elpasonaturally

February Hikes at Franklin Mountains State Park

2012-02-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge image.

Corrected Dates for Comp Plan Review

2012-01-31T15:37:00.000-08:00

It is so critical for all of us to be seen and heard by our City government regarding the Comprehensive Plan Re-Write. I made some mistakes on dates and times when posting earlier. Below are the correct dates. I will be posting and emailing them again and again in the next few days and weeks.

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

Monday, February 20, 2012, 10 a.m. to Noon, 10^thFloor City Hall

City Plan Commission

Thursday, February 23, 2012, 1:30 p.m., 2^nd Floor City Hall

Legislative Review Committee

Thursday, March 1, 2012, 9:00 a.m., 2^nd Floor City Hall

City Council

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 8:30 a.m., 2^nd Floor City Hall

Fire the Trustee

2012-01-31T15:06:00.000-08:00

(See bottom for some very important dates regarding the City Comprehensive Plan Re-Write and a presentation about the Rio Bosque by John Sproul.)

Imagine that you have a trustee in charge of managing yourfinancial portfolio. You go to this manager and say that you have decided tomake some changes in your financial plans. The manager tells you that youcan’t. You want “abc”; she insists you want and need “xyz”. As she has done so many times before, shetells you that her investments for you assure that your fees for her servicesare kept low. You tell her that is not true but she keeps insisting that it is.You’ve noticed that she makes a number of claims that aren’t true. You realizethat your goals and objectives have diverged. You also realize that your trustee shares very little with you and makesnon-transparency a regular policy. Whatdo you do? I’ll bet you take your assets out of that account. I bet you fireyour trustee and go get another one.

Overwhelmingly people at the Dover Kohl-led charretteprocess involving the Scenic Corridor and the Westside (NW El Paso) Plan saidthat they just don’t want to develop any of the acreage in the Westside Plan.(Read No-BuildIS the Option at our blog.) Nobodywanted the old plan that many remember was written in spite of objections. Big “X’s” marked that plan at the hands-onsession. “Why sell the land for development?” was the key question. The PSB,the land manager, our “trustee”, will tell you that selling land will keepwater rates low. From an open records request, we learned that PSB land salesfrom 1999 to 2009 were about $4 million per year. For the last two years thosesales amounted to less than $500,000. Land sales only amounted to 2% of the yearly revenue including water,stormwater, and wastewater – not enough to keep rates low by any means.

Now factor in some more things. Once land is developed,guess who takes over the cost to maintain the infrastructure and provide theservices for the new development? You do – and it’s much more than keeping thepipes working and the sewer flowing. It’s schools, fire, police, roads, moreand more. You can count on paying for these expenses from now on untileternity.

Except it won’t ever go for very long. There’s an 800-poundgorilla sitting next to our land manager: water supply. We have more land thanwe have water. Development doesn’t pay for itself. We are in fact subsidizingdevelopers. Costs for water will increase as we depend more and more ondesalinization and imported water. (By the way, imported water from farmland tothe east of El Paso County is not at all a sure bet. Word is that there arelawsuits popping up.)

Land sales may have made some difference in the past. (Mayhave – I don’t really know and I’m just guessing.) But with increased population and watercustomers, the benefit from land sales decreases. Things change. Unfortunatelyour trustee has not – a trustee you will remember who will tell you straight toyour face such things as a piece of property being “natural open space” when thatland is nothing more than a vacant lot in the middle of a long-establishedneighborhood. (What do you do with yourtrustee? Take your assets elsewhere. Fire your trustee. Go get a new one.)

It’s becoming clear. People want to preserve land not sellit for development and subsidize developers. People want to re-vitalize ourdowntown. People no longer believe tall tales about land sales and water rates.

Here’s another 10reasons why protecting El Paso’s Scenic Transmountain Corridor is importantto protecting the Franklin Mountains State Park.

2 more things before we go:

Come hear wildlife and conservation biologist, John Sproul, thiscoming Thursday, February 2^nd, at 6 p.m. at the El Paso GardenCenter, 3105 Grant Avenue. (Map)The Trans-Pecos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is sponsoring thispresentation open to the public. Many ofyou know that the Rio Bosque, an important ecological treasure and wildlifehabitat, is in critical danger. The drought, challenges with water, andunderfunding from the City have led to a park on the vergeof dying. Sproul and a handful ofvolunteers daily truck water from the nearby Bustamante Plant into the parkwhere they hand water the trees. Bottom line: come hear Sproul.

By the way, elpasonaturally likes what the El Paso Timeseditorial board had to say about wetlands in their op-edpiece on work at the Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant in NortheastEl Paso. All the same arguments can be made for the endangered Rio BosqueWetlands Park, another City Park that the Parks and Recreation Departmentspends zero dollars for – but then they haven’t budgeted for trails,connectivity or open space.

Finally, as many of you know, an item to take action on theCity’s Comprehensive Plan Re-Write (PlanEl Paso) was deleted from last week’s CPC meeting. It seems that some atthe Chamber of Commerce want more time to give additional feedback. This is a euphemism for a delay tactic toscuttle the plan. This Plan has been vetted for nearly two years now. (You canread the complete draft of volume1 and volume2 of the Plan El Paso document online.) More than 2500 people participated in 100 meetings and 20hands-on-sessions. Plan El Paso has been discussed by numerous groups,stakeholders and the press. Nobody can say that we can’t make a decision on itnow. As citizens who care, mark your calendars now and be heard at thefollowing upcoming meetings:

Comprehensive Plan AdvisoryCommittee

Monday, February 20, 2012, 10 a.m.to Noon, 10^th Floor City Hall

City Plan Commission

Thursday, February 20, 2012, 1:30p.m., 2^nd Floor City Hall

Legislative Review Committee

Thursday, February 23, 2012, 1:30p.m., 2^nd Floor City Hall

City Council

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 8:30 a.m.,2^nd Floor City Hall

You can bet that the Chamber and those forces who hate the newlandscape ordinance, hate open space, hate the Open Space Advisory Board, hateanything but concrete, asphalt, sprawl and water meters will be present at eachmeeting. (See above about subsidizing developers.) City government needs to seeand hear us as well.

No-Build IS the Option

2012-01-31T14:13:00.000-08:00

Option Number One: No-Build - Protect ALL of the land.

Click on image to enlarge.

At the Works-in-Progress session this past Saturday, Dover Kohl representatives gave a summary of what they had learned from the Hands-on Session and meetings with various stakeholders throughout the week regarding the Westside (Northwest El Paso) Master Plan and the Scenic Transmountain Corridor issue. Here's what they learned:

Option Number One: Protect ALL of the land.
Option Number Two: Preserve as much as possible.
Preserve permanently.
Protect arroyos and habitats.
Create a new and safer entrance into the State Park.

The old PSB Westside Master Plan that nobody wants. (Nobody wanted it when it was first proposed but we got it anyway.) Note the commercial development along Transmountain.

Click on image to enlarge.

Dover Kohl did not come to "talk the public out of conservation efforts and initiatives" nor did they try to explain or defend the PSB. However, working back and forth between interested parties, they did provide a scenario for smart growth development that had a bit of both sides to it. Their scenario preserves 65% of the land versus the old PSB Westside Plan that only saves 32% and even the land defined in the petition initiative that preserves 55%. The scenario that they presented at the end of the week provides more homes for a larger population and accounts for more employment than the old plan of the PSB's that would put ugly commercial development along the Scenic Transmountain Corridor. If one were to live in the old PSB plan, they would walk 4,660 feet to the nearest shop or restaurant but only 1,182 feet in the new plan. Parks would only be 824 feet away versus 2,957 feet under the old PSB plan.

Nevertheless, people said that what they prefer is the No-Build Option. Begrudgingly, some said that a simpler scenario would be okay but with caveats: land (including arroyos) are preserved in perpetuity; no roads through the open space unless elevated ("no box culverts" one El Paso leader emphatically stated); preservation of the Scenic Corridor; protection of animals, habitat and animal corridors.

The only scenario that some found begrudgingly acceptable.

Click on image to enlarge.

Comp Plan Action Postponed to February

2012-01-26T10:57:00.000-08:00

There has been a sudden development. The CPC will notdiscuss or take action on Plan El Paso (the City’s Comprehensive Plan Re-Write)at 1:30 p.m. today. Instead that item will be moved to a meeting in February. Iwill keep you updated.

There is nothing “going on” – just a need to let a few moreorganizations have time to weigh in on the plan first.

There still will be a Community Presentation of the compplan re-write tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Foundation Room on the 1^stFloor of the El Paso Community Foundation, 333 North Oregon. (Map)

Get to CPC Meeting Tomorrow (Thursday) at 1:30 p.m.

2012-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Long note but please read. Bottom line: El Paso needs toadopt Plan El Paso, our new Comprehensive Plan.

Please make every effort to attend tomorrow’s (Thursday,January 26^th) meeting of the City Plan Commission at 1:30 p.m. inCity Council Chambers. (Mapand Directions to City Hall) This meeting is far more important, criticaland consequential than last night’s hands-on session (although that was veryimportant). It is imperative that as many of us who can will make thismeeting.

I've also learned that the item to take action on the Comprehensive Plan may be moved to the front of the agenda - 1:30 p.m. sharp!

The CPC will take action on the Comprehensive Plan Re-Write(Plan El Paso). It is CPC and theCity Council who make the final decisions about Comprehensive plans . . . notDover Kohl and not you and me except as we impact our elected Representatives. All the work that you did at charrettes last year will be worthless ifsome powerful interests have their way. They hate Smart Growth; they hatewalkable communities; they hate open space; they hate the new LandscapeOrdinance. They love little or no landscaping. They like big box stores anddisconnected neighborhoods and concrete and asphalt.

We have learned that they plan to come out en massetomorrow to the CPC meeting. They know that they don’t need to “waste theirtime” engaging in a public process through charrettes. They will focus on theCPC and on Council. You should too. (Did you see any of them actively engagedin last night’s hands-on session for instance? No. They are sharpening theirswords for CPC and the City Council and they have done so with the ComprehensivePlan and they will do so later with the Westside Plan.)

The Comprehensive Plan has been vetted for over a year. Morethan 2500 people participated in 100 meetings and 20 hands-on-sessions. Plan ElPaso has been discussed by numerous groups, stakeholders and the press. Nobodycan say that we can’t make a decision on it now.

Plan El Paso is comprehensive and addresses a wide range ofissues: transportation, livable/walkable communities, health, historicpreservation, transportation, downtown development and much more.

Please plan to be at the meeting tomorrow. Let the CPC knowthat there are numbers for the Plan. You can sign-up to speak on AgendaItem #9 prior to the start of the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

Let me be clear: the meeting tomorrow has to do with theCity’s new Comprehensive Plan. It is a separate item from our current work tore-do the Westside Master Plan and preserve the Scenic Transmountain Corridor. However,the Comprehensive Plan has everything to do with the quality of life in ElPaso, our economic development and our El Paso’s ability to be competitivelytough in the 21st Century.

You can read the complete draft of volume1 and volume2 of the Plan El Paso document online. (The Comprehensive Plan CommunityPresentation is scheduledfor Thursday evening at the El Paso Community Foundation at 333 N. Oregon in the Foundation Room on the 1st Floor. (Map) This is anothervery important meeting to make if you can.

Time is very short. We need a big turnout. Tell your friends, neighbors, neighborhood associations,organizations and everyone you know who has worked to make Plan El Paso a dreamcome true.

Get to Today's Hands-on Session

2012-01-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

It has started – the process to review and change theWestside (Northwest) Master Plan including preserving the Scenic TransmountainCorridor. Dover Kohl has their design studio set-up at the CanutilloIndependent School District offices on Artcraft. Tonight is the public hands-onsession in the Canutillo High School auditorium between Transmountain/Talbotand Artcraft. A schedule, addresses and maps can be found at elpasonaturally.Just be sure you click on the image to enlarge.

Everyone should participate. Simply all of us have much togain from being in the conversation this week. If you are at the hands-onsession then you will get to listen firsthand to citizens and techniciansinstead of having to rely on mere gossip or someone else’s account of whathappened. It doesn’t help to be there “in spirit”. You’ve got to be there. Ifyou can’t the design studio is open all week waiting for your review andcomments.

Dover Kohl has already prepared some maps to help guide uswith our discussions at the hands on session. Also, already a number of goodideas have been expressed by citizens. One of the more refreshing ideas is a“No Build” option – simply leave the northwest land in question in its naturalstate. One proponent firmly stated that she was “no luddite”. She believes indevelopment – just not there. Instead, encourage development in downtown ElPaso. The draft of the Plan El Paso (Comprehensive Plan) states clearly:“Redevelopment is important throughout El Paso but nowhere more than Downtown”(page 1.13). “What you do downtown, you don’t have to do out there [naturalopen space in northwest El Paso],” someone else added.

Of course there are other plans that call for more or lessdevelopment in the northwest principally south of Transmountain. Bottom line isthat you need to be at the hands on session this evening beginning at 5 p.m.

For conservationists, for petitioners, for those who careabout the land and see the value of preserving it and holding it sacred, thereremain key points. Here are some that I keep hearing:

Land preserved in its natural state must be preservedforever. Flexible conservation easements can be written to do just that –flexible enough to make accommodations for utility additions such as watertanks and service roads. I have heard that Ed Archuleta and EPWU are afraidthat their hands will be tied by an easement. However, its flexibility meansjust the opposite. Frankly, they are very smart people and I bet they alreadyknow that. What they are mainly afraid of is not being able to change things inthe future so that they can sell to builders. This is the biggest stickingpoint for this whole process. If the land is not preserved in perpetuity, thenpetitioners will ask for a ballot referendum and they have the numbers (whichare growing) to get it.

The preservation of the arroyos means that any roads overthem must be elevated.

Animal habitat and corridors must be preserved and created.

Keep the mountain biking/hiking trails natural that costnothing to maintain, but attract a growing biking community and eco-tourists.

Safe access to the State Park! (For animals too.)

Keep some other things in mind. Just as it is important foreach of us to be in right relationships with each other, we need to be in rightrelationship with the land and the living things which inhabit it.Conservationist Aldo Leopold wrote in the now classic 1949 book, A SandCounty Almanac: “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity,stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tendsotherwise.”

No one may not be able to objectify it, but there is aspirituality and a sacredness to places.

Finally, in this arid land under drought, preserving naturalspace conserves water. The model of adding more rate payers (building andmetering more homes and businesses) means using up the little water that wehave more quickly. Passive rain water harvesting, green infrastructure/lowimpact development need to be guiding principles. Retention ponds are builtupstream for one reason: to be able to build more and more houses and officebuildings and strip malls. The cost to the taxpayer for maintaining andrepairing infrastructure such as roads, schools, water lines, etc. is muchgreater than any initial return on the sales of land. Land sales are not afactor in the EPWU’s bond rating and land sales don’t really affect your rates.When have your rates gone down as the result of selling land? You cannot buildto achieve lower taxes, lower utility rates or guarantee more water. It’s theother way around.

Please come to the hands-on session from 5 to 9 p.m. thisevening at Canutillo High School. It may be a drive for most – but it is adrive to make.

It Starts Tomorrow!

2012-01-22T13:20:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge image.

Canutillo Independent School District
7965 Artcraft Road

Canutillo High School
6675 South Desert Boulevard

From the Heart

2012-01-16T12:48:00.000-08:00

Here is my e-letter sent out today. There are several main issues. First, I am responding to those who say that my e-letter and blog are official words from OSAB - something far from the truth. Second, I wish to wrap-up for now my discoveries about Johnson Basin. Finally, I want to call attention to the upcoming charrettes and an item on tomorrow's City Council agenda which would seem to threaten the advantages the City has gained through its Open Space Advisory Board. Here goes:

There are three main parts to thise-letter: personal comments, the Johnson Basin and, finally, open space issuesand how you can help with them. It will make the letter longer than usual; butI hope that you will take the time to read through it.

First some personal comments. Ithas gotten back to me that some consider this letter and my blog as theofficial mouthpiece of the Open Space Advisory Board in spite of the fact thatfar more subjects are covered than just open space issues. I don’t believe fora moment that anyone truly believes that my blog or e-letter are official piecesof OSAB except that creating that kind of perception helps a particular agenda.Nevertheless, perceptions are realities and the fact that I have allowed mypassion and love for natural open spaces and ecosystems to be clouded by personalitieshave allowed for the creation of such perceptions. For that I’m sorry; for mylove and defense of this earth, I am not and never will be.

I do not write for the Open SpaceAdvisory Board. I am a member of that Board. I have been the Co-Chairman ofthat Board only because of my gold stars for good attendance. I can be countedon to call the meeting to order if the Chairman cannot be present. BeingCo-Chairman makes no difference to me. Seeking the Chair has never been myambition nor is it now. OSAB has given me the opportunity to work with otherson open space issues. Because of my love for the natural environment, I have alsobeen active with Celebration of Our Mountains, the El Paso Hiking community,the West Texas Urban Forestry Council, the Texas Master Naturalists and otherorganizations. I am not the mouthpiece for any of those other organizationseither even though I am an officer in some of them. As my disclaimer says atthe bottom of every e-letter: “Elpasonaturally© iswritten and published by Jim Tolbert who takes sole responsibility for thecontent of the letter”, I takesole responsibility.

I am not dispassionate about these issues and that may be the greatestunderstatement ever. However, too often in the heat of polemics I have resortedto the dark satire of personal attacks forgetting that a good look in themirror would instantly rectify any such rhetoric. I’ll try to do better. Ifaulted PSB member Richard Shoephoerster for doing the very same thing that Iwas guilty of doing and probably more so: failing to do my homework, failing toreally see what the facts were. I apologize to Dr. Shoephoerster for myvitriol. As a member of OSAB, it was my responsibility to see for myself whatall the various projects were that were on our lists. I did not. I justaccepted what I was being told. I do feel as if the situation at Johnson Basinwas misrepresented as natural open space (and not just to me, or OSAB, but evento Council). Nevertheless, I never questioned what was being told to me in EPWUpresentations at OSAB.

So here comes the transition: a few words about Johnson Basin. I havethe advantage now of having spent over two hours the other day at EPWU poringthrough some documents that I requested under the Texas Open Records laws. Afew points:

First, it’s too bad that EPWU felt that they had to misrepresentmatters at Johnson Basin. The fact that they did is an organizational matterthat should be dealt with. Organizations get cagey when they feel a need to bedefensive. It’s too bad that they felt as if they had no choice.

The records show that EPWU was most probably operating on the beliefthat they had their marching orders from the City and stormwater and open spacepriorities. Their several presentations over the space of a couple of yearsshowed that they were trying to do their job. They were probably quitesurprised when there was pushback about the land acquisition known as JohnsonBasin. Better than a Yankee bargainer, they had skillfully negotiated goodsales prices on the land. Nevertheless they never did account for any of theJohnson Basin purchases when asked to do so by an advisory Board to CityCouncil or in response to an earlier Open Records Request. Why not? They alsocontinued to misrepresent that land as natural open space. Why?

The land was never open space – a good place for a park and for a parkpond maybe, but not open space. It was never considered open space. At onepoint the land was looked at for a housing opportunity because it was developedland in a developed neighborhood. When it came time to purchase the land in theBasin, there was a discussion about using open space funds to purchase it. Notall at the EPWU saw it as fitting that criteria. (Later I’ll publish thepictures of the email exchanges that show this internal debate.)

All of this caginess and defensiveness builds a credibility gap. Whycover-up something so easily resolved by using other funds? What other agendasare involved? Why are we so quick to build so many park ponds so quickly? Yes,it eats up open space money in a strictly cash account. Moreover, park ponds areat the bottom of the priority list for open space acquisitions. However, thereis still a fair amount of cash flow to be effective if some other sources offunding can be found – a discussion we should have as citizens and governmentand as people who love our community, its natural assets and ecotourism, healthand recreational opportunities. Disbursements are made as bills come due. Thefunding budgeted for park ponds is not automatically expended. There is cash inthe open space account and more coming in. It’s not as bleak as it may look butthen again the cash flow still doesn’t have the oomph that it could have ifthere were other ways to finance open space acquisitions. That is a goodconversation for government and its citizens to have. However, to have a good conversation, you’vegot to go beyond personal and institutional comfort zones and lay cards on thetable.

There are other conversations about much more valuable openspace issues that are coming up quickly. So here’s my last transition.

First, what we discussed as a way to move forward with ourpetition to preserve the Scenic Transmountain Corridor was the participation ina process led by Dover Kohl and the City’s Planning and Development staff. Thisprocess recognizes working together to preserve our natural environment whilefurthering the economic progress of our City. It begins next week, January 23^rd– 27^th. Dates and events are hereand here.Please plan to attend. Being there in spirit won’t cut it.

Second, there is an item on tomorrow’s City Council agendaof some concern: what seems to be an attempt to cut back OSAB’s overview.Hopefully, it presents an opportunity for the City to re-affirm its commitmentsto open space and Smart Growth and keep going in positive directions moreeffectively. Item7A on the agenda is an attempt “to amend the provisions concerning the Open Space Advisory Board membership, rules, duties, and ability to appointsubcommittees. . .” The wording of this discussion actually exposes some ofwhat is behind it. There is a call to “[m]ove the Tree Board responsibilitiesto the jurisdiction of the City Plan Commission along with review of thelandscape ordinance as a development related issue.” In point of fact there hasnot been a Tree Board for two or so years now. It was reduced to aSub-committee of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Its addition in tomorrow’sCity Council discussion shows that the real architects of the plan arebusinesses still bitter about the new Landscape Ordinance. Let me make thisplain: I am not anti-development or anti-business. Quite the contrary, I’mquite pro. As a member of OSAB, I have spoken out for developers wanting to getpark credits when they do something to preserve natural open space. Ordinancegives the final okay about such credits to the Director of the Parks andRecreation Department. Rather than helping to foster open space values, shecontinually says “no”. The Parks and Recreation budget has nothing in it fortrails, open spaces or connectivity of any kind. I’d like to see them spendmore on open space from their own budget and I’d like to see developers andbuilders get a break. It’s all about all of us pitching in together.

If you can make City Council tomorrow, please do so. Councilbegins at 8:30 a.m. and you must sign up to speak before then. You can sign-uponline. Do call oremail your Representative and tell them that you hope that the ordinancewill stay the same but that weaknesses in the overall system can be rectified. Don’tthrow out the baby with the bath water. Don’t cut off your nose so spite your face. A glaring weakness, for example, is not having PSB/EPWU’s maximum input on park ponddesigns when it comes to water conservation. We also may need to listen more to the PSB when it comes to not havingfree water at our parks (if that is what I’m hearing that they are saying). Wantto know why Soviet bread lines were so long? Free bread. It’s supply anddemand. They didn’t have enough wheat and we sure don’t have enough water.

Finally, one last personal note and an invitation. Anyonecan comment on my blog entries and anyone can respond to these emails. I havepublished opinions differing from mine before. I do monitor comments on theblog so that such posts are not automatic. I weed out profanity and psychosis. Iinvite comment and discussion. I will continue to take sole responsibility forthe content of this letter and my blog. It’s mine . . . not OSAB’s or anyoneelse’s.

Year of the Bat at El Paso Zoo

2012-01-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Year of the Bat Kickoff Celebration at the El Paso Zoo! January28-29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The El Paso Zoo will host akickoff the Year of the Bat on January 28-29 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Join us tohelp raise awareness about Bat conservation and learn about these magnificentcreatures. Daily activities will include bat games, arts & crafts, bat enrichmentprograms and more. (Activities included with regular Zoo admission)

Build a Bat House Workshop – January 28 at 11am.

Learn how to build a bathouse in this fun hands-on interactive workshop. Bats are essential formaintaining healthy ecosystems and installing a bat house is a great way tosupport these insect eating species. ($10 per person, $9 for members). For moreinformation and to register visit elpasozoo.org/adventure or call 521-1850.

Batty Sleepover – January 27, 6 p.m. – 9 a.m.

Spend the night at the zooand discover information about our local bats, make bat enrichments andcelebrate the Year of the Bat! Also enjoy a jam packed time with a nocturnaltour, animal encounter, campfire, bat story time and behind the scenes tour!All you need is your pillow and a blanket. Cots are provided. $30 non-member, $27 member. Ages 7+ (Must have at least 1adult per 5 children). For more information and to register visitelpasozoo.org/adventure or call 521-1850.

2 More Opportunities for Open Space Advocates

2012-01-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

The City of El Paso through its Planning and Development Department and Dover Kohl Partners invite you to theNorthwest Masterplan Charrette which will be held January 23^rd -January 27^th. The charrette will allow residents and stakeholders tobe involved in the formulation of a new master plan for 1,850 acres of landalong Transmountain Rd west of the Franklin Mountains State Park and east ofthe El Paso Natural Gas Pipeline.

As part of the planning effort, they have scheduled two stakeholder meetings to discuss 1) open space issues and 2) hikeand bike trail issues. These stakeholder meetings will be held on January 23^rdat the design studio located at the Canutillo ISD Administrative Offices (7965Artcraft Road).

Meeting #1 (Open Space Issues): 3 pm – 5 pm

Meeting #2 (Hike and Bike Trail Issues): 5 pm –7 pm

If you are unable to attend these meetings, the designstudio will be open January 23^rd – January 27^th from 9 amto 7 pm. Please stop by to provide additional input on the plan and to see howthe plan is progressing. In addition, the following public meetings have beenscheduled to update residents on the planning effort.

1.Hands-On Session:

Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 5 pm to 9 pm

Canutillo High School Auditorium

6675 S. Desert Boulevard

2.Northwest Masterplan Work in Progress:

Saturday, January 28, 2012, 9 am to 12 pm

Canutillo High School Auditorium

6675 S. Desert Boulevard

Hopefully you are able to attend these events. If you areable to attend the stakeholder meetings, please confirm your attendance so thatthey can make sure to have enough seats for everyone. Contact Fred Lopez, AICP, CNU-A with the Planning and Economic Development Department of the City of El Paso, 915-541-4322.

North Loop of the New Lower Sunset Trail

2012-01-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

Click image to enlarge.

Judy Ackerman led a small group of hikers along the north loop of the new Lower Sunset Trail yesterday. The trail is one of many great hikes at the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Judy reported: "We hiked the north loop of the new Lower Sunset trailtoday. I am constantly impressed with all the improvements in FMSP. Wasn’t it less than 2 years ago that trail did not exist? It is abeautiful trail and would be appropriate for beginners."

Here is her data:

Distance: 2.8 miles

Time: 2.5 hrs – very slowly with lunch break

Elevation Change: 447 ft.

WayPoint	Lat Lon	Elevation
7	N31 56.272 W106 31.653	4584 ft
42	N31 56.351 W106 31.342	4633 ft
Intersect1	N31 56.337 W106 31.527	4554 ft
Lunch	N31 56.038 W106 31.522	4738 ft
Start	N31 55.858 W106 30.784	4959 ft
Turn	N31 55.943 W106 31.050	4880 ft

Click image to enlarge.

Park Superintendent, Cesar Mendez, Ph.D., said: "It was about 2 years ago when the trail did not exist. This new section has been in place for a little more than a year. With the shortcut to the group picnic site, this new section of the trail creates a number of options for park users."

Mendez also said that "the new trail over Hitt and Sotol Canyons is almost finished. It should be completed before the end of this month. Then we will be working on other improvements re-routes and brand new trails."

The Park can always use volunteers to help build and maintain trails. Call 915-566-6441 if you are interested.

Charrette Schedule Set for Scenic Corridor

2012-01-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge image. Which view do you want?

It's time to commit to attending critical planning sessions to save the Scenic Transmountain Corridor. This is what our petition is all about.

Representative Susie Byrd sent out this notice:

"Helpprotect the Transmountain Scenic Corridor by participating in planning the1,800 acres of land owned by the City of El Paso that is adjacent to the TexasState Park and straddles Transmountain Road. This is a great opportunity toweigh in on how and where we want development leading up into the Texas StatePark. Preserving the Scenic Corridor and caring for the land and ecosystemsdepend on our participation.

Pleasecommit to being at the hands-on session. Please personally interact with theDover Kohl and City staff teams at the design studio.

Seeyou there!"

NorthwestMasterplan Planning Sessions:

1.Hands-On Session:

Tuesday,January 24, 2012, 5PM to 9PM,

CanutilloHS Auditorium;

6675S. Desert Boulevard, 79932

2.Northwest Masterplan Work in Progress:

Saturday,January 28, 2012, 9AM to Noon,

CanutilloHS Auditorium;

6675S. Desert Boulevard, 79932

3.Design Studio: (Open to the Public)

Monday,January 23 to Friday, January 27, 2012

CanutilloIndependent School District--Board Room

7965Artcraft Road, 79932

Hoursof Design Studio:

Monday-Friday,9AM to 7PM

Scott Cutler, the President of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, emailed supporters and said, "These public meetings (charrettes) will be an important opportunity, perhaps one of the only opportunities, to make sure that the scenic qualities of the west side corridor of Loop 375 are preserved. The stronger the participation by those favoring protecting this valuable scenic asset the greater the likelihood it will become part of the new master plan. [Emphasis mine.] Please make an effort to attend one or all of these meetings and let them know what you would like to happen."

Hike the Franklin Mountains State Park in January

2012-01-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Tin Mines Hike Tomorrow

2012-01-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

At entrance to Franklin Mountain Tin Mines

There are some really cool hikes coming up. As always, I suggest that you visit andbookmark El Paso Hiking Meet-up and theLas Cruces Hiking Meet-up as wellas the Ocotillo Hikers of LasCruces for schedules of great hikes. Join the El Paso and Las Crucesmeet-up groups so that you receive email about hikes as soon as they arescheduled.

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 7^th plan to hike tothe only Tin Mines ever in the United States. They are located in the northeastFranklins. The hike begins at 8 a.m. Get details hereincluding where to meet. The El PasoTin Mining and Smelting Company operated in the northeast Franklins from1909 until 1915 when it was shut down for lack of productive ore.

Also tomorrow is a hike in Fillmore Canyon at DrippingSprings in the Organ Mountains. Go to the El Paso Hiking Meet-up descriptionfor the details.

The ElPaso/Trans Pecos Audubon Society is planning the annual trip to Bosque del ApacheNational Wildlife Refuge to see ducks, cranes, geese and other birds andwildlife. (Map)Mark and Janet Perkins will be at the Refuge on Friday, January 13^th, for those who want to join them thatday. Those who arrive on Saturday willmeet at 1:00 p.m. at the RefugeVisitor's Center. There are alsoplans for a trip to the Sandia Mountainsfor the Rosy Finch banding (weather permitting). Beginners and nonmembers are welcome. Please RSVP as soon as possible. Reservations are required for this trip. There is a detailed Itinerary available uponrequest. Contact Mark at 637-3521 or mperkins4@elp.rr.com.

Every Sunday is Scenic Sunday at ScenicDrive from 7 a.m. to Noon. Walk, run or bicycle this 4.1 mileround trip of panoramic views and 500 million-year-old fossils. Also, get toknow the El Paso Zoo. If you visit allof the exhibits on this fabulous 35 acres, you will walk a mile. Keep track of Zoo Events.

Excelsior!

2012-01-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Under the Open Records laws of the State of Texas I requested some information about the land sales at Johnson Basin: appraisals, sales records, minutes and agenda of the PSB showing approval of the sales, email to and from Mr. Archuleta and so forth. I have been given a cost associated with compiling and copying the records. Click to enlarge the picture above of the letter to me from Mr. Bob Andron, EPWU attorney, outlining the associated costs. It is obvious that the EPWU/PSB does not want me to see the records. So much for open government and transparency. What are they afraid of? What really happened with the acquisition of the Johnson Basin? Why were procedures not followed?

I did ask by email today to simply view the records. I've been told that they will get back to me.

Last year, as a member of the Open Space Advisory Board, I requested a financial statement of our Open Space Fund - the 10% of your stormwater fee that goes for acquiring natural open space. I wanted to see income and expenses - a bank account statement basically. Never, ever was there any mention of property purchased as part of the Johnson Basin acquisition even though the El Paso Inc. story by David Crowder reveals that Joseph and Irene Dunn were paid $370,000 on January 9, 2011. That purchase was even hidden from the PSB contrary to the EPWU/PSB Policies and Procedures 31-03 signed by Mr. Archuleta on December 22, 2003.

In addition, the purchase of property acquisitions with open space money made before 2011 was even hidden from me in an earlier open records request that I made about the same income and expenses. Again, nothing about the purchase of property to acquire the Johnson Basin with open space funds even though such an expense was germane to my request.

Finally, in the 12/07/11 minutes of the Open Space Advisory Board, Mr. John Balliew of the EPWU said publicly that he would provide me with a copy of the PSB minutes regarding the Johnson Basin project discussion. This was separate from my open records request. To date, I have received nothing from Mr. Balliew and emailed him today asking him to send me that information. Mr. Balliew made his promise at the same OSAB meeting in which he identified the Johnson Basin as natural open space. I'm sure that the black top at the northwest corner of the "basin" is the natural asphalt pavement - a creative act of God.

Again, what are they afraid of? What really happened with the acquisition of the Johnson Basin? Why were procedures not followed? What is this cover-up all about?

"Looks like a natural arroyo to me"

2012-01-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

"Looks like a natural arroyo to me."

"Looks like a natural arroyo to me." Thus spake Richard Shoephoerster, PSB member and Dean of Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso at the PSB meeting when Ed Archuleta defended the purchase of property referred to as the Johnson Basin. Archuleta tried to justify the purchase using open space money because the land is located near the mountain. (So is the rest of El Paso.) When quizzed by Board member Rick Bonart regarding the cost of the land ($100,000 per acre), Archuleta tried to suggest that it was purchased at $293,000. When pressed about the real cost of $393,000, he said: "I think I've got that spread sheet." No other Board members questioned him about the price, the fact that the purchase was never brought to the Board for approval, a seeming lack of appraisals, and the inane suggestion that once the "facility" (Johnson Basin) is developed, there would be access to the mountain. Really? Sure, walk up a concrete sidewalk along a paved street, Pierce to Alabama - a 4 lane divided road, jaywalk, walk over some more commercial property and, yes, you will come to the entrance of McKelligon Canyon. Or, hop the rock wall onto William Beaumont Property, walk past the old Piedras exit, a retention pond, paved parking lots, hop another wall, trespass through some residential and commercial properties, jaywalk Alabama, etc. The bobbing heads bobbed.

You can see new pictures from Johnson Basin. EPWU is plowing land as fast as it can like the perp in a film noir movie burying the body in the woods.

New sign at Johnson Basin should read:
"Do Not Take Pictures or Videos of Our Boondoggle or We Will Prosecute"

Regional Water Conference Provides Opportunity for Questions about Rio Bosque

2011-12-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

Master Naturalist and member of the Board of Friends of the Rio Bosque, Sal Quintanilla told me yesterday that the ponds at the Rio Bosque are only one-third full. A Bosque advocate and volunteer since the 90s, Sal says that he has never seen this City of El Paso wetlands park so dry. Migratory birds such as American Wigeons are crowding in a very small area. Sadly, this makes them easy targets for poachers armed with shot guns since the City of El Paso police do not enforce the no guns in a city park regulation at the Rio Bosque.

There may be an opportunity for conservationists, Bosque and eco-tourism supporters to ask questions about the water shortage at the Bosque. Richard Teschner emailed to say:

"Those of you who are concerned about the amount of waterthat Rio Bosque is (and is not) receiving will want to attend a regional water conference tobe held January 4 (Wednesday) starting at 5 p.m. at the Kay Bailey HutchisonDesalination Plant on far-east Montana Street."

United States Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar, will be present along with representatives of the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1, the International Boundary and Water Commission, the Elephant Butte Irrigation District and the El Paso Water Utilities.

Teschner added: "Our questions to these officials should all be all be 'positive' and 'up-beat' of course; but questions they will be."

Song of the Day: Lark in the Morning The San Patricios at Doyle Chandler Party Dec 27 2011

2011-12-30T11:46:00.000-08:00

Be sure that you visit the San Patricios on Facebook.

State Parks Need Your Help

2011-12-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

I asked the Franklin Mountain State Par Superintendent, Dr. Cesar Mendez, how to donate to the park directly. He responded:

Greetings! Peoplecan always donate directly to the park of their choice by goingto that park and making a cash or check donation of $499 or less using the frontdesk, donation box, or self-pay envelope. If someone uses a checkthey can write in memo section the purpose of the donation (to what park and/or specific purpose, etc.). Donations of $500or more from a single donor can also be accepted at the park level, but theyhave to be approved later on by the TPWD Commission, during their regularmeetings.
Regulardonations collected in a given park goes to that park, unless specifiedotherwise. For example, when visitors make donations at the FMSPdonation box or place money self-pay envelopes identified asdonation, that money goes 100% to FMSP which is critical for our operations. Butplease consider that right now the Texas State Parks are in a criticalsituation as whole system and needs to fill the $4.6M gap in the budgetstatewide. Three ways to contribute to the whole Texas State Park Systemare: 1)Go to the website to make a tax-deductible, year-end donation.
2)Make a donation when renewing your motor vehicle registration. 3) Most importantly, because visitor fees pay for about half of the operatingcosts, visit state parks. Thanks!

New Year's Day Hike in Tom Mays

2011-12-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge.

City and PSB Ignore Open Space Master Plan Priorities

2011-12-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

The City of El Paso and the PSB are on an unfortunate courseof rapidly building park ponds while neglecting valuable natural open spaceassets. The PSB recently approved $2.5 million expenditures from the 10% ofyour stormwater fee to go to park ponds, the lowest items on the priority listset by Open Space and Stormwater advisory bodies. In fact, as alreadymentioned, an additional $400,000 from that fee that should only be set asidefor natural open space was spent on 4 acres of vacant land (the Johnson Basin) withno connectivity to natural open space other than a two block arroyo fragmentwhich exists on land owned by the military not by the City of El Paso. It iswalled-off from the view of El Pasoans by a rock wall topped with barbed wire. Youcan see picturesof Schoephoerster's perfect example of natural open space online – the samespace EPWU official, John Balliew, bold-faced proclaimed “natural” to aDecember meeting of the Open Space Advisory Board.

PSB/EPWU officials claim that Jim Shelton of EPWU has nothad the time to pursue other open space assets. I would argue that he has notbeen tasked to do so.

Johnson Basin may be a drainage asset and a potential locationfor a good neighborhood park. Creating that recreational/drainage space shouldcome from the other 90% of the stormwater fee not set aside for acquiringnatural open space . . . or from the Parks and Recreation budget which seems tohave an additional $2.1 million for park ponds but not a penny for open space andtrailheads.

The problem with park ponds is how they are designed. The Parks and Recreation Department seesthem as traditional turf parks. Without seeking the advice of her Parks and RecreationAdvisory Board, Department Director Nanette Smejkal, has plowed ahead now thatshe has made away with $2.5 million of open space money for 8 park ponds whichwere the lowest priorities on the open space master plan. Unfortunately, thatleadership style does not take advantage of the kind of expertise she couldhave tapped into for the design of her parks. Park ponds should be designed forpassive rainwater harvesting. UTEP Professor of Engineering and Hydrologist,John Walton, explains:

“The ‘park ponds’ should not beseeded with turf because this commits the City of El Paso to long term waste ofwater as well as high maintenance costs. Instead stormwater areas should bedesigned to employ passive rainwater harvesting. Passive harvesting ofstormwater flowing down drainages occurs when small depressions are placedwithin the flow path that capture a portion of the passing water and infiltrateit into the subsurface. The infiltrated water is stored passively in the soiland used to water trees and shrubs. Even in the desert climate of El Paso thetechnique produces dense green shade trees with no need for artificialwatering. Passive stormwater harvesting also reduces the peak storm dischargesleading to lower flooding potential.”

Read a Master Thesis about this methodology.

Just for established turf (not newly laid sod or seed), AgriLife(your Texas Agricultural Extension Agency) experts calculate about 1.3 milliongallons of water per acre per year or 27 or 30 gallons of water per square footof turf. Warm seed turf grasses can go as much as 58 gallons per square foot. Takinginto account our desert climate and not to mention a drought, what were PSBmembers thinking when they agreed to take $2.5 million of open space money (acash account) and give it to Parks and Recreation for park ponds? Again notethat El Paso’s Parks and Recreation Department spends zip, zero, nada on anykind of natural open space.

Keeping all of this in mind, it is much easier to see whythe Johnson Basin purchase is even more egregious. Open Space Advisory Board Chairman, CharlieWakeem, wrote in an email that Johnson Basin “meets none of the criteria forOpens Space preservation.”

Wakeem says that“OSAB agrees that Johnson Basin is a drainage asset and couldalso be a park asset that ought to be acquired” but notwith the 10% of your stormwater fee (on your water bill) that goes into a cashaccount to buy ecologically sensitive land. There are several criteria for openspace (none of which Johnson Basin meets in spite of Mr. Shoephoerster’s andMr. Balliew’s claims). Wakeem enumerates by quoting the Open Space Master Plan:

· "Open Space is any area that has not beendeveloped or that currently has no significant structures on it. Thesespaces have some combination of natural scenic beauty, natural resources thatare deemed worthy of preservation, or have a cultural or historic significanceto the area or region."

· What is Open Space?: "The commonthread in all definitions of open space is the notion of lands that have notyet been substantially altered by man, or that preserve some vestiges of thenatural environment in the urban area that surrounds them."

· The Amount of Undeveloped Land Remaining in ElPaso: "Land for open space must be preserved today, or it will beconsumed over the next 20 to 40 years."

· Mission (in part): "....ElPaso's Open Space Trail Network will be attractive and easily accessible toall. It will be the site of many kinds of healthy recreationalactivities, and provide numerous opportunities for educating the public aboutthe Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems."

· The Plan for El Paso & Plan El Paso: "Goal: Protect and promote ecologically sensitive areas, such as aquifer rechargezones, hillsides, bosques, arroyos and wetlands."

It would have been better to fund park ponds (and all agreethat dirt holes should be better rainwater/drainage/recreational assets for theCity) incrementally with other funds since they are at the bottom of open spacepriorities. The 10% of the stormwater fee for open space goes into a cashaccount at the rate of about $117,000 per month – not enough cash flow toafford the purchase of open space from a cash account unless allowed to buildup over time. Just thePalisades cost $2.5 million. With the $2.5 million raid by Parks andRecreation, the fund is now just above $100,000. Because it is a cash accountwith insignificant cash flow, expenditures for projects such as park ponds willalways have the advantage. In short, one wonders if any other natural openspace acquisitions can be made especially since Master Plan priorities areignored by City politicians and PSB technocrats.

The fact that the open space account is a cash account goesunder one of Mayor Cook’s favorite rubrics: “No good deed goes unpunished.” Why is the stormwater/open space account cash?Recall that it was established post-2006 flood. There are two reasons. First, architects of the fund didn’t want peopleto feel that open space advocates were taking advantage of the situation andcosting them the extra debt service just to buy amenities. And, secondly, therevenue was leveraged by the Storm Water utility. It allowed Storm Water to have an additional $4million up front to do a more urgent CIP project that would have been postponedtoo many additional years. The result of the good deed: you, your open space,your natural open space priorities, sensitive eco-systems, etc., etc. aregetting (to put it bluntly) screwed.

Enough said . . . for now.

Schoephoserster's "Perfect Example of Natural Open Space"

2011-12-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of PSB member and UTEP Dean of Engineering, Richard "Dick" Schoephoerster's "perfect example of natural open space":

View from Piedras and Pierce, the old William Beaumont gate.

Click, of course, to enlarge this and the following photos.

El Pasoans have this beautiful view along Pierce Avenue of Schoephoerster's perfect example of natural open space.

Rock climbing at Johnson Basin, a part of Schoephoerster's perfect example of natural open space.

Christmas at Tom Mays Unit of FMSP

2011-12-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge.

Transmountain Petition Update

2011-12-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

At yesterday's City Council meeting an update was given on the process for re-doing the Northwest Master Plan which includes the preservation of the Scenic Transmountain Corridor. Planning and Development staff announced the following schedule for public input on the NW Master Plan and Scenic Corridor. I will confirm the schedule after the first of the year. However, all of you who want to see the corridor preserved in perpetuity (forever) in its natural state, should set aside time now on your calendars:

Tuesday, January 24th - Hands On Session, 5 to 9PM, Canutillo HS Cafeteria

January 23 - 28 - Weeklong Open Design Studio - Location to be announced

Saturday, January 28 - Work in Progress Presentaion, 9AM - Noon, Canutillo HS Cafeteria

April - May Review and Adoption Process

Stakehold meetings for January charrettes are being planned now.

It was reported to me by a City Council member that Planning and Development plans to have a final resolution in April. However the Dover Kohl timeline suggests that a final adoption of the NW Master Plan may not occur until winter of 2012.

Prior to Council, I wrote the Mayor and Council members this email message:

Mayor Cook and Honorable Members of City Council, I understand that today’s Agenda Item 7D is the update yourequested regarding the preservation of land known as the Scenic TransmountainCorridor and the Northwest Master Plan. On December 5, 2011, I met with Mr.Carlos Gallinar of Planning and Development and Mr. Jason King of Dover Kohl. Two other persons who want to see the Scenic Corridor preserved inperpetuity in its natural state accompanied me. We discussed the upcomingprocess. We had a good conversation and Mr. King took copious notes. I remain committed to the process laid out by Planning andDevelopment in conjunction with Dover Kohl. All of us who signed the petitionremain steadfast in our pursuit of seeing that the Scenic Transmountain Corridoris preserved in its natural state in perpetuity. “Islands” within that corridorfor resorts or other purposes fed by roads cutting through that corridor areunacceptable. Preserving the natural arroyos without slicing through them ortruncating them remains the goal. If Paseo del Norte does run through thatland, elevated roads over the arroyos are essential. We understand that the process for a new Master Plan whichincludes the preservation of the Scenic Corridor takes time. The time linebefore you today seems lengthy and we hope that we can be more expeditiouswithout compromising good planning. I personally remain confident in the City’sPlanning and Development Department, the leadership of Mr. McElroy, and theexpertise of Dover Kohl. Wishing you each all the best, happy holidays, and the loveand comfort of family and friends this season, Jim H. Tolbert

2011-12-17T05:25:00.000-08:00

Borderland Mountain Bike Association President, David Wilson has written an open letter encouraging that more money be spent on trails, trail improvements, trail heads and signage. He's right that there are great mountain bike trails throughout the Franklins which are also great for hikers. The City of El Paso owes a debt of gratitude to BMBA for creating most of these trails. Now they have actually funded the creation of trail head parking for Redd Road - an unprecedented action.

For more information about mountain biking and bike trails in this region, go to GeoBetty.com.

Here is Dave's letter:

Ithas come to my attention that the funds set aside for the acquisition of openspace might be used to improve green spaces around the city. Lastyear there was a pretty heated debate about using these funds to build trailheads and trail head parking at some of the newly acquired open space and itwas finally determined that they could not be used for those purposes.....ONLYfor the acquisition of new lands to be preserved as open space. To hearthat board members are considering the use of this funding to improve greenspaces seems to be pretty contradictory to what was determined sometime lastyear.

I don't think you'll find many people who would have a problem using this moneyto improve green space, but it would only be fair to use this money to improveour open spaces as well. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is spending alarge amount of city money to promote our city as a mountain bikingdestination. Mountain biking will be featured on the cover of the spring Visitors' Guide, Texas Monthly magazine, and Southwest Magazine (the one inevery seat of every Southwest plane). At present, our city is not readyto play host to mountain bikers who are unfamiliar with our trails and theiraccess points. At present, we have NO mountain bike trail heads and NOmountain bike trail head signage except in the Tom May's unit of the State Park. We have some great trails, but few of them are signed. Without a gps unitthat has a track file for the trail being ridden or a guide, it's sheer luck ifa visitor has a good mountain biking experience.

I encourage the City (Council, the PSB, the Open Space Advisory Board, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the State Park) to work together in completing themountain biking infrastructure needed to truly make El Paso a mountain bikingdestination as well as mitigating user conflicts and impacts that are currentlyhappening at common access points. The BMBA is committed to finishing thetrail head parking lot on Redd Rd, but after this project, our coffers will beempty. The Redd Road location needs extensive signage on trails found oncity land and State Park land. The park has begun the process for signageon their portion. The BMBA will continue to advise the bureaucracies freeof charge.

Please don't divert Open Space Acquisition funds for green space unless you arewilling to do the same for current open space.
David Wilson, President of Borderland Mountain Bike Association

A Special Invitation: Hike and Mountain Bike the Johnson Basin

2011-12-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

Johnson Basin as seen from William Beaumont. Click to enlarge.

HardCore Hikers, Mountain Bikers and Outdoor Enthusiasts,

Come help make a video for You Tube of the gorgeous Johnson Basin leading into the Schoephoerster Trash Preserve. PSB Board Member, Richard (“Dick” to those who know himbest) Schoephoerster, called this land “a perfect example of natural openspace” during a public meeting of the PSB on Wednesday. Nestled between the CemexQuarry, the concrete and asphalt of the Alabama corridor, commercial buildings, residences, the William Beaumontcomplex and a Lower Dyer neighborhood near Assumption Church and TravisElementary, this lovely 4 acres of open space was purchased with $400,000 of your Open Space money (without having to trouble anyone by going through the OpenSpace Advisory Board – or even, as it now seems, the PSB itself). You can seesome pictures of this “perfect example of natural open space” here.

Help us make a video that will showcase what will surely become the premier newnatural, recreational open space (referred to as the Johnson Basin).

Pleasedo join us this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Meet at Trumanand Copia. Please do bring your back pack. Bring solid, ankle high orhigher boots. I’ve heard something is really piled high here. Do bring veryhigh-powered binoculars so you can spot the wildlife. Maps, gps, and compass are optional in case you might want to try orienteering.

Jim Tolbert

Publisher of the elpasonaturally blog

P.S.Seriously. Please do come and be part of this video! Pass the word to others.

The Johnson Basin Scam

2011-12-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

PSB took nearly $400,000 of your money set aside to purchase valuable, natural open space to buy 4 acres of vacant land along with a few houses in the lower Dyer area of the City. Johnson Basin is situated near Assumption Church and school and west of Travis Elementary. It abuts William Beaumont military land on the west. It is roughly between Pierce and Lincoln Avenues on the south and north and Copia and Justus on the east and west. Here is a picture of the area from a URS study:

Click on picture to enlarge.

Between the Johnson Basin and William Beaumont is a tall rock wall with barbed wire in some places and an iron grate where an almost 2 block fragment of what once was an arroyo flows onto the basin, narrowing to a mere ditch, bending to the north where it abruptly dead ends without a culvert at Lincoln Avenue.

The purchase of the Johnson Basin was never approved by the Open Space Advisory Board. It suddenly appeared last month in a handout "Open Space and Park/Ponds" along with its acquisition price of $394,247. OSAB never vetted it in contradiction to Mr. Ed Archuleta's claim to the PSB at their meeting this past Wednesday. More egregiously, it seems now that PSB never vetted or approved any of the purchases making up the Johnson Basin. Nevertheless, PSB members let is slide in spite of the fact that Mr. Archuleta dismissively confessed that he may not have brought the purchase or purchases before the Board. (Purchases over $25,000 must be brought to the PSB. Elpasonaturally has an Open Records Request for documents that show the agenda and minutes of meetings when the purchases were discussed and approved.)

At the last PSB meeting, member Richard Schoephoerster pontificated that the Basin was a "perfect example of natural open space." Really, Dick? Let's take a look at it shall we.

Click the above to enlarge. The questions were asked by the person who got this Google map. I can best answer the questions by simply describing what happens from the Basin to the mountain. A tall rock wall divides the basin from William Beaumont, the military medical campus that owns the property along Pierce Avenue to above Louisiana. An iron grate divides the ditch in the Basin from the wider arroyo on William Beaumont property. That "arroyo" ends less than 2 blocks west where the old Piedras entrance to the hospital exists. West of Piedras is a retention pond which sits below parking lots on the north and to the west. Run-off from these lots feed into the retention pond. There is no connectivity between that pond and the arroyo fragment to the east. There is no connectivity between that retention pond and any natural feature to the west. A spillover is constructed at the east end of the pond and there is one across Piedras at the beginning of the arroyo fragment. It would take quite a rain event to spill any water over from one side to the other. In essence, there just isn't any connectivity. Beyond the retention pond to the west toward the mountain is the paved parking lot of Beaumont, a residential area, a commercial area, the cement and asphalt of the Alabama Street corridor and then Cemex. Where the mouth of McKelligon Canyon once cut down through this area there is only a large culvert that crosses under Alabama and comes out across the street from someone's garage door. Looking at that door and house one can see the Beaumont campus to the east.

You can see pictures of all of this including the Johnson Basin by going here.

Certainly Johnson Basin probably is the site of some flooding during rains. Johnson Street runs down toward Dyer. A ditch with culverts pass under Travis Elementary and then to the Pershing Dam. Streets in this neighborhood were often designed to be the stormwater passageways. Haphazard development meant that drainage and neighborhoods didn't always fit together. Nevertheless, the money to fix the Johnson Basin should have come from some other place than money to buy natural open space as well.

The mere 2 block arroyo fragment along the south side of William Beaumont has no connectivity, is cut-off in fact from non-military El Pasoans, is not ecologically sensitive, has no aesthetic value, and is, in fact, a trash dump and trash collector. Since Mr. Schoephoerster calls it a "perfect example of natural open space", let's name it for him: the Schoephoerster Trash Preserve.

Question: will PSB do the right thing and give the money back to Open Space and take it out of some other part of their budget? Keep in mind that Open Space money is a cash account. After Parks and Recreation made-off with nearly $3,000,000 of it and Ed and Company took $400,000 for their Johnson Basin Scam, there may be less than $600,000 in that account today. Should the opportunity arise to buy a special piece of natural open space property, the money won't be there until slowly replenished by the 10% of your stormwater fee - replenished unless dipped into again with no regard to the process, of course.

More to report on all of this for sure as well as the Park/Ponds boondoggle.

Perhaps There IS Money for the Rio Bosque

2011-12-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

We have been following progress (what there is of it) at the Rio Bosque, a site that has the potential for massive tourist eco-dollars for El Paso and El Paso County but receives treatment that would make Cinderella’s plight under her step-family seem like pampering a celebrity on Rodeo Drive. Judy Ackerman reports:

“On November 13^th the Bosque started receiving some water from the Bustamante Water Treatment Plant; about 45% of the effluent or about 7,000,000 gal/day. By the 28^th water in the old river channel in the park had almost reached the visitor center. Because the park has been so dry for so long, and the water table has dropped so low, the water is sinking into the ground instead of filling the old river channel. On Monday 28 Nov, John Sproul started diverting the water to fill the wetland cells, but it still has not reached the cells. This is the first time since 1998, that we have not had water in the wetland cells in the month of December. It is particularly sad since this is a banner year for waterfowl in the U.S. – the best in 35 years – but we are not getting to see them.

“El Paso Water Improvement District #1 is ready to start construction on the turn-out that will make it possible for the park to receive water from the Riverside Canal, when water rights are donated to the park and water is available. However, they will not start until El Paso #1 receives payment, in advance, for the cost of the construction: $8,424.”

Although the money has been raised, we must remember that building the turnout does not mean that the Irrigation District will move the water from the Bustamante that EPWU has for the Bosque. Once in the canal or drain, the water belongs to the District and their General Manager, Chuy Reyes (brother of Silvestre) is like Scrooge before any ghostly apparitions. At the last Open Space Advisory Board meeting, EPWU’s John Balliew said that the long term solution is building pumping, piping and plumbing infrastructure directly to the Park at the cost of $1 Million. That money, the Bosque does not have. Or do they?

Parks and Recreation Parks Pond Project graphic presented to the recent PSB Budget meeting. Click on image to enlarge.

Currently the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of El Paso is going after nearly $3 million from money set aside for purchasing open space. They want that money for 8 more Park Ponds, similar to the recently completed Saipan project. That $3 million would be for shrubs, trees and sod only. To complete their park pond projects there is another $2.3 million for irrigation from the City of El Paso. At its past Wednesday meeting, Open Space Advisory Board members voted to recommend that the money set aside for open space purchases be retained and not used for park pond projects. If the PSB concurs at their next budget meeting, then Parks would be left with $2.3 million and have no money for trees, shrubs and sod.

What can Parks do with a measly $2.3 million? $1 million of that would provide water to a City park – the Rio Bosque. I’m thinking about some well-deserved glass slippers.

Winter Tree Tips from WTUFC Dec. 15

2011-12-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

Map to library.

For more information about purchasing living Christmas trees, go here.

Petition Update Concerns Many

2011-11-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

People are keeping an eye on what is happening with the petition and with preserving the Scenic Corridor in perpetuity. Yesterday was the first meeting of City Council beyond sixty days from the September 20^th meeting when an update was promised. Board members of Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, Judy Ackerman and Raul Amaya, spoke to the issue during the Call to the Public. City Planning Staff will give an update next Tuesday, December 6. They will report that Dover Kohl will begin work on the Northwest Master Plan that includes the Scenic Corridor and that they should begin in late January following their completion of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Public charrettes will be scheduled around that time. Petition organizers are meeting with attorneys regarding any question about any deadline by law to proceed to a petition for a ballot referendum if necessary. The crux of the matter is trust. When all is said and done, people want to see the Scenic Corridor preserved forever.

The real question is whether SmartCode can guarantee preservation. Currently the City is sponsoring a three day workshop about SmartCode. There are about 118 people in attendance – many from the City and one that I know about from PSB. 19% of the attendees are developers. The workshop is being conducted by the Placemakers, a collection of professionals (“planners, designers, architects, an attorney, an MBA, a journalist and a marketing communications veteran”) who are city planners who promote the principles of New Urbanism – the design of walkable, diverse, compact communities.

I’ll report more about the workshop tomorrow at elpasonaturally. I was able to hear keynoter, Jeff Speck, yesterday at the workshop and at his public lecture last evening. What I heard about neighborhoods, community, walkability, health, and more is exciting and promising. It’s good news that they are here and that the City is adopting SmartCode.

You can follow Placemaker Hazel Borys on Twitter and pick-up some of the key concepts of the workshop or go to http://tweetchat.com/room/smartcode and follow the conversation about the workshop.

Of course, a huge cloud over preservation is just what TxDOT plans to do. Elpasonaturally has learned that they are already making changes that will preclude much of the landscaping with trees as previously promised to the public. It also appears that the intersection at proposed Paseo del Norte will eat up quite a bit of the corridor which will give excuse to some to go ahead with plans to plow through the natural landscape of the Scenic Corridor. These machinations may precipitate a need to proceed to a ballot.

Although he did not touch on specific highway projects such as Transmountain, Jeff Speck in his lecture last evening did give some hard evidence how such road projects have caused greater congestion and are a greater harm to the public health, safety and welfare. Adopting SmartCode and allowing TxDOT to continue these behemoth projects in El Paso are contradictions.

The time has come and gone for applications for an upcoming vacancy on the Public Service Board. I decided to apply and you can read my cover letter submitted with my resume.

Since the last e-letter promoting buying locally for the holidays, many more suggestions have been emailed to me. Check out the right hand column at elpasonaturally for new ideas for shopping including Hyundai Sun Bowl tickets, the Unitarian Universalist Community of El Paso annual Christmas bazaar, the upcoming gem and mineral show, and the Happy Hawaiian Holidaze Open Hut Arts & Crafts Fair at the Hal Marcus Gallery.

Finally, give yourself a real holiday treat this weekend on either Friday or Saturday evening. Go to Keystone Heritage Park and enjoy Luminarias by the Lake. Details here.

Transmountain Scenic Corridor Is Still on Minds of Many

2011-11-29T15:57:00.001-08:00

It's been 60 days since we presented to City Council the petition to preserve in perpetuity the Scenic Corridor along Transmountain. There was no decision except to begin a process to re-do the Northwest Master Plan with the guidance of Dover Kohl and include in that process the preservation of the land. Dover Kohl can't get started on that project until they finish the Comprehensive Plan for El Paso. Nevertheless, members of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition went to Council this morning and gave gentle reminders that the issue has not been forgotten. Planning will present an update next Tuesday to City Council. By schedule, that day will be the first time to make the promised 60 day update since September 20th when the certified petition was formally presented to Council.

Judy Ackerman and Raul Amaya spoke during public comment. Judy made it clear that, as Secretary of FMWC, she hears from many people. FMWC is a coalition of 30 other non-profit groups and has for its own membership 1200 people. Nearly 1600 signatures were certified on the petition.

Here is the text of Judy's remarks:

Good morning Honorable Mayor and City Council.

Thank you for this opportunity to address you on the topic of the Scenic Corridor. I am judy Ackerman, Secretary for the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition. The Coalition has been a non-profit local organization since July 1978, dedicated to preserving and protecting the unique bio-diversity, geology and historical cultural heritage.

We are a coalition with 30 local non-profit organizations as members and they each have their own individual members. Additionally the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition has over 1200 individual members.

The coalition members are YOUR constituents from the far east side, through central, northeast and all the way around to the far upper valley.

I’ve been getting phone calls, e-mails and members stopping me on the street asking, “What’s going on with the Transmountain Scenic Corridor?” They see the Scenic Corridor as vital to the integrity of our mountains and they are concerned about the delay in permanently protecting the city-owned land along the western slopes of our Franklin Mountains.

They see the mountain as vulnerable to bulldozers and paving and want YOU to protect our mountains.

We fully support the charrette process to gather public input to the planning process for El Paso’s future. We support your efforts with Dover Kohl.

We just wanted YOU to know what I am hearing from YOUR constituents. They want City Owned land permanently protected as natural open space.

Here is the text of Raul's remarks:

There are places in the world that should be left as they are; that should be preserved, conserved & protected for everyone’s benefit. Things like beautiful beaches, mountains & mountain vistas like the 700 acres of land along the western slope of Trans Mountain road that we the citizens of El Paso own.

There are places in the world that should belong to everyone in general & no one in particular & that because of their uniqueness & beauty shouldn’t be sold for private development & profit like the 700 acres of land along the western side of Trans Mountain road.

Everything, everyone & everyplace should not be for sale. Money is not all that matters in life. Commercial & residential development on every parcel of land regardless of its beauty & uniqueness should not be the predominant value.

Environmentalist author Edward Abbey wrote: "The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need … wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, as vital to our lives as water and good bread."

I’ll close my comments with a few lyrics from a popular song of my youth written by Joni Mitchell named Yellow Taxi.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot with a pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot SPOT.

Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got ‘til it's gone.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

Please don’t be the “they” in this song.

Luminarias by the Lake

2011-11-29T07:55:00.001-08:00

Click image to enlarge.

Keystone Heritage Park is a great place to visit, enjoy the garden, bird watch and see the wetlands. It has archaeological and historical significance. It can use your support.

(Map)

I'm Applying!

2011-11-28T12:44:00.000-08:00

Through the elpasonaturally e-letter I have let readers know that the PSB is taking applications now for a position on the PSB that is coming vacant. It is the position that Katherine Brennand currently holds. My understanding is that she wants to continue on the board but that the City has insisted that the application process be honored. When changes were to stagger board membership a few years ago, Katherine drew one of the short straws and her term expired in two rather than four years. After much thought and input, I decided that I am qualified for the seat termed Communications, Public Administration or Education. Below is my cover letter that I emailed less than an hour ago to EPWU's Consumer Affairs Officer, Paula Apodaca:

PSB Application Letter

Free City Planning Lecture Next Tuesday

2011-11-25T09:55:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge image.

As part of a three day workshop on SmartCode, Mr. Jeff Speck will be giving a free public lecture on Tuesday, November 29th, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Main Public Library, 501 N. Oregon. (Map). Jeff will do a book signing after the lecture. He is the co-author of Suburban Nation and the Smart Growth Manual.

Bottom line: Don't miss this one!

For more information, contact City of El Paso Deputy Director of Planning, Matthew McElroy, at 915-541-4193 or mcelroymx@elpasotexas.gov.

7th Annual Holiday Market at Ardovino's Desert Crossing

2011-11-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

Talk about buying locally! The 7th Annual Holiday Market at Ardovino's Desert Crossing will be held Sunday, December 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is their largest event ever with over 70 vendors from their Farmers Market plus guest artisans selling a variety of handmade gifts and crafts. Check out the new A1 private party room with a special Champagne tasting plus free cider. Enjoy brunch in the restaurant starting at 10 a.m. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. For more information please call 575-589-0653. (Map and driving directions)

Buy Locally for the Holidays

2011-11-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Elpasonaturally likes the idea of buying from local businesses for the holiday shopping . . . and beyond the holidays shopping. You can read the message that has gone viral that encourages American consumers to buy locally. As those on the Frontera, we can also consider products from Juarez and Chihuahua as being local as well. So, as we approach “Black Friday” and the holiday insanity, here are some thoughts.

Last e-letter, I recommended that you get a copy of the El Paso Scene or visit it online. See their list of bazaars and fairs on their Round-Up page. Also get a list of local El Paso businesses at Homegrown El Paso and check out Craig’s List for El Paso. Check out Small Business Saturday on Facebook. Here are some more specific suggestions:

Go to Jackson Polk’s www.elpasogold.com for history and heritage DVDs about El Paso. They ship anywhere and they have 13 different DVD titles – all about El Paso. You can buy them online or at about fifty El Paso and Southern New Mexico stores and gift shops. Jackson’s new "Ghost Stories of El Paso Vol.3" will be available starting this Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m., Nov. 26, 2011, at the DVD release party at the El Paso Main Library downtown, 502 N. Oregon. You can see the program for free in the library auditorium. (Map)

Our friends, Bobby and Lee Byrd, are the owners of Cinco Puntos Press. They publish books for all ages including a new one by daughter and City Representative, Susie Byrd, and candidate for U.S. Congress, Beto O’Rourke. Their book, Dealing Death and Drugs, was the subject of an EP Times story yesterday.

Check out Cactus Mary Soap. Mary Fountaine makes her all natural, cold process soaps by hand in Central El Paso. You can buy from her online as well.

Many of you who read the El Paso Hiker and who like to hike, run, walk or marathon will appreciate El Pasoan Dr. David Williams’ web site with a cyber store – the Runnin’ Bunion.

Buy gift certificates from your favorite restaurants such as El Paso eatery icons: Kiki’s and House of Pizza. Ardovino’s Desert Crossing is not just fine dining but owners, Marina and Robert Ardovino, strive to bring locally produced foods and beverages to your table.

Support your local artists and shop at the Downtown Art Market this Saturday November 26, 2011 from 9 to 1 in the Union Plaza District.

This e-letter and elpasonaturally will post suggestions for great local holiday buys. If you or someone you know has goodies that make great presents, please let me know. Keep checking elpasonaturally for local shopping suggestions.

Downtown Art Market: Shop Locally on Saturday

2011-11-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Downtown Art Market observes

Small Business Saturday with local artists

November 26^th

Union Plaza District

9am-1pm

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD), in its continuing effort to support local artists, announces its participation in the national “Small Business Saturday” project, encouraging the El Paso community to shop local at the Downtown Art Market on Saturday November 26, 2011 from 9am-1pm. (Map of Union Plaza District)

On one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, participating Downtown Art Market artists have gathered to promote 20 gifts under $20 this Saturday. Local artists will also be offering free holiday craft s for children including making clay gingerbread men.

The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

The Downtown Art Market launched on October 29^th and occurs every Saturday from 9am-1pm at Union Plaza. The event attracts El Pasoans and visitor’s downtown and provides opportunities for local artists to sell their work.

Nabhan Speaks at UTEP at 5PM Today

2011-11-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Click in image to enlarge.

Ethnobotanist, conservationist, farmer, essayist and internationally-celebrated nature writer, Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan, will lecture and sign his new book, Chasing Chiles, this evening in Room 116 at the Undergraduate Learning Center on the UTEP campus. A reception will follow at the Centennial Museum. (Map)

Nabhan was the Founding Director of the Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University. He co-founded Native Seeds/Search, a clearinghouse of native varieties of agricultural seeds of the American Southwest and northwest Mexico, and founded RAFT (Renewing America's Food Traditions), "an alliance of food, farming, environmental and culinary advocates who have joined together to identify, restore and celebrate America's biologically and culturally diverse food traditions through conservation, education, promotion and regional networking."

Mother Earth News has called Gary (an orchard-keeper and wild forager) "the father of the local food movement."He is also an Ecumenical Franciscan brother.

Chasing Chiles is co-authored with Kurt Michael Friese and Kraig Kraft. "Chasing Chiles looks at both the future of place-based foods and the effects of climate change on agriculture through the lens of the chile pepper - from the farmers who cultivate this iconic crop to the cuisines and cultural traditions in which peppers play a huge role."

Experience Bliss and an Eatery Institution

2011-11-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

There’s a surge in planned hikes in our region! More and more people are hiking and looking for groups to hike with. Keep going to Celebration of Our Mountains , El Paso Hiking Meet-up and the Las Cruces Hiking Meet-up. Also check out the Ocotillo Hikers of Las Cruces.

Here’s one hike that doesn’t appear on any of the above but sure has me excited:

Bliss Sandstone Field Trip! Meet in the Mountain Park area of NE El Paso just off Magnetic/Alabama at Titanic and Big Bend tomorrow (Thursday, November 17, 2011) at 7 a.m. Hike to an interesting feature of Bliss Sandstone in the Franklins. Afterwards plan to eat at an El Paso Institution: the New Clock on Dyer which one veteran hiker has described as “the finest cuisine Northeast El Paso has to offer.”

Composed of small grains of quartz embedded in a matrix of sericite and kaolin and taking its name from Fort Bliss, Bliss Sandstone is a Paleozoic formation of the Ordovician/Cambrian Periods roughly 500 million years ago. Dating is based on “Annelid borings both perpendicular and parallel . . . in the Bliss sandstone.” (Citation here.) Although “the main occurrence of the Bliss sandstone is along the eastern slopes of the Franklin Mountains” . . . there are also “ outcrops in small areas on the upper western flanks of the central part of the range.” In fact, I have a sample found on the western side of the ridge above Fusselman Canyon along the Ron Coleman Trail not far from the Mammoth and our beloved Winkie. Bliss Sandstone is primarily ancient beach sands deposited in shallow, offshore waters. Similar formations are found in Central Texas, southwestern New Mexico and Arizona including the Tonto sandstone of the Grand Canyon. (Picture)

A fied trip to see Bliss Sandstone followed by breakfast at the New Clock – Priceless!

This weekend you can go birding in the lower valley (Tornillo, McNary, Fort Hancock) and see shore and wading birds. You can look for Fluorspar in the mines, adits and prospects that dot Bishop’s Cap. Franklin Hills is the launch site for two more hikes this weekend. On Saturday there will be a trails hike that can be done with moderate ease or moderate difficulty – whichever description you prefer. As you hike into the Franklin Mountains State Park you can see land to be developed and, hopefully, land to be permanently preserved. On Sunday take a more leisurely route and stroll and see the fossils in the area. Both hikes will be led by Master Naturalist and Master Hiker, Tommy Young.

Finally, if you are interested in the Crane Festival at the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge (just below Socorro, New Mexico), this weekend is a good time to go. Contact Coordinator Carol Brown at 915-630-1424 for more information.

Excelsior!

Today's E-Letter: Reyes Deputy Chief of Staff Loses Control

2011-11-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

Value conservation, preserved open natural space, green infrastructure/low impact development? Head doesn’t bob like a dashboard ornament? APPLY TO SERVE ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD. The Public Service Board is accepting applications for one vacancy. Applicants must have education and professional expertise in the field of Communications, Public Administration or Education. Go here for more information. Hurry. The deadline for receiving applications is Monday, November 28, by 5 p.m. Any application received after 5:00 p.m. on November 28 will not be considered.

Here’s a story you won’t read in the Times: Representative Silvestre Reyes’ Deputy Chief of Staff, Sal Payan, lost all control at the regular monthly meeting of City Council Rep. Susie Byrd whose guest was candidate Beto O’Rourke. The meeting happened on November 3^rd at Tierra del Sol Mexican Restaurant. It’s sad to report that a tax payer-paid staff member of Congressman Reyes verbally assaulted Mr. O’Rourke. Since the elpasonaturally post about this matter, I’ve interviewed five other people who were witnesses. All told the same story about Mr. Payan’s rudeness and incivility which even caused kitchen staff to come into the dining area to see what was wrong. The behavior of a Chief of Staff says a great deal about the caliber of representative we currently have.

There is a story that you will read in the Times probably on Sunday and it will be worthwhile to read. It is great news about Castner Range, Frontera Land Alliance and Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition. I’ll let top-notch reporter, Chris Roberts, tell it. The Castner Conservation Conveyance Report is now published. The study was done by CALIBRE Systems, Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia with funding from a $300,000 Office of Economic Adjustment/Department of Defense grant.

If you want to give input and suggestions for projects for the 2012 bond election, visit the home page of the City of El Paso. Here’s the message:

“City and County Officials and downtown business leaders have announced the beginning of the public process for a November 2012 bond election. Our city is constantly changing, lifestyles are shifting and the needs and opportunities are abundant. The proposed election will create new ideas for bold economic development and quality of life initiatives.

“The call for community projects is the beginning of a public process to provide voters the opportunity to request projects to improve the quality of life in El Paso and recommend key signature projects to create a more dynamic environment for downtown.”

Of course, voters may still be in a foul mood in a year for anything having to do with “spending”. They certainly were with regard to Propositions in the last election. Although a majority of people in El Paso County who voted last Tuesday wanted the kind of Regional Park District as recommended by a Blue Ribbon Committee for the City and championed by all of El Paso’s State representatives, a majority of Texans probably saw the words “ad valorem taxes” in Proposition 7 and voted it down as if what happens in El Paso will affect their jerking knees. Those same Texans favored big contractor water projects (Proposition 2) but opposed the conservation efforts of Proposition 8.

There seems to be a real effort to encourage American consumers not just to buy American but buy local during the upcoming holidays. “Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition” is the subject of an email that has gone viral and is being picked up by web sites and blogs of all varieties and persuasions. The opening paragraph reads:

“As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!”

If you haven’t gotten the message in your e-mail, read it here.

Buying local is living sustainably. Get a copy of the El Paso Scene or visit it online. You'll find a list of bazaars and fairs on their Round-Up page. You can get a list of local El Paso businesses at Homegrown El Paso. Do check out Craig’s List for El Paso. El Paso has a great bilingual publisher for your holiday shopping: Cinco Puntos Press.

Also for sustainable living, check out the El Paso Freecycle Group. It’s part of the Freecycle Network, a “grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills.” Many thanks to Judy Ackerman for this link. Check it out, folks.

Finally, here’s a dream for the City of El Paso’s open space policies and programs: Visit the Open Space page for the City of Albuquerque. Imagine.

Christmas 2011 - Birth of a New Tradition

2011-11-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

My buddy, Mike Mecke, forwarded this to me:

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or abook of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

I googled the title and actually found it posted all over the web - on far left sites, far right sites, generational blogs, blogs for women, editorials, etc., etc. It's viral which is to say that it's popular. It's also a great idea for helping your local economy, i.e. your friends and neighbors. So, if sustainability is what we are about, let's sustain the businesses in our own community. It cuts shipping costs, reduces carbon footprints and builds community.

All of us have favorite stores, restaurants, haircutters, gyms, home care services. Get a copy of the El Paso Scene or visit it online. You'll find a list of bazaars and fairs on their Round-Up page.

You can get a list of local El Paso businesses at Homegrown El Paso.

It's a new tradition that can become a great new way of living all of the time.

Reyes Chief of Staff Loses Control

2011-11-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday candidate for U.S. Representative, Beto O’Rourke, was Susie Byrd’s guest at her monthly breakfast. It’s sad to report that he was targeted by a very rude member of Silvestre Reyes’ taxpayer-paid staff. Artist and nearby resident, Ho Baron reports:

“There were maybe 20 people at the forum, two of them evidently from Reyes’ office. Beto spoke about 20 minutes, then opened the discussion for questions. He had discussed the poor veterans facilities in the city, and one guy stood up ranting about Beto being a liar regarding the veterans. He wouldn’t shut up until another guy yelled: ‘We didn’t come here to hear you.’ The guy ranted on until the moderator, Susie’s assistant, interfered, and he finally shut his mouth. The guy was really rude.”

Rep. Byrd was out of town but her assistant, Judy Gutierrez, was there on her behalf. Judy identified the rude man as Sal Payan, Rep. Reyes’ Chief-of-Staff, a taxpayer-paid position and not a campaign person. Mr. Payan apparently lost control, was yelling so loudly that kitchen staff came out to see what was happening, and called Mr. O’Rourke a “liar”. More than one person asked Mr. Payan to settle down. Ms. Gutierrez with assistance from outraged members of the audience finally got this tax-payer paid public official to quit his ranting. Judy reminded everyone that courtesy is to be given speakers, Mr. Reyes will be Rep. Byrd’s guest early next year, and that the community breakfasts are not a forum for debate and certainly not an excuse for incivility.

More later.

Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In

2011-11-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Here's more about rainwater management. This may seem crazy now that El Paso is in a drought and it isn't even rainy season. Perhaps, though, now is the time to plan for better water conservation measures - even for your own personal yard or the landscaping around your business.

Good definition: "Sustainable societies are those that embrace institutions, infrastructure and lifestyles that meet current needs without compormising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Philadelphia "LEED"s the Way with Water Conservation

2011-11-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

Opening early next year will be the Paisano Green Community, an affordable green housing development by the City of El Paso Housing Authority. "The project is expected to receive the highest rating through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system - platinium - and be certifed through Enterprise Green Communities."

Here is a video of the Onion Flats project in Philadelphia which also incorporates stormwater/rainwater management and water conservation. It's eleven minutes, but an eleven minutes worth spending:

Imagine what advantages El Pasoans could gain from using similar water conservation techniques in building, development and landscaping. We are, after all, a bit drier than Philadelphia.

Cactus Appreciation Month

2011-10-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

YES on 8 and NO on 2

2011-10-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Knock yourself out if you want to read the entire 2012 Draft State Water Plan from the Texas Water Development Board. Here's what one water conservationist wrote with some hyperbole:

"I just skimmed through all 200+ pages of the 2012 TWDB Water Plan and there is not one mention of rainwater harvesting as part of the overall plan to have enough water to meet the State's needs. They're recommending up to two dozen new dam projects at a gazillion dollars each. What if that same money provided catchment on every governmental building in the State? Provided low-cost tanks to homeowners? Created a whole new employment sector of people trained to install such systems? How about requiring all air-conditioned buildings to reuse their A/C condensate for flushing toilets? I could go on and on, but I see no cutting edge thinking in this proposed plan, just the same old stuff: build reservoirs, move water from point A to B, desalinate, etc."

In an email response, water resources expert Mike Mecke says that the 2012 TWDB Water Plan "goes to the old engineer's and planner's philosophy that 'a project can't be any good unless it costs millions and is very complex!'" (He might as well be talking about El Paso with all of our huge ponds and no apparent knowledge of green infrastructure/low impact development and rain water harvesting.)

Now enter Proposition 2 which "would amend the Texas Constitution to authorize the Texas Water Development Board to issue additional general obligation bonds on a continuing basis for one or more accounts of the Texas Water Development Fund II, with the restriction that the total amount of bonds outstanding at any time does not exceed $6 billion." Wow!

The TWDB calls for too many reservoirs in their 2012 Plan. Proposition 2 gives the TWDB almost unlimited power to grant the building of these expensive projects. These projects have nothing to do with water conservation. They have everything to do with a few contractors making lots of money.

The Independent Texans PAC doesn't like Proposition 2 and neither do some anti-tax groups.

Proposition 2 is bad news. Vote NO. But then there is Proposition 8, the water stewardship amendment.

Mecke sees in Proposition 8 "no drawbacks and no lost tax base and a management alternative to properly manage lands for watershed and riparian purposes." He goes on to say:

"Conservation is always the 'cheapest new water'. Land Stewardship efforts, especially in some regions, the best 'win-win' for city users and rural folks. Concerted rainwater harvesting programs for all towns (and rural homes) would be very beneficial - require it on all new construction, at least for outside uses or flushing toilets in public buildings, etc. Stormwater catchments could help water public areas and reduce street flooding and stream pollution too."

Simply put: YES on 8. NO on 2. (And keep your eye on those Perry rascals on the TWDB. Perry's no conservative and no friend of tax payers. He's for enriching his cronies.)

Must Read Rio Bosque White Paper

2011-10-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

John Sproul wrote the following white paper for the Open Space Advisory Board which heard him and others yesterday regarding the Rio Bosque. The others included Chuy (Brother of Silvestre) Reyes who said that he loved the Bosque and took his children there. He also says that a turnout will be constructed for water to get from the Bustamante to the Drain to the Park and construction will just take days. He hedged on the exact date of the construction. Anyway, John's paper is a must read. In his introductory summary, he writes:

"This paper is divided into two sections. Section 1 summarizes the history of the wetlands project at Rio Bosque Park, which is helpful for understanding the gap between the original goals for the project and current conditions. Section 2 focuses on water at Rio Bosque. It discusses:

•water availability since the start of the project,
•projects underway to bring additional water to the park,
•volumes of water needed to achieve management goals at Rio Bosque, and
•five potential strategies for securing water during the critical growing season.

Other strategies exist as well, but the common feature of the five strategies discussed here is that El Paso Water Utilities would be an essential participant in each."

Please read the paper:

White Paper - Rio Bosque Water 11-10-25

Click on the first icon after the Scribd "S" on the left side of the tool bar for full screen.

Song of the Day: Velia Christina and Transmountain

2011-10-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Singer, songwriter and petition gatherer, Velia Christina Gurrola, did this track with Zyme One. The song, of course, is about Transmountain.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://zyme.bandcamp.com/track/transmountain-feat-velia-christina-gurrola"&amp;amp;amp;gt;Transmountain feat. Velia Christina Gurrola by Zyme One&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Vote for Proposition 7

2011-10-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Please vote “YES” for the Regional Park District for El Paso County (Proposition 7). Our State legislative delegates carried the ball in Austin to get it on the ballot. Of course the next step, and it may take 2-3 legislative sessions, is to pass another constitutional amendment that will allow the District to become a taxing district. So – this vote in November is just the beginning.

I serve on the City's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Because the City of El Paso can never provide enough money for parks and neither can the County, this is a good idea. Some fear such a District could lead to double or excessive taxation. The City and County will eventually remove Park funding from their budgets because the Park Authority would be a stand alone district with either an appointed or elected board and can tax (similar to community college or hospital district) for its funding. Those details will still need to be worked out for the 2013 Texas legislature.

Proposition 7 must first pass. Please vote "YES".

Please read this fact sheet:

Regional Park District Fact Sheet (2)

Click on "Fullscreen" to better read the document.

Song of the Day

2011-10-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a great song from Quaker, Carrie Newcomer.

"Come on and look inside you
That's the best place to start.
The greatest revolution
Is a simple change of heart.
I can't put the sacred in such a little box
Because it's not."

Let's Not Reduce Landscaping Requirements for Central El Paso

2011-10-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

"Landscape Development Infill Area". Click on image to enlarge.

In an email message to leaders and neighborhood associations in the central El Paso district that she reperesnts, Rep. Susie Byrd writes about the "Landscape Development Infill Area" that reduces required landscaping by 30% - essentially stripping new landscaping requirements for new building projects in the area of town that needs greening-up the most. She writes:

Dear Central Area Neighborhood Associations:

I wanted to make you aware of a change to our landscaping code that will result in new commercial developments in Central having 30% less landscaping than other areas of the City. This change to the code was made yesterday without notification to Central Area Neighborhood Associations or input from these associations. The 30% reduction in landscaping for Central was recommended by the development community and supported by City staff. All three citizen advisory boards who reviewed the changes recommended that the 30% reduction in landscaping for Central be eliminated.

Because of the lack of notification and input from Central Area Neighborhood Associations and because all three citizen advisory boards had voted against it, I urged City Council to postpone action on this section of the landscaping code until such time as Central Area Neighborhood Associations could be advised of the change and have a chance to participate in the decision. Rep. Niland, who made the motion, and Rep. Lilly, who seconded the motion, refused to accept the friendly amendment and the whole ordinance with the 30% reduction in landscaping for Central passed seven to one. I supported other changes in the ordinance but could not support the 30% reduction for Central. Because of this, I was forced to vote against the entire bill.

Some background. We used to ask that developers only landscape 7.5% of their commercial developments, half of what our peer cities in the Southwest ask. In the spring of this year, we changed the code to require 15% of a development be landscaped plus adding trees to the parkway and the frontage buffer to increase shading and comfort for pedestrians. This brought us up to par with our competitor cities in the Southwest. The development community felt like we went too far and so asked for some concessions. They asked us to allow the parkway and frontage buffer landscaping and trees be included in the 15% calculation at a meeting of a Legislative Review Committee (LRC). This seemed like a common sense change. We agreed to expedite the changes as long as all of the citizen advisory boards who provide input in matters related to the Landscape Ordinance had a chance to review the changes. During this LRC meeting, no mention was made of a 30% reduction in landscaping for new commercial developments in Central.

I am not sure at what point this change was added, but I do know that none of the impacted Neighborhood Associations were notified of the change or given a chance to participate in the decision-making.

Rationale for the change. At yesterday’s meeting, City staff told us that the 30% reduction for Central change was requested by the development community and that the rationale for the change was to encourage more commercial investment in Central by reducing the costs to developers. No analysis was provided about how much of a cost reduction this would be. No analysis was provided about what this would look like for these types of commercial developments. No examples were given to demonstrate that this disparate treatment in Central would encourage more of the kind of development we want in Central.

Policy considerations. I get calls from you guys all the time wanting to know how the city can encourage more commercial investment in Central. We want better grocery stores, more restaurants and entertainment and better retail. We are all bothered by the flight of capital out of the Central core and to the edges of town. To combat this, the City has put together a very aggressive set of incentives to encourage this type of development. We have standard administrative waivers to waive setback requirements, parking maximums and other regulatory hurdles that don’t make sense for Central Area development.

But what I hear from you again and again is that you want new development in Central and Downtown to take on the character of the neighborhood. You don’t want eastside suburban development to take over Central. You don’t want strip center development that you would see on Zaragoza to land in Central. That’s why we live in Central. We love the character of Central. The great thing about the landscaping code is that if you build in the character of Central (buildings up to the lot line, parking in the rear), you only have to put in trees in the parkway because you don’t have any area to landscape. You already get a reduction in landscape BUT ONLY IF YOU BUILD TO THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. If you build in Downtown or Central up to the lot line and respecting the design of the existing neighborhood, your landscaping requirements are minimal.

But if you are bringing suburbia to Central, you used to have to landscape to the same code as all other suburban development. 15%. Why should we be treated any different? But because of the change that Council made yesterday--with no consultation with affected Central neighborhoods--if you are going to build a strip center in Central you only have to provide landscaping for 10.5% of the developable area (that is the 30% reduction). Essentially, City Council provided an incentive to build strip centers in Central that are out of character for our neighborhoods. And they did this all without asking you whether you thought this tradeoff was necessary or in keeping with your values for development in Central.

There might be a chance to have this reconsidered if enough people from Central weigh in with City Council. Rep. Acosta and Rep. Ortega seemed open to consultation with impacted neighborhoods. Rep. Niland and Rep. Lilly seemed especially keen on just passing the ordinance without taking it to the neighborhoods for consideration. Maybe if they hear from enough people they will re-consider.

Let me know what you think about the change to the code as it impacts Central. If you need more information about the change, City staff has said they would be glad to meet to provide information about the change. I could host a meeting.

Hope all is well. Let me know if you have any questions.

Susie

If you agree with Ms. Byrd (and I hope that you do), please contact City representatives and let them know that you want the "Landscape Development Infill Area" portion of the new landscaping code re-visited. Citizens should have know that they are being heard - and not just the development community.

Here's the distinction that developers and some members of Council fail to make: They see landscaping as an expense that deters building and infill in the central corridor. In fact, landscaping – greening up the area – is an investment which will have significant paybacks for business owners, the City and the general wealth and economy of the City.

In a study by the Center for Urban Horticulture trees were found to have a positive impact on consumer behavior. Shoppers were willing to pay more for parking in well-landscaped lots and actually pay more for goods and services – a definite positive force for community wealth and the metropolitan economy. See a graph on product pricing in shopping areas with trees and those without.

Developers, businesses, Chambers of Commerce and City Council members would do well to see that adding landscaping (not subtracting from it) actually encourages business profitability and can lead to an increase of wealth in the City as a whole and, thus, give added revenue to the City itself for services that can further promote the quality of life in El Paso.

Take time to read several studies showing the business benefits of urban landscaping.

Scenic Drive Tagged and Trashed

2011-10-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge. Then weep.

Photo by Vallarie Enriquez, Vantage Point Visual Studios, Inc.

Last Sunday morning people attending the Celebration of Our Mountains' "A Walk through Time" on Scenic Drive as well as the regular Scenic Sunday crowd were shocked to find the amount and size of tagging on the strata above Scenic Point and Murchison Park. Along with the tagging were piles of garbage (not just trash) above and below Murchison Park. (Pictures)

Along with pictures, I emailed officials on Monday:

When El Pasoans, their guests, visitors and tourists go to Scenic Drive (a spot that we have pointed to with pride so often in the past), they will now find the once beautiful rock stratas above Murchison Park/Scenic Point heavily tagged. Some of the tagging is obscene. If they take a short hike up and to the other side of the strata ridge, they will find more. What greets people now is what you see in these pictures. (I have higher res photos as well.) If anyone peeks over the side of the walls above and surrounding Murchison Park, they will see piles of not just trash but garbage.

This issue is not just a District One or District Two issue. It is an issue for all El Pasoans. The length of Scenic is strewn with beer cans and condoms. I took the above pictures today after General Services had cleaned the areas near the trash cans. I can tell you though that, yesterday when we had our Celebration event, the evidence of the weekend partying was all about.

I suggest that, if the EPPD is so stretched out that they cannot stop the drunkenness that results in chunks of the Scenic Drive walls from being gouged out on a regular almost weekly basis now by intoxicated drivers and they cannot stop the littering and tagging and make a real effort to do so, perhaps they can be assisted by the County Sheriff. If both cannot put a stop to it, perhaps the Commander of Ft. Bliss should be asked for his help by deputizing some of his troops. If we really crackdown over a month or two of weekends, much of this will finally be stopped. As it is now, the tagging, the garbage, the consumption of alcohol and the misbehavior is done with impunity and with the result of a Scenic Drive becoming a place of shame for all El Pasoans and not a place of beauty.

If it isn’t stopped, then we should all be ashamed to take anyone visiting our homes and our City on a tour of Scenic Drive.

I hope to get a response. Believe me – I will pursue this until the problem is permanently corrected.

Jim H. Tolbert

Representative Byrd responded as did Representative Ann Lilly's office which followed-up by working with General Services and other departments in the City. General Services is in the process of developing a volunteer page for groups to help clean-up Scenic. One wonders what has happened with Walgreen's which has seemingly disappeared from Scenic although they have a sign posted about their efforts to keep it clean. As much of the tagging was done on privately owned land (if you can believe that our mountains have private owners - much of the southern area is so owned), Environmental Services became involved as the issue became a matter of code compliance.

Clean-up began almost immediately. Sadly, clean-up cannot be the final solution.

Unfortunately the one person who has failed to respond to my email and is also missing in action is the Chief of the El Paso Police Department, Gregory Allen. I'm glad that volunteers will help clean-up the Drive and I'm grateful to all El Paso taxpayers for funding anti-graffiti efforts. However, shouldn't those who tag and trash bear the responsibility and shouldn't they be held accountable? The only department in the City who can significantly change the behavior of those whose mayhem mars our mountains is the Police Department. They should be out in force weekend after weekend, handing out tickets, stopping the public drinking that is increasingly leading to punctured walls along the Drive, making arrests, bringing to justice those who need to change their behavior and who need to be required by courts to clean-up their filth. No response yet from Chief Allen. Zilch. Zero. Nada.

At Least Save the Chimps

2011-10-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

We all have heard by now the gruesome tragedy in Ohio of animals having to be put down after they were let out of their cages by their keeper who then killed himself. Most agree that little could be done once the animals were released near nightfall unlike the unnecessary killing of a mountain lion in downtown El Paso because of a total lack of crowd control by authorities.

International wildlife expert and Education Curator at the El Paso Zoo, Rick LoBello, had this to say about the tragic killings of animals in Ohio:

"We need federal laws to help prevent tragedies like this in the future. Unfortunately in this country we are often more reactive than proactive in addressing a whole range of national issues and concerns. What happened in Ohio is a perfect example. There were plenty of warnings that something was seriously wrong with the individual who owned these animals, yet the local authorities were not able to find a way to legally do anything about it. When it comes to animals and the environment more people need to get involved , speak out and step into leadership roles. Unfortunately too many of us are sitting on the sidelines."

Well, there is a way locally to get involved and not just sit on the sideline. LoBello explains:

Save the Chimps, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary, cares for nearly 300 chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment and the pet trade. They currently have 10 chimpanzees living in Alamogordo that will be transferred to their sanctuary in Florida sometime between now and Christmas and are in need of enrichment items. UTEP Student Arturo Rocha is collecting items and has asked the Zoo to provide a drop off point for donations between now and noon October 28. If you would like to help out a list of items they need follows. Donations can be dropped off at the El Paso Zoological Society Office at the front gate.

Here is how you can help:

Treats: Peanut butter- creamy only, powered Gatorade or Powerade (any flavor), fruit juice (any kind- no sugar added), nuts in shells (any kind, unsalted), sunflower seeds (unsalted), raisins, Craisins, pasta, rice, oatmeal, grits, applesauce, jams or jellies (any flavor), dried fruit

Blankets, toys and enrichment items: blankets – preferably fleece (no quilts, comforters, mattress pads or sofa covers), stuffed animals (not stuffed with pebbles, beans, pvc, pellets or foam), small plastic sturdy toys (age appropriate 1-3 years no chocking hazards), kiddie pools (hard plastic), basketballs, picture books, magazines

Household: antibacterial hand soap, hand sanitizer, laundry soap, liquid dish soap

Save the Chimps was established in 1997, under the leadership of founder Carole Noon, Ph.D., in response to the U.S. Air Force's announcement that it was getting out of the chimpanzee research business. At the end of the long giveaway process, most of the chimpanzees, described by the USAF in a Wall Street Journal article as "surplus equipment," were sent to the Coulston Foundation (TCF) in Alamogordo, NM, a biomedical laboratory with the worst record of any lab in the history of the Animal Welfare Act. Save the Chimps sued the Air Force on behalf of the chimpanzees given to TCF. After a year-long struggle, Save the Chimps gained permanent custody of 21 chimps, survivors and descendants of the baby chimps captured in Africa in the 1950's and used by the Air Force in the original NASA space research program. The vision of Save the Chimps was -- and remains -- to create a sanctuary where rescued chimps can live out their lives without the threat of ever returning to a laboratory, entertainment, and the pet trade. Save the Chimps is entirely funded through donations from individuals like you and private foundations.

Dr. Steve Ross of Lincoln Park Zoo who is chair of the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan and founder of Project ChimpCare, endorsed Save the Chimps and their efforts in a phone call yesterday. Today in the United States there are over 2,000 chimpanzees living in a variety of circumstances: from zoos (both accredited and non-accredited), laboratories and sanctuaries to lives as pets and performers under private ownership. While many of these chimpanzees enjoy appropriate care and management and the security of long-term housing, many others do not. Furthermore, there is very little known about many of these chimpanzees, and there has been relatively little communication between these communities.

Project ChimpCARE is a non-partisan group committed to improving the wellbeing of chimpanzees, regardless of current circumstances, and opening the lines of communication between disparate groups to achieve this singular goal. Our objectives are based on the approach that accurate information is the basis for effective change.

Map and directions to the zoo are found on this page.

Options and Obstacles for Water at the Rio Bosque

2011-10-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Friends of Rio Bosque Board member, Judy Ackerman, has well outlined the options and roadblocks for getting water to the Rio Bosque. Her document is a must read:

Friends of the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park currently see four options to get water to our wetlands park: Effluent from the Bustamante Water Treatment plant, Turnout from the Riverside Drain, a Connection between Basin G and the Riverside Drain, and More wells.

Overview of four Options

1. Effluent from the Bustamante Water Treatment plant.

Cost: NONE

Infrastructure Requirements: NONE

Agreements and legal hurdles: Agreement from El Paso County Water Improvement District Number One (ElP #1)

Drawbacks: Agreement from ElP #1.

2. Turnout from the Riverside Drain.

Cost: ~ $ 10,000

Infrastructure Requirements: The turnout itself, connection to the Old River Channel in the park, and a bridge for the Tornillo Trail.

Agreements and legal hurdles: Donation of water rights and more.

Drawbacks: unknown

3. Connection from Basin G to the Riverside Drain
Cost: unknown

Infrastructure Requirements: Building the connection and more.

Agreements and legal hurdles: unknown

Drawbacks: Could only deliver water when Basin G, Feather Lake, or Feather Lake 2 has storm water.

4. More wells.

Cost: Considerable initial investment and then cost of electricity and maintenance.

Infrastructure Requirements: for drilling wells, and creating appropriate electrical infrastructure.

Agreements and legal hurdles: unknown

Drawbacks: Requires electricity or noisy generators that will need considerable continuing maintenance. Removes water from the Bosque’s groundwater to put on the surface.

More details:

Currently the Bosque is watered by John Sproul with a water trailer owned by the Friends of the Bosque that carries 750 gal. He spends all his available time, all day, 5 days per week, hauling water from the Bustamante Treatment plant to deliver to individual trees and plantings in the park. By this labor intensive process, the Bosque received approximately one acre foot of water in 2011.

There is extensive documentation on water quality improvement, natural habitat and quality of life improvements achieved by utilizing wetlands to processes effluent. The advantages of doing this at the Bustamante Treatment Plant and the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park are beyond measure.

Effluent from the Bustamante Water Treatment plant.

The Bustamante Water Treatment plant is directly adjacent and upstream from the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. The volume of water from the plant is about 30,000,000 gal / day (about 92 acre-feet per day, during the summer months). The Rio Bosque Wetlands Park started to receive water from Bustamante in 1998. In 2001 and 2002, the park received water almost all year, including the growing season and plant life in the park responded with profusion.

The Rio Grande Project 2001 Implementing Third-Party Contract obligates EPWU to give about two thirds of the Bustamante effluent to ElP #1. Because ElP #1 owns the infrastructure, they decide where ALL the effluent goes. The infrastructure allows two possibilities: the effluent can go into the Riverside Cannel (the irrigation channel) or the Riverside Drain (also known as the Hudspeth Drain).

When ElP #1 does not want or need the treated water in the Riverside Cannel, it directs the water into the Riverside Drain by turning valves at the Bustamante Treatment Plant. When water is in the Riverside Drain, park managers can divert it through the park in the old river channel and, if desired, by a series of gates, to three wetland cells. In recent years, water is available in the Riverside Drain for 2 – 3 months in the winter (NOT the growing season). The park can accommodate between one half and all the water from the drain. At the southeast (downstream) end of the park, the water is returned to the Riverside Drain.

By simply turning the valve, the park could receive at least the one third of the treated water that is not obligated to ElP #1. This is an easy, no-cost solution, which would greatly benefit the citizens of El Paso.

Turnout from the Riverside Drain.

Chuy Reyes, General Manager ElP #1, says that ElP #1 will construct the turnout this winter (2011 – 2012), but not pay for the construction or the design costs. Bosque Program Coordinator/Manager, John Sproul has secured funding grants from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and from the IBWC to cover the cost of the turnout and the connecting channel between the turnout and the old river channel. The Friends of the Rio Bosque have committed to covering installation of the footbridge for the Tornillo Trail.

Charlie Wakeem had been trying to donate his water rights to the Bosque. His application has been pending with ElP #1 for five years. This would be a test case for HOW to donate water rights to the Bosque. El Paso County owns 137 acres of water rights at the Tornillo Port of Entry. Many people, including Chuy Reyes, General Manager ElP #1, and Ernie Carrizal, the County’s Acting Public Works Director, agree the county should donate those water rights to the Bosque.

Connection from Basin G to the Riverside Drain
This option may be of interest in relation to storm water issues.

More wells. The Bosque has a well near the northwest corner of the park that pumps 400 gal/min. In the winter when groundwater levels are at their highest and evaporation at its lowest, the pump can deliver water to approximately one quarter of the Old River Channel. At the height of the summer, the pump can flood about one-eighth of the channel. More wells would require too much cost, noise and maintenance to be a viable option at this time.

Other points:

El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) is aware of issues with water at the Bosque and Rudy Valdez is the primary contact. In public forums, Ed Archuleta, President/Chief Executive Officer, said, “we can fix that” referring to no water at the Bosque.

Stealing water from El Paso citizens by pumping groundwater from the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park: ElP #1 owns the water under their own land along the Riverside Canal. They operate 6 wells that pump water from the land immediately adjacent to the Bosque. This summer, and as of 13 Oct 2011, these pumps are running 24/7, each pumping up to 1,750 gal/min from the groundwater into the Riverside Canal for irrigation use. In 2011, this pumping is primarily responsible for dropping the groundwater level in the park by 15 feet – below the roots of the cottonwood and other trees.

El Paso County Water Improvement District Number One (ElP #1) and lining the Riverside Cannel with cement:

http://www.usbr.gov/uc/albuq/envdocs/ea/epcwid1/index.html

This “finding of no significant impact” is in direct opposition to the facts and considerable data on file at UTEP.

Note that Chuy Reyes, brother of Congressman Silvestre, has not addressed Charlie Wakeem's offer of five years. He now says (with a fork tongue?) that they will build a turnout but not pay for it. The improvement district is clearly "stealing" water from the Bosque. Environmental studies are now just political covers for some to do whatever they want to do to the land and water. Someone remind me to check to see Silvestre's footprints all over that "environmental" document.

Begin the Process!

2011-10-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

By a unanimous vote today, City Council gave the City Manager a green light to sign an agreement with Dover Kohl which includes updating the NW Master Plan to Smart Growth/SmartCode plan and providing a plan for the permanent preservation of the Scenic Corridor view shed. Preserving open space as called for by petition now includes preserving that open space in the context of a much better plan for Northwest El Paso.

Here is the full text of the Dover Kohl proposal:

DKPNWScope092811

Two sections were amended and all parties agreed to the amendments:

Page 4, Task 3.1

FROM THIS:

The two preferred development scenarios will be presented to the PSB and City Staff. Once DKP receives comments from the City and a selection of the one final development scenario, then the one final development scenario will be revised and resubmitted.

TO THIS:

The two preferred development scenarios will be presented to the PSB and City Staff. Once DKP receives comments from the City and a selection of the one final development scenario, then the one final development scenario will be revised and resubmitted. The final version will be submitted for approval by the PSB Board before consideration by the Mayor City Council.

AND

On Page 5, Under Item II

FROM THIS:

6.) Open Space Plan: for land to be preserved as open space to include the option(s) of a conservation easement, land trust strategy, zoning, or other mechanism for the T1 land along Transmountain Road. A conceptual plan for conservation shall be designed for the property

TO THIS:

6.) Open Space Plan: Consultant will prepare an Open Space Plan for land to be preserved IN PERPETUITY as open space along the Trans Mountain corridor. The Plan will include the option(s) of a conservation easement, land trust strategy, or other mechanism for the T1 land along Transmountain Road. A conceptual plan for conservation shall be designed for the property.

Conservation Easements

2011-10-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

By more than one expert, I have been told that a conservation easement is "an extremely flexible tool." I asked Richard Teschner, the man who helped save Resler Canyon and who is a Board member of the Frontera Land Alliance, a land conservation organization, to summarize a longer document about conservation easements. His summary also makes its application relevant to the situation with the El Paso Transmountain Scenic Corridor. Here is his summary:

Frontera Easement Summary

Click on "Fullscreen" to enlarge.

Open Letter to the El Paso City Council

2011-10-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

This past Tuesday, the Dover Kohl proposal to re-do the Northwest Master Plan was presented to Council. Council was asked to authorize the City Manager to sign what is a fourth amendment to the existing contract with Dover Kohl. Dover Kohl's work is an essential part of the process which all agreed upon when the petition to preserve the Transmountain Scenic Corridor came before Council. Unfortunately some key players were absent on Tuesday: the Mayor, Ann Lilly and Steve Ortega. Some Council members were concerned that the $200,000+ cost for the services of DKP was too costly given the possibility that petitioners and the PSB may come to some deal readily. Unfortunately, such a deal would only be between some petitioners (myself for instance) and Mr. Archuleta. It would not and could not be representative of the desires of all petitioners and, indeed, all stakeholders. On Wednesday, the PSB agreed to a similar resolution to contract with DKP and to pay half of DKP's fee.

Today I wrote the following letter in an email to the Mayor and other members of City Council:

An Open Letter to the El Paso City Council Regarding the Previously Agreed Upon Process
Dear Mayor Cook and Honorable City Council Representatives,

I urge you to pass the resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Dover Kohl and Partners, Item Number 5 on next Tuesday’s agenda. You postponed action on this matter for one week. I sincerely appreciate and value the desire of Council to be careful with our money. However, this is one expense that makes sense for several reasons especially given the context of the petition which called for permanent preservation of the Scenic Corridor and no major roads through the preserved land.

Although the PSB’s latest map keeps Paseo del Norte, opens up a new road from Paseo to the State Park, drops in a “resort” (previously a school on the old master plan), and cuts through the southern arroyo (FEMA 39), it does come closer than prior suggestions to preserving the desired view shed. It might be easy for any one of us to conclude some kind of arrangement with the PSB. Unfortunately, that would be a back room deal between myself and Mr. Archuleta, or the Chairman of the Open Space Advisory Board and Mr. Archuleta, or between some other limited number of stakeholders. It would not represent the views of all involved. The process which we all agreed upon and which includes the hiring of Dover Kohl, allows for a democratic and transparent approach that will result in a defined view shed to be preserved permanently and an agreeable solution regarding any roads.

It also should be pointed out that a conservation easement, for example, requires some forethought about what is included and what is excluded in the land being preserved. The process that we agreed upon allows for the conditions of such permanent preservation to be well thought out and deliberately defined.

The process also means that the view shed once defined and permanently preserved will fit into the entire new plan for the northwest properties. It should be our goal that a beautiful view shed should fit beautifully into a beautifully planned area. The City has seen too much hodgepodge development and here we have a chance to have a coherent, holistic design that uses Smart Growth/SmartCode and utilizes the principles of green infrastructure/low impact development. The process offers the possibility for not only achieving the principles behind the petition but also of creating a more sustainable, livable space for El Paso’s Northwest.

As you each are probably aware, the PSB passed a similar resolution this past Wednesday. They have agreed to the scope of work as presented by Dover Kohl and will share 50% of the costs for a Northwest Plan update to SmartCode. They have agreed to the process.

Finally – and I say this from the heart – authorizing this agreement builds trust. When plans are made behind closed doors and deals struck in private meetings, then the dreams and hopes and ideas of many are carelessly and disrespectfully ignored. Like so much hodgepodge development, such deals serve the interests of a few but do not bring us all together as a community of proud citizens of El Paso, Texas.

Please authorize the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Dover Kohl and Partners.

Respectfully yours,

Jim H. Tolbert

Plan El Paso Draft Elements section 8 on Sustainability Recommendation helps to support efforts to protect 800 acres along Trans Mountain Road

2011-10-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

Please join me in contacting El Paso's elected officials in support of the DRAFT Plan El Paso report on Sustainability. Here is a copy of a letter I sent to my representative this evening. Please read over section 8 on sustainability and write your own letter of support.

Dear Representative,

As you know ever since I moved to El Paso in 2000 I have been doing all I can to promote the protection of wildlife corridors in the “unprotected from development” PSB public lands surrounding the Franklin Mountains. These lands help to protect important wildlife corridors for many species of wildlife including mule deer, javelina, coyotes, foxes and mountain lions.

This week I was very pleased to read in the Plan El Paso Draft Elements section 8 on Sustainability at www.planelpaso.org a very hopeful sign that the Plan El Paso effort is on the right track in helping to protect our environment. The draft report states that “the City should produce or commission a plan for biological corridors and habitat that identifies existing habitats and corridors and candidate sites and routes for restoration.” This statement alone supports the current citizen effort to protect natural open space along the Trans Mountain Road and if the city adopts the Plan El Paso plan on sustainability and implements it, a biological corridor plan would also help the city achieve important goals of the El Paso Liveable City Sustainability Plan adopted by City Council on September 15, 2009. Goals yet to be achieved in that plan on page 56 include: 1. Achieve international recognition for successful preservation of our Chihuahuan desert natural heritage for all time, 2. Complete a biodiversity inventory by 2011 and 3. Identify and prioritize habitat that will be protected by 2012.

I would like to ask that you support the draft Plan El Paso document and use the recommendation on biodiversity, along with all the evidence you already have of public support for conservation of public wild lands, in supporting the effort to protect the nearly 800 acres of land along the Trans Mountain Corridor.

Finally, to further help you understand the importance of protecting natural habitats that remain in El Paso I would like to recommend that you and others on council obtain a copy of Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity by Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein (Jun 2, 2008), a must read for all leaders who care about our environment. There is also a short 8 minute Biodiversity is Life video produced by the United Nations Environmental Program on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1VYmpTikgw:

Sincerely,

Rick LoBello

West El Paso

Celebrate Native Plant Week

2011-10-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

Double click to enlarge.

Tom Lea and the Indian People of the Southwest

2011-10-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology

in collaboration with the Tom Lea Institute

Presents

Tom Lea and the Indian People of the Southwest

by Nick Houser, Anthropologist

A Tom Lea Month Program

Sunday, October 9, 2011, 2:00 p.m.

Snake Dancers by Tom Lea, copyright Tom Lea Institute

Throughout his life, Tom Lea studied the ways of Southwest Indians and depicted these in several paintings. Nick Houser will explore for the audience what some of these paintings tell viewers about of the lives of Native Americans in the Southwest.

Mr. Houser has conducted historical research for the Tigua Indians, created exhibits for museums and cultural centers, and has worked with over 36 Native American communities in the American Southwest and Latin America.

Information: 915-755-4332; guidamr@elpasotexas.gov
www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/
Map to Museum

How It's Done Right

2011-10-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Pay attention City of El Paso law enforcement:

Elpasonaturally did several posts on the killing of a mountain lion in downtown El Paso. One post highlighted videos that revealed that law enforcement failed to manage the crowd and, in fact, contributed to the chaos which ultimately led to the death of the animal from gun fire.

Watch and see how it is done properly:

Read the full story about the safe tranquilization and removal of a mountain lion from the Colorado University at Boulder campus. Note that from the very beginning, the matter was handled tranquilly and professionally rather than as an hysterical Keystone Cops tragic slapstick as what happened here in El Paso.

A hat tip to David Cristiani, The Quercus Group, for this story.

Save This Date: Green Is the New Gold

2011-10-03T14:59:00.001-07:00

Double click to enlarge.

For more information and to register for the Conference, please visit www.wtufc.org.

El Paso Is Losing Out on $18 Million

2011-09-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a follow-up to yesterday's post about the Rio Bosque's precarious situation.

The nonprofit, independent research group, Headwaters Economics, published a fact sheet, Quick Facts: The Economic Benefits of Southern New Mexico's Natural Assets, Fall 2010. Item #3 states:

"Bird watching alone is significant for New Mexico, and the state ranks fifth nationally with 46 percent of its birders coming from outside its borders. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, for example, brings in $13.7 million annually from non-residents to the three counties of Socorro, Bernalillo, and Sierra; along with $4.3 million in regional tax revenue."

That's $18 million!

As a matter of fact, I know birders and Master Naturalists and hikers and friends and neighbors from El Paso who frequently go to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. El Paso's Rio Bosque Wetlands Park could be a similar attraction not just for wildlife but for eco-tourist and tax dollars.

So how do we as a City invest in the Rio Bosque? The City contributes $10,000. EPWU lets John Sproul and volunteers truck water from the Bustamante Plant so that they can laboriously hand-water suffering and dying trees. The El Paso County Water Improvement District #1 prevents 7,800 acre-feet per year of water from the Bustamante from being piped directly to the Bosque past their canal and their drain. The El Paso County Water Improvement District #1 sucks groundwater from the Bosque when one of its wells (CW-4) is operating.

We just bought Sea Biscuit and we have put him out to pasture to die.

The City of El Paso will also provide a sculpture and signage for the Park. The City will spend $170,000 on that art project but not a dime extra for needed equipment in the Park. Moreover, the interest in the Park by the City's Parks and Recreation Department is nil - just an item on their inventory like several other neglected natural areas.

With all due apologies to my friends at MCAD and the Public Art Program, the sculptor who they hired to do the Rio Bosque sculpture and signage is Heath Satow, whose studio is in Los Angeles. He's good at what he does; but he will take the $170,000 and spend and/or invest it in . . . Los Angeles not El Paso.

$18 million!

That's the kind of change that could come El Paso's way if it just got smart about eco-tourisism and places such as the Rio Bosque. I bet a few changes at City Hall and a Green Chamber of Commerce for El Paso would help matters.

The Rio Bosque Is Dying

2011-09-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

Paired Images Riparian 11-07-09a

Program Coordinator/Manager of the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, John Sproul, explained the pictures in the slide show above:

"The 3 photo pairs in the attached PowerPoint file compare some cottonwoods and willows in the southern part of the park. The first photo in each pair was taken last year in Sept or Oct. The second photo was taken this year in July.

"With the first two photo pairs, the trees are in worse shape today than they were back in July. A photo taken today would give a more dramatic comparison.

"With the third photo pair, the cottonwood featured was dead by mid-July. The clumps of green in the July photo are all mistletoe."

The Rio Bosque Wetlands Park is dying. And, in spite of the drought, there is water available. In fact, Sproul and volunteers almost daily truck water from the Bustamante Plant, a wastewater treatment plant that delivers treated effluent to either the Riverside Canal or the Riverside Drain - both under the control of the El Paso County Water Improvement District #1. Chuy Reyes is the General Manager of the District. He is the brother of U.S. Representative, Silvestre Reyes of El Paso.

According to information on the El Paso Water Utilities web site, water from the Bustamante Plant is discharged either to the . . .

". . . Riverside Canal or the Riverside Drain. Discharges to the Riverside Canal are used chiefly for irrigation purposes. Discharges to the Riverside Drain go mainly to the Rio Bosque Wetlands Preserve where they help maintain and sustain the aquatic habitat required by the diverse animal and plant species present."

EPWU's statatement above may have been true when it was written and posted to their web site some time ago, it isn't true now. El Paso Water Utilities is obligated, under the Rio Grande Project 2001 Implementing Third-Party Contract, to deliver 13,333 acre-feet of the treated effluent from the Bustamante Plant to the Riverside Canal or the Riverside Drain each year between 15 Feb and 15 Oct. That leaves at least 7,800 acre-feet of Bustamante Plant effluent EPWU does not have to deliver to the irrigation district during that period.

"Some of that could potentially be delivered directly to Rio Bosque via pipeline," Sproul says. Unfortunately, the Water Improvement District owns both the canal and the drain and they make the call whether that extra water is delivered to the Bosque Wetlands Park or not. So, 7,800 acre-feet minus the pittance Sproul and friends can truck to the park in order to hand-water individual trees, is taken by the Water Improvement District.

To add insult to injury, careful (almost daily) monitoring of wells at the Bosque reveal that the groundwater in the park dramatically drops when one of the Improvement District's wells (CW-4) is on. Not only is the Improvement District denying water from the Bustamante Plant to the Bosque, it appears that they are draining the Bosque's groundwater!

Park volunteer, Judy Ackerman, reports:

"Most of the groundwater monitoring wells are lower than in 2006 drought. Seven out of the 13 wells are dry. Most groundwater levels are below 20 ft, while 5 ft is more normal. This is the driest year for rainfall on record for the park and we expect the driest year for surface water too."

On September 13th water distribution from the Elephant Butte reservoir stopped. That usually happens in mid-October and signals the end of the irrigation season and the start of water delivery to the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park from the Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant. However, the El Paso Water Improvement District #1 says they need every drop they can get and the park might get water by Christmas.

The Rio Bosque Wetlands Park is a 372-acre City of El Paso park that the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) manages through its Center for Environmental Resource Management. The City of El Paso's contribution to the Bosque is a mere $10,000/year. A recent meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board revealed that Parks and Recreation Director, Nanette Smejkal, has little interest in the Bosque.

At the recent PSB Strategic Planning meeting it was rumored that UTEP was not interested in continuing its committment to the Bosque. However, PSB/EPWU officials at yesterday's Open Space Advisory Board reported that Richard Adauto of UTEP had reaffirmed UTEP's committment to the management of the Park.

The City may show little interest in the Park. However, it has targeted $170,000 for a public arts project for a sculpture and new signage at the park. The slide show given by Public Art Program Coordinator Pat Dalbin to the Open Space Advisory Board yesterday describes the plans for the Bosque art and signs:

Rio Bosque Public Art Project

One wonders whether the sculpture and signage will preside over a dead park. There is $170,000 for public art but nothing to help with water especially to buy an $8-10,000 pump to replace a broken one so that the park might get to some needed groundwater.

Speaking about the forced water-shortage to the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, Urban Biologist, Lois Balin, asks: "This is ridiculous. Enough is enough. What can we do to rectify this dismal situation."

Perhaps a first step is to join the Friends of the Rio Bosque. Beyond that talk to PSB and EPWU officials who have been important partners to the Park. Talk to your City Council Representative and to Parks and Recreation and Open Space Advisory Board members. Call members of the Board of Directors of the Water Improvement District. Email Chuy Reyes.

I have a few more questions myself especially about that 7,800 acre-feet of water that could go to the Park but is being swallowed by the Improvement District, Chuy Reyes (brother of Silvestre) General Manager.

Trees Tame Stormwater and Have Many More Benefits

2011-09-29T09:33:00.001-07:00

Double click on image to enlarge.

With all of the current "debate" about a new landscape ordinance for the City of El Paso (the brouhaha created by some developers principally Jerry Rubin's River Oaks Properties and their chief attack dog, Richard Williams), it is important to remember the tremendous contribution of trees and why we need more.

The posters above come from the Arbor Day Foundation. Our State Urban Forester, Oscar Mestas, forwarded them to me and others. What is really encouraging is that the link was also sent to me from Open Space chairman Charlie Wakeem who got them from Gonzalo Cedillos the Stormwater Utility Manager for El Paso Water Utilities. He got them from Anai Padilla at EPWU's TecH2O, who I'm sure got them from Oscar. I'm not just illustrating the power of the hyperlink and email, I'm touting the huge positive leadership from some at EPWU.

By the way, to see many more benefits that trees bring to a community, check this list out.

The tweaking that was done to the new landscape ordinance by Planning and Development and the recommendations that now come from the Open Space Advisory Board are reasonable. Just remember this: It's not true that the new landscape ordinance will mean the usage of "billions" of more gallons of water as suggested by Williams. Planning and Development staff made it clear at the Open Space meeting yesterday that "water use would be minimal." Besides, for a little extra water use, one gets many, many more benefits which in some cases will mean less usage of water as in shading houses and buildings and reducing evaporative cooler water consumption. Think also of all of those strip malls on Mesa and Lee Trevino and other thoroughfares that currently contribute to the power of stormwater flooding because of little or no landscaping. I wonder how New Mexico's Green Chamber of Commerce would come down on better landscaping requirements. Hmmm.

Please Help to Get the Word Out

2011-09-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

Judy wrote this comment to yesterday's post, Joe Muench Is Silly: "Great post! How do we get more people to read it?"

Thought you would never ask!

Hyperlink is the power of the Internet. If you like a post, please copy the URL for that post and send the link to everyone on your email list. Your subject line or preface can read: "Please read this" or "You've got to see this". You know what to say.

Please add: "Jim has an e-letter that he sends out. Email him (hyperlink again) and tell him you want to subscribe to elpasonaturally."

Some of you have some rather hefty distribution lists. If you like a post, please tell others. If you are a non-profit, you can say something like: "I found this interesting about our mountains/desert/bosque/etc. I'm not endorsing the opinion, but I thought you would find it interesting too."

Pointing to a specific post and saying why you like it is more powerful than just a message about elpasonaturally in general - although that sure is helpful also.

Why am writing a post in response to a comment? Because, I've come to realize that El Pasoans are not getting all of the story. The Times and other media outlets are either not thorough or they simply repeat the same old bad information as did Joe Muench with regard to selling land to keep water rates low. (They also keep telling the public that the PSB owns land when the truth is that the PSB can't own land by law. They merely manage the land for the owners - the City of El Paso - you and me. It makes a big difference which is true and which is false.)

To be sure, the Times and others have some stellar reporters and great columnists. But their editorial policy and the zeitgeist that they purport is so very wrong and it is time that more and more and more El Pasoans know the difference.

So, please, if you like a post - broadcast it far and wide using your email lists.

It's time for a change.

Joe Muench Is Silly

2011-09-27T12:17:00.001-07:00

EPWU water tanks above the Coronado Country Club. Click to enlarge.

. . . And wrong. If you haven't read his last editorial piece, Getcher El Paso tap water, only one dollar per glassful, don't waste your time. It's based on the misinformation/propaganda/lie that says that the PSB sells land in order to keep your water rates low. If they don't sell the land in the Scenic Corridor that now just about everybody wants to save, then your rates will skyrocket. 780 acres and you'll go broke. Ask yourself this: the PSB has given other land (not useful for their infrastructure or too costly to develop) to the State Park. When they did so, did your rates go up? No. 780 acres won't kill them - and I'm beginning to believe that PSB members know this and may be more amenable to preserving land in the Scenic Corridor.

Here's what's true about your water rates: Selling land doesn't keep those rates low. In fact, your rates are high because the PSB doesn't want you to use the water - we have precious little of it. They have (and you can see) a tiered water rate structure. This tiered system has worked. Once upon a time (1977 or so) the per capita consumption of water was 230 gallons/customer/day. It is now at 133 gallons/customer/day. That's quite a success but it doesn't have anything to do with selling land. In fact (and I did an open records request last fall) the total land sales by the PSB over the last 10 years has accounted for less than 2% of their budget. Did your rates go down? How's your water bill? And keep in mind when you compare El Paso to other southwest cities you have to account for the median household income: El Paso 37,030, Austin $50,132, Albuquerque $44,594 . . . That glass of water is already expensive because our water is scarce and it takes more of our paycheck to buy it.

If Joe Muench wants to get serious, he would argue for preserving more land in its natural state and not less. He would be straight forward and tell you that the PSB's land sales function was never meant for the benefit of the consumer - it was meant for the benefit of the developer. That's the ugly truth that too many City leaders and the Times have concealed for way too long. It is part of the cronyism and colonialism and corruption that deeply pockmark and scar El Paso politics like a bad case of acne.

Let me say this again: we the people want the land conserved - permanently. We want the arroyos protected which means not building roads where they shouldn't be built or putting up houses, stores and businesses where they shouldn't be. There are better ways to plan and currently the discussion is leading in the direction of better planning and conservation - permanent conservation.

The entire debate has changed. The question now before Council and others is how to preserve the land in the petition - and perhaps more - in perpetuity. If there is anything that I could report more about last week's Council session it would be that there has been a sea change in the direction of conservation.

I, for one, want to see that change given a chance. However, if there is the slightest inkling of double dealing or wiggle room or proposing plans after the people keep saying that they want conservation, then there is another petition to be signed - one that calls for a ballot referendum. You know what? We will win there. I just hope that we can all be reasonable and that we can all start playing by the facts and not by the propaganda and misinformation.

October 1 at Keystone Don't Miss It

2011-09-26T09:06:00.001-07:00

Click to enlarge.

Map to Keystone Heritage Park

Scarps

2011-09-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

Regarding the Rio Grande Rift, Dr. Phil Goodell emailed: “Yes, the Rio Grande Rift is widening, east to west, maybe 1mm/year, or less. Buy some land and watch it grow! And buy earthquake insurance.”

If you take tomorrow morning’s hike from Hondo Pass to Smuggler’s Gap, you might want to take the time to drive from Hondo Pass south on Magnetic/Alabama Street. Although urbanization hides much of the natural landscaping, you will notice as you pass Zion Lane going south or Stoney Hill Drive going north, places where the hillsides have just dropped off. These are scarps – evidence of more ancient faulting as the Rift rifted and the Franklins grew. You are driving along the Eastern Boundary Fault Zone.

You will see a water tank sitting atop a scarp, the result and evidence of a fault. The “dirt” is the Fort Hancock sediment of just a few million years ago deposited as the ancient Rio Grande (and other mountain streams) filled a vast lake geologists have called Lake Cabeza de Vaca. Movement along the fault resulted in the stair-stepping of the sediments and, when the Rio Grande finally broke south and drained into the Gulf of Mexico about a million years ago, the scarps were exposed revealing the fault lines. Further erosion defines these steep slopes for us today all along I-10 on the west, the bluffs by El Paso High School and along Mesa and Alabama.

Horses, camels, mastodons, giant sloths and other mammals lived along Cabeza de Vaca and their fossilized bones can still be found today.

By the way, as Cabeza de Vaca formed and gave a home for ancient animals 3.6 million years ago or so here in a place where we now live, Australopithecines appeared on the other side of the world and then the first Homo species whose descendants, a couple of million years later, would look up at the top of a rift and marvel at the beauty of the Franklins.

Petitioners, Council and Others Will Work Together

2011-09-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the City Council considered the ordinance referred to them by petitioners to protect the Transmountain Scenic Corridor. The decision was to postpone a decision for 90 days during which time planning and discussion will take place. Even if Council had decided to support the entire petition ordinance (and the votes simply weren't there), there still would have had to have been time to determine the mechanism of preservation.

In my prepared remarks I made it clear that there was room to "compromise" in good faith:

Address About the Petition to Preserve the Scenic Corridor

The process for arriving at some kind of win/win solution was set forth by Matthew McElroy of the Planning and Development Department. It will include rezoning the Westside Master Plan to Smart Code, determining the essential area of the view shed of the Scenic Corridor for a conservation easement (or other instrument of permanent preservation) and taking a good look at Paseo del Norte. Slides 7 and 9 spell out the process:

Process for Conservation Discussion

The process does have the advantages of first and foremost establishing a permanent preservation for the Corridor (this is a HUGE win), moving to Smart Code for the entire Westside Master Plan which will mean more open space, and possibly finding a better solution to Paseo del Norte that everyone can live with.

To be sure, petitioners can now go out and pursue a petition to make their ordinance a referendum in a City election. So, if the process fails to meet the principles of the petition (as I mention in my remarks) or if some engage in the process in anything but good faith, then a new petition drive will be mounted immediately.

On the other hand, I saw just about every Council member wanting to find a good win/win solution. The process allows for a chance to preserve and do more. Dover Kohl has already been contacted to help with the process.

I will give more in depth information in my next blog post.

Modify the New Landscape Ordinance?

2011-09-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

Here’s the issue that is now bubbling up: some developers are asking City Council to amend the recent Landscape Ordinance arguing that the new ordinance will mean huge usages of water and, thus, undermine El Paso’s great conservation efforts. Mr. Richard Williams of Jerry Rubin’s River Oaks Properties has taken the lead on attacking the new ordinance. That new ordinance goes into effect on October 3. The Boards that reviewed the ordinance before (Open Space and Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards) are rushing to review the modifications and make recommendations to Council before September 27^th. It would be best if there could be a 30 day review period.

No doubt, water conservation is key. However, more of the right kind of trees and the right kind of landscaping will reduce water usage, harvest rainwater, and minimize stormwater run-off and damage. When the PSB was first implementing conservation measures long ago, they recognized the fact that trees are critical to reduce urban islands of heat which require massive amounts of heat in a City that uses evaporative coolers – the most affordable cooling by a large segment of the El Paso population. In fact, EPWU’s Desert Plants List is one of the best resources for homeowners, builders and landscapers in El Paso. (Here in another month is a good time to plant and that list is very, very valuable.)

David Kania, the City’s Landscape Plan’s Examiner, reviewed Mr. Williams’ numbers and reported:

“River Oaks is miscalculating what an emitter is to what a drip hose is. Each emitter, whether it is a 2 gallon or 1 gallon per hour has only 6 outlets. So for every three shrubs you are using one emitter and for every tree you are using one and a half to one and three quarters of an emitter. I believe the way they calculated it was based on two full emitters per shrub and eight emitters per tree. In that case you would get four maybe even five hundred percent more.”

Williams has been described as being “very smart” and a “good developer”. But, says a keen observer, he “ just doesn’t ‘get it’, and will absolutely not try anything new. Ever.” You may recall his op-ed piece for the El Paso Times earlier this year in which he attributed high crime rates to Smart Growth/Smart Code. Huh? City Manager, Joyce Wilson, wrote a rebuttal.

Perhaps Mr. Williams has made some wrong assumptions: “we can’t use very low water plants, like natives”, and “We can’t afford to swale for water collection”, and “We can’t collect enough rainwater for cistern collection”, and “We can’t afford to incorporate organic matter into the soil prior to planting”. All of these are strategies that make smarter landscaping possible in a City keen on water conservation.

Still, it is worth seeing if there is some water “going down the drain” although it won’t be as much as Williams has calculated. Perhaps a good trade-off would be requiring a bit less landscaping in exchange for more landscaping whenever there is a request to upgrade an existing structure.

The Franklins after a rain

2011-09-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

Click photos; open file at bottom of new window; click to enlarge.

Photographer Donna Stephens took the pictures above this morning. She wrote: "We finally got some real rain yesterday and again last night. Lots of thunder and lightning along with a good downpour. This morning the mountain had this beautiful cloud cover and I was able to get off a couple of shots."

Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta Schedule

2011-09-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Click to view. Open file at bottom of new window. Click to enlarge.

What Sprawl Looks Like

2011-09-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

Click to view. Open file at bottom of new window. Click to enlarge.

Above are 3 maps showing how land conservation affects sprawl in the Transmountain Scenic Corridor. This illustration was done by Charlie Wakeem long before the petition to conserve 792 acres (now 780) was certified. The term "Compromise Plan" was just a term but it is based on the real Wakeem map that was posted yesterday. No such compromise has been struck. Note that east is at the top of the maps and north is to the left. Gas Line Road orients and scales all 3 presentations.

The pane labeled "Westside Master Plan" reveals the unchecked sprawl created by PSB's current Westside Master Plan. It will contain the same helter skelter ugly developments currently checkmating the El Paso Northwest. There will be no sustainable, smart growth. You can forget green infrastructure, low impact development. Most of all, you can forget a Scenic Corridor. The animal crossing which TxDOT plans to build under Transmountain west of Paseo del Norte will be unusable because animals will be forced into limited habitats to the east by the PSB sprawl and won't even attempt traversing the asphalt and concrete of these new neighborhoods with big box houses near big box commercial stores.

The pane labeled "Proposed 792 Acre NOS Zoning" shows the Scenic Corridor preserved. Since this is an older illustration, it also shows the encroachment on that conserved land by the unchecked sprawl of land without Smart Code.

The pane in the middle is the "compromise" which preserves arroyos 39 and 40 and moves Paseo del Norte west.

Here's the question: Do you want what is behind Door #1, Door #2 or Door #3? The petition calls for Door#3 with a Conservation Easement (forever) and not NOS Zoning that can be changed by whim and political maneuvering - particularly in a City that abrogates responsibility to its PSB in favor of ugly sprawl - and, it must be said, more water meters, draining bolsons, large pipe projects to shift water from east El Paso (and soon agriculturally-important Hudspeth County) to large, population-thin, big box houses in the El Paso NW.

Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta This Saturday

2011-09-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

Texas Parks and Wildlife to host the 7^th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at Franklin Mountains State Park

El Paso, Texas—Many people living in El Paso are not very familiar with the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert including the Franklin Mountains in the heart of the city. At almost 26,000 acres, Franklin Mountains State Park protects prime Chihuahuan Desert habitats within an urban setting. The park is home to numerous species of plants and animals. On September 17, 2011, the park will host the 7th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at the Tom Mays Unit, located 3.5 miles east of I-10 on Trans Mountain Road. The main objective of this Fiesta is to get people outdoors and to help increase awareness of the uniqueness of our desert. This event will not only showcase the natural and cultural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert, but also the recreational and educational opportunities that exist within Franklin Mountains State Parks and other state parks within the region.

The FREE COMMUNITY event will run from 9AM-3PM and will offer various activities, presentations, and exhibits throughout the day. During this event park staff, members of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, and other environmental education groups will be on hand to offer free demonstrations, guided tours, guest speakers, and informational booths designed to introduce the curious to the wonders of our fascinating southwest desert. Drive thru the park where you will find different activities and groups providing information about their conservation efforts in our area. Vendors will be on site to sell food, snacks, and drinks. Visitors can check out the Wildlife Viewing Area and enjoy interpretive programs on plants and animals while spending time watching birds coming back and forth for water and food. Hay and horseback riding will also be available. Franklin Mountains State Park is also hosting a Chili Cook-off sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International. Public tasting will be available around noon. Live music by local group Slackabilly. The entrance fee to the park is waived due to the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta joining the celebration of the Franklin Mountains State Park Lone Star Legacy. Donations to Franklin Mountains State Park are accepted. So come and join us for a fun, exciting, and enjoyable outdoors experience and discover more about the Chihuahuan Desert.

Maps

2011-09-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a map that shows you the land which the petition has asked City Council to preserve:

You will have to click on it to enlarge. All the land within the purple land is what petitioners want preserved. This map also shows an earlier compromise proposal from Open Space Chairman Charlie Wakeem. His proposal is everything between the dotted blue lines. It preserves Arroyos, FEMA 40 and 39. Note also that he moves Paseo del Norte west out of the preserved land.

Now here is the PSB proposal which they adopted in Executive Session and proposed to the Open Space Board yesterday:

Again, click on the map to enlarge. It is the same map that I posted on September 1. Already it is erroneously being called the "Wakeem" map. Compare it to the map at the top of this post. Note however that it includes 22 acres (a resort/golf course) in the middle of the open space and cuts into FEMA 39 in the southwest corner - probably to move developable land closer to Transmountain so that the City picks up less of the burden of the cost of Paseo. Of course, note that Paseo is not moved in the PSB proposal whereas it was in the earlier Wakeem proposal.

Here's what we know about the PSB: they are opposed to a Conservation Easement as the means to preserve the land. They have stated such at OSAB. Their goal is to re-appropriate the land in a few years which a CE would make impossible because it would be forever. Also, when the City Council was ready to rezone all of the land in the Westside Master Plan as URD (Urban Reserve District) in lieu of re-planning it under Smart Code, Mr. Archuleta and the PSB reneged on their agreement to go along and supported Rural zoning. Bottom line: Mr. Archuleta and the PSB do not want any land conserved - they want it all to be sold for development. What does this mean for petitioners should City Council decide to seek some process to come up with an alternative to the petition plan rather than voting in favor of the petition plan?

The Open Space Advisory Board (the same Board that voted twice to preserve the same land as proposed by petitioners and, in fact, turned down the Wakeem "Compromise" shown in the map above) voted to recommend a process for conserving the land and finding common ground (no pun intended) with all stakeholders. This process will require about 90 days perhaps 120. It includes working with Dover Kohl, a review of the Comp plan, the use of charettes, the conversion of the Westside Plan to SmartCode and a conservation easement for land preserved.

It seems to me that this will be a good process for petitioners and all stakeholders. However, if it seems that there is no resolution, if it seems that some are not negotiating in good faith (as PSB has done with their stance regarding a conservation easement), then the petitioners have every right at any point to return to the voters and seek a referendum election. Since I was one of the chief petition organizers, I can tell you that getting the necessary signatures will take just weeks - not months - because we know where to find enough voters now.

What does this entire process teach us (if the lesson has not already been learned)? EPWU should just be a department of the City run by a Director not a CEO, the PSB should be abolished and City Council should assume total responsibility in reality and not just as a matter of fact. There is just too much power held by one man and it is used to thwart sustainable growth in the City of El Paso. Equals seek win/win. Autocrats do not.