Better protects hundreds of stream miles

The New Mexico Environment Department recently made significant improvements to the accuracy of mapped streams, resulting in better representation - and better protection - of hundreds of additional miles of streams in the state.

The higher-resolution GIS layer, built using National Hydrography Dataset Plus High Resolution data, captures more of the actual stream sinuosity (curves and bends) and extends higher into the watershed to better represent true stream length. With the higher resolution, New Mexico’s assessed stream length increased from 7,832 miles to 8,647 miles.

“Surface water resources are more precious here than most other...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a key hearing to consider pending legislation Sept. 16, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., talked about how his legislation to designate portions of the Gila River as Wild and Scenic would permanently protect the river’s free-flowing segments, attract more visitors to southwestern, New Mexico and grow the outdoor recreation industry.

Heinrich championed efforts with local outdoor businesses, advocacy groups and Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., to draft and introduce the M. H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act.

Hearing witness Jamie Crockett, co-owner of Gila Backcountry Services, highlighted in her testimony how the legislation would bolster the local...

SANTA FE — McKinley County is one of four New Mexico counties that have met the state’s required health conditions for eligibility to reopen in a hybrid mode.

The finding is based on the state’s updated COVID-19 map released Sept. 17.

The map shows McKinley, Hidalgo, Doña Ana and Curry counties have moved into the “green zone” – which indicates an acceptable rate of average daily cases and test positivity. The four counties were each identified as either yellow or red on the map issued two weeks ago.

Schools in these counties are now eligible to bring elementary students back for in-person learning in the hybrid model, assuming they have a Public Education...

closing its doors

Marathon Petroleum’s Gallup refinery is heading into its last days. The company expects to begin a phased reduction of staffing at the plant next month.

Sid Barth at Marathon’s home office in Findlay, Ohio told the Gallup Sun Sept. 2 that there are approximately 220 employees at the refinery and with the decision to indefinitely idle the refinery, and terminal, those positions will no longer be necessary.

“The decision is based on the company’s ongoing assessment of our operating costs and the competitive position of our assets, as well as our continued evaluation of the broader economic and financial impacts of COVID-19,” Barth stated in an...