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The related article is relevant to the discussion of long-term waste disposal of nuclear material.

You hit the nail on the head David. Thanks for providing the most realistic arguement yet about why WIPP was conceived in the first place.

There is no water at WIPP, the water has been gone for at least a million years, hence the term ancient salt beds.  Just the salt from the ancient sea remains.  The WIPP site is not a source for salinated water.

Underground disposal in a stable underground location is much better then above ground storage on the mesa that receives more lightning strikes than just about any place in New Mexico.  Not to mention that the waste is directly upstream from the Rio Grande.

We can't just wish those drums away, their presence is real.  The fact that they have to dealt with is also real.  Even if nuclear activities stopped at LANL today, those drums are still real and need to be dealt with.

You have a point, but WIPP is a far better place for this than Area G.

 

1) So, according to Sue Stiger, the Lab's assoc. Director of Environmental Programs... LANL gets to reduce it's nuclear waste load, and it's better for the environment. Whose environment? What about the Carlsbad area, where the giant dump WIPP is located? Does it get to make the same claim? Actually it's merely shifting  radioactive toxic waste from one location to another, within our states borders. "Out of sight, out of mind".

2) And these buried dumps are located in the same ancient salt-beds, about one mile down, that will be a proposed future source for (desalinated) drinking water here in New Mexico, once we deplete our relatively clean aquifers?  My, my. Great idea.

I can't believe the City of SF is busting the balls of one of - if not THE - most generous businesses in town. Let the councilors pay for all signage from now on. Unreal!

Uh, 15 feet high?  Wouldn't something car or truck level make more sense?

If the council is not careful they could possibly repeat past mistakes . . . again and again. Can they say "Maloof Family"? Please don't chase away another big donor. Some of them actually want to give to the community, not just to political campaigns.

Just put the street number on the building and print it in the phone book.

Isn't there a local bank that caters to the needs of politicians?  Maybe they can have them sponsor the sign.

We don't need no stinking sign.

How dare LANB advertise on a sign for which they pay.  Have they no heart?  The city should use my hard earned money to pay for our own sign to advertise Santa Fe.

Actually I think the sign will cost $40,000, logo or not.

I agree. If the city wants a $15,000 sign with no LANB logo, let them have it.

LANB should back out of the deal. Let Santa Fe spend taxpayer money on their own []sign.

What a bunch of ingrates...

By Richard Glenn
(Submitted: 10/03/2007 6:53 am)
"How come there weren't activists trying to prevent the buliding of this store?

Which leads me to this -- it's clear that activists are only against destroying Wal-Mart.

Which, in turn, exposes them for what they are -- hypocritical."

By Mike Valdez
(Submitted: 10/03/2007 11:40 am) 
"Richard, well said."

Actually, not very well said at all.  There is absolutely no comparison between the business practices of WalMart and Kohl's, nor are they anywhere close in terms of their negative impact on American workers, our towns, small businesses, and our economy.  So to imply that they are the same, and therefore that some are hypocritical for not criticizing Kohl's, is a really, really, ignorant thing to say.  Anyone who would say such a thing is either grossly uninformed on the subject, or they just have a political axe to grind.

Funny, I don't see any posts that are against KOHLS being in SFnor do I remember a rule that says opinions on this forum are restricted to the Santa Fe Public Only Please reference.....

On a positive note, I glad to finally see KOHLS put up a stoe in SF. Before it went up in ABQ we would have to drive to El Paso to shop at KOHLS, and it was always worth the drive. All knids of nice cloths at reasonable prices, especially mens cloths. Decent cloths for men are pretty hard to come by, unless you consider JC Penny a fashion store, Which I don't.

Which leads me to this -- it's clear that activists are only against destroying Wal-Mart.

Which, in turn, exposes them for what they are -- hypocritical.

Richard, well said.

I only saw one post against this store and the person doesn't even live in Santa Fe.

i can hardley wait to check it out.... They should bring Old Navy back!

Great!  Thanks Al. Maybe they have some nice aprons I can wear out dancing.

They have good kitchen departments.

There really isn't a store in the state that has any style.  I'd pay the higher prices if I could find decent fashions.  As it is I'm wearing stuff I bought years ago in California, Phoenix, Denver. BTW the woman in the pic isn't wearing a halter top. It's a dreadful bustier that is unsuitable for a human.

Welcome to Santa Fe Kohl's.  Now I don't have to travel to Reno to shop at a Kohl's. 

Too bad Kohl's doesn't have fine art and a couple of intimate coffee houses.  You can't get anything in Santa Fe.

If you don't like the store don't shop there nothing to difficult about that.

Hello from Kohl's home state of Wisconsin. Wisconsinites are very fond of Kohl's which was founded by a family that has been here for ages -- and produced a U.S. senator besides (Herb Kohl). As a former Santa Fe resident, I can imagine the people there will love the store. The only comparable deals I got in NM were at Ross Dress For Less at DeVargas Mall.

Actually, Kohls is pretty nice.  Their clearance sales are downright amazing.  When the stores are new, it feels like Mervyns but after about 2 months or so they start marking clothes down to clearance prices.  I've purchased really nice slacks for work at Kohls for $10, shirts sometimes as low as $5.  I'm glad to see they brought it to town.  It never hurts to have another choice when you're trying to save some money.

kOHLS another store full of overpriced shoddy merchandise.

How come there weren't activists trying to prevent the buliding of this store? What about the extra water that the facility and employees would use? What about the displaced groundhogs? What about the extra traffic? What about the extra air pollution? What about the slave-like working conditions for the unfortunate folks who were forced into working there?

I don't know about you, but I sure didn't see any of that going on.

Which leads me to this -- it's clear that activists are only against destroying Wal-Mart.

Which, in turn, exposes them for what they are -- hypocritical.

I looked at boots there.  Used and expensive. Nice guy running it.  From NYC so we do a little of that back and forth.  But, hey, those boots are aimed at the tourist crowd.  I guess I must have really moved here for good when I go downtown and see tourists dressed in cowboy hats, boots, and so laden with turquoise (from China) that they are staggering out of their B&Bs and I think they are seriously silly looking.  I used to get my used boots cheap on Rodeo Road but she is gone and taken over by expensive stuff from the place next door.  I hear there is a place in Madrid that has used boots.  Anyone know about it?. 

Buying boots for $20.00 and selling them for thousands is ridiculous allright ! I sure would like to have some of them "ridiculous boots" !!!!!!!

Hopefully people who spend thousands of dollars on boots are making similar contributions to worthy charities.

People buy things because they CAN....it doesn't make it any less ridiculous. Too bad good old common sense is not available to be purchased, there are some people out there who could use a good dose.

Michael Vick bought 130 cars. 

Renee go check this place out! ....ps theres and excellent dress shop near by...you'll love it!

How ridiculous is owning 50 to 100 pairs of boot.  Oh please!

The Lunch with a Punch at Tomasita's is at 12:45!

Please RSVP to 988-3279

The Lunch with a Punch at Tomasita's is at 12:45!

Please RSVP to 988-3279

This project is getting some "long-distance" attention, given a "similar" project in this area.  I thought you might like to see what it looks like from the outside-in, so to speak.

From the Az Republic:  http://tinyurl.com/2ff3n7  

PC, there was a gentleman, now deceased, who used to decorate those trees.  Such beauty is now gone.

If Coss is successful in keeping the train out of Santa Fe, he would have done that at quite a cost, the loss of those wild Christmas trees.

We followed his lead and decorated a tree by the El Dorado exit one year.  We got lots of honks and waves.  Plus we got rid of all those ornaments that people think we should have.  We only hang handmade ornaments on our domesticated Christmas tree.

Hee!  (wild Christmas trees).

They should have objected before crews started to rip out those wild Christmas trees. 

Yup, Dave knows trains.  And freighters always get priority on them there tracks.

Dave Nelson.  Great Point.  The tracks ARE the cat bird seat so to speak.  

He who owns the tracks controls the tracks. Lots of money can be made from leasing those tracks to others. That was actually quite a coup getting those tracks.

That's a good observation there, Bill T. @ 4:56pm thu. There was mention in the media, sometime ago, about Richardson's connection with the Eaves Ranch folks. It was already proposed, by an engineer who probably no longer works for the state, the route you mentioned, made more sense, topograhically. Trains can only do a minimal amount of incline (vertical feet per distance) If you remember that silly T.V. ad with Richardson all dolled-up in that cowboy suit, squashing the poor horse he rode off on, after ordering "milk" at the bar.... that commercial was shot at the Eaves Ranch. Also, why was it necessary for the state taxpayers to spend at least 75 Million dollars to "purchase" the rail line all the way to Las Vegas? And now the responsibility, and liability, for maintaining the line now lies with the state. Even though all the usual freight traffic, and Amtrak, still travels there as normal. Why couldn't the RailRunner have leased "track miles" from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Co. as does any other rail engine/train that wants to pass thru that section of track? Smells like late night whiskey and cigars back in the "caboose" , working out a deal to pay BNSF $75million, (minus kickbacks, of ?$millions) . How much now is Amtrak and Burlington Northern, et al, now paying the State of New Mexico for their use of "our" (the taxpayers) rail line? Do you really expect this administration to give a straight and clear accounting? I've got a bridge for sale, by the way,

I am originally from Santa Fe so this hesitation for change does not surprise. I live in Metro Denver where we have light rail and we taxpayesrs recently approved a wad of cash for more light rail and commuter rail to exurb cities like Boulder and to Denver International Airport (which is a commute all its own). I travel from work to to teach at a College downtown and I use the light rail. Moving from Albuquerque here three years ago, I can say that the train is one of the luxurues I love most. I've driven between Santa Fe and Albuquerque more times than I could possibly remember and it never fails that some idiot causes a wreck that sends traffic into turmoil. I cannot tell you how many times I detoured through Bernalillo to get home because of an accident. My point is that, yes, it will slow you down while under construction. That is the price of progress unfortunately. On the other hand, you should open your mind to it. When all 12 lanes of I-25 are clogged and I'm cruising alongside on the light rail, then it really hits me as to what the benefit is. I get to school relaxed versus stressed out from the commute. Also, some people (like my mom) can't and won't drive to Albuquerque so this opens a safe, viable alternative for people to travel between the two cities. It's time to let progress take foot. Your traffic is horrible in Santa Fe, worse than here, yet everyone seems to be content staying stuck with the status quo. Maybe this is why New Mexico lags behind other states on almost everything except DUIs.

Gems from the OFFICIAL feasibility study of the Raming Runner excuse me the Rail Runner or maybe its the Road Runner it will sure destroy enough

While some accidents are likely to result from the proposed project, because
of the safety devises and operating procedures, any increase in accidents is expected to be minor.

Tell that to the people who have already been killed

While crash frequency for a new transportation project is difficult to predict, the existing commuter rail
service operating within the Albuquerque region provides a reasonable basis for predicting the type and
frequency of accidents that could result from the proposed project. Commuter rail service has been
operating between Albuquerque and Belen since February of 2007 and between Albuquerque and
Bernalillo since July 2006. During this time, no accidents involving the Rail Runner and cars or
pedestrians have occurred.

So now we have three dead that means the prediction for the more complex SF portion is 10 - 15 a year


The Build Alternative has the potential to result in a higher number of accidents than the No-Action
Alternative because of: (1) the increase in train operations on the existing BNSF and SFS track
segments; and (2) the introduction of new train service within the new construction segment.

GEE that makes me feel better


Project Alternatives
Several alternatives to the proposed project were considered including highway widening strategies,
highway system management strategies, and lane management strategies. In addition, several rail
alternatives using different routes were considered and evaluated. Based on analyses conducted by the
NMDOT and MRCOG and input from the public, the No-Action and one Build Alternative were advanced
for further study and are evaluated in this EA.

neither DOT or MRCOG has ever designed and built or operated a Railroad so how the heck would they know


Moderate impacts from train locomotives and wheel/track noise would extend approximately 65
feet from the track centerline. In Santa Fe, several noise sensitive land uses are within 65 feet of
the proposed track centerline including residential neighborhoods between Siringo Road and St.
Michaels Drive and between San Mateo Drive and Alta Vista Street. Approximately 163
residential dwellings are within the 60 Ldn noise contour for moderate impacts. Because the
impact level is moderate, mitigation of train/track noise is not necessary. However, mitigation of
noise from train warning horns at street crossings will be provided.

The acoustical measurement of the current service is over 90db so this is baloney


The proposed project would have short-term nuisance impacts related to noise, dust, and lighting
during construction. Some disruption of traffic flow on I-25 and the arterial streets within Santa Fe
would also occur. These impacts will be short-term and are an unavoidable consequence of
construction. Measures to reduce construction-phase impacts will be included in construction bid
documents.

Trust us, Yea right ,across Santa Fe - Get outa here

Train operating speeds would be a maximum
of 79 miles per hour in rural areas and 35 miles per hour within the urbanized parts of Santa Fe.

Wow the Sf bit is slower than the Lamy route of 40 mph

1. Additional general purpose lanes on I-25 would increase the vehicle capacity in the I-25 corridor.
However, this alternative would not provide an alternative to auto travel and would be subject to
delays caused by accidents and incidents.
2. The TSM alternative would have the lowest cost but would do little to ease congestion on I-25,
would not improve mobility during incidents, and would not provide an alternative to automobile
travel.
NM Rail Runner Environmental Assessment 2-1
Project Alternatives
3. HOV lanes on I-25 would provide a cost-effective solution to improve travel within the I-25
corridor. However, it would still require travel within the I-25 corridor and would be subject to
delays caused by accidents, incidents, and weather.
4. The commuter rail alternative that travels through Lamy would be cost-effective. However,
because it requires considerable out-of-direction travel, the travel time would be over 23 minutes
longer than the commuter rail alternative that follows the Community District alignment. The
additional travel time would limit its competitiveness with auto travel and reduce ridership
potential.
5. The commuter rail alternative that follows the Community District alignment would be costeffective,
would provide a practical alternative to automobile travel, and would achieve short-term
and long-term transportation needs of the Albuquerque to Santa Fe transportation corridor.

This is unbelievable but then again how would they know

Each of the alignment alternatives and optional routes were developed at a schematic design level to
establish their horizontal and vertical alignments. At this phase of the evaluation, engineering data was
limited to a sketch planning level of detail and assumed a maximum operating speed of 79 miles per hour.

OH wonderfully they did not use terrain mapping or modeling procedures and think La Bajada is flat but that will sure beat my Volvo up the hill

Thus, the proposed project
would result in the conversion of 189 acres of private property to right-of-way for the railway and
associated infrastructure in the new construction segment.

Get ready for some juicy lawsuits

Originally, the right-of-way width for the SFS varied from 75 to 200 feet, depending
on location, with most locations having a width of 100 feet or more. However, because of land exchanges
in recent years, the existing right-of-way was reduced to as little as 30 feet in one short segment and 40
feet in a second segment,

Wow lets play dodge the train

Because the railway will be within 40 feet of the roadway shoulders, highway clear zone requirements will
not be met (typically 40 feet under the corridor conditions). For this reason, guide rail (or concrete wall
barrier in locations near bridge structures) will be needed for the project segment from the vicinity of
Canada de Santa Fe to just north of the NM 14/Cerrillos Road Interchange.

and again and again

To avoid acquisition of additional right-of-way, the construction of an
interchange at Richards Avenue might require shifting the existing mainline into the median. Should this
become necessary, ample width is available in the median to allow the reconstruction of the interstate
mainline without encroaching on the track section. Exhibit 3-1 illustrates a simple diamond interchange
configuration at this location.

next time you drive down Richards to the college pause under the bridge and see if you can imagine this incredible idea

Safety
The potential safety impacts of the proposed project include conflicts between trains and motor vehicles
and trains and pedestrians. Typically, these types of conflicts are associated with at-grade roadway
crossings, although conflicts with pedestrians could occur in other areas.
The Build Alternative has the potential to result in a higher number of accidents than the No-Action
Alternative because of: (1) the increase in train operations on the existing BNSF and SFS track
segments; and (2) the introduction of new train service within the new construction segment. The
greatest potential for safety impacts are the result of:
• Conflicts between trains and automobiles at the existing at-grade crossings through the three
pueblos and at the at-grade crossings along the SFS alignment in Santa Fe.
• Conflicts between users of the existing Rail Trail that is parallel to the SFS segment in Santa Fe.
With the exception of the SFS segment, the potential for train/pedestrian conflicts is expected to be low.

Oh WOW more ways to kill people

The increase in train operations has the potential to disrupt traffic flow on arterial streets in two ways: (1)
additional delay for motorists at track crossings while they wait for trains to pass; and (2) traffic queues at
signalized intersections that encroach into the track corridor and traffic queues at train crossings that
extend into adjacent street intersections.

Just what we need fast trains slowing everything

The Build Alternative is not expected to cause operational problems at any intersection, although the
existing problems at one intersection may be exacerbated.

St Francis turm off no less the MAIN 285 road

At the critical intersection of Cerrillos Road and St. Francis Drive, overall intersection delay could
increase.

And worse

The queuing analyses indicate that queue encroachments could be problematic at several locations
including:
• Zia Road – At Zia Road, eastbound queues at the intersection of Zia Road and St. Francis Drive
may extend to the at-grade crossing of the rail tracks at Zia. Also, the westbound queues at the
rail crossing may extend to the signalized intersection at St. Francis. If the optional alignment is
pursued in this area, signal pre-emption will be included in the signal system at St. Francis and
Zia, making any queues coincident with queues at the intersection.
• Siringo Road – At this location, conflicts may occur in the eastbound direction due to traffic
queues at the tracks extending into the intersection of Siringo and 5th Street and in the westbound
direction due to queues at the 5th Street intersection extending to the rail crossing.
• St. Michael’s Drive – The analyses suggest that the westbound approach to the St. Michael’s
Drive railroad crossing should be monitored once the commuter rail service is operating to
determine if railroad/traffic signal traffic control systems are needed at the Calle Lorca
intersection.
• St. Francis Drive/Cerrillos Road Intersection – Signal preemption is currently provided at the St.
Francis Drive/Cerrillos Road intersection. The need for upgrades and appropriate revisions to the
existing preemption system at this intersection should be assessed during project design.
Once the commuter rail service is in place an assessment will be done to assess the traffic
benefits/impacts associated with the service.

Lets block the roads then figure how to fix them I think this is really brilliant

Therefore, community cohesion is not discussed
further in this environmental assessment.

Why would they care indeed

The evaluation of noise impact did not include the reduction of noise from train warning horns that would
result from the Build Alternative.

Oh good 200 tones of silent flying steel

The findings of the
initial investigations identified seven species with federal agency status that could occur within the
habitats found within or adjacent to the project area.

Hey your going to kill people who cares about some endangered species it only 7 types

The Build Alternative would impact the wetland habitat at both Alamo Creek and the seep north of
Alamo Creek. The area impacted would permanently affect a portion of the Alamo Creek wetland habitat
and the entire habitat associated with the seep. The total wetland habitat lost as a consequence of the
project is expected to be less than 0.06 acres.
The Build Alternative would also impact several arroyos that cross the project area. Impacts to these
drainages would mostly result from fill placed within the channels although several locations would
require excavation of channels to construct drainage culverts. Based on preliminary design plans, the
amount of dredge and fill in jurisdictional waters would require a Section 404 permit from the USACE

No No just fill the wetlands in who cares about the Feds

The Build Alternative has the potential to affect the Los Cerrillos Mining District, the Camino Real de
Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, and the Santa Fe Southern Railway Historic District. The Los
Cerrillos Mining District is currently listed on the New Mexico SRCP (SR 273). Its significance is related
to the long history of mining activities associated with the Cerrillos Hills and the representation of several
historic mining techniques.

Hey Its only history who cares

Consultation with the New Mexico SHPO and Native American Tribes is underway. Consultation with
these entities will be used to make a final determination of effect on the cultural resources discussed
above. After comments from these groups and the public are received, a plan to mitigate adverse effects
to cultural resources will be developed by the NMDOT and implemented during the project design and
construction phases.

You mean if they find something then tell the Pueblos after its dug up and moved it , interesting move

The effect of train operations on traffic in Santa Fe will be evaluated after the trains have been in
service for 12 months. If necessary, measures to mitigate traffic impacts caused by the train (as
determined by the follow-up evaluation) will be implemented by the NMDOT.

Wow how novel screw up santa fe traffic then wait a year then maybe two to fix it

there is lots lots more fluff but its the best fiction about waste you have ever read

While this may seem a "victory" of openness, it in fact shows the depth of the problem which the Bush administration has created since 9/11.   The purpose and intent of the FOIA Act is that citizens have a right to examine the workings of their government.    It was passed after a series of events, including the Nixon crimes, that showed that the government was violating the rights of its citizens.   The only "cure" for this is to insist on openness. 

FOIA does allow for lawsuits to obtain access to information, but only as a last resort.   The language, and intent, of the Act is that a citizen can walk in the door, ask to see information, and have it given them.   Having to sue to obtain the information essentially makes it unavailable to most people.    This problem could be media would aggressively pursue access, but the don't.

This suit does not show that the system works, it shows that it is broken.   Seventeen months to get information that, under Clinton, was freely available.

Mr. May's comment perhaps plays well with far too many people, but it must be rejected.   The number one threat to our freedoms has always been our own government.   The founders knew that, and the Constitution takes those considerations very seriously.    Perhaps he should read "1984" and note the disturbing similarites with our present situation.   We are rapidly becoming the land of the un-free, not entitled to any information which the "powers" find inconvenient.    Recovery from this horror is uncertain. 

Freedom of information is fine but would it help potential terrorists?

Chris Mechels- great suggestions! 

Does LANL have to use local vendors for supplies?