Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
Comment Title
Description
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Date
Final Comment Letter
Ciudad Bodman Private Property Thinning
Thinning to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Environmental Assessment Addressing the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Use of the OT-10 Radiological Training Areas in KAFB
Directed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to conduct training for military personnel in plutonium monitoring and contamination, the Atomic Weapons Training Group (AWTG) began training personnel at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) in 1958. With the resumption of nuclear testing in 1961, training with actual plutonium contamination at the NTS was no longer possible. As a result of studies to evaluate different materials to simulate plutonium, thorium was found as the best substitute and in 1961, eight sites were developed on Sandia Base nearer to the AWTG. In 1965, the training at these sites was expanded to allow all four Services to train on the sites as well as to help support nuclear weapons accident exercises.
The eight OT-10 sites provided DoD personnel a training location to develop proficiency on a new detector for nuclear weapons accident response, known as FIDLER (Field Instrument for Detecting Low Energy Radiation). This instrument was developed to make it easier to locate, identify, and quantify radioactive material found in nuclear weapons accidents (primarily plutonium). The FIDLER measures photons (x-rays and gammas) in the 10-200 keV energy region. Plutonium emits x-rays in the 15-60 keV energy region. Thorium emits x-rays in the 10-120 keV energy region. These energy regions overlap, which is useful in detector response, and explains why the FIDLER was the main survey detector and instrumental in the cleanup of the nuclear weapons accident in Thule, Greenland in 1968. Thorium-232 is a long-lived (~14 billion year half-life) naturally occurring, radioisotope with a very similar x-ray energy to plutonium but much less toxic. Because of its properties, thorium oxide is ideal for providing consistency in the radiological conditions and being insoluble and heavier than local soil, it does not readily disperse into the environment.
In 1971, the school was redesignated the Interservice Nuclear Weapons School (INWS) and moved under the Air Force to continue conducting response training on the eight sites which were moved onto the Air Force radiological materials license as it took over the old Sandia Base. In July 1974, the Air Force conducted an EA of the eight sites. Because of material settling over the years, more thorium was 'seeded' into the fields with the last re-seeding occurring in 1992. In 1993, the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) once again became proponent for Nuclear Weapons accident response training mission and the school was transferred back to the Agency with the school once again being renamed, this time to the Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS). For real property and NRC licensing, the Air Force has retained control of the OT-10 sites. In 1995, the decision to remediate four of the sites was made and the remediation was completed with final site evaluation reports published in 2005. Today, the DNWS remains the primary users of the remaining four training sites designated, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is responsible for these operations; Training Site - 1 (TS-1) or convoy site, TS-2 or cargo plane site, TS-3 or B-52 site and TS-4 or helicopter site. Each area is approximately 11 acres in size for a total of approximately 44 acres. Due to a lack of simulated wreckage, active training has not been conducted at TS-4 for about ten years although there is school interest in updating the wreckage and training aids there. Currently, Training Sites 1-3 are still heavily used in the school's courses and exercises, approximately 700 personnel from all the Services and Interagency train on operations in an alpha-contaminated environment on these sites each year.
DTRA proposes to continue conducting training activities at TS-1, TS-2, and TS-3 as well as resume training activities at TS-4.
Our client proposes to collocate nine (9) antennas at a centerline height of 143 feet on an existing 189-foot overall guyed tower. The proposed 12-foot by 20-foot lease area will be within an existing 44.5-foot by 36.3-foot fenced compound. A proposed 20-foot wide access easement will extend 259-feet generally northeast from the existing compound gate to County Road 402. A proposed 3-foot wide utility easement will extend 318-feet generally northwest to an existing pole. A fiber route extends northeast approximately 259-feet, and then west approximately 75-feet to a new fiber MMP. This site is in a gravel and grass covered area adjacent to County Road 402.
SSW Gateway Park Site Development project area is over 15.8 acres. There are multiple
phases for this project. The project site will include earthwork activities on vacant areas
located with the project site. This will include the clearing of nuisance vegetation to
prepare for installation of building pads. The project will also include improvements on
existing infrastructures such as the projects parking area. The project area will be kept
within the property line. Vegetation on or near needed for SWPPP analysis.
Proposed Action, Stormwater Management, Urban Development
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Regional Special Use Airspace Optimization to Support Air Force Missions in Arizona
The DAF is proposing to alleviate training shortfalls and address evolving training regional airspace needs by requesting that the Federal Aviation Administration implement regional airspace modifications to include: adjusting the times of use; adjusting the horizontal dimensions; adjusting the altitudes to support low-altitude training; authorizing supersonic training at lower altitudes; and authorizing the use of chaff and lowering the minimum release altitude for flares. The proposed action does not include the creation of new special use airspace or any changes at the installations, changes to land use beneath the airspace, or weapons release.
Environmental Impact Statement, Military Operations
At this time, we are looking for general species list/potential resources of concern for pre-development site characterization study within Lea County.
Timing, equipment/materials, extent of disturbance, wildlife surveys, and mitigation are TBD following future planning.
As project specifics are nailed down, individual project details and information will be disclosed as appropriate in another project review request.
Our current goal is to inform this level of detail through a higher level site characterization study of potential species/resources of concern in the area.
Parametrix is working with Bohannan Huston and the Town of Edgewood to make
improvements to I-40 interchanges at Barton and Basset Roads. The
project is in the planning phase. A preferred alternative has not been selected
Parametrix is working with Bohannan Huston and the Town of Edgewood to make
improvements to I-40 interchanges at Barton and Basset Roads. The
project is in the planning phase. A preferred alternative has not been selected
Parametrix is working with Bohannan Huston and the Town of Edgewood to make
improvements to NM 344. The project is in the planning phase. A preferred alternative has not been selected.
Wind Farm project in initial planning phase. Just need a review of species, wetlands/water of the U.S. and natural resources that could potentially be impacted by the project.
Minimal Impact Exploration Application, Creek Tunnel Mine
On July 9, 2024 the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received an application from Steven Jackman for a minimal impact exploration permit called Creek Tunnel. The application proposes to excavate an old mine adit, creating 1 acre of disturbance. The proposed project site is approximately 1.5 miles south of Red River, NM off Forest Road 485.
This project is an instrument similar to a conservation easement and is in the due diligence stage to prepare a baseline report for the property area. The baseline report details current conditions on the property related to conservation values such as wildlife habitat, cultural resources, watershed, agricultural uses, and scenic open space. The project is expected to close within the next year. No equipment or materials will be used, and there will be no ground disturbance. The project will have annual monitoring for adherence to conditions of the agreement.
Programmatic EA Weapons Modernization Stationing, Field Operations, and Maintenance, Fort Bliss Army Reservation, El Paso Texas
Purpose of the proposed action is to station and field new weapons at Fort Bliss to enhance the Army's ability to combat and defeat advanced future threats, integrate new and existing systems, provide new training capabilities, and provide support infrastructure to soldiers. The proposed action is needed to provide infrastructure and For Bliss soldiers, equipment, and weapons systems to be readily available for rapid deployment to any contingency of operations around the world.
On May 13, 2024 the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received an application from Rammsco Operations, Inc. ("Rammsco") to modify the minimal impact new mining permit for the Eagle Mesa Mine, Permit No. SA009MN. The application for permit modification was assigned Modification 24-1 by MMD. The Modification 24-1 application proposed a partial FA release for reclaimed acreage (2.12 acres) and to expand mining operations (6.6 acres) within their permit area under Permit No. SA009MN for the Eagle Mesa Mine, located in Sandoval County, New Mexico. MMD reviewed the Modification 24-1 application and deemed the application administratively complete.
Ottowi to Los Alamos make piggable. Modify several existing sites to replace temporary trap connections with permanent pig traps and retrofit existing launchers and receivers for bidirectionality to allow in-line inspections tools to assess the pipeline.
Menson block valve to Los Alamos West block valve engineering to make existing line piggable. Modify several existing sites to replace temporary trap connections with permanent pig traps and retrofit existing launchers and receivers for bidirectionality to allow in-line inspection tools to assess the pipeline.
Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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