Rio Grande Sierran Volume 58, Issue 2 News of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter: & West Texas May/June 2020 Exploring, enjoying & protecting A pandemic planet

Mona Blaber Although so much of our world has shut down, wildlife, water, air and climate never stop — and neither do the threats to them. See Page 8 for actions you can take from home to protect our health and our planet, and for resources we can all use as we navigate the challenges of the restrictions the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed.

Mona Blaber Joe Parks Mary Katherine Ray Our endorsements for the New The count of Mexican wolves in the See tips for enjoying and exploring the Mexico primary are ready — make wild went up, but so did killing by outdoors safely — and seeing wildlife sure to vote by mail: Pages 6 and 7 Fish and Wildlife: Page 9 like this blue grosbeak: Page 12

EXPLORE, ENJOY AND PROTECT THE PLANET Inside:

Rio Grande Chapter Non-Profit Org. BLM refuses to postpone May auctions Sierra Club U.S. Postage After allowing just a 10-day protest period, agency schedules thousands 1807 Second St., Unit 45 PAID of acres in Permian to be leased for oil and gas fracking. Page 3. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Albuquerque, NM Permit No. 612 Commission approves PNM coal exit Financing will allow transition funds for coal workers, lower rate for electric customers. Page 3 Gila National Forest plan falls short Groups are providing technical comments to improve first draft update since last management plan in 1986. Page 5. More: El Paso Group: City still resisting Lost Dog preservation: Page 9. Zero Waste, recycling tips: Page 10. Northern NM Group, forests: Page 10. Legislature updates: Page 11 Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Contacts riograndesierraclub.org facebook.com/nmsierraclub Twitter: @riograndesierra instagram.com/riograndesierraclub

Executive Committee Pajarito Group, 520 Navajo Road, Sierran Editor: Mona Blaber, 505- Wilderness BLM Subteam: Tom Los Alamos, NM, 87544. Chair: Jody 660-5905, [email protected] Gorman, Miya King-Flaherty Mary Hotvedt, chair Benson, [email protected], 505- Web Editor: Ellen Loehman, Rio Grande Water Fund: Teresa [email protected] 662-4782. [email protected], 505-328-2954 Seamster Susan Martin, vice chair, 505-670- Southern New Mexico Group, P.O. Elections: Mona Blaber, John National Water Sentinels: Teresa 3279, [email protected] Box 735, Mesilla, NM, 88046; Chair: Buchser, Claire McKnight Seamster, Shannon Romeling Laurence Gibson, secretary, Howie Dash, [email protected], Nominating: Mary Hotvedt, Michael Cover banner photo of Fajada 915-309-5419, [email protected] 575-652-7550. Di Rosa, Ken Hughes Butte by Jim Klukkert Ray Shortridge, 505-604-3908 Outings Finance: Chair: Ray Shortridge, 505- John Buchser, jbuchser@ 604-3908; Members: Brintha Nathan, Chapter outings chair: Terry Owen, comcast.net, 505-820-0201 Howie Dash, Claire McKnight, Connie ‘Rio Grande [email protected], 505-301-4349 Huffmire Karl Braithwaite, 505-850-3369, Central New Mexico: Terry Owen [email protected] Friends and Funds: Louise Jensen Sierran’ publication El Paso: Laurence Gibson, lgibson@ Members: John Buchser, David Coss, Derrick Toledo, derrick.toledo@ utep.edu information gmail.com, 505-401-7932 Mark Rudd Northern New Mexico: Alan Legal: Richard Barish, 505-232-3013, The Rio Grande Sierran is published Dale Doremus, [email protected], Shapiro, [email protected] 505-795-5987 [email protected] four times a year, in January, April, Southern New Mexico: Howie Legislative: Co-chairs: Patricia Car- July and October, by the Rio Grande Shannon Romeling, 575-758-3874, Dash, [email protected], 575-652- [email protected] dona, 505-469-3230, Chapter of the Sierra Club as a benefit 7550 [email protected]; Diane Reese, Central New Mexico for members in New Mexico and West Inspiring Connections Outdoors: Melinda Smith, [email protected], 505- Group representative: reesedianem@ Texas. The opinions expressed in signed Santa Fe: Raymond Greenwell, 515-7284 gmail.com articles in the Sierran are the opinions of [email protected], 516-312-5751 Personnel: Chair: John Buchser. Ken Hughes, Northern New Mexico El Paso: Ted Mertig, 915-852-3011, the writers and not necessarily those of Members: Mary Hotvedt, Laurence the Sierra Club. Products and services Group representative: (505) 474-0550,, [email protected] Gibson, Fred Houdek [email protected] Military Outdoors Program: advertised in the Sierran are not necessar- Political Committee: Chair: Rich- ily endorsed by Sierra Club. Jody Benson, Pajarito Group rep- Terry Owen ard Barish, richard.barish@gmail. Contributions are welcome. Send resentative, [email protected], Excursiones a la Naturaleza: com, 505-232-3013. Pajarito Group: 505-662-4782 Cecilia Chávez Beltrán, cecilia.chavez. them to riogrande.chapter@sierraclub. Jody Benson; Central Group: Ray org. Submissions by Rio Grande Chapter Kurt Anderson, Southern New Mex- [email protected] Shortridge; Southern Group: Dan members will take precedence. Articles ico Group representative, 575-646- Lorimier; El Paso Group: Laurence Action Teams chosen to be published are subject to 1032, [email protected] Bosque Action Team: Richard Gibson; Northern New Mexico Group: editing. El Paso Group representative: Open Barish, [email protected], Ken Hughes. Members: Susan Martin, 505-232-3013. Mary Hotvedt; Patricia Cardona, Kurt Letters to the editor may be up to 400 Treasurer: Connie Huffmire, 505- words, subject to editing, and are printed 382-5769 Bag-Free Team: Jody Benson, Anderson. [email protected], 505-662-4782 Trade Issues: Chair: Richard Barish at the discretion of the editorial board. Political Compliance Officer: Editorial practices as developed and Offices and Staff Conservation Issues Richard Barish adopted by the chapter will be used in Albuquerque office Conservation Chair: Karl Sierra Student Coalition: El Paso: production of the Sierran. 2215 Lead Ave. SE, Albuquerque, Braithwaite, 505-850-3369, karl@ Neysa Hardin, [email protected]; 87106, 505-243-7767 braith.net Albuquerque/UNM: Keely Scheffler, Join the Sierra Club Camilla Feibelman, Rio Grande Energy/Climate Change: [email protected], 303-217-1943 You can join the Sierra Club (your Chapter director, 505-715-8388, Chair: Karl Braithwaite membership is to both the national [email protected] Water: Dale Doremus Coalitions/Working Groups group and the Rio Grande Chapter) for Miya King-Flaherty, Our Wild New Dairy: Dan Lorimier, America Votes: Richard Barish, only $15! Just go to riograndesierra- Mexico organizing representative, [email protected] Chaco Coalition: Miya King-Flaherty, club.org/join or send a $15 check with 505-243-7767, Water Sentinels: Shannon Romeling Teresa Seamster your name, address and the code 1700 [email protected] Public Lands: Chair: Derrick Toledo Coalition for Clean Affordable in the memo line to: Nuclear-Waste Storage: Chair: Energy: Karl Braithwaite, Camilla Cecilia Chávez Beltrán, Sierra Club John Buchser Feibelman Excursiones a la Naturaleza, Attn: Member Services Wildlife: Chair: Mary Katherine Ray, Doña Ana County Coalition: [email protected], 2101 Webster St., #1300 505-243-7767 575-537-1095, [email protected] Howie Dash Four Corners: Miya King-Flaherty, Friends of the Rio Grande del Oakland, CA 94612 Roddy Hughes, Beyond Dirty Fuels [email protected] Norte: Eric Patterson Do you have a membership ques- Campaign senior campaign Methane: Camilla Feibelman, Otero Mesa Action Team: representative, (202) 271-5881 tion? Call 415-977-5653 or e-mail [email protected] Antoinette Reyes [email protected] [email protected]. Mining, Sand & Gravel: Allyson Valles Caldera Coalition: Scan the QR code below on your cell Northern New Mexico Office Siwik, [email protected] Teresa Seamster phone to join the Rio Grande Chapter 1807 Second St., Unit 45 Transportation: Chair: Ken Hughes. Nuclear-waste storage: Patricia Santa Fe, NM 87505 • 505-983-2703 Zero Waste: Central NM Group: Cardona, John Buchser using our online form. Mona Blaber, communications, 505- Carol Chamberland, Chihuahuan Desert Border 660-5905, [email protected] [email protected], Coalition: Antoinette Reyes, Kurt Claire McKnight, PAC treasurer, 646- 505-341-1027 Anderson 864-0209, [email protected] Activism Teams National Representatives Brintha Nathan, bookkeeper, 505- Communications Team: Chair: 310-0595, brinthÍ[email protected] Council of Club Leaders Delegate: Shannon Romeling. Members: Shannon Romeling. Alternate: Susan Southern New Mexico Laurence Gibson, John Buchser Martin Antoinette Reyes, Southern New Rio Grande Sierran Editorial Building Healthy Communities Mexico organizer, 575-342-1727, Board: Laurence Gibson, Ken Hughes, Team facilitator: Ken Hughes, 505- [email protected] Mary Katherine Ray, Jody Benson, 316-2278, [email protected] Western New Mexico David Coss, Shannon Romeling Sierra Club Wildlands and Sierra Club National 2101 Webster St., Suite 1300, Oak- land, CA, 94612. 415-977-5500 Local Groups Central New Mexico Group, 2215 Lead Ave. SE, Albuquerque, 87106 Chair: Diane Reese, reesedianem@ gmail.com. El Paso Group, P.O. Box 9191, El Paso, TX 79995, Chair: Laurence Gibson, [email protected], 915-309- 5419. Northern New Mexico Group, 1807 Second St., Unit 45, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 505-983-2703, Chair: John Buchser, [email protected], (505) go.sunpower.com/partner/sierra-club/rio-grande/ 820-0201.

2 Rio Grande Sierran May/June 2020 San Juan coal exit, relief funds OK’d By Mona Blaber proposal to delay approval of Chapter communications a full replacement scenario to allow a bid by Enchant, the he New Mexico corporation that will attempt Public Regulation Commission on to keep burning coal at San April 1 unanimously Juan and capture some of the approved Public Service CO2 to either sell for enhanced T oil recovery or sequester. Company of New Mexico’s request to exit the coal-fired The commissioners’ decision San Juan Generating Station to allow PNM to exit San Juan and use low-interest bonds to Generating Station and to finance the stranded costs of finance the exit using low-rate the plant. bonds means that surrounding The low-rate financing communities and San Juan authorized by the Energy mine and plant workers will Transition Act will reduce receive $40 million in sever- customer utility bills, provide ance, training and reinvestment millions of dollars of support to funding. coal-dependent communities “Closing the San Juan and create new clean-energy Generating Station provides a jobs. The financing will lower Photo of Moapa Southern Paiute Project courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy critical opportunity to embark the average PNM customers’ To replace some of the power from San Juan coal plant, PRC hearing examiners have recommended on a clean-energy future – one rates by $6-$7 a month. the Arroyo Project in McKinley County, with 300 MW of solar and 40 MW of battery storage, and the that invests in our communities, “As PNM transitions to Jicarilla Project, with 50 MW solar and 20 MW storage. More resources will be recommended soon. protects our environment, and cleaner energy, the closing of Sierra Club has submitted a cost-effective portfolio of 100% renewables and storage. will lead to a healthier climate San Juan Generating Station for ourselves and future gener- provides an opportunity But the PRC and its hearing Approval of these projects include the Arroyo and Jicarilla ations,” said Wendy Atcitty, to fundamentally redefine examiners noted that carbon would preclude the gas-heavy projects, including the proposals Diné CARE New Mexico economic development to capture is speculative and replacement portfolio that by Sierra Club and Coalition energy organizer. “We applaud incorporate renewable energy expensive: “The modeling some stakeholders favored. In for Clean Affordable Energy. the PRC for making the right in the Four Corners Region. conducted by PNM also shows recommending the renewable However, both the CCAE and decision for Navajo commu- This decision by the PRC is that the abandonment will cost projects, the hearing examiners Sierra Club proposed larger nities and workers, who are progressive in identifying that substantially less than PNM’s cited the Energy Transition batteries at the Arroyo and depending on the just-transition coal-impacted communities continued operation of the Act’s requirement to favor Jicarilla sites than the hearing funding and economic opportu- need transition planning and plant retrofitted with carbon replacement energy with the examiners are recommending. nities the Energy Transition Act resources now,” said San Juan capture technology, and no least environmental impact. Approval of the Jicarilla provides.” Citizens Alliance Energy and party has presented contrary Commissioners must approve and Arroyo projects does not “This decision to move on Climate Program Manager evidence.” the two projects by April 30 preclude approval of gas units. from our coal-fired past will Mike Eisenfeld. Another encouraging devel- because of expiring bids. But the Sierra Club, after doing lead to cleaner air, cleaner water, PRC staff was the only party opment for the climate came The two projects fill only extensive modeling, has submit- and healthier lands. It will that recommended against March 27, when PRC hearing part of the gap left by aban- ted a cost-effective portfolio also help tribal communities, PNM’s San Juan exit, claiming examiners recommended expe- donment of San Juan, however, consisting of 100% renewable especially Navajo communities, the utility hadn’t sufficiently dited approval of the Arroyo so the examiners will issue a energy and storage, and we to diversify our economies and considered retrofitting San Solar Project, which is 300 separate recommendation on will continue to advocate for create new clean-energy jobs,” Juan for carbon capture, a risky MW of solar and 40 MW of the balance of the resources 100% renewables and battery to said Joseph Hernandez, Diné and expensive technology that battery storage, and the Jicarilla needed to replace San Juan. For replace the coal power. Energy organizer for Native is running at only one, much Project, with 50 MW solar that reocmmendation, they will The hearing examiners also American Voters Alliance smaller, power plant in the U.S. and 20 MW battery storage. choose among portfolios that firmly rejected a PRC staff Education Project. Holtec comments still due May 22 BLM charges ahead

By John Buchser place this waste in our planet’s for “temporary” waste storage. with oil, gas leasing thin crust. It does not seem to matter that Nuclear Waste team By Miya King-Flaherty The NRC’s role is to facili- the federal law requires the waste ur nation has made exten- Our Wild New Mexico organizer sive use of nuclear power for tate use of nuclear power. The must go to a permanent reposi- O s the country weathers the current crisis, and as commercial power generation. industry it regulates is under- tory. state and national guidelines are ever evolving to “Too cheap to meter” was standably focused on two goals: It matters to me that Holtec’s A making power to sell to custom- application to the NRC to store curb the spread of coronavirus, the Bureau of Land what the Nuclear Regulatory Management has charged ahead with a minimal 10-day Commission chair told the nation ers and making this power as this waste does not consider cheaply as possible. But given transportation risks — that’s protest period for its planned May lease sale of thou- in 1954. Now, the new lie has sands of acres of public land in southeast New Mexico. emerged: “It is safe to ship the the de-regulatory administration, a separate problem for the The protest period started on March 23 and ended radioactive waste from our reac- is safety adequately considered? Department of Transportation. tors and temporarily store it in Is the public’s trust in the NRC The shipping casks were tested by April 1. The BLM has already minimized public partic- New Mexico.” warranted? dropping them from a height of ipation by reducing protest periods from 30 to 10 days, but the 10-day period is especially egregious when our The amount of time and We had a recent wake-up call 40 feet. How many bridges are daily lives and routine have been disrupted. expense it takes to design, build, when the Fukushima Daiichi higher than that on the probable and subsequently monitor a nuclear reactor had multiple units transportation routes? How much While several parcels in the Greater Chaco region nuclear reactor is huge. It should go critical and burn, distributing does DOT know about nuclear were spared from the May lease sale, more than 45,000 be no surprise that little effort has radiation around the planet. The waste? acres of public lands in southeastern New Mexico’s gone into learning how to safely National Academy of Sciences What will we do when a leak- Permian Basin are still up for sale for more fracking. dispose of this radioactive waste. looked at lessons learned from this ing cask arrives in New Mexico The BLM only allows for protests to be hand-deliv- That needs to change. disaster and made recommenda- and Holtec proposes to send it ered or mailed; however, they made an exception and Scientists at Los Alamos and tions. Of six recommendations back where it came from? allowed for comments to be emailed. Sandia are working with scien- the NAS made on how to ensure The public has until May 22 to Many people, including those most directly impacted tists from around the world to safety of waste — the transfer of tell the NRC to Stop Holtec. The by fracking, do not have Internet access to email understand how to safely store the used radioactive fuel cores Draft EIS is at adamswebsearch2. comments, and most people are restricted from physi- this high-level waste for very out of reactors into cooling pools nrc.gov/webSearch2/ cally leaving their homes. long periods of time. It’s a tough ­— only one was adopted by the main.jsp?AccessionNumber= Even so, several groups, including the Sierra Club problem. The multimillion-year NRC. ML20069G420. You can Rio Grande Chapter, managed to collect thousands of timeframe needed for radioactive The NRC says it is following comment at Holtec-CISFEIS@ protests opposing the May lease sale. The Rio Grande decay to occur does not provide a the law in considering a 40-year nrc.gov. Be sure to mention this Chapter has also signed on to WildEarth Guardians’ convenient box in which to safely license for a site in New Mexico is about NUREG-2237. technical comment. May/June 2020 Rio Grande Sierran 3 Make our Chapter your home for activism ear friends, service. This is my first term on Mary E. workers against imaginary fight. They need us to speak First, I hope all of the Executive Committee for Hotvedt environmentalist enemies. We up at the Legislature and you, your family and D the Chapter. Rio Grande have seen it in the coalfields, interim committees for good loved ones are safe and healthy. the forests, the fisheries. We see climate science. They need us My sense of the Sierra Club Chapter These weeks have been a joint it now in our state health-care to call and use social media has been significantly changed chair struggle — albeit at a distance by the experience of being systems, where they have been for candidates who will fight — for all of us. It drives home on the ExCom. My husband pitted against each other for for our beautiful land and how we are all connected in was always the environmen- scarce medical supplies. our workers. They need us to one world. talist and I was the politician, We can’t let this callous and organize and vote for a change of us can be complacent This is my first opportunity focused more on “people dishonest portrayal of the in Washington, a Congress and about our political choices issues.” What I found when issues continue. We won’t buy administration that under- to write you as the new Chair and actions. We have seen joining the ExCom was a big this message that it’s a choice stands the critical tipping point of the Rio Grande Chapter how quickly protections to at which we find our world. of the Sierra Club. A brief group of dedicated volun- our water, air, and land can be between being a prosperous introduction: My husband teers who made absolutely stripped away even as we shel- nation or a green and healthy You will be called this year and I have the good fortune no distinction between social ter in place. Those protections one. So what can we do? to work for these changes to live on the edge of the Gila and environmental issues. have also been there for work- This is where the Rio Grande on behalf of the Rio Grande National Forest in Pinos Altos, Environmental changes, ers and their families, ensuring Chapter comes in. Fortunately Chapter. Please consider your and every day we are treated including this virus, affect us a better life for children and we live in a state where the Chapter a home for your active to wildlife walkthroughs and all and will do so even more grandchildren. Now, once governor and the majority of participation in the political an abundance of birds. I’m a in the future, sharpening the again, corporate interests — the legislators are working to fray before us. I think you will cultural anthropologist and choices of where we live and aided mightily by a solely prof- make our state green, safe, be happy with the fine fellow family therapist, now giving how we earn a living. it-motivated administration in and prosperous. But those spirits you meet as you join us. time to politics and board This is the year when none Washington — pit desperate people need our help for that I know I have been!

Auction follow-up: We Sierran folks Volunteer hero: are all about being outdoors. Ellen Kemper, Fred Houdek far left, and Ken Fred Houdek has Sierra Hughes, center, Club in the veins. His donated a guided son is the Land Use and cross-country Transportation Manager ski day trip with for the North Star Chapter gourmet lunch in Minnesota. So when for our winter Fred and his wife, Marlene, online auction. moved to Albuquerque to David Coss was be closer to their kids, one the lucky winner. of Fred’s first actions was They had a blast! to reach out to the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter’s Photo courtesy Central New Mexico Ellen Kemper Group. He quietly started coming Fred Houdek to meetings, listening, learning, injecting curious who brings her leadership questions with his midwest- skills from being a lead Rio Grande Green ern lilt. He humbly offered volunteer at St. Mark’s his help as a member of the Episcopal and board chair By the Friend and Fund do your gifts. Despite the incon- A gift of $10 or more each Bosque Action Team, then at the Hubbell House. gruence of the challenges of this Development Committee month, which is about the cost as the tabling coordinator, We also want to wish our season, it will still take nearly a f you are like us, you may have of a fancy coffee twice a month, then coordinating our office outgoing Chapter Lobbyist half a million dollars to achieve a little bit more time at home can make a real difference. Go move to our Lead Avenue I our shared goals in New Mexico Brittany Fallon well. to read the news and open the to www.riograndesierraclub.org/ location, working with Don and West Texas this year. Your Brittany is headed to mail. You probably received our Meaders (a union carpenter chapter gets only a small fraction and click “Donate” and then NM Wild, where she’ll annual request for help in the and volunteer extraor- of your membership fee. “Regular Donation.” Be sure be the Political Director. mail. It was written before the dinaire) to turn the oil It is your donation to the to check the box for monthly boiler building into a shed, Brittany brought all of the pandemic sent us all home, but donations. the campaign’s theme of “If not Chapter that fuels all of the good and finally becoming our smarts of her doctorate in now, when? If not us, who?” is work the Chapter does. If you’ve Volunteers: 670.5 hours Central Group Chair. psychology and biology, all already given, thank you. If you still very relevant. Sierra Club is a grassroots Fred has carefully culti- the passion of an animal have not, please consider making vated the volunteer team We are watching a president organization! Many volunteers conservationist and all the a monthly gift. We appreciate that is taking over as Fred savvy of a politico who took whose Environmental Protection your support more than ever. don’t yet report their hours, so passes the torch. Fred gets time off from her academic Agency is refusing to enforce Thank you for all you do! the true total is likely double to know people, takes the work to work as Sen. environmental safeguards even as or triple the above number. We time to get to know their we see that people living closest By the numbers (first volunteers make the wheels turn interests, meets with them William Tallman’s legisla- to polluting facilities are more with the support and leadership one on one and works with tive aide before becoming susceptible to Covid-19. We are quarter 2020) our Sierra Club lobbyist in of our outstanding staff. Just to them to take ownership of seeing many state and national Membership: 9,548 members; 2018. put these hours in perspective, work on the issues they’re politicians refuse to allow univer- 171 new members interested in. Fred has the IRS values volunteer time at Brittany helped to lead sal mail voting, which would Remember that when you owned his own business and our efforts to pass the allow us to participate in our $25.43/hour. join or renew your Sierra Club even been a large hospital Energy Transition Act and democracy while staying safe. membership through the The hours donated this quarter administrator. moved our efforts forward This presidential election year Chapter’s donation page, it were worth $17,051. The Sierra Club has been on electric vehicles, energy has never been more important. brings more money back to New If you’d like to get more the lucky beneficiary of efficiency, and grid modern- Nor has our fight to maintain Mexico! Go to www.riograndesi- the incredible leadership involved, please give us a call at ization. and elect representatives who erraclub.org/join. skills that Fred developed support policies that are critical Donations: $20,748 (505) 243-7767 or go to from that experience. We’re Brittany has also helped to our health, climate, clean air These are gifts above and riograndesierraclub.org and click so lucky to have had him develop the Chapter’s polit- and water, wildlife, and wild beyond annual membership. on “Action” then “Volunteer” to for all these years as our ical program to a new level. lands. If you aren’t already a monthly see all the ways in which you can Central Group Chair. Now Brittany is a wiz, and we This spring holds promise; so donor, consider becoming one. help. welcome to Diane Reese will miss her!! 4 Rio Grande Sierran May/June 2020 Groups ask state to protect Albuquerque Basin aquifer By Mike Neas Central NM Group Groundwater Issues Efforts are underway to better protect the entire Albuquerque Basin aquifer at the state level with an Executive Order. We are asking all local governments and Pueblos, as well as organizations, to send letters and resolution to Gov. asking for an Executive Order for special rules and protections for the Albuquerque Basin. Concerned citizens can call your elected officials and candidates and make known the need for an assured clean- water supply now and in the future. Photo courtesy Mike Fugagli Citizens dependent on the Albuquerque The last management plan for the Gila National Forest was written in 1986. The Gila has released its new draft forest Basin aquifer got a real wakeup call when plan. See riograndesierraclub.org for more information. SandRidge Energy Inc. secured a frack- ing permit from the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division in 2015. It took more than two years of crowded and contentious Gila Forest draft falls short meetings in front of the Sandoval County Commission to defeat a couple of very bad, Donna Stevens industry-driven ordinances. But the county Upper Gila Watershed Alliance How to write your comment has not passed any sort of protective oil and A coalition of groups put together a recorded webinar to help explain gas ordinance. What was accomplished was an orest plans, while admit- the issues and provide tips on submitting a comment. Go to awakening of the people of the Albuquerque tedly not very exciting, are https://bit.ly/3aZEoNH and enter your information to access it. Basin to the realities of their water protections extremely important, as they in place now. guide the Forest Service’s poli- To submit your comment to the Forest Service online: Roughly 24 local governments and cies, projects, and actions for years to riograndesierraclub.org/gila-forest-comments F pueblos are dependent on the water of the come. Southern NM Group Albuquerque Basin. These local govern- The Gila National Forest’s “current” ments represent more than three quarters of plan is from 1986, and many condi- Chair and Outings: Howie Dash, [email protected], 575-652-7550 Treasurer: Cheryll Blevins, [email protected], 575-524-4861 a million people. Sandoval County still has tions have changed since then. In no oil and gas ordinance in place and relies mid-January, the Gila released its draft Secretary and Wildlife: Mary Katherine Ray, [email protected], 575-772-5655, solely on the same Special Use permitting forest plan, kicking off a 90-day public system that was arbitrarily administered in the Political: Kurt Anderson, [email protected], 575-646-1032 comment period that ends April 16. SandRidge matter. In the entire Albuquerque Mary Hotvedt: [email protected] Accompanying the draft plan Basin area, there are no local government oil Dan Lorimier, [email protected] is a draft Environmental Impact and gas ordinances. At best most local govern- Statement. Conservation groups are ments, including the City of Albuquerque dividing the immense task of evaluat- ately. The draft plan fails to take this plan acknowledges the vulnerability and Bernalillo County, rely on the Special Use ing more than 1,000 pages and writing seriously. of high-elevation spruce-fir forests, permitting process. comments in response. We respectfully Wilderness: In today’s climate its list of Species of Conservation Sandoval County residents’ efforts to assure request that you read this article (not emergency, the designation of new Concern fails to include plants and protections for the air, water, environment and the entire plan!) for information on wilderness areas that function as animals that live only in this ecosys- public safety from the pollution potential of oil writing comments, since input from climate refugia is crucial. While tem. The plan exhibits a disconnect and gas taught us some very important facts. individuals is very important. only Congress has the authority to between ecosystem vulnerability and The Albuquerque Basin or Middle Rio Grande While the draft forest plan contains designate wilderness areas, the Forest the actions required to mitigate the Rift is one of only four active rifts in the world. much with which we agree, includ- Service’s wilderness recommendations resultant loss of biodiversity. As an active rift, it is heavily faulted and frac- ing desired conditions of forest and are influential. The five alternatives Herbicides: The Forest Service has tured. It is unstable. Horizontal drilling and watershed health and sustainability, in the draft Environmental Impact inappropriately embedded a complete fracking have inevitable potential to do serious the plan falls short in many respects. Statement have a range of recom- herbicide plan in its forest plan draft and irreversible damage to the Albuquerque Following are some of the issues that mended new wilderness areas rang- Environmental Impact Statement. Basin aquifer. are inadequately addressed. ing from zero to 750,000 acres; the This proposed plan approves the use Climate: The draft plan states preferred alternative recommends just of 21 different herbicides across the Central New Mexico Group clearly that climate change is happen- 110,000 acres. The Forest Service’s Forest for use on non-native species ing here and now, but fails to incor- “preferred” alternative recommends and a few native trees such as oak and Contacts porate this acknowledgement in its wilderness for only 46,685 acres out alligator juniper. A programmatic of almost 150,000 total acres rated herbicide plan should not be nested Chair: Diane Reese, [email protected] proposed actions. While we agree Vice Chair: Ray Shortridge, that climate is outside the purview as Outstanding by the Forest Service into the draft forest plan. The Forest [email protected] of the Gila National Forest, there itself, or just 31%. Service needs to focus on the revised Treasurer: David Ther, [email protected] are measures within its authority Wild and Scenic Rivers: As with forest plan, and proceed with the Secretary: Heather Kline, heatherjkline78@gmail. that could lessen the impacts of wilderness areas, Wild and Scenic herbicide EIS in a separate process com, 505.577.2798 our climate emergency. One such Rivers can only be designated after the forest plan comment period Outings: Terry Owen, [email protected], 505- activity is an honest assessment of by Congress; the Forest Service’s has ended. Not doing so denies the 301-4349 the destructive impacts of livestock mandate is to determine eligibility. public ample time to respond. The Carol Chamberland, [email protected] public was not informed during the Mark Rudd, [email protected] grazing. As the forest gets hotter and While a coalition of conservation Peter Kelling, [email protected] drier, livestock numbers should be groups has proposed almost 450 miles scoping period that the herbicide plan Fred Houdek, [email protected], reduced to improve forest condi- of rivers and streams, largely in the would be included as a separate DEIS 630.809.4234 tions and to allow regeneration Gila National Forest, for Wild and within the forest plan analysis. Other Responsibilities of carbon-sequestering grass that Scenic River status, the Forest Service Please use the information above to Political/Bosque: Richard Barish, provides fine fuels to carry low-sever- has found eligible just half that write comments on the Gila National [email protected] ity wildfires. Riparian areas, the most number, 224 miles. Forest’s draft plan. The Gila National Art showings: Peter Kelling productive habitat in the forest, must Species of Conservation Concern: Forest website has a wealth of informa- Volunteer coordinators: Keely Scheffler, [email protected], Patty Duncan, pgnm@ be off-limits to livestock. The Gila We are experiencing a mass extinc- tion on forest planning, as well as the comcast.com, River in the Gila Wilderness Area, a tion event, but you wouldn’t know draft plan and draft Environmental Wildlife: Open vital climate refuge, has been heavily that from reading the draft forest Impact Statement. On the home page, Military Outings: Terry Owen damaged by dozens of feral cattle, plan, which is largely business as click on “How to comment.” UNM Sierra Student Coalition: Keely Scheffler which need to be removed immedi- usual. For example, while the draft The comment deadline is April 16. May/June 2020 Rio Grande Sierran 5 Primary Election 2020 Our choice for Congress: Leger Fernandez By Susan Martin in the land that ronmental matters. She was a commis- a passionate and committed environ- Chapter vice chair nourishes us, but sioner of Las Acequias de Chupadero. mentalist who understands the urgency dreaming of and President Barack Obama appointed e are so proud to endorse Teresa of this moment and the need to act to achieving social- her to the Advisory Council on Historic Leger Fernandez for New Mexico’s ensure the health of our planet for gener- W justice victories for Preservation. Her vision for the Green 3rd Congressional District seat. From poor and under- New Deal for New Mexico includes ations to follow. attending Head Start as a little girl in Las served commu- investing in small farmers and ranchers Vegas, N.M., to her outstanding profes- nities, including who can do regenerative agriculture. Paid for by Sierra Club sional and educational achievements, pueblos. To achieve our endorsement, Teresa Political Committee, Teresa understands the challenges and Her long history went through a rigorous process. We www.sierraclub.org, and not opportunities of her district. Growing up of community involvement includes such send questionnaires, interview candi- authorized by any candidate or as one of 8 siblings, she exemplifies the diverse issues as voting rights, housing, dates, and require a two-thirds vote of candidate’s committee. best of Northern New Mexico — rooted immigration, women’s issues and envi- two Club entities. Teresa stood out as New Mexico House of Representatives

District 13: Rep. District 14: District 17: Rep. District 27: Rep. District 40: Patricia Roybal- Rep. Miguel Garcia Debbie Armstrong Marian Matthews Caballero Rep. Garcia, who has Rep. Armstrong chairs the Rep. Matthews proudly Roger Montoya was named voted for legislation important a CNN Hero in 2019 for his For years, Rep. Roybal- been representing Bernalillo House Health and Human to the climate and wildlife role in co-founding Moving Caballero has championed County in the Legislature Services Committee and in her first legislative session Arts Española. “I share our legislation to make solar energy since 1997, has an exemplary believes that a healthy envi- this year, re-establishing the rural and Native communities’ affordable and accessible to voting score of 96 percent ronment is key to a healthy residential solar tax credit deep connection to what’s most everyone. She perseveres to from Conservation Voters state. She is a longtime health- and enacting the Energy Grid important —­ our land and see progressive legislation New Mexico. He is consis- care advocate serving her third Modernization Roadmap. She water,” Montoya told us. He through to the finish line. Her tently supportive of climate term in the state House and just bought her second hybrid showed a strong commitment record shows a commitment to and justice issues. has worked for 10 years with vehicle and installed five rain to stewarding our resources for standing up for New Mexicans’ Presbyterian Medical Services barrels for her garden. future generations. health and resources. in Santa Fe.

District 42: District 45: District 50: Rep. District 65: District 70: Matthew McQueen Rep. Anita Gonzales Ortez has been a conserva- Serrato worked on natural For Rep. McQueen, conser- Rep. Lente, serving Gonzales is running for tion advocate for nearly 17 resources for U.S. Rep. Ben vation has been a lifelong Sandoval, Rio Arriba and San the San Miguel County-area years, starting as a wilderness Ray Luján. Her campaign organizing principle. He is Juan counties, is a staunch seat vacated when Rep. Tomas advocate for the California refuses fossil-fuel funding, a standard-bearer for health, advocate for his constitu- Salazar retired. An acequia Wild Heritage Campaign and Serrato believes we must climate and air and water ents and for conservation. commissioner, Gonzales values and then working in New diversify our state’s revenue, protections in the state House. He listens to everyone and community and culture and Mexico for the Sierra Club to defend our land, air, and As an attorney, he frequently governs in a thoughtful, civil promises to preserve our lands expand outdoor recreational water and end the false choice represents nonprofits (his manner. He has been a strong and resources. She supported and learning opportunities between a good education and legal specialty is conservation ally in the community effort the Energy Transition Act, for children and youth, with a sustainable future for our easements), and he chairs the to protect Greater Chaco emphasizing that the law help a focus on communities of working families. House Energy, Environment, families and resources from address the impact our needed color. She serves now as Taos and Natural Resources the damages of oil and gas energy transition has on Land Trust executive director. Committee. fracking. communities. June 2 primary: Your vote is your voice, now more than ever By Richard Barish in the same direc- Committee Chair Clemente Sanchez press time, it is unclear what the June Rio Grande Chapter Political chair tion. (District 30); George Muñoz (District election will look like, but a great n these difficult times, elections may The state Senate has been the grave- 4), and Gabriel Ramos (District 28). option in any event is to vote by mail. understandably not be the first thing yard for some of the best pro-environ- Fortunately, some great Democratic To request an absentee ballot, go to on everybody’s mind. However, as ment and progressive legislation, in candidates, listed on Page 7, have nmvote.org. Iwe have seen from Trump’s failures to part because of a bloc of Democratic stepped up to challenge these incum- effectively mobilize to fight COVID-19, committee chairs who often block bents. Endorsements are listed only for Endorsement articles paid for by good leadership matters. critical legislation like funding for candidates in contested primary races Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra In 2018, Rio Grande Chapter early-childhood education, a living wage in June. Candidates who do not have a Club PAC and the Sierra Club NM members helped elect a new wave of and community solar. These senators primary opponent are not listed. We’ll Healthy Communities. Not autho- progressive, pro-environment legislators include Senate President Pro Tem Mary have our full slate of endorsements in rized by any campaign or campaign to the State House. In the June primary, Kay Papen, Finance Chair John Arthur the fall Sierran. committee. we have the opportunity to push the Smith (District 35), Corporations Please support these candidates. At 6 Rio Grande Sierran May/June 2020 Primary Election 2020 New Mexico Senate

Senate District 4: District 5: District 8: District 9: Noreen Kelly Leo Jaramillo Pete Campos Brenda McKenna Kelly is a Navajo elder who lives Jaramillo stood with neighbors Campos has been a solid environ- McKenna, of Nambé Pueblo, was in rural McKinley County and has a to protect the Ortega and Garcia mental vote in the state Senate, and taught from an early age that protec- long history of community involve- acequias in the San Pedro area of he is committed to making bold tion of our planet is part and parcel ment. She works with Strong Families Española, which were being threat- decisions to help our state thrive of her life. She is a field represen- on reproductive justice and domestic ened by a national fast-food chain. and eliminate the global emissions tative for U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, violence; she is a board member of The chain wanted to move into a that adversely affect New Mexicans’ who endorses her candidacy for two Native schools; has been active residential area but didn’t have a plan overall health and that of future this open seat. She is a longtime for 20 years in Diné Elders for Peace on protecting the acequias. They generations. volunteer for Wildlife Conservation and other community organizations. stopped the project. As a county Campos has served his district, Advocacy Southwest, Prairie Dog She has a strong environmental ethic. commissioner, he supported a reso- which covers Colfax, Guadalupe, Pals and Hawks Aloft, as well as our Her opponent, Sen. George Muñoz, lution to ensure that state agencies Harding, Mora, Quay, San Miguel Rio Grande Chapter. Her advocacy has a poor 47% environmental voting have the authority to hold oil and gas and Taos counties, since 1991. helped outlaw coyote-killing contests record and has opposed efforts to fund companies accountable for violations in New Mexico. early childhood education. of the Oil and Gas Act.

District 10: District 17: District 20: District 28: Katy Duhigg Mimi Stewart Rebecca Stair Siah Correa Hemphill Duhigg is a consumer- Few elected officials have champi- Stair was one of the most knowl- Correa Hemphill is a progressive protection attorney and former oned our climate, wildlife, drinking edgeable and energetic candidates champion and working mom. Her Albuquerque city clerk. water and clean air more consistently we interviewed. She has a record experience as a special education As clerk, Duhigg worked to ensure than Sen. Stewart. She sponsored of nourishing our precious lands teacher will bring a voice deeply fair and ethical elections, including renewal of job-creating residential and waters, from supporting green connected with vulnerable popu- enacting public financing reforms, and business solar tax credits for years infrastructure to introducing carbon lations to the Senate. She will be a setting clear campaign ethics guide- — until they passed both chambers offsets into the New Mexico film strong voice for environmental values lines, and increasing disclosure for the third time and were signed industry. She is enthusiastic about in Southwest N.M., continuing the requirements for elected officials. into law by Gov. Lujan Grisham this innovating healthy, harmonious and leadership that Howie Morales began She is also a former vice president of year. Another of her longtime efforts thriving ecologies and economies in in this district. She is running against Common Cause New Mexico. was rewarded when her Wildlife New Mexico. Sen. Gabriel Ramos, who supported Trafficking Act passed this year. the expensive and dangerous plan to divert the Gila River.

Bernalillo County Commission Frank Baca and Adriann Barboa Adriann Barboa established Strong Families NM of Forward Together, a multi-sector, multi-issue organization that holds environmental justice as a core value. She mobilized voices against uranium-mining bills and to stop fracking in Greater Chaco. Adriann’s primary issue is reproductive justice, where she worked with an epidemiologist to show how Bernalillo County’s District 35: Neomi Superfund sites correlated with maternal health outcomes. District 30: Frank Baca is a retired attorney and organizer in the South Pam Cordova Martinez-Parra Valley. His community organizing has focused on making sure Cordova is a retired educator and Martinez-Parra is a strong that the people of the South Valley are involved and heard on former president of the New Mexico supporter of access to our public decisions that affect their lives. Baca says he “can think of no Federation of Democratic Women. lands and preservation of our parks, more important issue” than the threats to our environment. She is a longtime Rio Grande Chapter monuments, and wild places for Because of personal family experience with cancer, he is partic- member. Along with action on climate future generations. She is an educator ularly concerned about pollution issues. and education, Pam supports the who formerly served as vice chair of creation of a public health insurance the New Mexico Democratic Party Santa Fe County Commission: Hank Hughes option for New Mexicans. Cordova and as a member of the Democratic Early in his career, Hughes worked as a water-resources is running against Sen. Clemente Party’s Platform and Resolutions specialist helping communities in New York address ground- Sanchez, who has opposed fund- Committee. water contamination. ing early-childhood education and Martinez-Parra is opposing Sen. As a Santa Fe County commissioner, he wants to pursue often blocks critical environmental John Arthur Smith, who has blocked renewable-energy projects to make Santa Fe a carbon-neu- legislation from being heard in the funding for early-childhood education tral county as quickly as possible. He promises to be vigilant Corporations Committee. from the $15 billion Permanent Fund. about protecting our land, air and water from potential

May/June 2020 Rio Grande Sierran 7 Pandemic: How to help, how to get help The COVID-19 pandemic has cost many of us economically, physically and emotionally, as we struggle with isolation and fear and the loss of connection with others. Below we list a few resources in case you are feeling sick, need economic help or need help coping. We are also featuring actions you can take from home to support the environment and democracy, in case your method of coping is to be productive! Register to vote, check your regis- tration or apply for a mail ballot at Contribute to nmvote.org. You can use nmvote.org to register or update your voter registration, Navajo-Hopi check what legislative districts you’re in, request a mail-in ballot, view important election dates or request a military or relief fund overseas ballot. The state Supreme Court At press time, more than 800 has ruled with Republican lawmakers people on the Navajo Nation had that voters must first request a mail-in tested positive for the virus. A joint ballot in order to receive one, rather than Navajo and Hopi Relief Group has allowing all all-mail election in which announced that COVID-19 cases all eligible voters would be If you have will soon surpass for election-related questions or concerns, coronavirus cases per capita. call the Secretary of State’s office at The shelter-in-place order is 505-827-3600 or email sos.elections@ placing additional strains on an state.nm.us. under-resourced community with VOTE411 is a hub for everything you concerns around food insecurity need to know about voting during and access to large quantities of COVID-19. The League of Women hours cut, there is free vegan food avail- By paper: Make sure to mail it back water, a necessary resource to Voters is updating this bilingual resource able for you! If you are at a high risk of By phone: 1-844-330-2020. maintain the preventive practice of every day. Earth Day Live: Earth Day Live is a contracting the coronavirus or are unable hand-washing. Tribal communities The New Mexico Health Department three-day livestream that aims to mobi- to leave your home, just email La Salita at also may be at greater risk for high has a site dedicated to your questions lize and engage people of all ages in [email protected] or message them death rates due to their long-term about Coronavirus: Go to cv.nmhealth. collective action to protect our commu- on Facebook. Be sure to tell them if you org. The department hotline to call nities and Mother Earth. need animal food as well. exposure to the coal plants in the for Coronavirus questions is (855) The livestream is replacing origi- The New Mexico Crisis and Access Four Corners area and the Navajo 600-3453. For non-health-related nal plans to mobilize around Climate hotline is 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) Generating Station. COVID-19 questions, call (833) Strikes. The Sierra Club Rio Grande or nmcrisisline.com. You can also call Please consider donating to the 551-0518. Chapter is helping to coordinate online or text to talk to a peer at 1-855-4NM- relief group providing bulk food City of Albuquerque Coronavirus Earth Day Live events April 22-24. 7100 (466-7100). deliveries on tribal lands in Utah, resources: www.cabq.gov/family/ Visit riograndesierraclub.org to find out The Sierra Club is mobilizing to focus New Mexico, and Arizona: www. services/health-social-services more. Our Chaco panel will be featured support in the next stimulus package on gofundme.com/f/NHFC19Relief or Food is provided for anyone who on the Earth Day Live national stream. frontline workers and people, not corpo- go to navajohopisolidarity.org/. needs it at these locations: There will also be a Gila Earth Day live rations. Go to sc.org/peoplesbailout to Alamosa Health & Social Service event on April 22 from 10 am to noon learn more. Center: (505) 836-8800 on Facebook @GilaEarthDay. For more Albuquerque, Santa Fe mayors pause Navajo chapter Los Griegos Health & Social Service info:www.earthdaylive2020.org. bag bans: Businesses in Albuquerque Center: (505) 761-4050 Mutual Aid: Fight for our Lives and Santa Fe will temporarily be allowed food, supply John Marshall Health & Social Service students, who are also leading Climate to use any type of plastic bag for their Center: (505) 848-1345 Strike efforts are now working on customers and the cities will suspend East Central Health & Social Service Albuquerque Mutual Aid ­— www.ffol. enforcement of plastic-bag bans. distribution Center: (505) 767-5700 org/mutualaid — to protect at-risk Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller was clear Navajo Council Delegate The 2020 Census: This is our once-a- community members. You can request a this is not a public-health measure, as Daniel Tso, long-standing Protect decade opportunity to accurately count care package or donate. there is no independent data supporting Chaco organizer, and the Torreon everyone living in the U.S. and a critical Positive Links is partnering with La the myth that reusable bags contribute to Community Alliance have created tool used to distribute billions of federal Salita Restaurant to provide plant-based disease spread. Instead, it is a measure of a GoFundMe campaign to support dollars and ensure political representa- meals to folks in need and ensuring solidarity and support for food workers. the local Greater Chaco Navajo tion for our communities. Complete their companion animals have food You’re not alone! Let’s get through this chapters of government in their your Census today in one of three ways: during this difficult time. together. Contact riogrande.chapter@ mobilization of resources to miti- Online: my2020census.gov If you recently lost your job or had your sierraclub.org with questions. gate the impact COVID-19 will have on the Diné people. Currently, the Navajo Chapters Oil prices plummet. Pollution? Not so much. in the Greater Chaco region are By Camilla Feibelman an online public meeting on the Health royalty payments for extracting oil and located far from sophisticated The Permian oil fields were still boom- and Economic benefits of State Methane gas from public lands. Half of federal medical facilities, government ing. Now, between a historic drop in rules. A recording of the meeting can be royalty payments come to states. In New centers and food markets and thus demand and production wars between seen on the New Mexico Environment Mexico, most extraction takes place on have a high need to organize food Saudi Arabia and Russia, the prices of oil Department website at www.env. public lands. Allowing industry not to and supplies for the most needy of and gas have plummeted and along with nm.gov/new-mexico-methane-strategy. pay us for our resources would further the communities. it production, and the need to reduce Production falls but pollution may not: gut the state budget. This effort will work with and reliance on this industry’s royalties is more The International Energy Agency says the Texas and New Mexico consider well follow all Navajo Nation Health Command directives and all health clear than ever. downturn will likely lead to reductions shut-ins: On April 14, the day after protocols. We already have identi- EDF: Permian Basin emits three times in CO2 emissions, but “a similar drop this newsletter goes to press, the Texas in methane emissions from oil and gas fied the Sandoval County-Torreon more methane than national average: Railroad Commission, which regulates oil cannot be taken for granted, even if oil Fire Department, Torreon Chapter A new Environmental Defense Fund and gas extraction, was to decide whether and gas consumption falls.” That’s because House and the Ojo Encino project shows Permian methane emis- to limit production of oil statewide sions are three times the national average companies may pay less attention on Chapter House as initial partners. finding and sealing leaks and may increase and allocate to each company a certain All food and supplies purchased as the federal government continues to percentage of production. New Mexico’s reverse safeguards. The study reminds us venting and flaring. will be tracked on the GoFundMe Oil Conservation Division has the same that methane co-pollutants like benzene EPA won’t enforce polllution safe- website and the Torreon authority but has not yet taken action. and smog-forming volatile organic guards: The EPA announced it would Community Alliance Facebook. compounds threaten New Mexicans’ stop enforcing environmental protec- However, the State Land Office will hold All donations are tax-deductible. health and that state safeguards are now tions, including for oil and gas. This a hearing on whether to allow companies Donate at www.gofundme.com/ all the more critical for this powerful means that while companies are being to temporarily halt production at wells on f/far-east-navajo-covid19-relief? greenhouse gas. Visit www.permianmap. less mindful of dangerous pollution, so state lands without risking expiration of or mail checks to: PO Box 1054, org to see the study. will the agency that’s supposed to protect their leases. Cuba, N.M., 87013. State methane protections move us from this pollution. Groups like Western Environmental “It is with our deepest sincerity forward: The New Mexico Environment Industry wants bailout: In addition Law Center are arguing that in any action that we thank you for your time Department and Energy Minerals and to backing off regulations, the federal around production reductions, environ- and your support in these challeng- Natural Resources went forward with government is considering waiving mental protections should be maintained. ing times,” Tso said. 8 Rio Grande Sierran May/June 2020 Wildlife and Outdoors Nevertheless, wolves persist By Mary Katherine Ray Chapter Wildlife Chair In welcomed news, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced that as of the end of 2019, the imperiled population of Mexican wolves had increased by 24% to a total of 163 wolves in the wild Gila region; 87 in New Mexico and 76 in Arizona. But this step forward for lobos has been tempered by senseless steps back. Shortly after this announcement, the agency revealed that it had “lethally removed” four wolves at the behest of livestock interests for preying on cattle. This killing spree took place at the end of March. Two of the wolves were members of the Mangas Pack, whose terri- tory lies along the New Mexico-Arizona state line, and two belonged to the Prieto pack, which roams in New Mexico nearby to the southeast. The Prieto pack only began to prey on livestock after several of its members were incidentally caught in fur trapper traps — resulting in injuries and a death. Studies have shown that when pack stability is disrupted Ed MacKerrow/ In Light of Nature like this, conflict with humans is often the These bobcat kittens are safe from trapping in New Mexico until November. result. Yet the agency charged with protect- ing wolves instead chose to kill them. We have also learned that at the end of March, two more wolves were found illegally shot in Arizona. Trapping season ends The Fish and Wildlife Service is under court order to rewrite the rules governing By Mary Katherine Ray year even on public lands, the profit and Luna County. There is no way to Mexican wolf recovery. Expect a draft to be Chapter Wildlife chair motive is curtailed). As we negotiate know how many dogs were trapped released soon. Killings like these need to be the difficult and uncharted waters of because NM Game and Fish has seriously addressed, along with improving small celebration is in order our current human situation, being no way to record these incidents. wolf genetic diversity by releasing more into with the end of trapping out in nature is even more important Imperiled Mexican wolves were also the wild, allowing wolves greater latitude in season on March 15. A and wonderful. caught in traps meant for other species where they can roam, and prioritizing wolf With the coming of spring and the In addition to the probable trap- this past winter. Two wolves were conservation over livestock grazing. shedding of winter coats, wild animal ping deaths over the winter of around injured and at least one lost part of his The increasing population count shows pelts lose their value ­— in monetary 10,000 native animals for the profit of foot as a result. that wolves can be restored to the Southwest, terms. private, commercial trappers, at least The TrapFree New Mexico coali- that their ancient howls can and should Until next November 1, when the a half dozen dogs were also known to tion, which includes our Sierra Club be heard once more echoing through the season begins again, we can enjoy our have been caught and injured. chapter, will continue to work toward canyons. But for wolves to be sustained, the public lands without additional fear Incidents occurred across the state trap free public lands and you can killings must stop. We will let you know that hidden traps make them unsafe in Socorro County, Grant County, help. Please visit www.TrapFreeNM. when the draft of the new rules is released so (though coyotes can be trapped all Cibola County, Santa Fe County org. you can send in your comments. Despite win, city keeps fighting Lost Dog preservation

by Laurence Gibson, Chair community had been enjoying this area, a conservation easement for Lost Dog El Paso Group affectionately called Lost Dog, for years. El Paso Executive “for all time” is not what the movers and The mountain-bikers swung into action, l Paso city government looks good Committee shakers behind city government envision. gathering thousands of petition signatures on paper. But it appears El Paso is But these people do not want to expose E for preservation. That first petition was elpasosierraclub.org run by a small group of wealthy individ- themselves. So they just up the pressure denied at City Council. It seems that Laurence Gibson, Chair, uals using El Paso City Council and its (915) 309-5419 on city government and hope we, the Council’s lawyers found they had a right people, will give up and go away. relationship with El Paso Water’s Public to require a second petition. Well, we [email protected] Service Board (PSB) to shape the city produced another one, and got a propo- Ann Falknor, Secretary, We are so thankful for our environ- in their own vision, reaping the rewards sition for permanent preservation as open (915) 833-9162 mentalists, mostly retirees and Sierra for themselves. space “for all time” on the May 4, 2019, [email protected] Club members, who show up whenever To add insult to injury, they want us ballot. There was finger-pointing at City Liz Walsh, (915) 342-7630 ewalsh@ needed to try to hold council’s feet to citizens to pay for this real-life game Hall, blaming us for the $400,000 cost utep.edu the fire on Lost Dog. Thanks especially by selling or trading off land bought of the special election even though they Neysa Hardin (915) 227-5154, to the Bonarts, Marilyn Guida, Judy years ago for aquifer protection. This were the ones requiring it. The city began [email protected] Ackerman and Francesca Wigle. purchase of thousands of acres of desert a negative advertising campaign, first Francesca Wigle (512) 497-5026 P.S.: Since this was written in March, [email protected] began in 1952 with the creation of the a paid commercial effort, then one on our attentions have all been diverted to Public Service Board to protect our media without expenditure of city funds. the virus: parks closed, City Council redo- water supply. The PSB’s mission has They lost. We won big, with 87% of the ing its budget, most of us staying home, appeared to gradually drifted into land vote. city money for expert help at getting a conservation easement in place. At the most everything on hold. development with the stated goal of But since then there has been nothing One blessing: Great Wolf Resorts just keeping water rates low. Over the years but foot-dragging: two 90-day postpone- last council meeting on Lost Dog, staff cancelled its deal to build on those 44 it has also been convenient for the city ments, a 10-week postponement and a was directed to be “more aggressive” to to blame the PSB and vice versa for not six-week research period. At first the city’s take all steps toward creating a conser- acres the city was wheeling and dealing to being able to do the will of the people. proposals were geared toward temporary vation easement. But, spoiler alert, no provide by trading, first for the 1,007-acre The latest incarnation of this weird- protections from development. It would deadline was specified. Lost Dog property, then for the 1,313- ness began a couple of years ago when seem that council resources were being The number of times council went acre TIRZ 13 mostly owned by El Paso a wealthy developer asked to buy 1,000 used to find obstacles to preservation into executive session on Lost Dog and billionaire Robert Foster. Unfortunately, acres of desert on El Paso’s affluent west of Lost Dog. Legal staff most recently then came out to vote unanimously, but that trade went through before Great West side. El Paso’s growing hike and bike unearthed a 1938 ruling against spending never said “no” to us, belies the fact that cancelled. May/June 2020 Rio Grande Sierran 9 Northern and Central New Mexico Groups Six threats to New Mexico forests By Teresa Seamster, Northern Group Northern New Mexico Group contacts Conservation Chair Office: 1807 2nd Street #45, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 983-2703 hreats come in all sizes Executive Committee and seasons. Chair, water issues: John Buchser, (505) 820-0201, [email protected] For almost a year, Secretary: Shannon Romeling, (575) 758-3874, [email protected] Tthe New Mexico State Forestry Conservation: Teresa Seamster, (505) 466-­8964, ctc.seamster@gmail. Division has been working com with dozens of agencies, forestry Membership: Alice Cox, (505­) 780-5122, [email protected] experts, organizations and community stakeholders to Energy: Joseph Eigner, [email protected] identify what natural values Political chair, chapter delegate: Ken Hughes, (505) 474-0550, (themes) exist in our forests, [email protected] and what are the main threats Susan Martin, (505) 988-5206, [email protected] against them. Other responsibilities: This combined information Photo by Teresa Seamster Office: Jerry Knapczyk, [email protected] will be the foundation of the Habitat for species and plants is essential to maintain the rich Outings: Alan Shapiro, (505­) 424­-9242, [email protected] New Mexico Forest Action biodiversity in the state. Book Distributor: Janet Peacock, (505­) 988­-8929 Plan, due to be finalized in 3. Carbon storage: preservation. Book mailings: Gail Bryant, (505) 757­-6654 June and submitted to the New Tremendous stores of carbon Mexico Energy, Minerals & 7. Recreation and cultural are held in living trees, Natural Resources Department use: Providing access for Threats — hazards to roads, development, increased woody debris, plants and soil. for implementation. outdoors activities and recre- pressure to open areas to Increasing carbon storage can ation along with traditional resources and assets These resources are equally extractive industry, such as mitigate carbon emissions. fishing and hunting are import- vital and valuable to the health 1. Catastrophic wildfires mining, and heavier public ant forest services. of the forest and the well-be- 4. Timber and grazing: 2. Disease and insects traffic for recreational purposes 8. Urban forests and ing of communities outside Tree health, abundant forage 3. Development & fragmen- all threaten forest habitats, community employment: them. The principal tenet of and wildlife habitat are key tation of forest habitats ecosystems and watershed Urban forests provide signif- the Action Plan is to inform objectives for forest managers. 4. Post-wildfire hazards function. Equally threatened icant quality-of-life values forest managers, administra- Wildfire, insects and disease 5. Climate change and the permitting of appro- is the overall nature of the tors and the concerned public are the greatest threats to these 6. Forest Uses and activities priate thinning, logging and forest — a place to find cooling about future management and resources. The most pressing threat cutting firewood provides local shade, clean water, solitude, protection of these resources. 5. Biodiversity: Habitat for to New Mexico forests are employment and wood prod- safe places for wildlife and an terrestrial and aquatic species high-intensity wildfire and escape from the overpowering Themes — resources and plants is essential to main- uct industry. post-wildfire hazards, such presence of humankind. and assets tain the rich biodiversity in the In order to develop the as catastrophic loss of trees, Action Plan, a statewide Several breakout strategy 1. Wildland communities: state. Conserving thousands of vegetation, wildlife, adjacent assessment is being conducted groups have been formed Historically, the wildland urban native species requires knowing private property, loss of roads using GIS-based datasets that to provide descriptions of interface has seen the greatest where vulnerable populations and infrastructure, burn scar help the Forest and Watershed changes that are needed and loss of life, developed property live, where migration occurs flood events, sedimentation Management Coordinating and other infrastructure and and where climate change and pollution of surface water identify expected outcomes Group understand and prior- recreational values than other poses the greatest impact. and erosion. and measurable goals. The itize existing programs, new areas in the forest 6. Cultural heritage of indig- Climate change, with Northern Group is participat- strategies, desired outcomes 2. Water quality and supply: enous and tribal communities: associated high temperatures, ing in the restoration economy and measurable goals to keep Forest watersheds provide Traditional Pueblo and tribal lower precipitation and insect/ assessment. forest resources intact, healthy essential runoff for public water plants, landscapes and cultural disease infestation, is a broader There are two more sched- and resilient in the face of supplies and irrigators, and and sacred sites are priority long-term threat facing all the uled meetings to review the anticipated threats. make residential, commercial values and assets that require forests. FAP products: April 17 and and agricultural uses possible. consultation, protection and Forest fragmentation from July 31. Recycling guidelines Hard to make recycling easy Into the blue bin! rigid plastic, non-food: yes Paper products Tin and aluminum By Carol Chamberland various industry professionals. With a draft in hand, we met with a Friedman representative. Brown paper bags, Aluminum cans: yes (free of Central N.M. Group Zero Waste chair cardboard: yes contents) Two years ago, when the Zero Waste team Our conference was interrupted by a loud alarm. Cash-register receipts: no Tin cans: yes (free of con- was just getting started, our top priority was to Fire in the trash room! Everybody out! (the ink is petroleum-based) tents) promote better recycling in Albuquerque. After “Welcome to life at Friedman’s,” they said as Coated liquid food cartons: no Foil/pie pans: yes (only if it visiting the Friedman Recycling facility, we were we were ushered out the door. (specialized recycling didn’t contain oil/grease) shocked by the ineptitude of our average citizen It was a really cold day. At least Lou and I could process not available in NM) Aluminum foil: yes – only if it recycler. A major part of Friedman’s daily task retreat to my house for a cup of tea. The employ- Dry food boxes & paper egg didn’t contain oil/grease is to weed out all the non-recyclable junk that ees had to wait it out in the parking lot. cartons: yes Foil seals on yogurt cups : no people toss in their blue bins. If you can imagine Not for the blue bin! We reconvened, got their comments and were (but not the plastic inserts) it, they’ve seen it. ready to “finalize” it. Recognizing that recycling Hard-bound books: yes There is extensive informa- “Let’s make a detailed list of how to recycle is market-driven and hence a moving target, we (remove binding first) tion on how & where to dis- properly,” I suggested back then. made sure to date this document. If and when Junk mail, magazines, pose of non-recyclable and “Can’t do that,” I was told. “It’s a moving we learn of new requirements, we’ll let you know. newspaper: yes hazardous waste at www. target that depends on the market.” Meanwhile, study this table and see how you’re paperback books, phone cabq.gov/solidwaste/house- And so, we moved on to other pressing needs. hold-hazardous-waste and at doing. books: yes In January I went on a second tour of www.recyclenewmexico.com. See www.riograndesierraclub.org/smart- pizza box: yes (only the Friedman Recycling, thinking I wouldn’t learn portion without grease) Examples recycling/ for an online version of this list in anything new. Wrong again. It turns out that shredded paper: yes (must be Aerosol, propane cans, ap- Friedman is a reliable source of jobs for parolees English and Spanish. Many thanks to Lou in see-through plastic bag) pliances, batteries, car/truck in need of a second chance. The work is fast- Schuyler for her persistence and attention to tissues, napkins, paper towels: parts & fluids, cellophane, paced and noisy, picking “wrong stuff” out of a detail. And thanks to Cecilia Chávez Beltrán for no electronics/cords, glass, haz- stream of materials zipping by on a conveyor belt. the Spanish translation. Now I know how to say wax paper: no (commercial ardous materials, paint cans, Seventy percent of items from the blue bins are “poop” in Spanish! composters can take this) kitty & dog poop, medical/ trash – only 30 percent is actually recycled. Regarding the effect of coronavirus on Zero wrapping paper: no bio-waste, miscellaneous Waste efforts: the city of Albuquerque has Plastic products metals, yard waste. “Let’s make a detailed list of how to recycle properly,” I suggested again. temporarily relaxed the ban on single-use plastic Bottles & tubs #1-7: yes Into the garbage! bags. As soon as the pandemic has run its course, (leave top on, don’t recycle if Diapers, garbage, hoses, kitty This time, I was speaking with Lou Schuyler, it contained oil/grease) litter, everything non-recycla- a retired IT professional who attended this tour. we’ll be on hand to demand reinstatement — and Styrofoam, bubble wrap: no ble from above list. Appalled by the sheer mass of “stuff,” she agreed. strengthening — of the ban on single-use plastic Lou and I worked together and conferred with bags. Stay healthy and stay tuned. 10 Rio Grande Sierran May/June 2020 Robert Tohe: Devoted to justice Special session: 019 ended with the deeply painful loss of Robert Tohe, a longtime Sierra Club what’s it for? Environmental Justice By Brittany Fallon million and $2 billion. This 2Organizer and a lifelong activist. Legislative director tragically illustrates the need I first met Robert and his wife You may have heard that for our state to diversify our Hazel James in my early 20s. in light of COVID-19, Gov. economy away from reliance I’d just become the Sierra Club’s Michelle Lujan Grisham has on fossil fuels. Environmental Justice Media called for a special legis- What can be done? The Coordinator. It was my job to travel lative session to revise the Legislature will meet in June around the country and support $7.6 billion state budget to or July. We can expect for Sierra Club organizers who were address a likely change in oil the budget and emergency hired from local communities to and gas revenue. There’s a lot COVID-related issues to be work on environmental justice of uncertainty as I write this, discussed, but not likely any issues. I’d come to Flagstaff to assist but here’s what we know: new items. with an organizing training that Photo by Sara Dillon Why do we need a special Is it safe? They may limit combined an audience of anglo and session? This FY21 budget indigenous activists who were work- Hazel and Robert Tohe in 2019. the number of legislators was put together based on to reduce risk, perhaps by ing to stop the Peabody mine and Tohe hit the ground running, and no real hardships. “It’s once state economists’ revenue the Mohave Generating Station. organizing local and national you mature a little bit and go to having legislators stay in forecast, which estimated their office and enter the Many of the participants were opposition to a plan by the US school, that’s when you realize the future price of oil at $50 finding something to be missing chamber a few at a time to Forest Service and the Arizona some of the other things that are per barrel. Oil was nearly in the approach to the training. I vote. If they have a consen- Snowbowl to make artificial going on,” he says. $60 per barrel when the remember watching Robert and sus package, they could also snow using treated wastewater Among those “other things” session began in January. By Hazel move the group from conflict meet the minimum quorum on the San Francisco Peaks, held was an episode in first grade. “I April 6, the price has plum- to contemplation. They took the as sacred to the Navajo, Hopi, had an Anglo teacher who didn’t meted to between $20 and required to cast the vote. tension in the room and turned it Zuni, and numerous other like us speaking in our native $30 — a substantial loss to A lot will change in April into learning. Southwestern tribes. tongue, and I got caught speak- New Mexico, when every $1 and May, so keep an eye on I never forgot that approach and “To Navajo people, spraying ing Navajo in the back of the price drop equates to about the news and riograndesier- continued to learn from Robert reclaimed sewage on lands that room,” he recalls. “The teacher $22 million in revenue. Our raclub.org to get up-to-date when he and I both returned to are sacred to us is an affront,” brought me up to the front of legislators may need to cut information. In the mean- New Mexico to continue our work Tohe says. “We respectfully the room, gave me a bar of soap, the budget between $500 time, stay safe. for the Sierra Club. Robert spent ask that our sacred places be ordered me to wash my mouth these last years working to stop new accorded the same respect as out in front of the whole class, permits for uranium extraction Christian places of worship. and warned me never to speak at Mount Taylor and working to Would you spray sewage on Navajo in school again. NM Legislature: A protect Chaco from rampant oil church grounds?” “I hate to think about how and gas extraction. Our Sierra After two years of grassroots many tribal youth were indoctri- 30-day whirlwind Club family sends all of our love to pressure and legal challenges, the nated and brainwashed during Robert’s wife Hazel, who continues Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals those years,” he says. “That was Brittany Fallon Environment Department to fight for environmental, food blocked the proposal on the the breaking point with the Conservation and received budget increases, and health justice and to their chil- grounds that it would violate culture for so many people. If Legislative Organizer though nowhere near what dren and grandchildren. We share the sanctity of the San Francisco you forget the language, you Wow; can anyone believe they truly need to protect in your loss and have so deeply Peaks. Other victories and chal- eventually forget the culture. And that the New Mexico legis- our air, health, and water. benefited from Robert’s legacy. lenges that loomed large early when you abandon the traditional lative session ended only For the first time, Sierra What follows are excerpts from in Tohe’s tenure with the Club ways and lifestyle, you give up a a month and a half ago? It Club and partners ventured an interview that the Sierra Club’s included retiring Peabody Coal’s lot of critical knowledge that has seems like a million years into the funding opportu- Tom Valtin did with Robert. notorious Black Mesa mine sustained us over the millennia.” ago given everything that’s nity of capital outlay funds — Camilla Feibelman and its slurry pipeline crossing “Fortunately, I had an inter- happened in March, but – and secured $750,000 Robert Tohe was living in Navajo and Hopi lands; effecting nal resistance against adopting here are our highlights and for the Strategic Water Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2003 when training and placement in fami- a non-Native lifestyle—I didn’t lowlights from the 2020 Reserve, which is used to a friend told him the Sierra Club ly-supporting jobs for workers want to lose my native language session. keep water in priority rivers was looking for an environmen- who lose their coal industry jobs; and culture. That internal resis- to protect endangered tal justice organizer. He went and working with tribes to place tance laid the foundation for my Highlights: fish/wildlife, as well as for to a meeting of the local group, 350,000 acres on Mount Taylor future work.” compact commitments. See To read Tom Valtin’s wonderful Among our victories this liked what he saw, and in short off-limits to uranium mining. SB 29, Tax credits the accompanying article profile of Robert in its entirety, see year, order found himself as the Sierra Born just outside the Navajo for rooftop solar regarding budget revisios riograndesierraclub.org. , passed Club’s lone Native American staff reservation in the early years after six years of hard due to COVID-19. see riograndesierraclub.org organizer in what is arguably the of the baby boom, Tohe recalls work by state Sen. Mimi For every success, we owe ___ most heavily Indigenous part of having a happy childhood with Stewart and Rep. Matthew a hearty thank-you to our the country. a clean environment to play in After high school Tohe stayed McQueen. We also passed partner organizations and SB75, Prohibiting Wildlife enthusiastic volunteers. Trafficking (Sen. Stewart Lynne Fischer: Kind, tireless activist and Rep. Chasey), which Lowlights: makes it easier to stop sales Rep. Patricia Roybal- of endangered species such By Camilla Feibelman Caballero’s community-so- as shark fins and rhinoceros Rio Grande Chapter chair lar bill tusks and creates civil penal- failed on the House Lynne Fischer, who passed away early this year ties for unlawful trafficking. floor, though it seemed after a six-month battle with cancer, was filled HB233, Grid Modernization apparent it wasn’t going to with such light and life that losing her still seems (Reps. Stansbury, Ahkil, pass the more conservative impossible. Small), creates a fund and Senate. We had high hopes Lynne started volunteering with the Sierra Club roadmap to modernize our for HB217 and SB2, tax on methane, climate and legislative issues a few grid for security and support credits for electric vehicles, years ago, and despite picking the toughest issues for renewable and distrib- but Republicans’ filibusters to advocate on, always seemed to communicate in uted energy. Rep. Angelica prevented the bill from kindness and thoughtfulness, especially in moments Rubio sponsored HB304, being heard as the clock of conflict. transfering the Outdoor wound down. Thirty-day She always showed up just when you needed Equity Fund to the Office of budget-focused sessions Lynne was also terrific at spotting needs for fill- her. Maybe another volunteer had fallen through, Outdoor Recreation, which seldom include much ing. She and Heather Karlson created New Mexico or a signature was needed, or we were asking for will help reach more youth. environmental legislation, Climate Action Network as a landing page for someone who could walk around to those last 10 On the budget side, so this has been one of the legislative offices. Her questions were always meant climate related activity going on in the state. we had a number of most productive, despite to truly understand an issue. Lynne listened with We send all our love and support to Dan, Lynne’s victories. Both Energy, some frustrating outcomes. such care, and when she spoke, it was because she husband, and to each person she touched and who Mining and Natural We’re already planning for had an important point to make. misses Lynne as we do. Resources Department and next year’s 60-day session. May/June 2020 Rio Grande Sierran 11 Outdoors, at a distance

By Terry Owen June 17. Chapter Outings chair Trip leader: Terry Owen, any of us live in 505-301-4349, teowen@ the Southwest comcast.net because we Level: Easy-Moderate love the natu- Location: East mountains Mral environment. It fills our Albuquerque need for awe-inspiring vistas, Sign up: riograndesierraclub. fascinating flora and geologic org/calendar/ formations, and life-affirm- Saturday, June 20: Land- ing adventures. It supports us navigation course. Stacy Boone, mentally, physically, emotion- proprietor and lead guide of ally and spiritually, and gives us Step Outdoors , LLC, and our loved ones a richer life is planning a land navigation in every dimension. Because of orientation and practice session this, we couldn’t imagine living Left: As spring approaches, hummingbirds return. The four most commonly seen in New in the foothills east of Pagosa anywhere else. Mexico are the broad-tailed, black-chinned, Rufous and the Calliope, the smallest bird in Springs, Colo. This activity is But what do we do when North America. They all sport shades of metallic green. Right: The Vermilion flycatcher is classified as moderate, requiring participants to travel about 3 our world is turned upside- one of the deepest and most vibrant reds found in nature. In summer you can find them in miles during the instruction down by a life-threatening the bosque of the Rio Grande almost all the way to Albuquerque or anywhere near ponds or and practice sessions. This isn’t pandemic? Many national parks streams in southern New Mexico. and monuments are closed, a formal Rio Grande Chapter associated campgrounds and outing, but Rio Grande Sierra visitors centers are closed, or the Club Outings Leader Hart number of visitors or activities Pierce and his sweep man, CJ has been restricted. The Sierra Spence, will be taking part to Club has cancelled all outings hone skills and assist where they through at least June 14. can. Register and pay by June While perhaps disap- 15 at stepoutdoorscolorado. com/stepsite/hiking/ pointing, understanding the riogrande-sierra-club-land- importance of protecting our navigation-workshop. The cost natural environment means also is $80 for members. Camping is understanding that we must available. care about those with whom Saturday, June 27: A Summer we share these wild places and Outing into the Bosque. the planet. As much as we Meet Americans embrace our inde- for an approximately two-hour pendence, in our current situa- easy walk into our beautiful tion our fates are intertwined. Bosque. Enjoy the beauty with us! Dress comfortably, bring One of the exceptions to water and snacks. Register by many of the stay-at-home orders Photos by Mary Katherine Ray June 24. issued by state governors and As brightly colored as this yellow warbler is, he blends in pretty well with the spring green Level: Easy other leaders is to exercise. So, color of deciduous leaves. An insect eater, he’s coming to us from Central America and Trip leaders: Margaret get outside and walk, bicycle, Northern South America. DeLong, [email protected], hike, practice yoga or just move. Julie Hudson, jth@cybermesa. Walk around your neighbor- The Peace of Wild Things com hood and wave at your neigh- Wendell Berry’s poem of the same name is a perfect antidote for these strange days in which Location: Albuquerque bors who are probably experi- our human species finds itself. As we are enjoined to keep away from each other to protect our encing the same feelings you are. Sign up: riograndesierraclub. fragile healthcare system from overload, we should seek the Peace of Wild Things. org/calendar. You might be just the person The cycles of nature continue. Spring returns no matter what humans do, and with it, legions to make their day better than it of migratory birds are winging their way back to our northern forests, grasslands, deserts and back Learn wilderness was. In a town or city, you can yards. Being outside to see them will not spread the Coronavirus. So go out under the sky, keep- use parks, school running tracks ing yourselves 6 feet from each other. If you’re lucky, you might get closer to other creatures. first aid and bike paths. In virtually any Do as poet Wendell Berry suggests: “Lie down where the Wood Drake rests in his beauty” The Sierra Club Rio Grande place you live, you’re no more and “Rest in the grace of the world.” A rainbow of colors are coming our way right now. Chapter in conjunction with than 20 minutes from an open — Mary Katherine Ray, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Wildlife chair Kirtland Air Force Base will space, trail or federal lands. convene a Wilderness First Aid Many are open and currently Course Sept. 12-13, health free from amenity or parking Consider avoiding busy areas nance. Pack out your trash, use is expected to take two hours. directives allowing. fees. Countless studies have and times of day. Wash your the restroom before you leave Come tour the only local At completion of the two-- shown that spending time hands. Follow CDC guidelines the house. Check state guide- compost producer certified full-day course, you will be outdoors improves our sense carefully. lines and closures. Most of them for organic farms and gardens. certified or re-certified in of well-being, strengthens our 3. Stay close to home, like, have notices posted on their Wear closed-toed shoes. Register Wilderness First Aid. The immune system and helps us be as close as possible. Far-away websites. by June 12. course is $120 per person for more emotionally resilient. places or that recreation town 6. Those of us in the Land Trip leader: Laurie Zunner, Sierra Club members, about A few guidelines are good to an hour down the road are of Enchantment are limited to 505-440-5337, lmzunne@ 50% off the regular price for keep in mind to stay healthy wonderful, but the farther you groups of no more than five. gmail.com such a course. Not a Sierra Club and safe. Outdoor Alliance travel, the more potential you It’s easy to share the trail and Level: Easy member but want to attend? has developed an excellent list, have to spread illness. Shop and remain the recommended 6 feet Location: South Valley Go to www.riograndesierraclub. and there’s one addition that recreate in your own neighbor- apart while enjoying our abun- Albuquerque org/join and become one for the is particular to those of us in hood. dant open space or wilderness. Sign up: riograndesierraclub. discounted price of $15. New Mexico but could apply 4. Keep it chill. It’s not a good Hitting the trail and socializing org/calendar/ Where: Kirtland Air Force to anyone, anywhere: time to get hurt. Healthcare is just the right medicine during Saturday, June 20: Summer Base Outdoor Recreation 1. Make the health of others systems are overwhelmed, or these challenging times. But, do Solstice Hike. Start your Office, Albuquerque. your number one priority. The soon will be. Additionally, you so conscientiously. summer with a hike in the John To sign up: Please email COVID-19 pandemic is life could expose rescuers from Sierra Club is cancelling all A. Milne and Gutierrez Canyon Terry Owen at teowen@ and death for many people. Albuquerque Mountain Rescue outings though June 14, but Open Space. This two-hour comcast.net. There is a limit of Please conduct yourself in every or New Mexico Search and if publc-health best practices outing is about 3 miles round eight students. respect with that in mind. Rescue to the disease. Please do allow, we hope you’ll consider trip with 250 feet of elevation We continue to follow Sierra 2. Go outside cautiously. not add to the burden. joining us on one of these gain. Appropriate for children Club National directive to hold Don’t go out if you’re sick or 5. Respect closures and be outings after June 14: over 12 accompanied by parent off on all outings. have been in contact with those a good steward. If parks are Wednesday, June 17: Zero or legal guardian. Dogs on Don’t stop getting outside to who have. Keep a safe distance closed, don’t go. If parks are Waste Tour to Soilutions. Tour leash. Sponsored by the Military explore and enjoy, just do it in from others. That includes open, be mindful that areas starts at 10 a.m. at 9008 Bates Outdoors Program, and we on your own or in groups of in the car. Groups are out. might have limited mainte- Road SE, Albuquerque, and welcome everyone. Register by 5 or less, maintaining distanc- 12 Rio Grande Sierran May/June 2020