August 2008 - PUBLIC EDITION

• Clandestine
• ACHMM "10 X 10" Member Recruiting Drive
• Committee News
  • Government Affairs and Local News Stories
• Upcoming Meetings and Events
• Monthly Meeting Location
• Job Openings
• NMSHMM Officers and Committee Chairs

Clandestine
Brian Pence, CHMM
Assaigai Analytical Laboratories, Inc.

Greetings NMSHMM,

I want to take this opportunity to thank Stephen Connolly, New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Emergency Response Coordinator, for his presentation about the state Clandestine Drug Lab Program. Although the local presence of clandestine drug labs has decreased, the problem is still pervasive, and the NMED has taken comprehensive steps toward making sure the remnants of these labs are cleaned up properly.

Our monthly luncheon will be Wednesday, August 20, at 11:30am at the Uptown Bar & Grill. Our speaker this month will be Bryan Adams of WDC Exploration and Wells. Bryan will be presenting "Drilling 101". Ever wonder how those monitoring wells work? Please join us and learn more this month. I hope to see you there.

The Holiday Social may still be a few months away, however, the board is starting to plan for this event now and we are looking for ideas for this year's event. So, if you have an idea for a great place to meet, eat, and have some fun, please let us know. As always, I can be contacted at . Thank you.

Be safe!!

Sincerely,
Brian

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ACHMM "10 X 10" Member Recruiting Drive
Sandra Martin, CHMM
NMED Hazardous Waste Bureau

The Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM) is seeking to improve membership retention and new membership by a membership recruiting drive. Only 40% of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMM's) are members of the Academy. The recruitment drive will feature new membership types, improved professional growth opportunity and financial growth to the National Organization and the Local chapters.

The "10 by 10" Recruiting Drive has set a goal to increase the membership 10,000 by 2010. Other objectives include increasing chapter size by 30% and increasing the number of chapters by 10%. Overall, the "10 by 10" Recruiting Drive will result in an increase in ACHMM revenues and the efficiency of Academy operations. Increased buying power will work to further solidify ACHMM's highly regarded standing in the environmental health and safety community, increase state and federal recognition, and improve industry recognition. The power of numbers will increase awareness of the credentials, enhance professionalism and offer increased member benefits.

The initial campaign started in November 2007. The ACHMM generates a report based on results quarterly member recruit memberships and new applicants. (The quarterly results are posted on the ACHMM website.) In April 2008, the Chapter Devolvement liaisons participated in conference training and were offered assistance from the National Membership Services Committee to discuss chapter and individual goals, initiatives, and awards. National awards include numerous chapter awards and recognition at the ACHMM National Conference and business meeting. Individuals recruiting members qualify for the quarterly $100 prizes, 1-year ACHMM dues paid and free registration to the ACHMM National Conference and recognition. The prizes will be awarded Quarterly - January 31, 2008 through January 31, 2011. The drive concludes at the Victory Celebration, 2011 ACHMM National Conference.

The "10 by 10" Recruiting Drive initiative will secure a successful future for the ACHMM.

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Committee News

Government Affairs and Local News Stories
Compiled by Eric Johnson, AICP, CHMM

The following are news stories reported during the past month:

• The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department received a $4 million grant for abandoned mine reclamation. Most of the money will be used mainly on coal mines to close mine openings and remove environmental and safety hazards. (Albuquerque Journal, 6-29-08)
   
• In a major decision on water well drilling in New Mexico, Judge J.S. Robinson, of the Sixth Judicial District in Silver City, ruled that when individuals drill domestic water wells, the effects of the well on water supplies must be considered. The New Mexico constitution states that first users of water in a region have the highest priority water rights. In this court case, Horace and Jo Bounds, members of a four generation family that has farmed near the Mimbres River, sued the State Engineer because permitted domestic well drilling in the region was reducing their entitled water supply. State Engineer John D'Antonio has warned state officials that the domestic well rule is probably unconstitutional, but efforts to pass a legislative fix have failed. (Albuquerque Journal, 7-12-08)
   
• A jet fuel leak from an old underground fuel line at Kirtland Air Force Base has contaminated groundwater in Ridgecrest neighborhood of Albuquerque. The Air Force budgeted $2.8 million for drilling monitoring wells to determine the extent of the jet fuel plume. Initial evaluation by the New Mexico Environment Department determined that the contamination would take more than 25 years to reach any drinking water wells (Albuquerque Journal, 7-12-08 and 7-17-08)
   
• The Bureau of Land Management dismissed protests by the Western Environmental Law Center and Wild Earth Guardians regarding greenhouse emissions from oil and gas production on leased land. The Bureau of Land Management responded that they address greenhouse gases in their environmental assessments. (Albuquerque Journal, 7-12-08)
   
• Governor Bill Richardson signed an executive order extending the ban on oil and gas drilling activities in Santa Fe County. Rio Arriba County officials have expressed similar concerns about oil and gas drilling, but the New Mexico Oil and Gas Conservation Division continues to review the county's oil and gas permit applications since Rio Arriba County currently has thousands of active wells. Nevertheless, the Oil and Conservation Division revoked an Approach Operating LLC oil drilling permit for areas near the headwaters of Tierra Amarilla Creek along US 64. Approach Operating LLC intended to sue Rio Arriba County over their drilling moratorium, but the firm dropped their suit pending Governor Richardson's decision to have the Oil and Conservation Division develop new rules for eastern Rio Arriba County that consider water resources and traditional water uses. (Albuquerque Journal, 7-16-08. 7-19-08, and 7-30-08; Santa Fe New Mexican, 7-18-08)
   
• Waste shipments from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) were placed on hold pending an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review of a waste drum that contained liquids. The Department of Energy believes it has corrected the problem that resulted in the mistaken shipment. The shipments have resumed as of August 2. (Albuquerque Journal, 7-24-08 and 8-2-08)
   
• The New Mexico Game Commission approved hunting of the lesser prairie-chicken, a bird that was a candidate for Endangered Species Act listing. Lesser prairie-chicken population declined to about 3,000 in 2001 but is currently estimated at 8,000. In the 1950's, the lesser prairie-chicken population was estimated to be 40,000 to 50,000. (Albuquerque Journal, 7-26-08)
   
• A new coalition called Partners for a Clean New Mexico has formed and will work to reduce illegal dumping through cleanups, educational programs to encourage recycling and proper trash disposal, and increased law enforcement. In just one year, the New Mexico State Land Office spent $900,000 to clean up trash on state trust lands, and the New Mexico Department of Transportation spend $5.5 million collecting litter along state roadways. The new coalition includes the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Services, New Mexico State Land Office, New Mexico Association of Counties, New Mexico Municipal League, Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, New Mexico Recycling Coalition, New Mexico Environment Department, New Mexico Department of Transportation, New Mexico Department of Tourism, New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs, and New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. (Albuquerque Journal, 7-29-08)
   
• The EPA issued an air permit for the Desert Rock Power Plant proposed near Burnham on the Navajo Nation. "The Desert Rock Power Plant will be one of the cleanest pulverized coal-burning power plants in the country," said EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri. Governor Richardson responded, "EPA is bending to the will of corporate, financial and misguided political interests that will pollute New Mexico's skies. (Farmington Daily Times, 8-1-08)

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Upcoming Meetings & Events

August 19, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

August 20, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, 6601 Uptown Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Bryan Adams, of WDC Exploration and Wells, will present "Drilling 101."

September 2, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

September 7-10, ACHMM National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. See ACHMM website at: www.achmm.org for more information.

September 16, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

September 17, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, 6601 Uptown Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

October 7, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

October 14, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

October 15, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, 6601 Uptown Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

October 18-20, New Mexico Environmental Health Conference at the Radison Hotel in Albuquerque, on Carlisle at I-40. For more information, visit the conference web site at: www.nmehc.net. 

November 4, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

November 18, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

November 19, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, 6601 Uptown Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

November 17-19 Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) Course (formerly the ACHMM National Overview Course) at the NMED District 1 office, 5500 San Antonio Dr. NE, Albuquerque. Contact Paul Karas, NMSHMM Education/Professional Development Committee Chair, at 505-243-3200 or  if you are interested in learning more about the EHMM, volunteering to assist with running the EHMM, or in being considered as an instructor.

Did we miss something? To get your event added to the calendar please contact Eric Johnson at .

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Monthly Meeting Location

Our regular monthly meetings are held at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill (6601 Uptown Boulevard Northeast; click here for a map). Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month (unless replaced by a special event as announced via this newsletter) from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm. If you have any ideas for speakers or field trips, please contact a NMSHMM board member.

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Job Openings

For the latest job openings, please click here.  (MEMBERS ONLY)

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NMSHMM OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

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Please send contributions for future newsletters to Eric Johnson at . Thanks!

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