Is it bad when you burst out laughing in the middle of an interview about the plight of otters in New Mexico? I had my mic potted down, so hopefully Rachel Conn didn’t hear me snort. Continue reading »
Curry County Approves Ban on Most Open Fires
CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — Curry County residents face severe restrictions on open fires after county commissioners voted to implement a fire danger emergency resolution. Commissioners approved the resolution Tuesday after they were told by forecasters that the drought is expected to last another three months. The Clovis News Journal reports the fire ban becomes effective … Continue reading »
NM Trustee Settles with Copper Producer
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s natural resources trustee, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Freeport-McMoRan and several subsidiaries have reached a $5.5 million settlement over the release of hazardous substance from mine facilities in southwestern New Mexico. The settlement includes funds for restoring habitat as well as the transfer to the state of … Continue reading »
“That Twinkle in His Eye”
Every once in awhile it’s good to take a look back and see that there has been progress. If you’re feeling the need for that kind of therapy, check out this tribute to Scott Varner. I never met Varner in person, but after talking to so many of his friends and admirers I feel like … Continue reading »
Officials: Albuquerque Waste Site Took in Asbestos
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Albuquerque sanitation officials say a city garbage collection center inadvertently accepted materials containing asbestos in violation of department policy. KRQE reported Saturday that a worker at the Eagle Rock Convenience Center saw colleagues accepting residential waste laden with the hazardous material and reported it to managers, who ignored his claims. The worker … Continue reading »
It’s the Aquifer, Stupid
I’m about to reveal some ignorance here. Please don’t scoff.
But before I get to that, I want to share something I saw on Bernalillo County Commissioner Wayne Johnson’s website while working on this story about the proposal for septic system inspections. In his bio, Johnson says he “came to New Mexico the unusual way… he was born here.”
So let me preface what I’m about to say with the fact that I’m, apparently, a “usual” New Mexican. Continue reading »
Feral Pigs Wreaking Havoc on NM Farmland
CLOVIS (AP) — State and federal officials say feral pigs are ravaging eastern New Mexico’s range and farmland. An astonishing reproductive rate has seen hogs spread to 17 of New Mexico’s 33 counties in just seven years. The wild swine have rooted up Quay County farmer and rancher Ted Rush’s feed roads and destroyed milo … Continue reading »
A Few More Pay for Shot at Bighorn Sheep
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State lawmakers are hoping that by allowing a few more bighorn rams to be hunted the state can raise at least $800,000 to help the species grow stronger. The Las Cruces Sun-News (http://bit.ly/xy5jAG ) reports the House of Representatives voted Sunday to increase from two to four the number of … Continue reading »
Wolf Found Hurt in AZ Last Year was Fatally Shot
PHOENIX (AP) — A necropsy on an endangered Mexican gray wolf that died in December shows the animal was shot to death. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information on who shot the animal in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in eastern Arizona. A citizen reported seeing the injured wolf … Continue reading »
$273,875
Let’s put this number in perspective. $273,875 is about .00003% of Exxon’s profits in the first quarter of 2011. .00004% of BP’s first quarter profits. .00009% of Conoco-Phillips’.
It’s also the grand total of fines levied against oil and gas companies for drilling violations on public lands over the course of a decade. Continue reading »
