Natural Gas Exploration in Baca on Hold Until Ruling
CRESTONE – Toronto-based Lexam Explorations has agreed not to drill for gas on the Baca National Wildlife Refuge until a federal judge rules on an environmental groups’ request for a preliminary injunction on drilling.
The groups are seeking an injunction to block any ground-disturbing activity on the 92,500-acre refuge until the lawsuit is resolved.
SLV Briefs by Marcia Darnell
BZZZZZZ
It was Bee Hell at the Big R in Alamosa. A driver left a flatbed truck carrying bee hives in the parking lot overnight. The morning sun woke the bees, who swarmed a parked car. A tow truck arrived and called for reinforcements from nearby honey farms to lure the bees into containers. Spectators watched the all-day operation from a safe distance.
Enviro Notes
Apparently new access to the Baca Refuge isn’t a hot-button issue. A public meeting to accept comments on the plan drew almost no one. The alternatives include access only via foot or horseback, and limited motor access. Officials from Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Rio Grande National Forest said the low turnout indicates public confidence in their plans.
In Creede, the town board adopted a land-use plan – an important step toward annexation – for the Willow Creek floodplain. The 156 acres south of town need cleanup from mining debris.
2009 has been the Valley’s best water year in a long time, according to officials. The rivers are healthy, reservoirs are full, and the Valley has been able to meet its Rio Grande Compact obligations easily.
Re-Wham!
There was yet another train-vehicle collision in the Valley. This time it was a Pontiac Bonneville that crossed the railroad tracks unsafely in Alamosa. The train, belonging to the San Luis & Rio Grande, was traveling at about 40 mph. No one was injured.
Brief Briefs
• The death of South Fork Police Chief Robert Harris, 51, was ruled a suicide. In Arcata, Calif., former Alamosa City Manager Mike Hackett, 58, succumbed to cancer.
• A U.S. District judge ordered Alamosa School District to reinstate Candy Wilson as associate principal of Alamosa High. Wilson was demoted in 2004 due to a disability. She will collect back pay as well as $200,000 in damages.
• Coors Barley Field Day in Center was extra special this year – Bill Coors, 90, grandson of Adolph Coors, spoke at a ceremony honoring the brewery’s barley growers.
• The Adams Street Emporium opened in Monte Vista, offering booths to start-up businesses for a small fee.
• Splashland may be tossed a lifesaver. The natural-spring swimming pool closed last year due to decay and low funding, but a Loveland non-profit has indicated interest in buying the 50-year-old facility. Ecolonomics may buy the pool for the amount of the debt it owes, in excess of $100,000.
• Monte Vista native Camila Alire is the new head of the American Library Association, the first Latina to head the organization.
• The SLV Museum in Alamosa pleaded for more money from the Marketing District Board. Without at least $15,000, the facility may close this fall.
• Residents of Wagon Wheel Mobile Home Park in Alamosa are on bottled water after their well was found to be tainted.
• La Jara Trading Post opened Alamosa Building Supply at the site of the closed Stock Building Supply.
• The Alamosa Police Department will get $163,000 in stimulus money for more cops and training.
• Alamosa city council member Josef Lucero threw his hat in the ring for mayor.
• Ashley Maestas, sophomore at Adams State College, was named the Latin American Educational Foundation student of the year. The aspiring med student now has a scholarship to the college of her choice.
• The SLV Development Resources Group moved into new digs at the renovated depot on Sixth Street.
• Kurt Cary is the interim superintendent of Centennial School District in San Luis. He previously served as a consultant to that school board.
• This year’s Billy Adams Award was presented to Glen Bean, ASC class of ‘36. ASC gives the award annually to one who has shown commitment to the college’s growth.
• Adams State named Dr. Richard Duran its Outstanding Alumnus for 2009. Dr. Duran is president of Oxnard College in Ventura County, Calif.
• The contract of Dr. David Svaldi, president of ASC, was renewed by the college’s board of trustees.
