ES-CA, in cooperation with its subsidiary LPT and also LPA, asked Commissioner Dominguez to pull a Resolution from the Commission’s draft agenda crafted to guide future deliberations related to gravel mining of the BLM Buffalo Tract. Click here DRAFT County Resolution _15April2015 to see the proposed Resolution and here Resolution on BLM Buffalo Tract_Backup_ReducedSize to see the back-up material facts.
The Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ES-CA) was disappointed that Sandoval County was unwilling to support a strong Resolution concerning any future sand and gravel mining in the Placitas, Algodones, and Bernalillo areas. The “Whereas” clauses, the substance of any Resolution, cited relevant facts to be considered prior to any future County gravel mining approvals. The Resolution also reiterated the importance of public process anytime that a change in land use may defy reasonable expectations of property owners. Expectations of investment value are often formed by adjacent land use and zoning regulations.
Eastern Sandoval County currently has four of New Mexico’s thirteen largest gravel mines all within a six-mile radius of the Placitas community where more than 14,500 people reside in over 6,200 homes with no Federal, State, or County agency actively monitoring the cumulative effect of the fugitive dust and small particulates from these mines on surrounding residents. ES-CA will attempt to meet with the Sandoval County Manager to understand how the Resolution, brought forward by our Commissioner Dominguez, can remain intact for the Commission’s consideration for adoption. ES-CA is hopeful that a solution can be reached and a public hearing of the original document will occur.
The BLM Rio Puerco Resource Management Plan that includes the Buffalo Tract is now expected to be released in August or September. Information and debate on what is best for the State, County, and Placitas must be credible and result in what is best for the future of all, but especially for the protection of the health, esthetics and value of the Placitas area which faces additional gravel mining. With the support of Representative Smith, Environmental Secretary Flynn, and Bureau Chief Richard Goodyear of the NM Environmental Department (NMED), LPT is working to understand the cumulative effects of these multiple mines and I-25 traffic on Placitas and all of the adjacent communities.