By Dick Ulmer – September 8, 2015 was a busy day for several of us, as Representative Smith arranged two meetings for us to share our concerns about the potential for another large gravel mine in Placitas on the BLM land known as the Buffalo Tract, further “sandwiching” residents. In the afternoon we went to Santa Fe for a brief meeting with NM Economic Development Secretary, Jon Barela, and in the evening we met with the Governor’s Chief Counsel, Jeremiah Ritchie.
Bob Gorrell set the stage for the discussions, explaining what we need from Governor Martinez and her staff to ensure that the BLM can’t “railroad” the pending Puerco Rico Resource Management Plan (RMP) through without giving the state (and us) its full review period. We also need the Governor to consider our recommendations for her response to inconsistencies with State, County, and Tribal needs and plans.
Steve Vaughan and Bob Byrd shared personal examples of their reasons for choosing Placitas for their retirement homes–and the negative impact of expanding mining on those plans.
Sandy Johnson, President of the Las Placitas Association (LPA), provided the current demographics of Placitas and her knowledge of what attracts retirees and executives. She explained that the addition of another large mine would negatively impact the ability to achieve the sizeable economic growth that has been expected in this area by the County’s Placitas Area Plan.
Prior to the meeting, ES-CA and LPA members including Placitas resident Mary-Rose de Valladares prepared an extensive paper detailing the economic value of Placitas and the issues and concerns we have with regard to the potential action by the BLM to allow 800+ acres of mining adjacent to Placitas. We provided this paper and made it quite clear that these meetings were not to request action with regard to existing mines, as we have alternatives underway to deal with the violations at Vulcan’s Placitas Pit—but instead are a full-out effort by residents to prevent an even larger mine from being started in the Buffalo Tract.
Deb Pascuzzi, a member of the Land Protection Trust (LPT) Board, summarized the economic contribution that other states have recognized (sometimes referred to as “Pensionomics”) that retirees bring with their out-of-state pension plans and investments and the job growth that has been demonstrated to occur. “Pensionomics” is positive and sustainable and in the case of Placitas, has been resulting without the substantial financial incentives that other job-growth initiatives have traditionally required.
Area concerns about the cumulative effect of five current mines within a four mile radius of Placitas were expressed by Dick Ulmer, Chairman of the LPT and President of one of the mine-adjoining HOA’s. The lack of State law regarding reclamation or any requirement for monitoring air quality, and the high water use (3x that used by surrounding water cooperatives) all threaten our ability to continue to achieve the positive economic contribution that could result from use of the BLM land with alternatives that are consistent with the Placitas Plan.
Bob Gorrell wrapped up our presentations with a discussion of the recent County resolution, the conforming uses of this area as laid out in the Plactias Area Plan, and the positions communicated by the tribal interests involved—then summarized and reiterated our “asks” for the Governor.
We were disappointed with Secretary Barela’s initial reaction. He seemed to view our concerns as having to choose between mining and Placitas, similar to the Corrales and Intel dispute, rather than a proposal to have both if the mining interests takes advantage of the BLM-identified mining resources a few miles away rather than the BLM deciding to destroy the Placitas magnetism for the interests of the gravel mines. We are hopeful that his promised review of our material will lead him to see the value in expanding this area in way conforming to the Placitas Area Plan.
On the other hand, Jeremiah Richter seemed to “get it” and understand the contribution that Placitas can make if the State rejects the anticipated BLM plan for the Buffalo Tract due to its inconsistency with policy to grow the NM economy. He agreed to brief Governor Martinez about the BLM RMP and our concerns.
Time will tell if the current administration figures this out and accepts our offers of help in formulating a response that leverages the unique opportunities that Placitas offers; or instead, leaves a legacy of burying one of the stars of the Land of Enchantment under a pile of gravel.