State

SANTA FE—The public is invited to comment on the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s 8th amendment to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP.) 

The program will serve as a four year plan for the state’s federal aid highway program. The STIP contains proposed road and bridge projects and is required under the federal legislation. Projects on the list are on federal and state highways (roads with I, U.S. or NM designations).

The NMDOT has posted the 2012-2015 STIP amendment on the Internet asking for public comment until Thursday, June 20. In addition, NMDOT

Rep. Ben Ray Luján

The States Mineral Protection Act allows states the option of directly collecting their share of federal mineral royalties under the Mineral Leasing Act.

SANTA FE—The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities is pleased to announce that New Mexico is one step closer to receiving critical federal funding needed to maintain ongoing environmental management efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Last week, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the White House sent a reprogramming request to Congress in the amount of $19 million.

SFNF News:

• Forest announces 2013 season open recreation sites; Asks public to help keep forest clean

SANTA FE – Forest recreation specialists are currently busy preparing 54 campgrounds, trail heads and picnic areas for the summer season across the Santa Fe National Forest.

Hazard tree inspections, drinking water sampling, and general maintenance to facilities brought on by winter snow are being accomplished so that visitors can once again enjoy their national forests.

However, there will be a reduction in services at some sites.

VCNP News:

Thirteen years ago, July 25, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed the Valles Caldera Preservation Act, which created the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

To celebrate that occasion and the many accomplishments of past and present staff, volunteers and contributors, we will host the second annual Valles Caldera Preservation Act Celebration from July 25-28. A new addition to this year’s celebration will be the Jemez Valley Storytellers Jamboree July 27-28. Storytellers from across New Mexico will gather to share their tall tales and legends from the Land of

SANTA FE—Honoring Old Glory and those who have served to protect her are once again the focus of this year’s 18 annual Massing of the Colors Flag Day Ceremony in Santa Fe, which will be celebrated May 11 at the Santa Fe Veterans’ Memorial.

Flag Day is one of the oldest observed ceremonies in America. It commemorates the adoption of the first American Flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

The festivities get underway at 9 a.m. with a free concert by the New Mexico National Guard’s 44^th Army Band, followed at 9:30 a.m. by the ceremony. The host is the Santa Fe Chapter

NMDOT News:

Here’s a sobering statistic. New Mexico is first in the nation for children who have their first alcoholic drink before the age of 13. 

And that brings all sorts of consequences, including traffic crashes, brain damage and early alcohol addiction. It’s a tough battle that we face but will continue to fight. 

Monday May 6, Gov. Susana Martinez, the State of New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Transportation will unveil a new media public service campaign and a new website called MYINSTEAD.

QNM News:

Quality New Mexico is accepting applications for the 2013 Board of Examiners through May 10.

Examiners are volunteers who, working in teams, review applications submitted to the New Mexico Performance Excellence Awards program, administered by Quality New Mexico.

The awards program recognizes New Mexico business, government, education, health care and nonprofit organizations for their commitment, progress, or achievement in performance excellence.