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Scoping phase for Triennial Review of New Mexico’s Surface Water Quality Standards

An unprecedented 40-year experiment in a 40,000 acre valley of Yosemite National Park strongly supports the idea that managing fire, rather than suppressing it, makes wilderness areas more resilient to fire, with the added benefit of increased water availability and resistance to drought. After a three-year assessment of the Park's Illilouette Creek Basin, UC Berkeley researchers concluded that a strategy dating to 1973 of managing wildfires with minimal suppression and almost no prescribed burns has created a landscape more resistant to catastrophic fire, with more diverse vegetation, forest structure and increased water storage. "When fire is not suppressed, you get all these benefits: increased stream flow, increased downstream water availability, increased soil moisture, which improves habitat for the plants in the watershed. And it increases the drought resistance of the remaining trees and also increases the fire resilience because you have created these natural firebreaks," said Gabrielle Boisramé, graduate student at UC Berkeley's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and first author of the study. The Cohesive Wildland Fire Strategy supports management of fires where possible. Managing fires is part of the Cohesive Strategy vision: to safely and effectively suppress fires, use fire where allowable, manage our natural resources, and as a Nation, live with wildland fire. Read the full article and find the published study at: ttp://wildfireinthewest.blogspot.com/2016/10/wildfire-management-vs-suppression.html.

News Release 4/1/13

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is floating a $112 million proposal she says would give the state greater security when it comes to drinking water resources. Martinez unveiled her plan to invest capital outlay funds in water infrastructure during a stop in Albuquerque on Tuesday.

The two-page bulletin is produced by the NM Tree Farm Committee. It contains a letter from the Executive Director, information on the State Inspector Program, and a message from the Chairman.

The NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) is soliciting surface water quality data and input on assessment methodologies to develop the 2014- 2016 State of New Mexico CWA §303(d)/ §305(b) Integrated Report (Assessment Protocols). SWQB is specifically soliciting chemical, physical, biological, bacteriological, and toxicological data for all surface waters of the state that can be compared to water quality standards published in 20.6.4 NMAC. SWQB is also soliciting comment on the draft Assessment Protocols, available at: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/swqb/protocols/2014. Data packages and comments on the draft Assessment Protocols will be accepted from March 20, 2013, until the close of business on April 18, 2013. Please see the attached Public Notice for additional details. Contact: Lynette Guevara Assessment Coordinator NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau (505) 827.2904 www.nmenv.state.nm.us/swqb/303d-305b

Albuquerque, NM, June 19, 2018 – While some portions of Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands received up to two inches of rain last weekend, it was not enough to lower the fire danger significantly. Forest fuels are quickly drying out again and the extended weather forecast calls for continued very hot and dry conditions. A substantial amount of precipitation will be needed before the current fire restrictions can be lifted. To reduce the risk of human caused fires and to ensure the safety of fire fighters, the public, and our precious natural resources, please observe the following restrictions: • The Mountainair Ranger District will remain in full closure, including all Forest Service roads, trails, and picnic areas. • The Sandia Ranger District remains closed, including all Forest Service roads, trails, and picnic areas except for Foothills Trail #365, the Sandia Peak Tram, and the Sandia Ranger District Administrative site which includes the Tijeras Pueblo, trail, and programs. • Stage II fire restrictions remain in place on the Mount Taylor and Magdalena Ranger Districts and the Kiowa-Rita Blanca National Grasslands. To learn more about New Mexico fire restrictions, visit https://firerestrictions.us/nm/ . Fire updates are also posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com.

Deadline Extended to November 10 - The International Association of Fire Chiefs , National Association of State Foresters, National Fire Protection Association and USDA Forest Service are now accepting nominations for the 2018 Wildfire Mitigation Awards

Public invited to comment on proposed changes to water quality standards for Lower Rio Ruidoso and Upper Tio Hondo

The Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project won the People's Choice award in a national Solution Search competition hosted by the nonprofit Rare. Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project Operations Specialist Mark Brehl accepted the award in Washington D.C. on Monday.