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Headline News
for the week ending July, 4, 2003 |
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Pearce
Receives Honor for Constituent Communication
In his six
months as U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd
Congressional District, Steve Pearce has made constituent communication a
top priority, and he is now being recognized for his excellent service.
Posted 7-2-03
Dry
Lake Fire Use Complex Fact Sheet
The Dry Lake
Complex Fire has grown to 43,400 acres in the Gila National Forest, U.S.
Forest Service officials reported today.
Posted 7-2-03
CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE
Domenici
acts to turn Bosque fire devastation
into
positive for speeding up rehabilitation work
Senator Pete
Domenici, who for more than a decade has pushed for restoration of the
middle Rio Grande Bosque, today pledged to work with federal, state and
local officials to expedite rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of
last week's devastating Bosque wildfires.
Posted
7-1-03
The
Jenny Wildfire has grown to 6,400 acres, the U.S. Forest Service reported
today.
Posted
7-1-03
NM
delegation teams up
for Zuni's Salt Lake
The
New Mexico Congressional Delegation today submitted a letter to the
Department of the Interior expressing support for the Pueblo of Zuni's
request to temporarily suspend mining activity at the Fence Lake Mine near
Zuni Salt Lake until an independent study showing potential mining effects
on the lake is completed.
Posted
7-1-03
Unsolicited
fax & e-mail law
becomes effective today
A new section
of the New Mexico Unfair Trade Practices Act goes into effect today (July
1).
Posted
7-1-03
Domenici
endorses Carlsbad
for
pit production facility
Senator Pete
Domenici today (Monday, June 30) formally endorsed the Carlsbad area as
the preferred site for a proposed Energy Department new modern pit
facility.
Posted
6-30-03
Gila
fire teams switch again
Transition
from the second to the third Interagency Fire Use Management Team, the
Great Basin Team headed by Incident Commander Ed Duncan, took place on
Saturday, June 28, at the Dry Lake Complex in the Gila National Forest.
Posted
6-30-03
Pearce
joins colleagues for sham
prescription drug day
Rep. Steve
Pearce and his Republican colleagues in the House spent Friday pushing a
bill through Congress they think will give them cover for their abysmal
record on blocking legislation to help seniors pay the skyrocketing costs
of prescription drugs, according to the Democratic leadership.
Posted
6-30-03
Domenici
to New Mexicans: you make
the
call to hanging up on telemarketers
Senator Pete
Domenici announced Friday New Mexicans can now register to block
telemarketing calls as of a new National Do Not Call Registry program.
Posted
6-30-03
Do
Not Call Registry opens for New Mexicans
New Mexico
Attorney General Patricia Madrid and Senator Dede Feldman announced Friday
New Mexicans can begin signing up for the Do Not Call Registry.
Posted
6-30-03
Sock-Hop/The
Taste of T or C set 4th of July weekend
Starting with
the Sock-Hop, the Talent is in place and ready to pull an all nighter.
Posted
6-30-03
Pearce
votes to preserve tax breaks for millionaires
instead
of restoring cuts to military families' housing
Representative
Steve Pearce (NM-02) voted Thursday in favor of "the previous
question" to block common-sense Democratic legislation to restore
roughly $1 billion in funding - cut by Republicans - for military
families' housing next year, according to the national Democratic
leadership.
Posted
6-27-03
House
passes Medicare reform legislation
Upon passage
of landmark Medicare reform, Congressman Steve Pearce, R-NM’s 2nd
Congressional District, said Congress has acted to provide real
prescription drug coverage for America's seniors."
Posted
6-27-03
Senate
endorses Bingaman-Domenici
assets
test
The U.S.
Senate Thursday approved a bipartisan amendment Senator Jeff Bingaman,
D-NM, wrote to make it easier for low-income seniors to get the help they
will need to pay their monthly prescription drug premiums.
Posted
6-27-03
Senate
approves Medicare prescription drug bill
that contains key Bingaman provisions to help NM
The U.S. Senate Thursday adopted legislation that offers Medicare
beneficiaries a prescription drug benefit, and that contains many
provisions U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman wrote to help New Mexico seniors and
hospitals.
Posted
6-27-03
Senator
Domenici votes to give
seniors prescription drug benefits
Senator Pete Domenici, R-NM, cast an early morning vote today
(Friday, June 27) for a bill to begin giving seniors federal help in
paying for their prescription drugs.
Posted
6-27-03 |
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Pearce
Receives Honor
for Constituent Communication
WASHINGTON,
DC - In his six months as U.S.
Representative for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District,
Steve Pearce has made constituent communication a top priority, and he is
now being recognized for his excellent service.
Last
week, National Write Your Congressman presented Pearce with their
Constituent Communication Award.
Pearce,
pleased to accept the award, said, "My staff and I are in constant
communication with the people of Southern New Mexico. The best thing I can
do for my constituents is listen to their concerns, visions and ideas.
Some people say that politicians should talk less and listen more, and I
agree," Pearce said.
"We
have a great abundance of talent and fresh ideas among the people in our
district. By communicating regularly, we are working together to reach the
common goal of making life better in Southern New Mexico,” Pearce said.
Dave
Berry, President of National Write Your Congressman, said, "Since
1958, we have encouraged responsible Americans to communicate directly
with their elected officials to express their views on important issues.
Our Founding Fathers intended for our government to be 'By the People.'
The only way that can be accomplished is by an informed constituent
communicating on a regular basis with the person he or she has chosen to
represent them."
Berry
presented a quill pen to Pearce that will serve as a daily reminder of the
importance of the ongoing communication with Southern New Mexico.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-2-03)
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Dry
Lake Fire Use Complex Fact Sheet
Wednesday,
July 2, 2003
FIRE NAME:
Dry Lake Fire Use Complex
(Dry Lake, Moonshine, Granny and Sycamore Fires)
CAUSE:
Lightning
SIZE:
The Dry Lake Complex totals 43,400 acres, consisting of Dry
Lake Fire, 30,500 acres (started May 30th); Moonshine, 12,700
acres (started June 7th); Granny, 200 acres (started June 28th);
and Sycamore (less than 1 acre).
LOCATION:
The Dry Lake and Granny Fires are approximately 2 miles
southwest of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and about 27 miles northwest of
Silver City, NM. The Moonshine Fire is roughly 3 miles southwest of Snow
Lake.
RESOURCE
BENEFITS: These four
fires are being managed for resource benefit.
The long-term benefits will include minimizing future threats to
firefighters and increasing opportunities for future low intensity fires
to play a natural role in wilderness.
FUELS:
The Dry Lake Fire is burning in
heavy brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer. The Moonshine Fire is
burning in the area of the 1997 Lilly Fire, characterized by small patches
of downed dead trees, open forest, and small patches of brush on steeper
slopes. The Granny Fire is burning near the southern edge of the 2000
Bloodgood Fire in manzanita and open ponderosa pine.
SUMMARY:
With warming conditions, fire activity has increased on the
northwest and northeast side of the Dry Lake fire. Aircraft and crews
continue to patrol and monitor the fires.
A GPS mapping flight was done on some areas of the fires, and
acreage increased due to new mapping.
Dry Lake crews are holding fire spread on the north side of the
fire to protect endangered Gila trout in Mogollon and Little Creeks.
The fires remain primarily surface fires, continuing to remove
excess ground fuels.
TRAIL
CLOSURES: Several trails in the vicinity of the fires are closed for
public safety. Please call
the number listed below for detailed information.
An area closure for the area west of Gila Center is being prepared.
CONCERNS:
Firefighter, aviation, and public safety; Threatened and Endangered
Species habitat: Mexican Spotted Owl, Gila Trout, Gila Chub, Mexican Wolf,
Spikedace, Chiricahua Leopard Frog and Loach Minnow; New Mexico Fish and
Game cabin.
RESOURCES:
The Great Basin #1 Interagency Fire Use Management Team is managing
this complex of four fires for resource benefit.
Two helicopters, 6 fire use module crews, and the management team,
totaling 90 personnel from Maryland State Forestry, Mississippi State
Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, U. S. Geological Survey and U. S. Forest Service are
currently assigned. Some of these resources are also being utilized to
support suppression activities on the Gila National Forest.
DRY
LAKE COMPLEX AND FIRE RESTRICTIONS INFORMATION:
505-388-8416
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-2-03)
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…Towering
bloom
A
century plant in full bloom towers on Juniper Street in Truth or
Consequences with Turtleback Peak in the background at Monday evening’s
spectacular sunset immediately after a brief, but generous thunderstorm.
DJ
photo by Bill Johnson
(posted
7-1-03)
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Domenici
acts to turn Bosque
fire
devastation into
positive
for
speeding up rehabilitation work
ALBUQUERQUE - U.S.
Senator Pete Domenici, who for more than a decade has pushed for
restoration of the middle Rio Grande Bosque, today pledged to work with
federal, state and local officials to expedite rehabilitation efforts in
the aftermath of last week's devastating Bosque wildfires.
Domenici met today (July
1) with Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez, and officials from the Army
Corps of Engineers and Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) to
review the extent of the fire damage and to set in motion a plan for
accelerating cleanup and restoration efforts.
Domenici also committed
to redoubling his efforts to gain congressional passage of his bill,
S.997, authorizing greater federal attention to restoring the Bosque in
metropolitan Albuquerque into an environmental greenbelt.
"The disastrous
fires clearly demonstrate the dire need for restoration measures that are
part of the overall Bosque plan I envision," Domenici said.
"I believe that with
cooperation on the part of all parties, we can use the fire to speed up
the removal of dead and downed trees, expand open meadow areas to serve as
natural fire breaks, and continued jetty jack removal. These actions would
help in reducing the chances of catastrophic wildfire like we've just
experienced," the senator said.
At the meeting, Domenici
outlined a three-tiered approach to saving the Bosque, looking at both
immediate and more-long term approaches. These included:
Short Term - Identifying
areas of imminent risk and develop remedial plan, as well as the clean up
and re-vegetation of burn area with native species.
Medium Term - Implement
measures to reduce further fire risk, including removal of dead and downed
trees and brush in critical areas, remove impediments to emergency
vehicles (jetty jacks); and,
Long Term - Implement
sustainable, long-term restoration of the Bosque to ensure the permanent
healthy growth of native vegetation, provide preservation and recreation
benefits to citizens (the focus of Domenici's bill, S.997).
"We are looking into
all options, and all available legal authorities for expediting this work.
I have been in constant contact with the Corps and other agencies, and
together we're going to try and figure out how we can put these measures
into place using all means possible," Domenici said.
S.997, the Albuquerque
Corridor Bosque Rehabilitation and Restoration Act, would authorize
Congress to provide funding over the next decade to make substantial
ecosystem restoration, and conduct preservation and protection activities
within the Bosque.
The bill builds on a
Bosque plan developed with funding Domenici secured for the Corps.
To date, the Corps has
completed phase I (Bosque reconnaissance study) and is now engaged in
phase II of the plan, which further details actions to be implemented
(GIS-geographic information systems mapping of vegetation, and
environmental and recreational potential assessments).
S.997 would direct the
Corps to carry out more extensive bosque rehabilitation activities between
the Rio Bravo and Paseo del Norte bridges in Albuquerque.
The Middle Rio Grande
Conservancy District owns this urban river forest through the city of
Albuquerque. The bill authorizes $10 million for the project in FY2004 and
such sums as necessary between 2005 and 2013.
This Bosque initiative
builds on more than a decade of work by Domenici to provide specific
federal funding to protect and preserve the Bosque.
In 1991, he launched his
Rio Grande Bosque Initiative to save the Bosque habitat between Cochiti
and Elephant Butte.
Domenici consistently
secures annual funding for this Bosque consortium, a unique multi-agency
effort to continue work on the Bosque.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-1-03)
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Jenny
Fire Fact Sheet
Tuesday,
July 1, 2003
LOCATION:
The Jenny Wildfire is
approximately 8 miles west northwest of Chloride, and 36 miles northwest
of Truth or Consequences.
STARTED:
June 20, 2003 SIZE:
6,400
acres CAUSE:
Lightning
FUELS:
The Jenny Fire is burning in
oak,
mixed conifer and Ponderosa Pine.
SUMMARY:
Located on the eastern side of the Black Range Mountains
northeast of Lookout Mountain Fire Tower, the fire is now 70 percent
contained. Fire-lines continue to be improved, burnout operations have
been successful and mop-up has begun.
Some crews are being sent home today, or assigned to other fires.
For safety reasons,
the public is encouraged to maintain an additional one-mile buffer zone in
areas of the forest near road and trail closures due to ongoing
firefighting operations.
To
provide for firefighter and public safety, the following trails and roads
have been closed:
·
Continental Divide Trail #74 from the trailhead at State
Highway 59 to Forest Road 150.
·
Black Range Crest Trail #79 from McKnight Cabin to Reeds
Peak
·
Powderhorn Trail #82 from Forest Road 151 to Black Range
Crest Trail # 79
·
Spud Patch Trail #111 from Forest Road 891 through Spud
Patch Creek to Black Range Crest Trail #79
·
North Seco Trail #110 from Forest Road 893 to Black Range
Crest Trail #79
·
Forest Road 46 south of State Highway 59 near the Jenny Fire
has also been closed.
·
Forest Road 226 from State Highway 59 to Chloride.
It is
vital that anyone planning a trip into the eastern portions of the Gila
National Forest check for the latest fire information and closure status
with the Black Range Ranger District at 505-894-6677.
CONCERNS:
Firefighter, aviation, and public safety, private property, and
communication tower.
RESOURCES:
The Rocky Mountain Area Type II, Team A Incident Management
Team is managing the Jenny Fire. This
team also has Initial Attack responsibility for 125,000 acres of land on
the north end of the Black Range District.
Incident Commander is Marc Mullenix.
Resources assigned include hand crews, engine crews, bulldozers,
helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft.
An estimated 386 people are currently assigned to the Jenny Fire.
RESTRICTIONS:
No campfires outside of designated campgrounds; use of fueled
stoves, lanterns or heating devices is permitted; smoking only within an
enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site, or in an area at
least three feet in diameter cleared of all burnable material; no
fireworks; no operation of any internal or external combustion engine
without a spark arresting device.
JENNY
FIRE INFORMATION: 505-894-6677 Black Range Ranger District, Truth or
Consequences, NM
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-1-03)
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NM
delegation teams
up
for Zuni's Salt Lake
WASHINGTON,
DC - U.S.
Representatives Steve Pearce and Tom Udall, and Senators Pete Domenici and
Jeff Bingaman, today (July 1) submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of
the Interior expressing their support for the Pueblo of Zuni's request to
temporarily suspend mining activity at the Fence Lake Mine near Zuni Salt
Lake until an independent study showing potential mining effects on the
lake is completed.
In
their letter, the delegation offers its support in light of recently
discovered information regarding the Atarque Aquifer and its relationship
with the Zuni Salt Lake, one of the most sacred places to a number of New
Mexico tribes.
The
delegation said that the Zuni tribe began a study and has now received
evidence showing the Salt River Project's use of the Atarque Aquifer will
affect the Zuni Salt Lake.
"New
geologic mapping shows not only that the Atarque Aquifer is present in the
bedrock to the south and east of the Zuni Salt Lake, but also that it is
in contact with the Lake for at least 3,000 feet and is contributing water
to the Lake,” the letter said.
“It
also is known that the breach of the Atarque Aquifer comprises an area of
at most one-and-a-half miles in a single arroyo and that the aquifer
continues under a surface outcrop to the southwest all the way to the Zuni
Salt Lake," the letter says.
The
Pueblo of Zuni has brought these new studies and concerns to the
Department of Interior’s attention.
Zuni
- strongly supported by the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the Hopi Tribe,
the Ramah Navajo Band and the All Indian Pueblo Council - has called on
DOI at least to suspend the federal permit on the basis of this new
evidence.
"It
is our understanding that the Bureau of Indian Affairs currently is
conducting a hydrologic study of its own of the Atarque Aquifer and that
the New Mexico Mining and Mineral Division has called for SRP to make an
affirmative showing that there will be no harm to the Zuni Salt Lake from
the proposed Fence Lake Mine's pumping by performing a pump test which
puts the question to the test," the delegation said.
The
letter was submitted to Rebecca Watson, the Assistant Secretary for Land
and Minerals Management, and Aurene Martin, the Assistant Secretary for
Indian Affairs at U.S. Department of the Interior.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-1-03)
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Unsolicited
fax & e-mail
law
becomes effective today
A new section of the New
Mexico Unfair Trade Practices Act goes into effect today (July 1).
It should bring some
relief to consumers in New Mexico from unwanted e-mails and unsolicited
faxes.
Senator Dede Feldman
sponsored the bill during the last legislative session, and staff at the
Office of the Attorney General helped draft the legislation.
“Since there is no
federal law that adequately addresses unsolicited faxes or e-mail, which
is called ‘spam’, this new section of the Unfair Trade Practices Act
will allow for consumer remedies, and including private lawsuit
recoveries, and should help bring businesses into compliance with the
law,” NM Attorney General Patricia Madrid said Tuesday.
“Consumers in New
Mexico want relief from the flood of spam and faxes. This is the beginning
of that relief,” Madrid said.
The statute contains a
section directed at those who send faxes and e-mails to solicit business,
advertise or sell products.
Consumers will have to be
provided, on the bottom of those faxes, a number for them to call to
“opt-out” of receiving unwanted faxes. Businesses will then have to
keep track of those who do not want to receive their faxes.
If businesses continue to
send the unwanted faxes and e-mails, consumers can bring a suit against
the company on their own with the help of a private attorney or they can
file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection
Division.
This law requires
companies that solicit business through e-mail reflect that this is an
advertisement in the subject line by including ADV: (for advertising) or
in the case of adult material, the subject line must reflect ADV:ADLT as
the first eight characters.
Consumers can then either
delete the e-mail without opening it, or forward those unwanted e-mails
directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for monitoring.
“This new part of the
New Mexico Unfair Trade Practices Act includes fines, civil injunctions
and other legal remedies in the Act, and is the beginning of stopping
those unwanted faxes and e-mails,” Senator Dede Feldman said.
“Consumers will need to
be patient. This won’t happen overnight,” she said.
“The first step is to
educate companies in New Mexico that send faxes, and those out-of-state
companies that do business here, that they must allow our consumers to
‘opt-out.’ The second step is that those businesses must keep track of
consumers who do opt-out,” she said.
“The third step is for
the consumer to take action if the business does not comply,” Feldman
said.
The law may be good news
for Internet Service Providers as well, according to Feldman. They can
bring suit against those abusing e-mail services on behalf of their
customers. Actual damages may be recovered or statutory damages of $10 per
e-mail or fax or up to $5,000 may be called for, including attorney’s
fees and court costs, she said.
Consumers may forward
unwanted e-mails directly to the FTC at use.ftc.gov.
The FTC keeps records of
“spammers” and prosecutes fraudulent operators.
Consumers may also fill
out a complaint online with the FTC against any spammer or any other party
who fails to honor a request to remove their fax number or e-mail address
at www.ftc.gov.
The FTC web site is also
an excellent source of information for consumers.
To remove your e-mail
address from many national direct e-mail lists, consumers may visit www.e-mps.org.
For more information
about direct marketing and “opt-out” services available to consumers,
contact the Direct Marketing Association at www.the-dma.org.
<<<
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(posted
7-1-03)
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Domenici
endorses Carlsbad
for
DOE pit production facility
U.S. Senator Pete
Domenici today (Monday, June 30) formally endorsed the Carlsbad area as
the preferred site for a proposed Energy Department new modern pit
facility.
Domenici issued his
endorsement as part of a DOE public meeting in Carlsbad Monday to receive
public comments on a draft environmental impact statement associated with
the pit facility proposal.
The plant, expected to
cost from $2 billion to $4 billion to build, would produce the pits, or
triggers, for the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal.
In his letter of
endorsement, Domenici strongly recommended the Eddy County site over other
competitors, including Los Alamos, the Pantex site at Amarillo, the Nevada
Test and South Carolina's Savannah River site.
Domenici is chairman of
the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee that
funds DOE, the national laboratories and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)
near Carlsbad.
Domenici highlighted the
Carlsbad area's embrace of WIPP and the rigorous environmental clearances
that led to its opening, as significant factors to be considered when
finding a site for the pit facility.
"The Carlsbad
community has stepped up to the plate in a wonderful way when our nation
has called upon it to perform politically - tough but highly important
missions. They have proven their commitment. You would be wise to call on
Carlsbad again," Domenici said in his submission for the record.
Domenici outlined the
following points in favor of the Eddy County site:
Widespread local support;
workforce with an extensive record of safe operations in a highly
regulated environment;
A physical site with low
population density, but outstanding transportation attributes because of
the existing WIPP mission;
In-place environmental
monitoring procedures and an historical record of environmental analyses
and results; and
Close proximity to WIPP
that offers additional advantages in ease of waste disposal,
transportation of materials, and life-cycle decommissioning and
decontamination costs.
From an environmental
standpoint, the Carlsbad area has already gone through extensive
environmental screening processes because of WIPP. It has in-place
environmental monitoring procedures and an historical record of
environmental analyses and results, Domenici said.
“The Carlsbad site is
uniquely free from natural phenomena that could impair operations at other
potential sites, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, seismic activity, flooding
or fires," Domenici said.
DOE is expected to select
a site in spring 2004, and would expect to begin construction in 2011. The
pit facility would start production in 2020. The facility could employ an
estimated 1,000 workers.
The following is the text
of the Domenici message to be included in the record of the Carlsbad
public hearing:
“Dear Mr. Secretary:
“Let me start by
offering a hearty New Mexico welcome to all the members of the DOE/NNSA
team. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate my strong support for
locating the modern pit facility just outside of Carlsbad, NM.
“I believe the Carlsbad
site is the best possible site for the modern pit facility for many
reasons. Without a doubt, our greatest strength is the local support of
the Carlsbad community.
“Its political
leadership and citizens are very well informed on the science and safety
of operations involving nuclear materials. Because of the collective
knowledge and experience in the community, it is exceptionally supportive
of locating the modern pit facility here.
“The strength of our
local support is legendary, and it has been demonstrated time and again.
And of course, the presence of the letter signed by every member of the
New Mexico congressional delegation is a clear indication of our
bipartisan congressional support.
“The workforce is
another great advantage of the Carlsbad site. Because of WIPP, the
workforce has an extensive record of safe operations in a highly regulated
environment.
The pit plant operations
will require a diverse set of scientists, engineers and skilled workers.
The Carlsbad site can draw on workers from WIPP along with the
collaborations from Los Alamos, Sandia and the New Mexico universities.
“The close proximity of
Los Alamos, the center of pit production and certification activities,
offers a unique workforce advantage.
“Beyond the community,
there are many advantages of the Carlsbad site's physical location. It has
the advantage of low population density around the site, but possesses
outstanding transportation attributes because of the existing WIPP
mission.
“The terrain is ideal
from a security standpoint, and it is separate from other critical defense
program missions, consistent with the security posture based on isolation
and distribution of key facilities.
“From an environmental
standpoint, the Carlsbad area has already gone through extensive
environmental screening processes because of WIPP.
“It has monitoring
procedures in place and an historical record of environmental analyses and
results. The Carlsbad site is uniquely free from natural phenomena that
could impair operations at other potential sites, such as hurricanes,
tornadoes, seismic activity, flooding or fires.
“Finally, location of
the modern pit facility close to WIPP would offer additional advantages in
ease of waste disposal, transportation of materials, and life-cycle
D&D costs.
“As I close, I want to
leave you with one final thought. The Carlsbad community has stepped up to
the plate in a wonderful way when our nation has called upon it to perform
politically tough but highly important missions.
“They have proven their
commitment. You would be wise to call on Carlsbad again,” Domenici said
to the Energy Secretary.
<<<
>>>
(posted
6-30-03)
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Gila
fire teams switch again
SILVER CITY - Transition
from the second to the third Interagency Fire Use Management Team, the
Great Basin Team headed by Incident Commander Ed Duncan, took place on
Saturday, June 28, at the Dry Lake Complex in the Gila National Forest.
The team is charged with
the continued oversight of the Dry Lake Complex, located 27 miles
northwest of Silver City.
The fire complex first
began May 30 in the Gila Wilderness. Within a pre-designated management
boundary of 216,000 acres, a total of five fires make up the complex: the
Dry, Lake, Sycamore, Moonshine and Granny.
The Dry and Lake Fires
merged June 3 and are now at an estimated 22,490 acres.
The Sycamore Fire was
reported on June 5 as a small spot fire and never saw any growth beyond
that of its initial discovery.
The Moonshine Fire,
located in the Gila Wilderness south of Willow Creek, has grown to 11,000
acres. One new start was reported on June 28.
The 10-acre Granny Fire
is just two miles east of the Dry Lake Fire and will be managed as a fire
use fire, within the Complex's management boundary.
All fires are being
monitored daily. The fires are expected to remain active until the
monsoons are established, which is currently predicted to occur around the
second week of July.
The Boiler Fire, started
on April 17, and Ten Cow Fire on June 8, are fire use projects, both on
the Black Range Ranger District and remain unchanged since June 18.
The Boiler Fire reached
its final growth at 58,413 acres, while the Ten Cow's acreage was 13,523.
Both projects are showing minimal activity. Some smoldering is detected on
the interior of the fires.
The fire use projects,
deemed "good" fires, are expected to maintain longevity
throughout the fire season.
Three Fire Use Teams,
assigned for 14 days at a time, have carried the management of the fires
through the season.
"Transition of one
team to the next is critical in order to maintain continuity and
effectiveness in achieving project objectives," said Bob Madrid,
Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Gila National Forest.
“The transition usually
takes place within a period of 48 hours. These fires will help reduce the
amount of fuels, which have accumulated over many years. Fire is the
natural way of achieving a balance that results in improved conditions,
overall," Madrid said.
Two fires that started on
June 20, the Seco and Jenny fires on the Black Range Ranger District were
categorized as wildfires, and are still being aggressively suppressed.
The Jenny Wildfire is
about eight miles west northwest of Chloride, and 36 miles northwest of
Truth or Consequences.
To provide for
firefighter and public safety, the following trails and roads have been
closed: Continental Divide Trail No. 74 from the trailhead at State
Highway 59 to Forest Road 150; Black Range Crest Trail No. 79 from
McKnight Cabin to Reeds Peak; Powderhorn Trail No. 82 from Forest Road 151
to Black Range Crest Trail No. 79; Spud Patch Trail No. 111 from Forest
Road 891 through Spud Patch Creek to Black Range Crest Trail No. 79; and
North Seco Trail No. 110 from Forest Road 893 to Black Range Crest Trail
No. 79.
Forest Road 46 south of
State Highway 59 near the Jenny Fire has also been closed.
The fire fighting team
assigned to the Jenny Fire is Mark Mullinex's Type 2 Incident Management
Team, which is made up of interagency partners who fill critical positions
on the team.
They rely on the
collaborative with other agencies, volunteer fire departments, private
contractors and additional support personnel, including drivers and other
miscellaneous firefighting resources, to fight the fire.
Mullinex said he is
reminding people, "There are a number of operations related to
firefighting that are ongoing. If trail and road closures have been
implemented, the public should maintain an additional buffer zone from
those closed areas, of at least one mile."
The Seco Fire, managed by
Mike Bradley's Type 2 Incident Management Team, received from 1.5 to 2
inches of rain over the weekend, which helped firefighting efforts
considerably.
The Type 2 Team is
scheduled to demobilize from the incident by Tuesday, July 1, just four
days after mobilizing to the Gila National Forest. They will hand-off to a
Type 3 Team, which will continue with the firefighting efforts on the
blaze.
The Dry Lake Complex and
the Jenny Fire have trail and/or road closures in place, for information
about these, contact the Black Range Ranger Station in Truth or
Consequences at 505-894-6677, Dry Lake Complex Information in Silver City
at 505-388-8416, or the Forest Fire Information Officer in Silver City at
388-8245.
People are reminded that
campfire and smoking restrictions are in effect on the Gila National
Forest. Contact your nearest ranger station for information, or any of the
phone numbers listed above, or visit the website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire.
A toll free number is also available at 1-877-864-6985.
<<<
>>>
(posted
6-30-03)
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Rep.
Pearce joins colleagues for sham
prescription
drug day on Capitol Hill
Supports
a bill that does a lot for his
PR
machine & nothing to lower
Rx costs
for
seniors, says Democratic leaders
U.S. Representative Steve
Pearce (NM’s 2nd Congressional District) and his Republican
colleagues in the House spent Friday pushing a bill through Congress they
think will give them cover for their abysmal record on blocking
legislation to help seniors pay the skyrocketing costs of prescription
drugs, according to the Democratic leadership.
Pearce and House
Republicans defeated a Democratic Prescription Drug Plan which would have
guaranteed a $25 a month premium, $100 dollar deductible, a $2,000 dollar
out of pocket expense per beneficiary per year and a 20 percent co-pay.
Instead, Pearce and his
GOP colleagues pushed through a Republican "Cover Their Hides"
Prescription Drug Bill by a vote of 216 to 215 that forces seniors into
HMOs and does nothing to address the crisis at hand: seniors can't afford
their prescription drug bills, the Democratic leadership said.
Furthermore, Republicans
say that they "hope" it will "end Medicare as we know
it."
Here are some of the
details of that bill:
Sickness Penalty:
Under the Republican bill, seniors are at the whim of private insurance
companies who can change the terms of their coverage anytime. There is no
requirement that HMOs have to cover the drugs seniors need. There is also
a gap in prescription drug coverage that kicks in just as seniors need it
most and middle-income seniors will have to pay more but will get less
protections for out of pocket spending.
Hurts Rural Seniors
Most: The Republican bill will not offer reliable or consistent
premiums or benefits from state to state or urban to rural areas. Millions
of seniors in rural areas have already been restricted in their choice of
providers or abandoned by managed care plans in search of bigger profits
elsewhere. The Republican bill will exacerbate this problem because now
they will only have private plans to rely on for their drug coverage -
there will be no Medicare back up.
Lets HMOs Skim the
Healthiest Seniors: The Republican bill provides HMOs and other
insurance companies with sensitive tax information about seniors and
sensitive information about drug use and illnesses. Plans will be able to
target only the healthy and high-income seniors, leaving the oldest,
poorest and sickest behind.
Forces Seniors into
HMO's: The Republican bill will leave big HMOs and insurance companies
in charge. And after 2010, seniors will have no guarantee that they will
be able to receive coverage through Medicare.
No Price Controls:
The House Republican bill will not allow the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to negotiate the best prices for prescription drugs with drug
companies thus leaving 40 million Medicare recipients at the whim of
current sky-rocketing drug rates.
Privatizes Medicare:
Beginning in seven years, the Republican bill will start a new program
that will give seniors a voucher to get coverage, rather than real
benefits like today. If private plans or traditional Medicare costs more
than the vouchers, seniors will have to make the rest up from their own
savings.
"Republicans have
been trying to destroy Medicare since its inception, and today they have
taken the first solid step in that direction," said Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Robert T. Matsui.
"At a time when we
can least afford it, Republicans are determined to yank one of the most
successful social programs of our times out from under 40 million people.
Fortunately, those 40 million vote and they won't forget what Republicans
in Congress have done about the cost of Medicare prescription drugs -
nothing."
These important groups
had something to say about the Republican prescription drug bill:
“The provision that
would establish a premium support structure beginning in 2010 could
destabilize the traditional Medicare program and lead to much higher costs
for beneficiaries.”
“Rather than expand
choice, this provision could limit choice by leading to substantially
higher costs for beneficiaries who want to stay in the traditional
Medicare program." - AARP, Letter to Chairman Bill Thomas, 6/25/03.
From yesterday's
Washington Post - an interview with seniors:
"To some retirees,
who clip coupons and follow the news, Washington's Medicare is just the
latest example of the doings of out-of-touch elitists. Nagorski (one of
the seniors in the article) reached into her purse and retrieved a recent
newspaper clipping detailing the personal riches of the United States'
elected leaders. 'Do you really think they care about the average person
with what they earn?' Nagorski asked. 'I don't think any of them are ever
going to have to live on $1,100 a month.'" ["For Struggling
Seniors, Medicare Drug Plan's Proof Is in the Purse," Washington
Post, 06/26/03]
Groups that Oppose the
Republican prescription drug plan: Alliance for Retired Americans,
AFSCMEUS Action, United Auto Workers, Families USA, National Urban League,
Advancing Independence, Modernizing Medicare and Medicaid, The American
Medical Student Association, Consumers Union, The Center for Medicare
Advocacy Inc., Gray Panthers, The Center on Disability and Health, Church
Women United, The Communications Workers of America, General Board of
Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, The National Senior
Citizens Law Center, NETWORK - A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby,
the United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries, the Union of
American Hebrew Congregations, American Federation of Labor and Congress
of Industrial Organizations.
<<<
>>>
(posted
6-30-03)
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Domenici
to New Mexicans: you make
the
call to hanging up on telemarketers
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S.
Senator Pete Domenici announced Friday New Mexicans can now register to
block telemarketing calls as of a new National Do Not Call Registry
program.
The Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) administered the registry that will make it more easier
and more efficient for consumers to stop many of the marketing phone calls
they receive at home.
The registry allows
consumers to register either online or by the telephone to put a stop to
telemarketing sales calls they do not wish to receive.
Federal enforcement of
the National Do Not Call Registry will begin Oct. 1, making it illegal for
telemarketers to call a number listed on the registry.
Consumers who register
will notice a drop in telemarketing phone calls within three months of
their registered date.
"Congress passed
this law to give aggravated consumers a choice to hang up on
telemarketers. We are giving people recourse to stop the calls that can
sometimes seem incessant and overwhelming," Domenici said.
More information about
the "Do Not Call Registry," is available at 1-888-382-1222 or by
visiting the FTC website at www.donotcall.gov.
According to the FTC, New
Mexico Legislature has enacted legislation making it a "do not
call" state - consistent with the National Do Not Call Registry.
As a result, New Mexico
consumers will be able to register once, with the national registry, to
have the protections of both federal and state laws.
The telemarketers will
now be required to search the registry list every three months and
synchronize their call list with the phone numbers on the registered list.
The program will work by
allowing consumers to register on-line for five years.
After five years, the
consumer will have to renew their registration. If a consumer is
registered and continues to receive telemarketer calls, the consumer can
file a complaint and the company could face a fine of $11,000 per call.
Placing your number on
the National Do Not Call Registry will stop a majority of the
telemarketing calls, but not all of them.
Some companies are exempt
and can call your telephone number even if you place your phone number on
the national registry.
By registering on the
list, consumers also will have the ability to grant permission to some
companies to continue to call them.
<<<
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(posted
6-30-03)
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Do
Not Call Registry
opens
for New Mexicans
New Mexico Attorney
General Patricia Madrid and Senator Dede Feldman announced Friday New
Mexicans can begin signing up for the Do Not Call Registry.
"Today is a hallmark
for consumer choice. New Mexicans will now have a choice about
telemarketing calls. If New Mexicans want to reduce the number of
telephone sales calls they receive - now they can.
By registering with the
FTC's National Do Not Call Registry New Mexicans will receive the
protection of both federal law and New Mexico's newly enacted law,"
Madrid said.
"It is a pleasure to
see the Do Not Call Registry offered to New Mexicans. This demonstrates
that government listens. The study conducted by the Attorney General asked
New Mexicans if they wanted a choice about telemarketing sales calls and
there was overwhelming support for do not call legislation,” Senator
Dede Feldman.
“As the sponsor of the
bill that created the Do Not Call law for New Mexico, I am delighted to
see this day arrive,” she said.
Effective June 27, New
Mexicans now can have their residential phone number, either landline or
cell, placed in the Do Not Call Registry.
Those phone numbers
listed by Aug. 31, 2003, will find a reduction in the number of telephone
sales calls starting in October 2003.
After Aug. 31,
telemarketers will have up to three months to obtain newly listed numbers
and remove them from call lists.
"There is likely to
be a great deal of interest in the Do Not Call Registry,” Madrid said.
“I would like New Mexicans to know that there is ample time to register.
For those who are anxious to have telephone sales calls reduced, they
should try to register by the end of August.”
New Mexicans can sign up
for the Do Not Call Registry online (through the website of the Attorney
General - www.ago.state.nm.us) or by phone (toll-free 1-888-382-1222, TTY
1-866-290-4236).
<<<
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(posted
6-30-03)
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Sock-Hop/The
Taste of T or C
planned
this 4th of July weekend
By
Linda Butler
Starting
with the Sock-Hop, the Talent is in place and ready to pull an all nighter.
We have Billie Holiday, Elvis Presley, Louie Armstrong, The Delfonics,
Peggy Lee, Patsy Kline, wild man Jerry Lee Lewis, Judy Garland and
rounding out this troop is Bob Hope.
The Sock Hop will be
Friday, July 4, from 8:30 p.m. to a.m. and The Taste of T or C will begin
at 10:30 a.m. each day this weekend, July 5 and 6, at the T or C Civic
Center, 400 W. 4th St. in Truth or Consequences.
Bullock’s Grocery will
be providing all the food for the snack bar and Rocky’s Night Club will
be operating the no host bar.
So now all we are waiting
on is you to come out and enjoy. Dress in your retro best and come for a
really great evening and as Ed Sullivan would have put it, we're going to
have a really great show!
Now on Saturday and
Sunday do we have some entertainment? Entertainers scheduled for outdoor
stage performances include Mario Portillo, Ireland Montenegro, Priscilla
Birner, Terry Butler, Autumn McClintock, Kathy Mitchell, Hal Priser,
Stuart Oliver and recording artist Daragh Vaughan.
Outside in front of the
Civic Center we have lots of vendors, artists and craftsmen; a side show,
carnival games, a moon-walk and face painting for the kids and a car show
for the bigger kids.
Inside, food, food and
more food step into the air conditioned Ralph Edwards Auditorium; test,
taste and sample all the wonderful treats at the "TASTE" - trade
tickets for samples.
Sierra Grande Lodge Chef
Byron and Dominos Pizza owner Bruce are old pros at doing the Taste in
other cities and understand the importance of participating in the
"Taste" and they both are ready to go, along with many other of
our fine restaurants in Sierra County.
Now without a doubt, the
weather is going to be warm, which of course you're going to be thirsty so
stop over at Rocky’s table and enjoy an array of wines and imported
beers.
Russell Goff, the new
owner of Rocky’s, says he is prepared to quench any thirst - he will
also have soda pop.
And guess what? We have
room for more, but to all you restaurants you need not think about it too
long as our spaces are going fast.
Sponsors and supporters
of this needed benefit are: Bullocks and Foxworth, $300 Gold Sponsors; T
or C Chamber of Commerce; Bobby J. Allen and Ginnie Jones; Elephant Butte
Chamber of Commerce; Julia Cooper; Color Copies and More; Elephant Butte
Parks Department; Whitehead Auto, Gary Whitehead; and all the many vendors
and organizations who have leased a space.
There is still time and
space for more. Don't be left out on the action and profit.
Contact Linda Butler or
Lane Pack at 894-9061 or just drop by the SCEDO office at 400 W. 4th
St. in T or C and sign up.
<<<
>>>
(posted
6-30-03)
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Pearce
votes to preserve tax breaks for millionaires
instead
of restoring cuts to military families' housing
WASHINGTON,
DC - U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (NM-02) voted Thursday in favor of
"the previous question" to block common-sense Democratic
legislation to restore roughly $1 billion in funding - cut by Republicans
- for military families' housing next year, according to the national
Democratic leadership.
This
floor action comes after House Republicans refused to pass the Senate bill
that extends the $400 increase in the child tax credit to 200,000 military
families. Republicans referred to such tax relief for military families as
"welfare" on the House Floor last Thursday. (Newsday, 06/13/03)
"Obviously
there really is no choice for Steve Pearce when it comes to ensuring our
troops and their families have good housing or the rich have a good tax
break," said DCCC Communications Director Kori Bernards. "By
blocking the child tax credit and voting to | |
