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Last modified:
April 14, 2008
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Lake
visitation stays on track
despite
drought related impacts
By
Fred Mramor & Bill Johnson of the Desert Journal
Elephant
Butte Lake’s visitation during summer’s premier opening – the
Memorial Day holiday – stayed even keel with past years’ visitations
despite the prolonged drought and its related impacts.
A total of 72,231
visitors were counted at the lake during the extended holiday weekend,
said Elephant Butte Lake State Park Superintendent Ray Kirkpatrick, who
recalls last year’s visitation for the holiday was slightly greater with
about 80,000 visitors.
“A
good Memorial Day weekend, that’s for sure. Everyone had a great
time,” Kirkpatrick said.
He said things from the
perspective of managing the state’s largest recreational facility went
smoothly. There was neither a single drowning incident nor other deaths,
although one man suffered a broken leg in a jet ski accident and another
man’s finger was torn off when it got caught in a skiing tow rope.
Still, the lake had a
relatively safe weekend with few incidents given its crowd of more than
70,000 people, Kirkpatrick said.
Boating officers did a
great job, he said, adding that credit also should be given to around the
clock law enforcement from state parks rangers, state police and the
sheriff’s department.
Kirkpatrick said he
wasn’t sure why visitation was down from last year, but speculates one
reason might include the news about the lake’s lower water levels. The
water level actually has been steadily rising, but after June 1, the
lake’s elevation will recede until its 18 feet lower by July 4 and 25
feet lower by mid-September when storage is expected to dip to about
150,000 acre feet covering about 6,000 surface acres.
Some earlier bad press,
in which it was erroneously stated that the Butte would be drained,
leaving it a mud puddle with little to no recreation pool this summer, was
countered too. Kirkpatrick said State Parks compensated by advertising the
lake’s bounty, rather than its losses.
Kirkpatrick said that
despite lower water levels as the summer progresses, he still expects a
good turnout for the Fourth of July weekend and fireworks display.
Leslee Ross, manager of
the Super 8 in Truth or Consequences, said rooms were completely filled
during the holiday weekend. In fact, the motel was fully booked by last
Wednesday, Ross said.
Ross said Super 8 got
calls from the neighboring Best Western and Holiday Inn, both who also
were full and were looking for rooms elsewhere.
Ross said Super 8 already
has taken a few reservations for the Fourth of July weekend. The 4th
falls on a Friday this year, making for another three-day weekend, and
Ross anticipates that the motel will be full.
“The lake being low
isn’t stopping people from coming and having fun,” Ross said.
Pat’s Bermuda at
Elephant Butte reported being busy all weekend, more than expected,
although on par with usual Memorial Day weekends. Pat’s was too busy
with customers at 11 a.m. Tuesday to offer further comment.
Ray Hodge of Hodge’s
Corner Restaurant in Elephant Butte said the holiday’s sales were down
substantially from last year’s Memorial Day weekend, but were still much
better than expected.
Hodge said he got very
positive feedback from customers about the water level, water quality, and
the condition of the state park.
Many visitors were amazed
after the news reports and said they’ll be back, Hodge said. “I think
people were expecting so little but found there was still a lot (of water)
left in the lake.”
Tony Trujillo of Jet Shed
said last weekend’s sales of jet skis, or personal watercraft, were down
about 30 percent from Memorial Day last year. Parts, accessories and
service also were down 30% to 40%, Trujillo said, adding that he thinks
all of Elephant Butte’s businesses are down on their sales about 30%
from last year.
People aren’t buying
new jet skis in New Mexico and Colorado, according to Trujillo. Dealers
are practically giving them away, he added.
People may still come to
the lake and buy gas and a meal but aren’t buying the big-ticket items
(like boats and RVs), Trujillo said. “Why spend money on a jet ski when
you don’t know how much water will be in the lake next year?” he asks.
All terrain vehicle (ATV)
sales, on the other hand, are very strong, he said. In fact, some plans
may be underway next year to use the larger area of land mass around the
lake for ATV activities.
Caballo Lake seemed to
fare well last weekend, counting about 16,000 visitors. Fun, safety and
few incidents also defined the holiday’s recreational excursion at
Sierra County’s southern lake.
<<<
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Posted
5-29-03 |
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City
commission accepts grants
for
$1 million in airport projects
Runway
expansion & apron
construction
on the way
Desert
Journal Staff Report
The
Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport will undergo more than $1 million
in expansion and improvements with the help of state and federal grants.
City commissioners at
their regular meeting Tuesday night approved two grant agreements with the
State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD) for expanding Runway
13/31 (Phase 2) at a total project cost of $966,667 and for apron
construction having a price tag of $37,526. Both airport projects total
$1,004,193.
For the runway expansion
project, both the city and state agree to contribute $48,333 each with the
Federal Aviation Administration to kick in $870,000. The work could begin
as early as July (although under the contract the city has up to 120 days
to begin the work) but is pending the city’s ability to work out a plan
with the Bureau of Land Management to acquire more patented land for the
runway extension. Also, the city is working with the New Mexico State Land
Office for a long-term lease of land for the extension.
The runway extension will
allow the municipal airport to open to more types, kinds and classes of
aeronautical use and any prohibition of any use – solely for the
airport’s safe operation - must be approved by the SHTD’s Aviation
Division so as to avoid unjust discrimination.
As for the apron
construction project, both the city and state entered into a 50/50 cost
share agreement in which both entities will provide $18,763 each. The
apron will be built for an avionics hangar.
OTHER
BUSINESS
…Road
fund program
In
other city business unrelated to the airport, the city commission Tuesday
also approved the 2003/04 fiscal year Road Fund Program funding for a
$86,666.67 project.
According to the
cooperative agreement, the city will provide $21,666.67 and the SHTD’s
share will be $65,000, which will be used for milling, roadbed preparation
and hot mix overlay on East Riverside Drive.
…Membership
renewal scoffed but okayed
Commissioners
also approved renewing their membership in the South Central Council of
Governments and paying the city’s $2,187 dues – the same as last
year’s. SCCOG provides a grants writing program for its members and the
SCCOG annual report shows the city will receive $25,000 in new grant
funding for comprehensive planning.
Commissioners were
skeptical at first at SCCOG’s ability to address the city’s needs.
“If SCCOG wants this
city’s participation, if all the activity is going to be in Dona Ana
County to bring in their infrastructure with Sierra County left out, they
(SCCOG) should be put on notice that we should be getting help too or else
next year we’ll be looking for some other kind of help,” Commissioner
Nadyne Gardner said.
“We’ve written our
own Community Development Block Grants [applications] and have done other
things for ourselves in the past. I think its time they started looking at
the smaller counties,” Gardner said.
Commissioner Banister
said other communities are getting bigger grants: for examples, Socorro
will get nearly $422,222 for street/drainage improvements; Magdalena will
get $457,0090 for wastewater treatment system improvements; Mesilla will
get $274,397 for community center improvements; and Socorro County will
get $490,000 for a colonias water system project in San Antonio.
Yet in Sierra County, the
city and Village of Williamsburg each will receive a mere $25,000 grant to
address their comprehensive planning needs.
“I think they’re
putting all of their emphasis on other places rather than T or C. I agree
with Nadyne – either we start getting some of this help or look
elsewhere,” Banister said.
Mayor Jimmy Rainey agreed
with the two commissioners, saying, “One thing for sure, if it doesn’t
look better for us, we don’t have to do it next year.”
…Water
rate hikes okayed
The
city commission Tuesday approved increases in residential and commercial
water rates for customers within the city and Williamsburg.
The rates, which will
become effective on July 1, will be as follows:
Customer charge - $8.15
per month.
Usage Charge
0-7,000 gallons - $1.75
per each 1,000 gallons.
Next 22,000 gallons -
$1.93 per each 1,000 gallons.
Next 20,000 gallons -
$2.12 per each 1,000 gallons.
Over 50,000 gallons -
$2.33 per each 1,000 gallons.
The current charge is $7
for the first 3,000 gallons and a use charge of $1.87 per 1,000 gallons
above 3,000 gallons.
…Self-sufficiency
grant okayed
Commissioners
also voted to approve the T or C Housing Authority’s Resident
Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency Grant that will focus this year on
elderly and disabled residents.
According to the
memorandum of understanding, the Housing Authority will provide 20 of its
elderly/disabled residents with two one-hour water therapy sessions each
week during the six months that the municipal pool is open.
The value of these
sessions is $2 per hour per person for a total of $3,120 annually, which
the city will provide as an in-kind service. The grant is for a three-year
term.
The Housing Authority
under the agreement will provide one-on-one case management to determine
which residents would benefit from the water therapy and provide
transportation to and from the pool.
…Proposed
court fee hikes
Commissioners
approved going to publication on proposed amendments pertaining to
increases in the mandatory corrections fee (from $10 to $20) and mandatory
judicial education fee (from $1 to $2).
<<<
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Posted
5-29-03
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Swim
pool season underway
with
a quarter more on fees
Desert
Journal Staff Report
The
Truth or Consequences Municipal Swimming Pool at 775 S. Daniels St.
officially opened to the public on Memorial Day last Monday.
But rates for the use of
the pool will increase by 25 cents after the city commission approved the
recommendation of assistant recreation director Windy Barnes.
Barnes said the pool has
imposed no rate hike in more than 10 years. Yet, the city has made many
improvements the last several years.
Such improvements have
drawn a larger crowd and Barnes reported the pool’s visitation reached
maximum capacity on opening day May 26.
Barnes said the
additional revenue from the admission rate increase will be used to help
pay for heating the pool’s water and for purchasing a solar pool cover.
Barnes said she didn’t
immediately know how much the pool will benefit overall from the quarter
increase, but she added that every little bit helps.
Daily admission now costs
$1.50 for students, $2 for seniors and $2.50 for adults. Children under
six years old will be admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult.
Season or monthly passes
will remain at the same price, Barnes said; however, rental of the pool
will increase from $30 to $50, but the deposit will remain the same at
$50.
City commissioner Bud
Stevenson said he doesn’t want any kids to be excluded by the rate
increase.
Commissioner Everett
Banister likewise said he wanted justification for the rate increase –
not just a figure (25 cents) pulled out of the air.
Nonetheless,
commissioners voted in favor of the rate increase.
The pool schedule this
summer is as follows:
Tuesday through Friday
– swim team, 7-8 a.m.; lap swim, 8-9:30 a.m.; AppleTree Child
Development Center, 10-11 a.m.; open public swim, 12-3:30 p.m.; swim team,
4-5 p.m.; aerobics, 5-6 p.m.; adult-family swim, 6-8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday –
open swim, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; adult/family swim, 3:30-6 p.m.
The pool is closed
Mondays.
<<<
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Posted
5-29-03
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Lightning-caused
fires reported
in
northern Gila National Forest
SILVER CITY - As campfire
and smoking restrictions went into effect in portions of southwest New
Mexico, lightning sparked 14 fires mostly across the northern portion of
the Gila National Forest over the Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Forest
Service reported Wednesday.
Restrictions are
effective for reducing the potential for person-caused fires, however
lightning was the cause of four fires on the Quemado Ranger District, five
on the Reserve Ranger District, four on the Black Range Ranger District,
and one on the Silver City Ranger District.
Of all of the fires, only
two of them are still being staffed and in the final stages of
suppression.
The Dolan Fire, 44 miles
north northwest of Truth or Consequences, was last reported at 15 acres
and the Sand Fire, 17 miles northeast of Reserve, at 5 acres.
The other 12 fires
remained small, while some involved single snags. Firefighters took
immediate suppression action on all starts.
The Boiler Fire on the
Black Range Ranger District continues to be managed as a wildland fire use
fire, 43 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, NM.
The lightning-caused fire
has crept across 45,440 acres since it was first reported on April 17.
Spread of the fire has averaged 1,200 acres a day as it moves through a
vegetative type of ponderosa pine, piñon juniper and grass.
Management objectives are
being met and include: public and firefighter safety, reduction of large
accumulations of forest debris, and protection of spotted owl habitat in
critical areas.
For fire restriction
updates and fire information, call: 505-388-8245, or call toll free 1-877-864-6985.
<<<
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Posted
5-29-03
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Pearce
to visit T or C
for
Vets Park ceremony
Also
to tour district to meet
with
leaders & constituents
Many
Southern New Mexicans will have the opportunity to visit with U.S.
Representative Steve Pearce this week as Pearce (R-NM) will be traveling
through the 2nd Congressional District during the weeklong Memorial Day
recess.
His tour will include the
groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Veterans Memorial Park in Truth or
Consequences on Saturday, May 31.
"Southern New Mexico
hired me to represent their interests in Washington, and it is my job to
remain accessible and accountable to those whom I represent, and that is
why I return to the district at every available opportunity," Pearce
said.
Pearce will be attending
meetings and events across a broad swath of Southern New Mexico. He will
also hold two Town Hall Meetings in Chaves and Eddy counties on Tuesday
and Wednesday. These county meetings come after a series of Town Hall
Meetings he has already held in other parts of the state.
"I invite everyone
in the counties to come and join me and my staff for a conversation about
our communities, our state and our country. This is a forum where we can
gather in an organized manner as Southern New Mexicans and voice our
concerns and share our visions for our state and for America," he
added.
…Pearce’s
tour schedule:
Tuesday, May 27, from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Chaves County Town Hall Meeting, Roswell Civic Center,
912 N. Main St.
Wednesday, May 28, from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Eddy County Town Hall Meeting, Carlsbad Pecos River
Village, 711 Muscatel Ave.
Schedule for Thursday May
29 in Roswell & Las Cruces
Schedule for Friday May
30 in Las Cruces, Anthony, Hatch & T or C
Thursday, May 19, from 2
to 3 p.m. - Pearce welcomes new American citizens at Naturalization
Ceremony at 705 Telshor in Las Cruces.
Thursday, May 19, from 4
to 5 p.m. - Meeting with Veterans in Hatch at American Legion on Hall
Street.
Thursday, May 19, from 7
to 9 p.m. - Pearce will speak at Sierra County Republican Party dinner at
the Quality Inn in Elephant Butte.
Saturday, May 31, from
9:15 to 9:30 a.m. - Pearce will attend the groundbreaking ceremony at the
Veterans Memorial Park where the permanent Vietnam Memorial Wall will be
erected (next to or just west of New Mexico State Veterans Home on South
Broadway in Truth or Consequences). From 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Pearce will
tour the New Mexico State Veterans Home.
<<<
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Posted
5-26-03
Pearce
to address Republicans Friday
Congressman
Steve Pearce will be the guest speaker at the Sierra County Republican
Party’s dinner this Friday, May 30.
Doors will open at 6:30
p.m. at the Quality Inn in Elephant Butte and the program will start at 7
p.m. The cost will be $20 per person. The menu will be either lemon
peppered chicken or savory roast beef.
Seating will be limited
so make reservations today by calling Earl Greer or Cindy Torres at
744-5140.
<<<
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Posted
5-28-03
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Rebecca
Dow (left), director of the AppleTree Child Development Center in Truth or
Consequences, met last with Cabinet Secretary Mary Dale Bolson of the New
Mexico Child, Youth and Families Department to discuss needs of local
parents for childcare services.
Photo courtesy of AppleTree
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CYFD
Secretary visits AppleTree
Mary
Dale Bolson, Cabinet Secretary of New Mexico's Children, Youth and
Families Department, stopped by the AppleTree Child Development Center
during her visit to T or C last Thursday.
Bolson shared with
AppleTree's director, Rebecca Dow, the department's commitment towards
working to increase the availability of services to Sierra County families
with young children.
"We need to know
that there is a need for increased services," Secretary Bolson said.
"If there are families in Sierra County that are in need of childcare
services, and those families need help with the cost of tuition, they need
to complete paper work available at the income support division,” she
said.
Secretary Bolson said no
families are currently on a waiting list for services. "It will be
difficult to present a request for funds without showing that there is an
unmeet need. If we can create a case, our goal is to serve families making
a household income of up to 200% of poverty by July of 2004."
AppleTree personnel
thanked the Secretary for her commitment to prevention services and
working towards a continuum of services.
<<<
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Posted
5-26-03 |
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BLM
seeks comments at Socorro
public
meeting part of
watershed
planning
for Socorro & Catron Counties
SOCORRO - The U.S. Bureau
of Land Management will host a public meeting on Wednesday, June 4, to
hear comments about and invite participation in establishing priority
watersheds in Socorro and Catron Counties, according to Kate Padilla, BLM-Socorro
field office manager.
The meeting is scheduled
to begin at 5:30 p.m. June 4 at the BLM-Socorro field office, 198 Neel
Ave. NW.
“The meeting is a part
of follow-up planning required by the Resource Management Plan Amendment
and Environmental Impact Statement, which established standards for public
land heath, especially as it pertains to livestock grazing,” said Mark
Lane, BLM-Socorro assistant field manager.
Mark Matthews, a BLM
rangeland management specialist, said, “We want to ensure that all
interested parties and especially land users have a voice in how these
watersheds are established and managed.”
The BLM manages about 13
million acres in New Mexico. The Socorro field office is responsible for
about 1.5 million of those acres in Socorro and Catron Counties.
Information about the
June 4 meeting is available by calling Lane at 505-838-1245 or Matthews,
838-1250.
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Posted
5-26-03
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