Digital Commons Network^™

How A Brownfield Redevelopment Planning Effort In Gallup Resulted In A New Regulation For Vapor Intrusion In New Mexico, Michelle G. Hunter

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

The Puerco River basin has, within its confines, one small city, Gallup, New Mexico. Gallup is located within close proximity to the Navajo Nation, and many Navajo Nation members live and work in Gallup and need affordable housing. A local Gallup non-profit proposed a multi-family housing development on a long-vacant, and blighted property in the middle of downtown Gallup. After several environmental assessment investigations, the developer discovered significant groundwater contamination, from an adjacent dry cleaner, that had the potential to migrate into the indoor air at the future housing facility. A series of brownfield assessment, planning, and cleanup efforts resulted …

An Update And Analysis Of The Corrales Bosque Preserve Vegetation Map, Brett Feldhahn

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

An updated vegetation map of the Corrales Bosque Preserve in Corrales, New Mexico was developed for this project using Hink and Ohmart community-structure survey protocol and vegetation classifications. The vegetation composition was analyzed and compared to the Middle Rio Grande Conservation Action Plan (MRG-CAP) rating criteria for dynamic mosaic vegetation, also known as the Dynamic Patch Mosaic (DPM). The DPM attribute indicates the mix of vegetation community types—the vegetation mosaic—that facilitates the best outcome for ecosystem resilience and biodiversity in the bosque. The updated vegetation community-structure types were used to classify each polygon into general vegetation types per the MRG-CAP, …

Post-Wildfire Peak Discharge Prediction Methods In Northern New Mexico, Jacqueline A. Ronstadt

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

Recent changes in climate have resulted in a decrease in precipitation and snowpack amounts and increased temperatures in the western United States. As the climate warms, there are also changes to runoff amounts and water availability. Drier and warmer conditions coupled with forest management practices have led to an increase in the frequency and size of forest fires. The 2000 Cerro Grande fire in Los Alamos, New Mexico burned over 43,000 acres and 200 structures. Eleven years later, the Las Conchas fire burned over 156,000 acres and 100 structures, including areas previously burned in 2000, and was considered the largest …

Draft Programmatic Agreement For Buildings And Structures At Cold War Era Dedicated Instrumentation Sites: White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Phillip S. Esser

Historic Preservation Capstone Projects

Since 1966, when the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was signed into law, federal agencies have been required to consider their impact to known or potential historic resources under their jurisdiction. As a potentially costly and onerous process for large government installations such as the military, the law allows for procedures known as “program alternatives” which allow federal agencies to streamline the requirements for inventorying and evaluating categories of, or similar resources (in this case, buildings and structures) for their potential as historic resources.

This Capstone project seeks to capture a category of such resources, building and structures at Cold …

Bodies Of Water: Politics, Ethics, And Relationships Along New Mexico's Acequias, Elise Trott

Anthropology ETDs

Growing public attention to global economic and environmental instability and collapse have brought new urgency to a classic activity of anthropology: looking for alternative economic and environmental models in other ways of life. This dissertation is a case study of the complex and sometimes contradictory ways in which New Mexico’s acequias (communally-managed irrigation ditches) are produced, experienced, and contested as an alternative form of living, creating community, and relating ethically to the environment. Drawing on over six years of participant observation and in-depth interviews with Nuevomexicano (Spanish- and Mexican-descendant), indigenous, and non-indigenous acequia users and organizers in North-Central New Mexico …

Aeromagnetic And Spectral Expressions Of Rare Earth Element Deposits In Gallinas Mountains Area, Central New Mexico, Usa, Mo Li

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The Gallinas Mountains located in the conjunction of Lincoln County and Torrance County, New Mexico, USA are a series of alkaline volcanic rocks intruded into Permian sedimentary rocks. The Gallinas Mountains area is known to host fluorite and copper as veins containing bastnasite while hydrothermally altered rocks associated with iron oxides have been found in the area as well. In this study, multispectral band ratio method was used for surface mineral interpretation by processing satellite image, while aeromagnetic inversion method was applied using aeromagnetic data, digital elevation model and physical properties for 2-D subsurface structure modeling. Bastnasite has higher magnetic …

Middle Rio Grande Surface And Well Water Quality And The Health Implications To Humans, Juan Carlos Peña-Philippides

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

This professional project reviews the water quality along The Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico from the Cochiti Dam to the town of Bernalillo to San Acacia. This project focuses on the quality of the surface and well water and its implications to human health. The State of New Mexico Environment Department provided historical data of the well water quality in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. This project focuses on the analysis of chemical and microbiological testing in the areas of the North Valley, South Valley and Albuquerque Acres. The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BMEP) provided historical data that identifies …

The War Against Teachers: How The Discourse Of A Nation At Risk Set The Agenda For Contemporary New Mexico Education Policy, Christine P. Wernle

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

A Nation at Risk (ANAR) represented a paradigm shift in national education policy and public education discourse. This Critical Discourse Analysis utilizing the theoretical framework of Fairclough and Wodak (1997) found five major recurring themes between ANAR, national and state discourse, and NMTEACH (as referenced in the Final Report and Recommendations of the New Mexico Effective Teaching Task Force, 2011): 1) The Establishment of Pedagogic Authority; 2) The Common-Senseness of Education; 3) Anti-Teacher Rhetoric and the Artificial Support of Teachers; 4) Deracialisation of Educational Policy and Color-Blind Ideology; and 5) The Movement from Symbolic to Physical Violence. This study has …

Seeing The God Of New Mexico: Mary Austin's Starry Adventure And The Optic Of Enchantment, Olivia Jayne Mann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines 20th century American writer Mary Austin's last novel, Starry Adventure (1931), a work unjustly ignored by most Austin scholars, yet touted by the photographer Ansel Adams (in a letter to Austin) as "the greatest thing I have ever read." This thesis will be particularly concerned with the concept of vision in the novel and the connections between Austin's fiction and the New Mexican modernism/primitivism movement in the visual arts. I explore what I call Austin's "optic of enchantment," a visual experience of divinity that is uniquely tied to the New Mexican landscape. I break down this optic …

Feasibility Of Rainwater Catchment In The Taos Mesa Community In Northern New Mexico, Miranda Rivera

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

INTRODUCTION Lack of water is nothing new for New Mexico’s general population. However, its immediate negative effects are unevenly distributed throughout the state, which is increasingly evident in the context of rising temperatures and decreases in precipitation. Access to clean drinking water is significantly more pressing in rural and off-the-grid communities than in metropolitan areas of New Mexico. On the Taos Mesa in northern New Mexico, these off-the-grid communities continue hauling as the only available method for accessing water today. In these communities, water is not only a vital source of livelihood but also necessary for the continuance of cultural …

Ground Fires: Essays On Land And Scouting, Matthew R. Hart

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Ground Fires is a collection of creative nonfiction probing the social and environmental complexities that marked the narrator’s long membership in the Boy Scouts of America. I grew up a Scout, part of a quirky, adventurous troop in a New England college town. After earning Eagle and graduating high school, I moved west, working for seven summers and a few more seasons at Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico. I led backpacking trips through the mountains and high desert, teaching teenagers about land I knew and loved, land that was changing fast. From bears to wildfire to challenging politics, …

Slides: Flpma In Its Historical Context, John D. Leshy

FLPMA Turns 40 (October 21)

Presenter: John D. Leshy, Sunderland Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus, U.C. Hastings College of the Law

36 slides

This session traces the history of FLPMA including, among other things, its legislative, administrative, and historical antecedents, including for example, the Public Land Law Review Commission’s 1970 report, One Third of Our Nation’s Lands. It then considers FLPMA’s unique public lands policies and requirements and how they are reflected in the BLM’s management of public lands today.

See: https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/blm/history/contents.htm

The Scientific Conquest Of New Mexico: Local Legacies Of The Manhattan Project 1942-2015, Lucie Anne Genay

American Studies ETDs

In the initial scoping phase of this research project, the main question I used for guidance was "to what extent and how did the Manhattan Project impact New Mexico and New Mexicans?" My first objective was to assess the magnitude of the state's transformation before addressing the other questions that soon ensued from this original reflection. A brief historical review of the state's transformation will introduce these questions, and comparing pre-World War II and post-Cold War New Mexico will justify the term "revolutionized" I used above. This dissertation retraces the story of this scientific colonization from the point of view …

Agenda: A Celebration Of The Work Of Charles Wilkinson: Served With Tasty Stories And Some Slices Of Roast, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment

A Celebration of the Work of Charles Wilkinson (Martz Winter Symposium, March 10-11)

Conference held at the University of Colorado, Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom, Thursday, March 10th and Friday, March 11th, 2016.

Conference moderators, panelists and speakers included University of Colorado Law School professors Phil Weiser, Sarah Krakoff, William Boyd, Kristen Carpenter, Britt Banks, Harold Bruff, Richard Collins, Carla Fredericks, Mark Squillace, and Charles Wilkinson

"We celebrate the work of Distinguished Professor Charles Wilkinson, a prolific and passionate writer, teacher, and advocate for the people and places of the West. Charles's influence extends beyond place, yet his work has always originated in a deep love of and commitment to particular places. We …

Partial Final Judgment And Decree On The Water Rights Of Taos Pueblo, Usdc, Dcnm

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Court Decree: Partial Final Judgment and Decree on the Water Rights of Taos Pueblo: Parties: Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, USA, Town of Taos, Taos Valley Acequia Association, El Prado Water and Sanitation District, 12 Mutual Domestic Water Consumer Associations. Recitals; Approval of Settlement Agreement; Contract Rights to Water from San Juan - Chama Project; Historic and Existing Use Water Rights; Historically Irrigated Acreage; Municipal, Domestic, and Industrial Use; Livestock Use; Groundwater Rights; Disclaimers; Records of Water Use; Change of Use; Rights Held in Trust; Conclusions; Entry and Modification of Decree. 38 Exhibits: 5973-1 Taos Pueblo Settlement Agreement; 5973-2, Att. 1 …

Cultivating Community: Political Identity And Civic Agriculture Among Small-Scale Organic Farmers In North Central New Mexico, Rose Elizabeth Rohrer

Sociology ETDs

Little work has been done exploring the sociological experiences of individuals working in organic agriculture, a type of farming primarily characterized by rigorous restrictions on chemical inputs. Unlike the massive corporate farms that have become commonplace in much of the United States, farms in North Central New Mexico tend to be small and diverse, with a political focus on community-building. In this study, thirty in-depth interviews of ten producers/owners and twenty farmworkers on organic farms in the region were conducted over the course of the 2014 growing season. I use the interview data to examine how small-scale farm work and …

Colorado Acequia Handbook: Water Rights And Governance Guide For Colorado's Acequias, Jens Jensen, Peter D. Nichols, Ryan Golten, Sarah Krakoff, Sarah Parmar, Karl Kumli, Jesse Heibel, Blake Busse, Karoline Garren, Julia Guarino, Megan Gutwein, Cori Hach, Melissa S. Jensen, Shannon Liston, Gunnar Paulsen, Nate Miller, John R. Sherman, Dan Weiss, Michael Weissman, Emily Neiley, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment, Gates Family Foundation, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Sangre De Cristo National Heritage Area, Sangre De Cristo Acequia Association, Colorado Open Lands

Books, Reports, and Studies

51 pages (includes 1 color map)

Introduction -- Definitions -- Water rights -- Change of water right -- Transfers of water rights -- Water sharing agreements -- Losing your water rights ("use it or lose it") -- Preventing the transfer of water out of the acequia -- Conservation easements -- Governing the acequia -- Assessments -- Easements -- Enforcement -- Tort liability -- Water quality -- The Rio Grande Compact -- Main government water entities -- Where can an acequia get legal assistance? -- Appendix I. Water rights : frequently asked questions -- Appendix II. Acequia bylaws : frequently asked …

Looking Upstream: An Analysis Of Low Water Levels In Lake Powell And The Impacts On Water Supply, Hydropower, Recreation, And The Environment: A Companion Report To The Bathtub Ring, Michael Johnson, Lindsey Ratcliff, Rebecca Shively, Leanne Weiss, Yale University. School Of Forestry And Environmental Studies, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment, Western Water Policy Program

Books, Reports, and Studies

viii, 110 pages : color illustrations, color maps

The Daily Gamecock, Thursday, January 22, 2015, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

January

No abstract provided.

The Value Of Water In The Colorado River Basin: A Snapshot Of A Fluid Landscape, Brian Annes, Colorado River Governance Initiative

Books, Reports, and Studies

33 pages.

Gettysburg Historical Journal 2015

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Understanding Trends In The New Mexico Dairy Industry, And Accounting For Direct And Indirect Water Use In Dairy Productions, Schuyler Smith

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

Water planning is important in all places, and particularly so in an arid state like New Mexico. How the water is used, and how much is thereby important. Often water use by the agricultural sector, is considered as an aggregated whole such as New Mexico First (2014). The objective of this research was to conduct an analysis of the growth and change of the New Mexico dairy industry, and water use to support this industry, that might better inform the future structure of state and regional water planning in New Mexico. The dairy industry has been a high growth industry …

Eva'lution In Fandangos, Fiestas, And Flamenco: Adding To The Repertoire Of Chicano Expressive Arts, Trisha Venisa Martinez

American Studies ETDs

This study seeks to explain this curious and unknown connection of Albuquerque flamenco to Eva Encinias-Sandoval and the dance traditions of Nuevomexicanos. I seek to identify the history and social impact of this rich and distinct New Mexico flamenco tradition by tracing the development of Encinias-Sandoval's career and the establishment of her now world-class flamenco arts program, offered through the University of New Mexico's Dance and Theatre Department, as well as thorough affiliates and organizations of the National Institute of Flamenco. More specifically, my thesis describes how Eva Encinias-Sandoval built and continues to anchor this inspiring expressive art form in …

Water Resources Impacts Of Uranium Mining In The San Juan Basin, New Mexico, Kent Steinhaus

Civil Engineering ETDs

The objective of this research was to improve understanding of the groundwater impacts of uranium mining in the San Juan Basin by estimating the volumetric amount of water removed from the underlying Westwater Canyon member aquifer. This was achieved by modeling a conceptual mine that is based on the physical characteristics present near the proposed Roca Honda Mine near Grants, New Mexico. An analysis of the uncertainty of the physical, situational, and model parameters and their associated sensitivities was conducted so that an understanding of potential groundwater withdrawals for uranium mining could be gathered. Uranium mining in the San Juan …

Military Frame, Mission Form, Historic Fabric, And Campus Function: A New Mexico National Guard Perspective, Erin M. Montoya

Architecture and Planning ETDs

This thesis will investigate, identify, and develop what campus planning is for military installations; more specifically it will classify specific features that should be included in the planning of military installations to achieve a campus setting. This thesis will include a case study upon which the campus initiative can be exemplified using a National Guard site. The site selected is dynamic enough to include the majority of components within the planning spectrum of regulations for Army National Guard facilities. This all-volunteer component is the pride of America with multi-faceted missions and capabilities that do not match any other component or …

Slides: Best Management Practices For Oil And Gas Development And Comparative Water Quality Database Of Regulations Relating To Shale Oil And Gas, Matt Samelson, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment. Intermountain Oil And Gas Bmp Project

Fracking, Water Quality and Public Health: Examining Current Laws and Regulations (March 20)

Presenter: Matt Samelson, J.D., Attorney, Consultant for Intermountain Oil and Gas Best Management Practices (BMP) Project, Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, University of Colorado Law School

34 slides

Aquilegia, Vol. 38 No. 2, Summer 2014, Newsletter Of The Colorado Native Plant Society, Jan Loechell Turner, Rob Pudim, Bernadette Kuhn, Erica Cooper, Gina Glenn, Jennifer Ackerfield, Denise C. Wilson, Peter Lesica, Bob Berwyn, Catherine Kleier, Yinyan Huang, Al Schneider, Elizabeth Cook, Barb Losoff, Sarah Myers, Lenore Mitchell

Aquilegia - Colorado Native Plant Society

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Ozone Trends In Southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico Thru Wind Rose Analysis And Use Of Noaa Hysplit Model, Maria Aurelia Sisneros

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine whether increasing ozone concentrations in 2012 and 2013 at the Santa Teresa air quality monitor in Doña Ana County, New Mexico were due to a local point source impacting this monitor only or part of a regional phenomenon that affects all the monitors within the Paso del Norte Region. In addition, the study focused on identifying local and regional/long-range source areas contributing transport ozone to the study area (southern Doña Ana County).

The study showed that increasing ozone levels were not unique to the Santa Teresa monitor due to the fact that …

Partial Final Judgment And Decree Of The Water Rights Of The Navajo Nation, 11th Judicial District Court, San Juan County, New Mexico

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Partial Final Decree of the Water Rights of the Navajo Nation: Parties: Navajo Nation, NM, New Mexico, USA, United States.

Contents:

1. Jurisdiction, p.2; 2. Reserved Rights to the Use of Water p.2; 3. Reserved Rights for Specified Surface Water Diversions p.2, including a) Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, p.3, b) Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, p.3; c) Animas-La Plata Project, p.4; d) Municipal and Domestic Uses, p.4; e) Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project, p.4; f) Fruitland-Cambridge Irrigation Project p.5; 4. Supplemental Carriage Water, p.6; 5. Conditions, p.7; 6. Diversions for Navajo-Gallup Project Uses in Arizona, p.17; 7. Groundwater Rights, p.18; 8. Hydrographic Survey …

Aamodt Cost-Sharing & System Integration Agreement (2013), United States, State Of New Mexico

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Cost Share & Integration Agreement (Mar. 14, 2013); NM v. Aamodt, 66cv6639 USDC, DCNM. Parties: Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso & Tesuque, US, NM, Santa Fe County, City of Santa Fe. Conformed to Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act, Pub. L. No. 111-291, tit. VI, 124 Stat. 3064, 3134-56 (2010). Parties agree to fund and the United States agrees to plan, design and construct the Regional Water System (RWS). The Bureau of Reclamation will build the system. The Secretary of Interior shall conduct government-to-government consultation with the Pueblos regarding well locations and maintaining appropriate confidentiality to protect traditional Pueblo practices. US …