March 1, 2002
New solid waste disposal location
I was disappointed to read in the paper this past week that the Department of Energy has decided to create it's own Solid Waste Disposal Area / landfill. The article sighted several reasons for the decision and they seem valid. The disappointing part is where they have set there sites on, Technical Area 49. This Technical Area is located directly across NM 4 from the Bandelier National Monument. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the county, and after recovering from the La Mesa fire has become home to much wildlife including elk, deer, mountain lions, coyote, bobcat, bear and others to numerous to mention. It is unfortunate that the DOE has decided where this dump should be and not the people of this county. If it is to be located on Lab property, then put it somewhere deep in the middle of Lab property somewhere (on Pajarito Road or such). This way NM 4 and the monument in this area won't be strewn with trash the way the truck route and the surrounding canyons there are now. The promise that the trash will be covered "every night" is as empty as the plastic bags that litter the truck route. Please do not put this land fill at TA-49.
--William L. Spurgeon