Forest Service issues fuel reduction plan: The signed Decision Memo for the North Sandia Fuels Reduction project within the Sandia Ranger District is now available at fs.usda.gov/project/cibola?project=65654. The maps indicate that Las Huertas Canyon is designated for “hand thinning,” but the definition of hand-thinning leaves them much flexibility. “Work within the NM-165 corridor will be limited to hazard tree mitigation and other thinning (Hand Thinning only) and prescribed fire. The Forest Service will work with nearby traditional communities to identify important resource protection areas and potential mitigation measures needed.”
Buffalo Tract: LPA received a New Mexico Economic Division – Trails+ grant intended to be used in partnership with the Rio Puerco Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to complete an Environment Assessment (EA). An EA was conducted by the BLM prior to the draft RMP in 2012 but is now outdated as it does not reflect the Placitas Withdrawal nor the more recent Public Lands and Conservation Rules of 2024. The BLM’s stated intention to open the Buffalo Tract to recreation and a Recreation Plan developed by the community in 2018 will provide a vision for this work. Three environmental consulting firms have submitted proposals and the “Best Value” award process should be completed by the end of the year. We hope to commence work in January 2025 and complete it before the end of 2025. At that time, the BLM will issue its final recommendations and another public comment period will commence.
Save the Date: On Saturday, Jan. 18, 2–4 p.m., LPA is hosting a celebration at Placitas Community Library of KUPR’s 10th anniversary in 2025—complete with some history and a roll-out of the station’s activities leading up to the May 4th date when the station went on the air in 2015.
Homeowners Insurance: The OSI (Office of State Insurance) has had a state-run insurance program known as the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements, or FAIR Plan, since 1969. The nonprofit insurance organization is there for New Mexicans who cannot secure insurance in the typical marketplace. Although Placitas is not (yet) an area of top wildfire concern, some Placitans have seen their homeowners insurance canceled. To qualify, recipients in FAIR must be denied by two private insurers.