Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association officers and Sandoval County officials met with numerous representatives of the gravel mines near Placitas in January, and received essential updates to reclamation processes and future goals.
Those in attendance included George Franzen, ESCA president and Bob Wilkins of the Land Protection Trust. Sandoval County Commissioners David Heil and Kathy Bruch also attended, along with county and gravel operations representatives and their attorneys.
The updates included:
- Vulcan officials reported that reclamation has been progressing in Area 1, along the southern central edge of the open gravel mine. Officials said that dirt has been moved into the area for reclamation, and that a hole on the south side of the mine in the area has been filled in. Meanwhile, in Area 2 on the western edge of the mine, similar reclamation is continuing from the east to the southwest in that area. Officials, including operations manager Steve Redenbaugh, expect that operations on the south side of the mine to be completed by the end of 2021.
- A berm along the north side of the mine next to Sundance Subdivision will be completed by the end of 2021, while mining in that Area 3 of the mine is expected to begin in 2021 and continue until about 2026. Officials said that they will hold a community meeting before that work begins. Final work on Area 4 where the processing plant is located would be the final mining area. Reclamation in each area will be completed as the areas are mined out and completed in 2027. Vulcan officials say that there will be a yearly tour of the mine for stakeholders this year, but that the tour has not yet been scheduled.
- Other information: No formal discussions were held regarding what happens to the Mountain Adams mine site once mining operations ceases. Additionally, Vulcan is interested in mining a portion of the Buffalo Tract that is available for mining. Legislation is pending in Congress that could affect whether or not this land is mined. New Mexico’s senators and representatives have endorsed the legislation that has passed the committee process and waiting for the full congress vote.
Report from the Sandoval Regional Medical Center Community Advisory Board: The SRMC was voluntarily surveyed by The Joint Commission (TJC) – and ESCA’s Community Advisory Board representative, Erica Wendel-Ogelsby, was invited to participate at the closeout session. The physician surveyor expressed positive thoughts on his findings at this closeout session, she reported, and was pleased with the engagement he received from all in attendance. Accreditation, every 39 months, is required in order for the organization to receive payment from federally funded Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Finally, ESCA expresses a sadness and respect over the passing of ESCA’s vice president, Dick Ulmer. His work with ESCA and the Land Protection Trust were invaluable to Placitas and Sandoval County. Dick’s kind words, his leadership, his love of his state and his country, will always be remembered by the community he served. ESCA sends out its warmest thoughts and prayers to Dick Ulmer’s family and loved ones.
The next ES-CA Board Meeting: (open to the public)
Monday, March 9, 2019 – 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Note new time!
Placitas Community Library, NM Hwy 165, Placitas, NM 87043