districts Nuñez, who had sponsored large voice. However, the ranks tions across the county. Our that decided the balance of legislation calling on the gover- of anti-environment senators majority leader will be Peter endorsee, Maggie Toulouse the state House. Two thirds of nor to denounce the Mexican have slimmed. Wirth, whose environmental Oliver, will champion ethics and the candidates the Sierra Club Wolf Recovery Program, saying Santa Fe County voting record is excellent. better access to voting as New Rio Grande Chapter endorsed his ideal number of wolves in Commissioner Liz Stefanics Public Regulation Mexico’s head elections official. New Mexico was “zero.” emerged victorious from a came out winners. El Paso With a hostile U.S. House Small was instrumental in tough race, taking a seat that Commission and gridlocked Senate for the designation of the Organ was long held by a powerful The PRC shapes climate action Endorsed congressional the past six years, much of Mountains Desert Peaks obstructionist. Her election in New Mexico, implementing candidate Beto O’Rourke won America’s environmental National Monument. smooths the road considerably our renewable-energy law and his El Paso-area seat in the U.S. progress has come at the state After losses in 2012 and for clean-water and climate governing new sources of energy Congress in a rout. O’Rourke and local level anyway, includ- 2014, Joanne Ferrary was came legislation. for utilities. Soon, it will decide has said he may be consider- ing significant climate progress. through on her third attempt Environmental champion the future of coal-fired San Juan ing a run for Ted Cruz’s U.S. Can New Mexico be a light of for the Las Cruces-area District Jeff Steinborn left his House Generating Station. Senate seat in 2018. hope? Here’s a rundown of New 37 state House seat. seat to challenge Lee Cotter, New Mexicans concerned Sierra Club-endorsed Pete Mexico and El Paso election Rodolpho Martinez took who has an astonishing 0% about our climate can celebrate Gallego lost the other congres- results and their implications: back the Silver City-area environmental voting record. the re-election of Valerie sional seat that represents part of El Paso by just 1 point. New Mexico House seat he lost in 2014 to John Steinborn’s win literally takes Espinoza to the PRC seat Zimmerman, who sponsored this seat from 0 to 100. in Northern New Mexico. In May, Jim Tolbert, the Under Republican control a bill in 2015 to strip all state William Tallman knocked Espinoza, who was unop- wonderful former vice chair of since 2014, the state House protections from cougars. on thousands of doors in his posed, has been outspoken our Sierra Club El Paso Group, passed bills to revoke renew- In Albuquerque, Liz successful upset bid to gain for consumer rights and the won an overwhelming victory in able-energy requirements and Thomson, who compiled a another Senate seat for Sierra urgent need to transition away a special City Council election. weaken groundwater protec- strong environmental record Club-endorsed candidates. from expensive, dangerous fuel tions. Environmental advocates in her 2012-2014 term in the Sadly, the Senate lost sources. Yes, it is a tragedy that a were forced to play defense and climate denier was elected pres- House, recaptured the seat she Majority Leader Michael Cynthia Hall’s election in the try to stop negative legislation lost in 2014. ident. We’re heading toward a in the friendlier state Senate. cliff and need to slam on the Daymon Ely, a former How you can make a difference But in November, Rio Grande Sandoval County commis- brakes, and we put someone Contact your state legislators Chapter-endorsed candidates sioner who recently testified for , arrange to meet with them, in the driver’s seat who wants unseated five Republicans with a moratorium on oil and gas and tell them what you care about. It makes a difference. to speed up. But New Mexico Attend a citizen lobby training miserable environmental voting drilling there, also unseated an in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and other states, cities and records. They regained the incumbent. Las Cruces, or at the Roundhouse; see Page 5 for details. counties can throw nails on the majority, and now Rep. Brian The Rio Grande Chapter is holding volunteer meetings. road. States representing a large Egolf, an environmental leader, New Mexico Senate Write to [email protected] to find out about portion of the U.S. economy enters the January legislative In the Senate, environmental the next meeting near you. are acting on their own. session as speaker of the House. votes aren’t strictly partisan. A Join our legislative update and action list: Write to Tragedies can be overcome. In Southern New Mexico, coalition of Republicans and riogrande.chapter@sierraclub. We must work hard and be former Las Cruces City anti-environment Democrats smart. We can do it. Are you in? 8 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Chapter Year in Review January without prior approval, though • El Paso Group begins it got a lot less than it asked for. distributing reusable bags in October low-income El Paso neighbor- hoods to promote reduced use • A federal judge orders the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of single-use plastic bags. to develop an updated Mexican- February wolf recovery plan by the end of 2017. If the new Congress removes Endangered Species protections from wolves, it isn’t clear if that order will still apply. • PNM withdraws application for an 80-megawatt natural- gas plant and pipeline after acknowledging it doesn’t need the power. • The BLM and BIA reopen • Sandridge LLC withdraws the public scoping period its application for a natural- to update a 2003 Resource gas exploratory well near Rio Management Plan to analyze Bureau of Land Management’s Santa Fe REI and community Rancho city limits after thou- the impacts of fracking on the draft Environmental Impact How you can make bookstores. sands of Sandoval County environment and surrounding Statement after more than 600 • In a surprise move, El Paso citizens and conservation groups a difference communities. Sierra Club supporters sent Electric drops a proposed $11 spoke up in opposition. The Join our dairy-monitor- comments with concerns about monthly fee on El Paso solar withdrawal is a victory of citizen ing team studying permits November the mine’s water use and likely owners and abandons its attempt engagement but raises the issue and visual data to deter- water contamination. to put customers with residential that the county, which new mine if industrial dairies are • PNM files with the Public solar into a separate rate class. technologies have made more committing groundwater Regulation Commission to The victory came after a year of viable for drilling, has almost violations. Contact daniel. build an 80-megawatt natural- efforts by Eco El Paso, a coali- no ordinances to protect against gas plant at the San Juan site [email protected], tion of citizens and community negative impacts of drilling. The after withdrawing an applica- 575-740-2927. groups that includes Sierra Club county is now developing such tion for a 187-megawatt plant Our Water Sentinels El Paso Group. The utility is ordinances, and Sandoval citi- in 2015. team is testing for possible expected to try similar proposals zens must stay involved. Write contamination by dairy in its next rate case, however. to riogrande.chapter@sierraclub. May operations on the Pecos • After a delay of more than org to join our action listserv • EPA finalizes rule requir- River. To start a water- August a year, New Mexico Game and get updates. Commission approves a modi- ing oil and gas producers to monitoring project, please • BLM proposes to offer 843 • The Game Commission fied State Wildlife Action Plan reduce methane leaks at new contact Eric Patterson at acres in the greater Chaco area agrees to let the Ladder Ranch to qualify for millions in federal and modified drilling sites. [email protected]. for lease for oil and gas develop- house endangered Mexican funding for non-game species. New Mexicans sent more than ment in its January lease sale. wolves again as long as they are The commission weakened the 27,000 comments in favor of norma-mccallan. • NASA study identifies 250 intended for release only into language and removed all insects the rule through Sierra Club • Nine of 12 candidates sources in the San Juan Basin Mexico (the commission denied and a host of other species from and our allies. Methane is 86 endorsed by Rio Grande that significantly contribute the ranch’s permit renewal for consideration at the behest of oil times more potent as a climate- Chapter win their primary to the large methane cloud holding wolves in 2015). In and gas interests. It still covers change gas than carbon dioxide races. hanging over the region. Just February, a family of wolves 235 species, including river but disperses from the atmo- • The Bureau of Land 10 percent of these sources are was transferred to the facility, otters, jaguars, black-footed sphere much more quickly, so Management postpones a responsible where the female gave birth to ferrets, 70 bird species (includ- reducing waste can be a power- planned lease of three Chaco for more than six more pups. All 11 wolves ing the painted bunting, above), ful way to stave off climate Canyon-area parcels intended half of all were released together into old reptiles, fish, and mollusks. disruption. for oil and gas development methane Mexico on Dec. 1. • First community meeting until January. emissions. • Environmental champions • New Mexico’s 30-day on Health Impact Assessment • Conservation groups retake New Mexico House and legislative session ends with • Ryan at Counselor Chapter in Navajo release oil and gas “threat map” Senate. Hundreds attend Sierra few environment-related bills, Flynn, the Nation is a first step for a (www.oilandgasthreatmap. Club post-election meetings for good or bad, considered. With force behind community health report on the com/threat-map/new-mexico.) new volunteers. a severe budget crisis, renewal of the industry- impacts of oil and gas. to document which homes, • BLM finalizes rules to tax credits for residential solar written • The state of New Mexico schools, and medical facilities reduce methane waste from installations and utility-scale Copper-Mining Rule that sues to stop the federal govern- are located within a half-mile oil and gas facilities on public renewable-energy production clean-water groups are appeal- ment from releasing endangered “threat radius” of oil and gas lands. In New Mexico, enough and facilities failed. But thin ing, resigns as secretary of the Mexican gray wolves in the facilities. natural gas is wasted each year state coffers also doomed bills New Mexico Environment wild in New Mexico. A federal • Center for American Department. to heat 530,000 homes. offering oil and gas tax breaks. district judge stays additional Progress report shows that the December March wolf releases. San Juan Basin ranked No. 1 in September • Jim Tolbert, a member of • 55 people attend comment- • Rio Grande Chapter honors the nation for methane pollu- • New Mexico Oil and Gas our chapter’s El Paso Group writing workshop to submit former chapter Chair John tion per well in 2014. Association announces its new Executive Committee, wins El • Rio Grande Chapter volun- executive director: Former BLM comments on Chaco. Buchser, Political Chair Susan Paso City Council special elec- Martin and Public Lands Chair teers begin monitoring quarterly Environment Secretary Ryan • Saddle Butte LLC with- tion with a majority of the vote reports from 13 dairies that Flynn. draws application for Piñon Norma McCallan for their despite an eight-way race. combined decades of contribu- have committed groundwater- • Albuquerque passes initia- Pipeline (see Page 3), which tions to environmental protec- June contamination violations. tive requiring 25% of electricity could have quadrupled oil • Eric Patterson, who leads our at the city’s facilities to come production in greater Chaco tion in New Mexico. • Santa Fe Living Treasure and Taos Water Sentinels water-test- from solar energy by 2025. Canyon. bedrock Rio Grande Chapter April ing program, wins national Sierra • In a divided vote, New • Gov. Martinez names Ken leader Norma • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Club’s Special Service award. Mexico Public Regulation McQueen, former vice presi- McCallan Service cross-fosters a pair Commission approves about dent of oil company WPX, to passes away of pups from a captive wolf July half the 14% rate hike requested head New Mexico’s Energy on June 27 mother to a wild pack’s den, • Taos Water Sentinels travel by PNM. The commission Department, which oversees at age 83. To adding much-needed genetic to southeastern New Mexico to chopped PNM’s proposed permits for new wells, regulates learn more diversity to the dwindling monitor water quality on the increase in base fees from $8 oil and gas activity and enforces about Norma’s population of 97 Mexican gray Pecos River. to $2, and the company didn’t oil and gas statutes. WPX has enormous wolves in the wild. • Northern New Mexico get to charge customers for drilled more than 100 wells in contributions • Truth or Consequences Group releases updated eighth unnecessary coal-plant equip- recent years in northwest New to the Sierra City Council rescinds support edition of its popular hiking ment. But PNM does get to Mexico, including some across Club and New Mexico, please for the Copper Flat mine guide, Day Hikes in the Santa make customers pay for coal the highway from Lybrook go to riograndesierraclub.org/ based on challenges to the Fe Area. Copies are available at and nuclear power it procured Elementary School. January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Sierran 9 El Paso Group Make a difference Students explore, protect Texas Interested in starting a Sierra Student Coalition at Sean Cordier your school? Contact Camilla Americas High School Feibelman at camilla.feibel- y name is Sean Cordier [email protected]. and I am currently an For the sake of wilder- active member of the Sierra ness and our ecosystem, the Student Coalition at my Mexican wolf should be given Mschool. I learned about this amazing club the chance to reclaim its role in the sophomore year of high school in the Chihuahuan Desert of Help return the through my friend Matthew Rodriguez West Texas. wolf to Texas: and my librarian, Neysa Hardin. Visit facebook. com/returnthewolftotexas and In the past year I have had a number click the Take Action link. of very memorable and positive experi- Sign up to help students in ences that not only brought me closer Texas get involved: with nature and my community but also Contact with people who share similar aspirations Rick LoBello at ricklobello@ Photos by Neysa Hardin gmail.com. for the world around us. Americas High School students on a pollinator-counting trip in Franklin Mountains A majority of my time invested into State Park. The Sierra Student Coalition El Paso’s main project has been building a SSC has been for community-service wheelchair-accessible trail in the Franklins. El Paso Group projects. Our main project has been building a wheelchair-accessible trail in tin mine and the history of its workforce. Executive Committee the Franklin Mountains. So far many We have also recently gone to the White elpasosierraclub.org weekends have been invested into this Sands National Monument on a quest to Laurence Gibson, Chair labor of love, and many more will go learn more about cryptobiotic soil and 309-5419 laurenceagibson@gmail in until its completion. Aside from determine which one of us had the best Ann Falknor, Secretary, 833-9162 our rather large project, we have also sledding skills (me of course). [email protected] done multiple cleanups in the Franklin My most memorable excursion has Kathy Sunday, Treasurer Mountain range all the way from the been to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, where 5849301 [email protected] abandoned tin mine to “The Elephant” our club went to a non-excavated site Rick LoBello, 474-1456 hiking trail. As part of the Every Kid in and we were able to literally discover [email protected] a Park initiative, we gave fourth-graders 400-year-old pottery shards. This was Liz Walsh, 342-7630 ewalsh@ a free annual national park pass in hopes also the first encounter with cryptobiotic utep.edu of getting them in touch with nature at soil as well as my first close encounter John Walton, 539-5797 a young age, and we also held a petition with a snake out in the open. [email protected] drive to save Castner Range by designat- The Americas High School chapter of ing it as a National Monument. SSC has had a great impact on me. The Membership questions? Our club has also had leisure and bonds made here in our club are like no Call 415-977-5653 or e-mail educational time, hiking through the other I have felt. SSC in my school has had Sean Cordier entering the crawl Cottonwood Mine and learning about and will continue to have a deep and last- space into a copper mine in Franklin membership.services@ malachite growth over time as well as the ing impression on the students who join. Mountains State Park. sierraclub.org Southern New Mexico Group Jewell visits Bears Ears, hikes Organ Mountains By Ken Newtson Southern New Mexico Group We’ll donate 15% of your purchase to Southern New Mexico Group chair P.O. Box 735, Mesilla, link.net Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Although the national NM 88046 Mary Katherine Ray, election results were Ken Newtson, chair; Secretary, Wildlife, devastating, the Southern [email protected], 575-772-5655, New Mexico Group was 575-644-8793 [email protected] very successful supporting Glenn Landers, Howie Dash, Outings, local elections. Four state 575-525-0491, glenn. [email protected], senators, six state repre- [email protected] 575-652-7550 sentatives and two county Cheryll Blevins, Kurt Anderson, kurt@ commissioners endorsed Treasurer, 575-524- nmsu.edu, 575-646- by the Southern Group 4861, spotblev@earth- 1032 were elected. Group members held fundrais- where visitation increased ings at New Mexico State ers and conducted phone by 102% in 2016. University to discuss the banking, lit drops and Southern members future use of the Organ door-to-door canvassing attended Gila National Mountains Desert Peaks for the candidates. Forest Plan Revision National Monument. Southern Group meetings in Socorro, A formal survey was members participated in Truth or Consequences, conducted that will a trip to Cliff, Utah, to Silver City and Las help BLM develop the support the proposed Bears Cruces. Several groups, Resource Management Ears National Monument. including the Sierra Club, Plan for the monument. Over 700 attendees met provided comments to the The Southern Group with Interior Secretary Forest Service. held a holiday party Dec. Sally Jewell to discuss the After the elections, the 15. Most of the night’s proposal established by Southern Group held discussion focused on an intertribal coalition a meeting inviting new the difficult times ahead, including the Hopi, Ute, members to become particularly the threat of Navajo and Zuni. Jewell involved, and many folks public land transfers. Enter Charity Code RGS2016 also visited Las Cruces signed up to help with Want to get involved during checkout at to support the Organ upcoming activities. with Southern New ReflectiveJewelry.com 505-983-14170021 Mountain Desert Peaks The Bureau of Land Mexico Group? Email me National Monument, Management held meet- at [email protected]. 10 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017 Central New Mexico Group Military outings serve those who served

By Fred Houdek Central New Mexico Central New Mexico Group chair he Sierra Club Military Group events Outdoors Program has The Central New Mexico Group’s reported for duty in New most recent Sierra Club and Beers Mexico! have attracted so many people that our TThe goal of this new program is to Albuquerque office can’t fit them all, provide active-duty veterans and their so our next event will be a “Sierra Club families the opportunity to spend time and Root Beer” at the Albuquerque together in the great outdoors. Center for Peace and Justice. Chapter It offers an opportunity for individu- director Camilla Feibelman will talk als who have served to once again feel about actions you can take to protect a sense of camaraderie, adventure and the environment under a Trump teamwork that they may not have expe- administration. rienced outside the military. Numerous What: Sierra Club and Root Beer studies have shown that time spent in When: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 nature promotes mental health and Where: Albuquerque Center for emotional resiliency and provides the Peace and Justice, 202 Harvard ability to create positive relationships and Drive SE, Albuquerque. new networks. RSVP: Fred Houdek at fjhoudek@ This program is being headed by gmail.com or 630-809-4234. Terry Owen and John Link, veterans The next Sierra Club and Root Beer of the U.S. Navy and U.S Air Force, Above: John Link, Marcia will be March 3, same time and place. respectively. Skillman, Terry Owen Volunteer Wednesday “As soon as I learned about this and Matt Stewart on the program, I leapt at the chance to obtain first Rio Grande Chapter We have volunteers in our the necessary training to guide and lead Military Outings Program Albuquerque office on Wednesdays my brothers and sisters that have worn hike, near the TWA to do data input, make calls and help with other projects. If you can the uniform as well as their families,” crash site in the Sandia join us, contact miya.king-flaherty@ Owen said. “I know first-hand the posi- Mountains. tive effects that being in a forest or in the sierraclub.org. We are also looking for volunteers to keep the office open mountains has on my body, mind and At left: The “A” from TWA emotions, and there’s no drug that can when staffers aren’t present. Contact Flight 260 wreckage. replicate that.” Link, who is a physician [email protected] at the Albuquerque VA hospital, sees it as impact on our planet and nature that Artist of the Month another opportunity to continue to serve. Vietnam-era vet Harry Carpenter said, human activity causes. Every day his work brings him in touch “veterans have had unique experiences Join us Feb. 6 for First Friday with the after-effects of military service; The destruction caused by war provides that only other military veterans can Art at the Sierra Club Albuquerque both the seen and unseen wounds. a fast-forward view of what damage we understand, and this hike and connect- office, 2215 Lead Ave. SE. See great art by Victoria Mlady and enjoy Both agree that the training they can inflict on the planet. For many it’s a ing with others has been wonderful.” food, fun and great people! recently received with other military veter- wake-up call to get involved and find ways The Military Outdoors program offers ans in Leadville, Colo., was outstanding. to protect and defend the Earth. a safe setting to share those experiences The weekend-long course was the first of Owen and Link recently completed while making new ones. If you’re active- Group Executive Committee what Sierra Club hopes to be many to their first guided hike to the TWA crash duty, a military veteran, family member or Chair: Fred Houdek, fjhoudek@ give vets the ability to lead others. Sierra site in the Sandia Mountains. TWA friend, and you wish to have new experi- gmail.com, 630-809-4234. Club hosted 30 veterans representing Flight 260 crashed on Feb. 19, 1955, in a ences, Owen and Link will be scheduling Treasurer: David Ther, treasurer, all branches of service and ranging from snow storm near what is now the Sandia both easy and more challenging hikes [email protected], 505-867-6283 the Vietnam era to Operation Enduring Tram route. Walking among the wreck- in the coming months in Central and Secretary: Heather Kline, Freedom. One student noted that “almost age on a beautiful New Mexico morning, Northern New Mexico. For more infor- [email protected], 505-577- immediately there was a common feeling the hikers took a few minutes to silently mation or if you wish to participate, 2798 of trust and mutual respect which made acknowledge what had occurred there contact Terry Owen at 505-301-4349, Outings: Odile de La Beaujardiere, the training much more than what it was before descending back through the forest [email protected], or check the Sierra Club [email protected], 505.433.4692 designed to be.” among ponderosa pines and juniper. Military Outdoors website: content.sierra- Political chair: Richard Barish, Many veterans have also seen the After returning to the trailhead, club.org/outings/military. [email protected] Volunteer profile: Ellen Loehman, website manager llen Loehman is our A: I am the Tuesday volun- doing more to help? the Interior (James Watt) who website manager. She teer in the Albuquerque office. A: Do what you can and was likened to a fox guarding posts most of the content But once Camilla found out what you are comfortable with. the chicken coop. Membership E that I knew how to handle Volunteer organizations tend you see on our website. in environmental organizations Question: How did you get websites, that became my to use people up if they can’t soared. primary job — adding events say no. For instance, I stated involved with the Sierra Club The Sierra Club (which was Rio Grande Chapter? and articles to our website. clearly that I would give three Q: Why do you volunteer for hours a week in the office; I then primarily an outings orga- Answer: I’ve been a member the Rio Grande Chapter? don’t like to call people on the nization) spearheaded a peti- of the Sierra Club since about A: Why not? I have three phone and so I don’t. Find tion drive to get him fired or 1970. I was active in the Loma passions in life (besides my your strengths and offer them discredited. I posted a petition Prieta Chapter in the Bay Area, family): science, education up: Can you make phone on the bulletin board at work. and when we moved here, we and the environment. Those calls or write letters? Can you One day after lunch, a man in naturally started attending passions didn’t end with retire- research an issue or attend bicycle gear stomped into my meetings. I volunteered in the ment. What else should I do? we make about energy: the political meetings? Can you office and wanted to sign my office once a week, was on the Play golf or bridge? That is not pros and cons of nuclear, petro- write an article? Can you orga- petition. And that is how I met ExComm, handled member- leum and renewable energy. I the way I was raised. nize stuff? Can you take notes? my husband, my soul-mate and ship and did the newsletter for Q: understand the plight of people Can you do fundraising? What inspires you to love of my life. Dark clouds do a while. But that dissipated work for the environment? who struggle simply to survive Q: What’s your favorite thing have silver linings. with kids and career. After I A: Our home needs advocates — to have food, clean water about the Sierra Club? retired, I knew it was time to — people who take a reasoned and shelter. I’m definitely not a A: True story. This is the Would you like to help with re-activate myself. approach to the choices we tree-hugger. reason I know we will survive website tasks or posting on social Q: What type of work do you must make. As a chemist, I Q: What would you tell the next four years. In the early media? Please write to riogrande. do for the chapter? understand the trade-offs that others who are interested in 1980s, we had a Secretary of [email protected].

January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Sierran 11 Northern New Mexico Group Northern New Mexico Group A step forward on animal traps Contacts By Denise Fort, Rio Grande Chapter Energy Chair Executive Committee n Nov. 29, the Santa Fe Chair: Teresa Seamster, County Commission 505-466-8964, unanimously passed [email protected] Oa resolution directing staff to Vice chair: Tom Gorman, support efforts to end trap- 505-438-3932, gormantd@ gmail.com ping on federal lands within Treasurer: Jim Baker, the county and to support state 505-473-0457, bakerjim. legislative efforts to ban trap- [email protected] ping. Patricia Cardona, patricia- At the hearing on the resolu- [email protected], tion, a parade of witnesses 505-515-5141 talked about the cruelty of Alice Cox: 505-780-5122, trapping, the economic value auntiealice@cybermesa. of wildlife, especially in a state com like ours, and how trapping Paul Paryski, pparyski@aol. has interfered with people’s com use of the public lands. Some Sandrine Gaillard, sandrine. of the most moving testimony [email protected] came from people who had Photo courtesy Art Rescues Shane Woolbright, In her last month as a Santa Fe County commissioner, Kathy Holian helped pass a resolution directing dogs caught in traps. The 405-323-2569, mesoinc@ terror of the dogs, and of the county staff to support efforts to end trapping on federal lands within the county. The Northern New hotmail.com people who tried to rescue Mexico Group recently honored Holian for her public-service career (see article below). Jim Klukkert, 505-577- 2483, jimklukkert@yahoo. them, spoke very strongly to people to have so much impact Make a difference for wildlife com the Commissioners. Our own on all other forms of recreation chapter Wildlife chair, Mary on public lands. • Talk to your state senators Page 5 for details). Conservation Katherine Ray, also described No license is needed to and representatives, who can • Plan to testify in person Chair: Tom Gorman her realization that she might trap for coyotes or skunks, pass legislation in the upcom- have been injured and far away or contact your legislators Public lands: Tom Gorman, so there are no records of the ing session banning leg-hold from help when her dog got about bills to end trapping Teresa Seamster true number of traps being set. traps on public lands. The caught in a trap. and coyote-killing contests. Water: John Buchser, The New Mexico Game and Sierra Club is holding lobby- 505-231-6645, jbuchser@ To get updates on wildlife I’ve learned more than I Fish Department also does not training sessions across the comcast.net wanted to know about body- know where traps are located, state (see Page 5 for details). bills as they make their way Wildlife: Teresa Seamster gripping traps and their use through the Legislature, sign even on public land. Trappers • Write letters to the editor Solarize Santa Fe: Sandrine in New Mexico as we’ve dug are not required to report the about the need for safeguards up for our Wildlife email list Gaillard, sandrine.gaillard@ into this issue. Unlike many of non-target animals they catch against trapping. at www.riograndesierraclub. gmail.com the environmentally damaging by mistake. Neither the public • Sign the petition to end org/wildlife/. Energy Team: Shane practices that we encounter, it’s nor our wildlife is being served Woolbright, 505-474-2870, trapping on our public lands If you have questions or important to remember that it’s by this disregard. The Santa Fe [email protected]; Elliot at trapfreenm.org. want to get more involved, a minuscule number of people County Commission stepped Stern, 505-989-9486, stern- who choose to do this. As Ray into this vacuum in a first step • Attend Land, Water please contact Mary [email protected] pointed out, it makes no sense to protect New Mexicans, tour- and Wildlife Day at the Katherine Ray at mkrscrim@ Zero Waste: Open to allow this very small group of ists, our dogs and our wildlife. Roundhouse on Feb. 8 (see gmail.com or 575-772-5655. Other responsibilities Chapter Representative: Group holiday party honors Kathy Holian Tom Gorman By Teresa Seamster ture and animal and wildlife protection, after one contentious Board of County Membership: Alice Cox Northern Group chair Holian sponsored a final county resolution Commissioners meeting. “She comes Volunteers: Open Office: Jerry Knapczyk or the past eight years, the people of in December to stop inhumane body- prepared and informed about the agenda Outings co-chairs: Tobin Santa Fe County’s Fourth District gripping traps in the county and to work items and if there are opposing sides — for F Oruch, 505-820-2844, tobin. have been privileged to have competent, with public lands agencies on this issue example on the designation of La Bajada [email protected], and responsive, compassionate governmental (see article above). Given the increasing National Monument — she urges the Alan Shapiro, 505-424-9242, representation in the form of County numbers of domestic and non-target wild- proponents to meet with the opposing side [email protected] Commissioner Kathy Holian. life caught in traps every year, the support and figure out the details so the community Phone Support: Jerry Susan Martin, Political chair of the Rio for the measure was overwhelming and is unified when the board votes.” approved unanimously. Knapczyk Grande Chapter of Sierra Club, described Commissioner Holian was honored in Political: Susan Martin, Holian as “completely committed, intel- “I have never seen Kathy let her constitu- December at the annual Holiday Party 505-988-5206, smartin31@ ligent, and dedicated — a conservation ents down in matters of fairness and what given by the Sierra Club Northern New comcast.net champion and a wildlife warrior!” is best for all our county residents,” said Mexico Group in a gathering of about 100 Publicity: Open A strong advocate for local agricul- longtime district resident Teresa Seamster members at the Santa Fe Women’s Club. Book Sales: Janet Peacock 505-988-8929, sfdayhikes@ Send us photos of your gmail.com. Sales backup: Ann Anthony, [email protected], backyard wilderness! 795-7472. Hiking book: Aku ho are you sharing your habitat with this winter? Oppenheimer W The Northern New Mexico Group would like Book mailings: Gail Bryant, photos and descriptions of the wildlife you are seeing this 505-757-6654. winter in your back yard or out on your property from Nominating Committee: anywhere in the state! For those who have ever seen Mary Open. Katherine Ray’s photos – be prepared to be blown away! Regional Contacts Please email Teresa Seamster at [email protected] Las Vegas: Joann Sprenger, with your selections and encounters with our wonderful 505-454-0551, gisprenger@ New Mexico wildlife! cybermesa.com Farmington: Art Jaquez, At left: A yearling mule deer looking over the wall at 505-360-0176, artjaquez2@ the Seamsters’ house in Santa Fe County and wondering gmail.com if the birdseed is worth a try. The rest of the small herd Taos: Eric Patterson, of does and juveniles was beyond the tree line. 575-776-2833, eepatt@ Photo by Tom Seamster gmail.com 12 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017 Northern New Mexico Group Landowners oppose Verde Line Resolution By Teresa Seamster supports Northern New Mexico Group chair national he Verde Transmission Line monument project has finally stepped into the Excerpted from an op-ed Taos Tpublic limelight after more County Chair Jim Fambro and than six years of privately Commissioners Mark Gallegos and held and undisclosed negotia- Tom Blankenhorn in the Taos News. tions between Hunt Power On Dec. 6, the Taos County of Dallas and the northern Commission passed a unanimous pueblos of Pojoaque, Santa resolution affirming the support of Clara, and Ohkay Owingeh. our beloved Río Grande del Norte The reaction of hundreds of National Monument. Española Valley landowners This vote also serves as a memo- has been swift. rial to the late Ron Gardener, Because agreements who worked diligently on efforts between Hunt Power and around the Río Grande del Norte the three pueblos and the National Monument in the 1990s. Jacona Land Grant owners The vote to support the have already been approved, National Monument could not resident Rob Heineman, who come at a more important time. just found out about the proj- Recently, outside interests have ect, said he felt “the commu- threatened to repeal our National nity’s flesh is being ripped Monument — something that our apart by a pack of wolves” constituents fought for and have in this valley where “several come to depend upon for their heritages have co-existed so livelihood, recreation, traditional peacefully and thoughtfully.” and small-business interests. The proposed 33-mile, Continued protection is important 345-kV high-voltage trans- for certainty in the ongoing BLM mission line would have monument-planning process to towers 120 feet tall and best serve the community as well spaced 800 feet apart. as protect against further develop- The route is to run from ment such as threats of energy Ojo substation northwest transmission running through the of Española across the Rio Monument. Grande only 1,600 feet north We go to the canyons, moun- of Black Mesa, which is Above: a photo illustration of what Black Mesa would look like with the Verde Line tains, and rivers to hike, fish, and considered a site that is both constructed. Photo illustration by Tadz Kostrubala. gather firewood. And our small sacred to San Ildefonso and of businesses have grown and pros- regional cultural importance, • The OLE project, virtu- More than 3,275 Northern pered because of the assurance that and then down the west side You can make a ally the same transmission New Mexico residents have these lands will always be here. of Española Valley to Norton difference line, connecting the same signed a petition circulated Over the course of 25 years, a substation west of Santa Fe. substations, routed through by landowner, biologist, diverse coalition came together to If you are concerned The Española Valley is the Jemez Mountains was part-time actress, bow hunter, preserve this spectacular place for about the Verde trans- the gateway to the Jemez proposed by PNM in organic farmer and mom future generations to enjoy. The mission line and would Mountains and the world- the 1990s and it was not Mattie Allen, all strongly group grew to become business like to weigh in, Please renowned Bandelier National approved by the PRC. The opposing the Verde Line. owners, elected officials, Native submit email comments Monument and Valles PRC ruled that PNM had not American tribes, Hispanic/Latino to the Bureau of One of the greatest Caldera National Preserve made the case for additional leaders, ranchers, veterans, and Land Management at concerns is the proximity that is home to the second- capacity requirements. conservationists. And when legisla- BLM_NM_Verde@blm. of local schools to the proj- largest elk herd in the state. • Further energy demand in tion continued to hit a brick wall gov or mail to: BLM, ect right-of-way. Dr. Kurt Up to 700,000 visitors a the Albuquerque area can be in Congress, President Obama Verde Transmission Line Moore, retired Los Alamos year travel NM 502 through absorbed by existing lines and designated the Río Grande del Project, PO Box 27115, Laboratory space physicist, Pojoaque and San Ildefonso many more solar panels. Norte National Monument on Santa Fe, NM 87502- Pueblos to see the spectacular PNM is retiring 919 submitted comments to BLM March 25, 2013. 0115 by Jan. 5. mountains, cultural heritage MW of coal capacity at San that the proposed line exceeds People in Taos celebrated the sites, wildlife, and sweep- Juan and no longer needs magnetic safety guidelines designation. We celebrated it ing vistas of Northern New • The proposed Verde to import that energy into and recommended minimum because we could foresee the Mexico. line runs from Norton to Albuquerque from the Four safe levels associated with economic growth that would The following comments Ojo point to point, with- Corners area. Any future cancer in humans “within come from putting a star on the were prepared by landown- out an intermediate stop in generation capacity needs can the ROW and along NM map in northern New Mexico. ers who contributed their Hernandez. Should the Verde be located closer to the load. 84 between El Duende and Indeed, there as a 40 percent concerns to the line be constructed, Jemez • Regarding the reliabil- Hernandez.” A minimum increase in visitors to the National stopverdeprojectnm.org Co-Op will still rely solely on ity of the system, there is safety distance is 1,200 to Monument, and Taos County website created by Flaviano the Ojo-Hernandez-Norton no proof that the existing 2,000 feet. The right-of-way has enjoyed significant increases Prosperini, his wife, Elena 115kV line for supply, adding electrical grid is unreliable. is 150 feet with many resi- in lodgers’ tax and gross receipts Guardincerri, and Mattie no capacity or economic The system runs quite well dences and public facilities revenues from the accommoda- Allen, who have properties value to the valley. with the existing 115 kV line within 100 to 200 feet. tions and food service sector. closing the loop. When ques- And thanks in part to the that would be impacted by • This leaves PNM as the Heineman summed up the the Verde right-of-way. They tioned about system reliability Monument and our state’s other only plausible candidate to feelings of many in the audi- were delivered at the BLM use the proposed Hunt line, at the Española scoping meet- protected public lands, the tour- ence when he concluded: meeting in Pojoaque. even though at the Nov. 29 ing, Hunt admitted that there ism industry generated the largest •Hunt has repeatedly stated Santa Fe County Commission have only been two major “They have yet to meet with economic impact in state history at previous scoping meetings meeting Hunt denied PNM’s outages in 30 years. me, and they want to build for the sixth year in a row. This that they have not identified involvement and declared Hunt has not made a case on or adjacent to my land. resulted in nearly $6.3 billion being customers for the line and that the proposed line has for the need of the line, nor I say to my neighbors, I will added to the New Mexico economy have had no negotiations with no users yet and there are has the company shown that never benefit at the expense that supported 90,400 jobs. PNM concerning the future no contracts in place for the the current system’s reliability of my neighbors. You are all I use of the line. transmission of renewables. is in question. have in this valley.” Continued on Page 15 January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Sierran 13 Pajarito Group — Los Alamos and surrounding areas Volunteering on trails at Bandelier

By Jody Benson Pajarito Group Chair How you can f you’ve tried to hike the Frijoles make a difference Canyon Trail between the Join the volunteers helping to Headquarters and Ponderosa restore Bandelier trails destroyed in Camp Ground since the 2011 the Cerro Grande Fire and subse- ICerro Grande Fire — and worse, since quent flooding. The work is appro- the 500-year flood of 2012 — you priate for any age. Contact Kevin struggled through a Canyon scoured Stillman at [email protected] into unrecognizability and barred to get the volunteer alerts, or Jody by piles of burned trees stacked like Benson at [email protected]. fortresses. Letters to the editor Before new growth began to heal the reach canyon walls and mesas, annual floods thousands of people and are a great precluded wasting time and effort on way to advocate for issues. Join our rebuilding the trail. Rio Writers listserv or participate But if you’ve been into Frijoles in Lunch and Learn workshops on Canyon this year, you would have been effective letter-writing (by phone delighted by the month-by-month or in person). For either, contact progress on the trail. A gang of dedi- [email protected], cated volunteers, primarily Sierrans 505-715-8388. from the Northern New Mexico and Pajarito groups, has been among those West. Of the 47 communities, Los helping Bandelier Trail Boss Kevin Alamos is one of 39 that support a local Stillman to reroute the trail above the zero-carbon effort. flood plain. Los Alamos already owns a renewable From headquarters, the trail for portfolio including hydro and solar but about two miles beyond Alcove House also has shares totalling 46 megawatts (Ceremonial Cave) has been rerouted/ in two coal-fired power plants. rebuilt almost to the beginning of “the Narrows,” where you can route-find Doug Hunter, UAMPS general along the stream. From Ponderosa manager, told attendees of the December Campground, the trail has been county meeting that to accomplish the rerouted/rebuilt to within a mile of the zero-carbon goal, the common-sense Narrows. solution is “energy efficiency — save Because of the fires, subsequent flood- power by discussing with customers why ing, and only the barely-treading-water- they use electricity, and why we need to funding for the parks (which means remove unneeded kilowatt-hours from there is only one paid Trail Guy for the system.” Because conservation will Bandelier), the Monument’s trails were, decrease future energy use, “we don’t want in many areas, decimated. Lost trails surplus power when people actually start meant that if you wanted to explore the practicing energy conservation. People are backcountry, it would be helpful if you already learning to turn off lights.” already knew how to get to wherever Photos by Les Drapela In its quest for carbon-free power to you were going. Top: Bandelier trail boss Kevin Stillman works with Jody Benson and Kathleen replace the baseload (24-hour-a-day Stillman, however, has worked to Chymbor (from left), two of the Sierra Club volunteers helping to restore trails power) now provided by aging coal- organize multiple organizations of at Bandelier National Monument. fired plants, UAMPS has partnered volunteers whom he takes into the Above: Tom Chymbor helps to wall in a washout on Frijoles Canyon Trail. with NuScale to build a small modular backcountry so that, little by little, nuclear reactor near Idaho Falls, Idaho. Bandelier trails are directional again. Stillman will school you in not only the Los Alamos County joins NuScale CCO Michael McGough You are invited to join the effort and be task, but the proper engineering of a municipal power system told the audience that NuScale is rewarded by a trail appearing through wilderness trail. designed to be “small, scalable, and a previously impenetrable pile of logs, The work is appropriate for any age that Los Alamos, with its own munici- reliable.” ankle-twisting washout, or burned-over can hike a few miles, work several hours, pally owned utilities, is a member of Each module should produce 50 expanse of rocky mesa. and focus on the task. Trail work is ongo- the Utah Associated Municipal Power megawatts at a cost of $3 billion versus The strenuousness of tasks ranges ing and will continue through the year Systems, a not-for-profit consortium $90 billion for an ordinary plant. The from raking trail and pruning brush to as weather permits. Please contact Kevin for providing comprehensive wholesale completion date is projected for 2024. sawing logs and building big-rock-based Stillman at [email protected] to get electricity to community-owned power Please see www.nuscalepower.com/ walls. You work at your own level. the volunteer alerts. systems throughout the Intermountain our-technology/technology-overview. Pajarito Group Directory Web page: Mining: David Torney, dtorney@valor- riograndesierraclub.org/pajarito net.com, 575/829-3433 Executive Committee Newsletter Editor, Transportation, Chair/Secretary: Jody Benson, echidan- Endangered Species/Wildlife: Jody [email protected], 505-662-4782 Benson, [email protected], Howard Barnum, 505/662-4782 LOCAL CRAFTS, JEWELRY, FABULOUS HANDBAGS, ANTIQUES, FINE [email protected] Caldera Issues chair: Howard Barnum, ART, SOUTHERN POTTERY, HOPI KATSINAS, AND HOME GOODS Iris Chung, [email protected] [email protected] Water Issues chair: Barbara Calef, Michael DiRosa, [email protected], 505/662-3825 [email protected] Membership: Mark Jones, jonesmm1@ Nona Girardi, comcast.net, 505/662-9443. [email protected] Join the Pajarito Group: Our execu- Committee Chairs tive committee is looking for members Bag Ban, Cool Cities, Treasurer: to help us strategize, plan events and Mark Jones, [email protected], campaigns, and enjoy the camarade- 505-662-9443 rie that comes from saving the world Conservation chair: Michael DiRosa together. Contact Pajarito Group Chair Open everyday! Mon-Sat 10-5:30 • Sun 11-5 Global Warming chair: Charles Keller, Jody Benson at [email protected] 15B First Street, Cerrillos, NM 87010 | 505-474-9326 | www.cerrillosstation.com [email protected], 505-662-7915 or 505-662-4782. 14 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017 Taos Hikes and Events, continued from Page 16 trip, 600-foot elevation gain resolution, starting at 9,600 feet. Good for continued from Page 13 first-time snowshoers. Bring your own or rent snowshoes We also knew we were doing and poles. Dogs OK. Contact our part to safeguard our precious Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, clean water. The American West [email protected] by Feb 2. is facing worse droughts every Saturday, Feb. 4 and/or year and it is our responsibility Sunday 5: Taos outing, see Jan. to preserve the lifeblood of our 7 for details. community — OUR WATER. Friday, Feb. 10: Full Moon The National Monument’s water- snowshoe at 4 p.m. Location shed helps sustain key irrigation close to Santa Fe to be deter- source for farmers and acequias and a key water supply for many mined. Call 505-699-3008 towns and cities. or email marciaskillman@ We applauded the designation hotmail.com. Saturday, Feb. 11: Strenuous because it would preserve critical wildlife habitat. Our Monument snowshoe outing to Deception serves as a rich and essential Peak, 6 miles and 2,500- wildlife habitat for elk, mule deer, foot elevation gain. Two or pronghorn antelope, bighorn three dogs OK. Larry, lorenz. sheep, otter, trout, pike, small- [email protected], 505-913- mouth bass and birds of prey, and 0589. encompasses a critical wildlife Saturday, February 11: migration corridor. Because of its Difficult climb to be deter- abundant wildlife, hunters and mined. Contact Odile, odile@ anglers come from near and far pitot.org, 505-433 4692. and contribute to Taos County’s End with optional potluck at economic growth. Photo by Odile de la Beaujardiere Odile’s house. And finally, the Río Grande A Sierra Club outing took hikers around Cabezon Peak in November. Saturday, Feb. 11 and/or del Norte National Monument Sunday 12: Taos outing, see holds countless sacred cultural then east along the ridge to Jan. 7 for details. How you can make a difference tribal sites, ruins and petro- Saturday, Feb. 18: Moderate the last hill before Apache glyphs in addition to several hike to the Rio Grande Ancho Get outside! Nature is still beautiful, still worth standing Canyon. Seldom-seen look at invaluable Spanish cultural sites Canyon to Red Dot Loop. up for and still has the power to awe, humble and inspire. It the Monument tower buried that date back as far as 400 Moderate and beautiful hike will make you feel better; we promise! deep in the watershed, and at years. As our resolution states, through dramatic White Rock And if you’re interested in training to be a Sierra Club hike territory that remains attrac- “The cultural antiquities here are Canyon, with pink cliffs, leader, contact [email protected]. tive through the summer. Eight the tangible historic record of springs, and petroglyphs as miles on old logging roads, human habitation of the entire highlights. We will car-shuttle outing to La Vega, 9 miles, at 9:30 a.m. Two dogs OK. and 1,400 feet elevation gain. area and are irreplaceable.” on return via the Red Dot trail, 1,300 feet elevation gain. Contact Odile, odile@pitot. Email medunham2@msn. New Mexico has a strong back to our start at the Ancho Two or three dogs OK. Larry, org, 505-433-4692. End with com to confirm, or call (505) conservation ethic that goes Rapids Trail near Bandelier. [email protected] optional potluck at Odile’s 795-0199 close to event time. back generations. We are the Pace is moderate, 8 miles on 505-913-0589. house. Saturday, March 25 and/or home, after all, of one of our good and primitive trails and Saturday, March 4 and/or Saturday, March 11 and/or Sunday 26: Taos outing, see nation’s first wilderness areas. 1,000 feet elevation gain. Sunday 5: Taos outing, see Jan. Sunday 12: Taos outing, see Jan. 7 for details. Standing up to keep our public Email medunham2@msn. 7 for details. Jan. 7 for details. Sunday, March 26: Moderate lands public is important for com to confirm, or call (505) Saturday, March 11: Easy Sunday, March 18: moderate hike in the Abiquiu/Medanales all of us to do. Please join us in 795-0199 close to event. to moderate Foothills Hike. hike at La Bajada (between Los area. Lisa Bowdey, (505) defending the Río Grande del Saturday, Feb. 25 and/or Sponsored by the Sierra Club Lunas and Belen). 10 hikers, 699-2953. Norte National Monument. Sunday 26: Taos outing, see Military Outdoors Program. one or two dogs OK. About Jan. 7 for details. All are welcome. If you’d like to 6 miles and 1,000-foot gain. Sunday, Feb. 26: Tour explore the wonders of nature Prehistoric and modern history NATURAL BURIAL Organ Mountains Desert and hiking in New Mexico in illuminated. Contact Dag Ryen Peaks National Monument. the company of great people, at (505) 466-4063 by March Moderate hike on the new this is the hike! Begin at the 15. NEW MEXICO Western Ridge trail to the foot of the Sandia Tram in Saturday, March 18 and/or top of Picacho Peak with Albuquerque and proceed Sunday 19: Taos outing, see �La P u e r t a Natural Burial Ground� 360-degree views of the entire to the La Luz Trail cutoff. Jan. 7 for details. and La Puerta Pet Cemetery national monument as well of Beautiful views of the city. Saturday, March 25: views into Texas and Mexico. Three miles, 200 feet eleva- Moderate snowshoe, Raven’s 40 acre private, serene, Return via either the origi- tion gain. Dogs OK. Contact Ridge (close to Santa Fe). conservation natural burial sites at nal trail route or one of the Terry Owen, 505-301-4349, [email protected], other trails in development [email protected] by March 9. 505-699-3008. the b a s e of the Manzano Mountains around the mountain. About 4 Saturday, March 11: Easy Saturday, March 25: miles, 700 feet elevation gain. hike in Albuquerque’s Moderate hike up Arroyo An environmentally sound burial Contact Howie Dash for meet- Petroglyph National Hondo southeast of Santa Fe. ing time and place: 575-652- Monument. Guided tour in Assuming we can drive up option and a natural return to 7550 or [email protected]. Piedras Marcadas by specialist FR79, we will walk up Arroyo earth. Simple, low cost, and Saturday, March 4: Bill Pentler. Great for children Hondo headwaters to the Moderate/strenuous snowshoe and grownups alike. Meet South Ridge of the watershed, respectful. A kinder, gentler burial. How you can make a difference NATURAL BURIAL IS BURIAL WITHOUT Donate to the Sierra Club! To donate, please Be an office volunteer. Can you spend a EMBALMING CHEMICALS USING A PINE go to riograndesierraclub.org/donate or send few hours manning —or womaning! — our C A S K E T , NATURAL FIBER BLANKET donations made out to Sierra Club Rio Grande Albuquerque office so it can stay open to the Chapter to 1807 Second St., Unit 45, Santa Fe, public when staffers aren’t present? Please OR BURIAL SHROUD. NM, 87505. Your entire contribution stays right contact [email protected]. here for the work we do to protect New Mexico Attend presentations co-sponsored by the For c0mplete information visit and West Texas. Project Coyote and Sierra Club featuring a film www.nqturalburiolnewmexico.com Eat lower on the food chain. Reduce screening and panel discussion on coyote-killing or email consumption of animal products, especially contests: Jan 5, Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces, naturalburialnewmexi�[email protected] beef, to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, water 7-9 p.m.; The Guild, Albuquerque, 1-3 p.m. use and groundwater pollution. No regulation Jan 7; Jean-Cocteau Theatre, Santa Fe, 5-7 p.m. required! Jan. 8. January/February/March 2017 Rio Grande Sierran 15 Photo by Aku A very enthusiastic group of hikers toured the badlands near Medanales in December, starting in cold weather and then enjoying a perfect day and a scenic, off-trail loop through badlands that rival any scenery in New Mexico for beauty. See Jan. 21 listing for the next Medanales trip. January-February-March hikes Saturday, Dec. 31: Soda Springs Loop at Buckman. About our hikes Down wash and out Soda Sierra Club Rio Grande Dogs permitted only if noted Springs trail, then up the old Chapter outings are free in write-up. but well-built trail to the top and open to the public. Always contact leader of the Caja, then across the Level of difficulty is listed Caja and back down to the before the outing to confirm in hike descriptions. All cars parked at the trailhead just participation and details. mileages are round-trip. below Diablo Canyon. Great Please see Participants must sign a views of White Rock Canyon. riograndesierraclub.org/ liability waiver. Bring water, Advanced to Moderate, 8 outings for up-to-date infor- lunch, sturdy hiking boots miles, half off-trail, and about mation and new hikes. or shoes and clothing suit- 1,100 feet elevation gain. Our Northern New able for the weather. Leader Email: medunham2@msn. Mexico Group’s weekly reserves right to turn away com to confirm, or call (505) outings e-mail, Sierra anyone whose experience or 795-0199 close to event time. equipment appears unsuit- Trail Mix, provides Sunday, Jan. 1: Moderate able. Leader may alter desti- outings updates plus useful New Year’s Day snowshoe, Photo by Olivia Li nation or cancel trip due to outdoor information such location TBD, Marcia Snowshoers take a break on a trip to Spirit Lake on Dec. 18. weather, conditions, or insuf- as trail conditions. Send Skillman, marciaskillman@ ficient number of partici- an email to Listserv@lists. hotmail.com, 505-699-3008. hotmail.com, 505-699-3008. 1,100 feet elevation gain. pants. Unaccompanied sierraclub.org with any Tuesday, Jan. 3: Series of Saturday, Jan. 7 and/or 10:30 a.m. start. Splendid minors need written permis- subject and a message moderate aerobic afternoon Sunday, 8: Series of Taos views. Two dogs OK. Odile, sion from a parent or guard- that says SUBSCRIBE hikes starting at noon, shoot- outings. Moderate/strenuous 505-433- 4692, odile@pitot. ian. Ask leader for form. RIO-NORTH-OUTINGS. ing for about 1,000 feet of hike or snowshoe in Taos area, org. End with optional potluck gain in a fairly short (maybe come for Saturday, Sunday, or at Odile’s house. 5-mile round-trip) hike. We msn.com to confirm, or call snowshoe about 5 miles, East both. Dogs OK. Repeats most Saturday, Jan. 21 and/or will move time up if it is a (505) 795-0199 close to event Fork of the Jemez, marciaskill- weekends of the winter season. Sunday 22: Taos outing, see bigger hike. Each hike destina- time. [email protected], 505-699- tion will be specified separately Tobin Oruch, tobin.oruch@ Jan. 7 for details. Saturday, Jan. 28 and/or 3008. Saturday, Jan. 21: Moderate in the Meetup site comments yahoo.com, (505) 690-6253. Sunday 29: Taos outing, see Saturday, Feb. 4: moder- Saturday, Jan. 14: Strenuous hike to Window Rock for this series. Also, Meetup at Jan. 7 for details. ate snowshoe and/or hike snowshoe outing to Nambe RSVP feature is open for this Medanales (Santa Fe SC Guide Saturday, Jan. 28: moder- in North Sandias, close to Lake series. However, still contact , 7 miles and 2,000 feet Page 370). Amazing lava dyke ate hike to Broad Canyon Albuquerque and Santa Fe. the leader if you are new, as of elevation gain. Two or window in the middle of sandy and Valles Canyon, in the Sponsored by the Sierra Club he will waitlist unknowns three dogs OK. Larry, lorenz. terrain. See also the “sand- Organ Mountains Desert Military Outdoors Program. who have not contacted him. [email protected], 505 913 worm” formations popping Peaks National Monument. All are welcome. Start at the Email: medunham2@msn. 0589. from the wash beds, as well as Beautiful canyon route with 10K trailhead and proceed Saturday, Jan. 21: moder- com to confirm, or call (505) an interesting shrine the locals ancient petroglyphs. About 5 north. Stunning views of both ate hike on Piedra Lisa trail 795-0199 close to event time. have carved into soft rock miles, easy elevation. Please the east and west side of the Saturday, Jan. 7: Beginner up to the Rincon Ridge on the walls. Nine miles on trail or no emails; call Paul Pierce, mountain. Five miles round snowshoe clinic, location north side of the Sandias (close in wash bottoms, and 1,000 505-670-7653. TBD, marciaskillman@ to Albuquerque). Two miles, feet gain. Email medunham2@ Saturday, Feb. 4: Moderate Continued on Page 15 16 Rio Grande Sierran January/February/March 2017