After almost a two year battle to reopen Forest Road 40E west of Kingston to public access, we prevailed. The lock is removed and the entry to Middle Percha Canyon is opened with a permanent easement. This story reflects the joy felt by lovers of the canyon.
The Citizen republishes here Ben Neary’s article from the New Mexico Wildlife Federation’s website. There will be a follow up from Steve Morgan and Nichole Trushell on behalf of the Percha Creek Association, the other successful claimants in this litigation.
Opponents of a plan to conduct lower altitude military training flights in parts of western New Mexico and Arizona say that current operations are already impacting communities like Rodeo, New Mexico and Portal, Arizona.
Readers of the Citizen have gifted us with a cloudburst of generosity, and we are grateful for the healing waters in this desert land. This process of social relationship is an act of communication, which has just been discovered to function through all life forms.
Republication of article by "Capital & Main" in New Mexico Political Report, September 12, 2024. Its topic is the wastewater produced in fracking for gas and oil operations in New Mexico: its toxicity, the earthquakes produced by its injection into the ground, and the proposal to reuse it.
Attorneys for the state say that landowners are refusing to comply with a 2022 NM Supreme Court ruling allowing public access to rivers and streams. Republication of article by Danielle Prokop, of Source NM, September 6, 2024.
'Astonishing' Study Shows Infant Deaths Rise in US When Bat Populations Fall. Common Dreams has published an article examining the implications of this study. Ecologists assume that life on the planet is interconnected. While that makes sense, hard evidence has been slow to accumulate. This study seems a major demonstration.
The funds for the Citizen are down to the last few hundred dollars, enough to get us to October. But we hope readers will donate enough to get us through all of next year.
Three days ago, the summer grasses were pale and so dry. The alliums had come up thickly on the hills, but a very dry August kept them from blooming in the profusion as they usually do. The land was feeling fragile. Then the clouds opened up.
The city commission approved the recording of a survey map of city land at the Aug. 14 meeting, a first step in offering the land for sale. Mayor Rolf Hechler said they are still gathering information and they won't sell "until we know what we are selling it for."
This past year was occupied with many activities acknowledging the importance of the Gila Wilderness and its centennial. What was revealed was the interweaving of so many related topics all related to thinking about Wilderness. This article covers a new related program from the New Mexico Humanities Council.
