Laboratory signs task order agreements with governors from area pueblos in support of Cerro Grande Rehabilitation Project

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Oct. 11, 2001 -- The Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory this week signed four task order agreements with area pueblos to support the Laboratory's Cerro Grande Rehabilitation Project. The Laboratory finalized negotiations leading to the award of task order agreements with San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Cochiti and Jemez pueblos.

Work by the pueblos will begin within the next few weeks. Some of the activities include erosion control, forest stewardship, including tree thinning, ground sampling and water sampling.

The pueblo governors expressed appreciation for the manner in which the team conducted dialogue and negotiations. "Today represents a new beginning, one that reflects a new partnership," said Cochiti Pueblo Gov. Regis Pecos. San Ildefonso Pueblo Gov. Perry Martinez said, "We want to thank the Lab for giving us the opportunity to contract with them. We feel it's been something that is long overdue but see this as something that can strengthen our relationships as we move into the future."

Jemez Pueblo Gov. Vincent Toya said, "The Pueblo of Jemez is pleased to join in the partnership for the Cerro Grande Rehabilitation Project with the Laboratory and Department of Energy. We are a non-gaming tribe and this further provides for opportunities to work cooperatively and continue the government-to-government relationship with the Lab."

"This also represents the highest respect of the government-to-government principles in our relationship with the Laboratory," added Santa Clara Pueblo Gov. Denny Gutierrez.

Santa Clara, Cochiti, San Ildefonso and Jemez pueblos formalized their relationships with the Laboratory between 1994 and 1996 through cooperative agreements, which enable the government-to-government principles in discussing and addressing areas of mutual concern, such as economic development, environmental and cultural issues among others.

"We are both pleased and honored that we were able to use the services of our neighboring pueblos," said Steve Mee, project manager for Los Alamos' Cerro Grande Fire Rehabilitation Project. "There is a lot of work to be performed at the Laboratory as part of the Cerro Grande Rehabilitation Project and the pueblos are both equipped and experienced to handle this fire mitigation work," said Mee.

"The fire mitigation task order agreements are the first of several planned initiatives with the pueblos," said Bennie Gonzales, program manager for Los Alamos' Small Business Program Office. "I can't say enough about the cooperation that we have had from the Pueblo governors, councils and staff," Gonzales said.

Gonzales credited the successful placement of the agreements not only to the Pueblos but also to the Department of Energy for allocating funds that enabled the establishment of the rehabilitation project. He also acknowledged efforts of the Laboratory's Facilities Waste Operation Division, the Cerro Grande Rehabilitation Project Office, and Los Alamos' Business Planning and Budgeting Group. "The support of FWO has made this signing possible," said Gonzales. "I am confident that other Laboratory divisions can demonstrate in similar fashion their support for our regional goals, the pueblos and other socioeconomic development initiatives," Gonzales added.

For more information, contact Los Alamos' Small Business Office at 667-4410, or write to sbo@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

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