The Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ES-CA) held a general meeting on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at the Placitas Community Center. The first issue noted was that our property tax bills had been reduced, due to a reduction in the ESCAFCA tax levy. Thanks go to all of the volunteers and members of ES-CA who worked hard to have Placitas removed from the ESCAFCA region. This matter exemplifies exactly what ES-CA does – work to keep Placitans informed and to advocate for their best interests.
The major topic of discussion was the reactivation and increase in volume use of the pipelines that run through Placitas. To date, the Federal Government and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have refused to adequately address the risks and safety issues that they are required to address. ES-CA has been working with La Placitas Association (LPA) to force the Government to conduct the necessary studies. These pipelines run close to the school, the community center, and a number of residences. The oldest pipe was laid in 1956. Leaks could result in groundwater contamination and even explosions and fire. ES-CA is looking for volunteers to join a task force that will work with the community to press our concerns and have the Federal Government do what is necessary to examine the risks associated with the pipelines. If you are interested in being a part of the task force, please contact us at info@es-ca.org
One ongoing issue is the BLM Resource Management Plan (RMP), which will govern the use of the tracts of land that BLM owns in and around Placitas. One of the options that BLM is considering is opening this land to mining. These areas include the Buffalo tract which borders Placitas to the north, part of which BLM has identified for possible gravel mining; a 195 acre tract that is surrounded by development; and the Crest of Montezuma. ES-CA has already submitted comments to the BLM and is working with our Federal officials to remove the mining recommendations. Dealing with the Federal Government is not an easy task. Anyone who wants to help in this matter is encouraged to contact us at info@es-ca.org
Another ongoing issue is the LaFarge mining operations. At the insistence of ES-CA, homeowner associations and others, Sandoval County has issued documents demanding that LaFarge abide by the 1988 Noncompliance agreement. Yet, LaFarge has continued to violate that agreement and has expanded its operations in ways that are not allowed. ES-CA will be meeting again with County officials to demand that the County duly exercise its authority and take whatever action is necessary to enforce its prior zoning agreement with LaFarge. It was ES-CA’s vigilance that drove the County to enforce its regulations against the Fisher Sand and Gravel operations, and stop an illegal asphalt plant from beginning operations. ES-CA is using that same vigilance in the LaFarge matter to insure that illegal operations do not take place.
ES-CA is continuing to expand its Watchdog program, which involves volunteers attending local meetings to report on what actions different entities may be taking that have an impact upon Placitas. Volunteers attend meetings of the Sandoval County Commission, the County Planning and Zoning Committee, the Bernalillo Town Council, the Bernalillo Planning and Zoning Commission and other meetings. If you are interested in becoming a Watchdog, please contact Scott Stevens at info@es-ca.org
Please visit the ES-CA website at es-ca.org and check out the articles in the Forum. Also, if you would like to join ES-CA, you can do so online.