Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association

Since the Commission meeting was so short, I joined our watchdogs Marjorie Majka and John Coelho to hear the update on the project to widen Rt 550 from Rt 313 to Rt 528.

The decision on choices for design was presented to be a 6 lane widening from Rt 313 to the Rio Grande bridge with a median preventing lefthand turns except at proposed signals or at several U-turn locations.

From the bridge to Rt 528 the widening would be a 6 lane “super street” concept (restricted crossing U-turn Intersections). If you think the I-25 interchange was confusing just wait until you view this concept. The website www.keep550moving.com will have the proposed concept detailed along with some computer animations of the various stretches along RT 550. It may take several days before the website is updated, but I think you should take the time to view the computer graphics.

If that’s not enough, how about the first stage which will be to build a second bridge across the river just North of the existing bridge. At this time they have $13 million appropriated and no defined schedule. They would like to start construction of the bridge by this Fall with this being the first phase and upon completion opened to traffic as the rest of the project continues.

Many attendees, including Mayor Torres, spoke regarding negative impact on the businesses along Rt 550. Other questions ranged from the super street concept, Sheriffs Posse intersection, funding, scheduling and concerns about construction. Attendees requested additional public meetings as the project progresses. NMDOT said they would consider the request.

Please go to the website for further information and updates as the project gets underway.

Ed Majka

Commissioners heard request from Sandridge to postpone a decision on their application. After testimony, Chairman asked over 100 people in attendance to select 2-3 representatives to present opposition. After a 5 minute break, 3 people including Mike Neas asked the Commission to deny the application since Sandridge has had several opportunities to present their case.

Mike Springfield explained to the Commissioners that the P&Z requests for detailed information regarding Safety, water ,disposal and other important issues had not been adequately covered by Sandridge.

Based on both testimonies, Commissioners decided to send it back to the P&Z for further review and would not make a decision. Attendees were very upset. Channel 4 and 13 were covering and have been on the News last night and today. Seems no one was happy and the battle continues for now. One Commissioner went on the record after voting to say that she felt Sandridge should submit a new application.

The ES-CA Board had its regular meeting on February 1, 2016. Board members attending were Ed Majka, Bob Gorrell, Susan Fullas, Chris Daul, Jerry Saxton, and Lynn Koch. Also in attendance were Dick Ulmer, Rob Vitello, Jacque Moise, John McNerney, Jim Harre, Mike Neas, Scott Chapman, and Judy Labovitz. It was reported that Tony Hull has resigned from the ES-CA Board. The Board will consider appointing a replacement from District 4.

Ed noted that the Highway Cleanup was now scheduled for April 23. The Cleanup with be done in conjunction with the other Placitas entities that do cleanup. Please contact any Board member if you are interested in participating.

Dick Ulmer reported that the Vulcan mine footprint has increased and that the County has not inspected the site since Vulcan took control. Ed is going to send a letter to the County requesting that an inspection take place. Dick also noted that they are reviewing the possibility of filing a nuisance suit against Vulcan. The County has finally motioned to have Vulcan joined as a defendant in the suit. The NMED is moving forward with placing an air monitoring station in the area.

The proposed oil and gas drilling application by SandRidge was defeated by the Sandoval County Planning and Zoning Commission. The matter proceeds to the County Commission who can vote to affirm the P&Z decision or send it back to the P&Z for further consideration. ES-CA will continue to push for the adoption of an ordinance to regulate this activity in the County.

Ed reported that he had received notice from Mid-America Pipeline Company of scheduled maintenance work at their pump station. This notice will be posted in the Forum.

We have received notice that the Bureau of Land Management will issue their plan for proposed uses of the Buffalo Tract within 30-90 days. We are anticipating that the plan will allow for sand and gravel mining. We will be notifying all members as soon as the plan is released and mobilizing opposition to any future mining in this area.

The next ES-CA Board meeting will be on Monday, March 7, beginning at 6:30pm at the Placitas Fire Station.

ES-CA received a letter from Mid-America Pipeline Company informing us of maintenance work that will take place on their pipeline located in Placitas. This work is described in the letter below and is basically a process to test the pipeline.
ES-CA has worked to develop relationships with the pipeline companies. As a result, we are now informed of any work that will take place on the pipelines. We are glad to see this continuing monitoring of the pipelines which will help to insure the integrity of them and the safety of Placitas residents.
Please let us know if you have any questions.

To:
Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association-President Ed Majka
Las Placitas Association-President Sandy Johnson

Courtesy notice,
On or about March 28, 2016, Mid-America Pipeline Company (MAPL) will be performing maintenance activities on its pipeline system near the western edge of the Placitas community. The work will involve receiving and removing from the pipeline an inspection tool known as a pig. This device, which is an important part of our ongoing integrity management program, travels inside the pipeline and provides valuable data we need to ensure continued safe and reliable operations.
The most visible sign of the work taking place will be a brief increase in the presence of vehicles and personnel in the area, which could be at the site during nighttime hours. However, there will be no excavation or flaring taking place, so disruption to the community should be minimal. For the operation, product in the pipeline will be replaced with nitrogen, a non-flammable, inert gas that will have no impact on residents or the environment. MAPL has notified the appropriate authorities of its plans and all necessary permits related to the operation will be obtained before work begins.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Robert North Area Supervisor.

505-599-2895 Office
505-486-0713 Mobile
rnorth@eprod.com

Proposed Ordinance ZNCH-15-003

ES-CA hosted a forum to discuss three of the major issues facing residents in Placitas and Sandoval County on Saturday, January 9th. Those issues are gravel mining, pipeline safety and proposed oil and gas well drilling. The event, held at the Placitas Presbyterian Church, drew over 90 people, including a number of government representatives. State Senator John Sapien, State Representative Jim Smith, Sandoval County Commissioner James Dominguez, Sandoval County Clerk Eileen Garbagni and Arcy Baca, representing NM Public Regulation Commissioner Valerie Espinoza, were all in attendance.

Dick Ulmer gave a brief overview and update on the pending lawsuit with Lafarge. It was noted that, had there been a gravel mining ordinance in place at the time Lafarge began operations, we probably would not be in the legal situation that now exists. He also provided current status on the BLM activities and the potential for additional mining associated with their action that we are trying to prevent.

Ed Majka spoke about ES-CA’s work in developing relationships with the three pipeline companies that operate pipelines that run through Placitas. Ed noted that all of the pipelines are interstate pipelines which means they are regulated by the Federal Department of Transportation. Ed noted that the ES-CA Board has met with PRC Commissioner Valerie Espinoza on this issue and she has offered to assist in obtaining information from the Federal government on risk and safety tests and analysis about the pipelines in Placitas. Unfortunately, without enabling legislation, the NM PRC has no jurisdiction over these pipelines.

Bob Gorrell then gave a presentation on the oil and gas drilling in NM and noted that State revenues rely heavily upon this industry. He noted the May 2015 draft study conducted by the US EPA states that incidences of drinking water contaminated by fracking are very small. Breaches can lead to groundwater contamination and great harm that can occur, but very well defined processes and qualified oversight are necessary to minimize risk. Sandoval County lacks an ordinance to minimize risk. He stated that Sandoval County could borrow from the Department of the Interior, who recognizing the evolving science fracking safety, implemented new rules in March of 2015. On all BLM land for example, detailed information including geology of existing wells to lower risk of cross-contamination is now required, and for future accountability, disclosure of chemicals into FracFocus. Bob stated that the Albuquerque Basin, in which the proposed exploratory well would be drilled, is a rift valley with extensive rock fracturing reaching 25,000 feet that would make containment of contaminants difficult.

The meeting was opened up to discussion from all attendees. A consensus emerged that Sandoval County should adopt an ordinance to regulate oil and gas drilling and that the County should adopt a moratorium on any new drilling until the ordinance is in place. Commissioner Dominguez stated that he had met with the County Manager to begin drafting such an ordinance.

Further discussion ensued about the extent of the moratorium and it was decided that the geographic area would be limited to all lands within a 10 miles of the Santa Fe Aquifer. A letter request is being prepared by the ES-CA Board and will be sent to Sandoval County. A copy of that request will be posted in the ES-CA Forum.

The ES-CA Board held its monthly meeting on Monday, January 4, at the Placitas Fire Station. Directors attending included Bob Gorrell, Ed Majka, Lynn Koch, Susan Fullas, Jerry Saxton and Chris Daul. Kathy Kitts was in attendance as a delegate for Tony Hull.

District Director election results were confirmed as follows: District 1 – Ed Majka; District 2 – Chris Daul; District 3 – Jerry Saxton; and District 4 – Tony Hull. The Board then elected new officers for 2016 as follows: President – Ed Majka; Vice President – Bob Gorrell; Treasurer – Susan Fullas; and Secretary – Chris Daul.

The Board also adopted a budget which reflects operating expenses such as insurance and website maintenance. There are no paid staff members at ES-CA and all Board members volunteer their time, along with all of the other volunteers who manage various committees and issues.

The main issue of discussion was the pending application for oil and gas drilling in western Sandoval County, approximately 2 miles from the Rio Rancho city border. The County Planning and Zoning Commission has held one public meeting on this matter where there were a number of objectors present. ES-CA is holding a Forum on Saturday, January 09, 2016, from 2-4 pm at the Placitas Presbyterian Church to further discuss this matter. An update will be posted in this forum later.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2016, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Placitas Fire Station (41), located at 463 Highway 165. All are welcome to attend.

The ES-CA Board met on Monday, December 7, 2015. Commissioner Valerie Espinoza, of the New Mexico Board of Public Regulation Commission, attended the meeting, along with her chief of staff, Arcy Baca, and, the Pipeline Safety Bureau Chief, Jason Montoya.

Mr. Montoya made a presentation to the Board and other attendees in which he outlined the duties and responsibilities of the NMPRC as it regulates pipelines in New Mexico. As we all knew, the NMPRC does not have jurisdiction over interstate pipelines, which are the pipelines of most concern to Placitas residents. However, he did provide information concerning where we can find safety and test results for the pipelines and promised to assist us in obtaining this information. The NMPRC does maintain relationships with the pipeline companies and will assist us in future dealings with them.

It was announced that the four current District Directors were re-elected to their positions. Ed Majka – District 1; Chris Daul – District 2; Jerry Saxton, – District 3; and, Tony Hull – District 4. The Board will elect new officers at the January meeting.

Major issues facing Placitas and the area for 2016 include: proposed oil and gas drilling; property development at the I-25 exit 242; the BLM land disposition and use; hospital bond renewal; and, revision of the Sandoval County zoning ordinance. If anyone is interested in helping on these or any other issues, please contact a board member or attend the next meeting on January 4, beginning at 6:30 pm, at the Placitas Fire Station on Rt. 165.