Monday Odds and Ends

Big thanks to El Paso Inc. reporter, Dave Crowder, for doing a story after reading an Elpasonaturally post. His Inc. story is: Is Topgolf construction threatening an I-10 embankment?

On Facebook find and join: Share El Paso - Plants and Animals. Great posts by William Hoover and images by Liz DeMoultrie and others. This tells us what we are trying to save here in the El Paso Southwest.

Download this free booklet online: CASTNER RANGE BOOKLET: SUMMARY AND UP TO DATE STATUS ON EFFORTS. Janaé Reneaud Field, Frontera Land Alliance Director, says:

"[It] tells you the story of El Paso’s Castner Range, the 7,081-acre closed firing range that still belongs to Fort Bliss. All of you have played a part on Castner Range in recent years, so you know the campaign we have waged to keep it conserved for all time. The booklet tells the history of the Range from pre-historic days through its years as an active artillery site (1926-1966), then into the early 1970s when parts of the Range were transferred to the City of El Paso for development, and onward to our recent, vigorous and increasingly-successful campaign on behalf of Castner’s conservation. The booklet makes it clear that El Pasoans stand united in their desire to conserve Castner Range, whether as a separate National Monument or as a part of the Franklin Mountains State Park."

Mahatma Gandhi said: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” We can do all that we can to oppose Trump's environmental policies. What we immediately and most certainly have control over is our lifestyles. Read two stories posted in Grist: Just trading beef for beans could get the United States near its CO2 goal and Now you can plant a tree to offset Trump’s climate policies. Be sure to check out Grow the Forest.

Definitely of interest: How Green Energy Will Help Slow Nuclear Proliferation.
It's from Defense One.

Have a great week. 

Save the Date: A Special Plea from Frontera's Director

Click on image to enlarge.

The Director of Frontera Land Alliance, Janae' Reneaud Field, has sent out this plea to all of us who favor land conservation, especially the preservation of Castner Range:

Over 34,000 El Pasoans have signed the letter to make Castner Range a National Monument. Over 100 El Paso businesses also signed. The El Paso County Commissioners’ Court, the County Judge, the El Paso City Council, the Mayor, the City-affiliated Neighborhood Coalition, El Paso’s five Texas State Representatives and our State Senator have signed the Proclamation of Support, and the Times has published two dozen op-eds in support of a National Monument. And for the last 12 months, Congressman Beto O’Rourke and his staff have strongly backed our drive to conserve Castner Range, which began 50 years ago when the Range was closed down.

Yet Washington DC wants more. “Can we actually see the faces of these folks who say they support a Castner Range National Monument? Can you get these folks together so we can hear with our own ears that El Pasoans really want a Monument? Let’s see if you are up to that,” say the high-placed people in DC.

And so we’re going to do it! At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19th a major Castner Range event will take place in the auditorium of the Transmountain Campus of the El Paso Community College, on the US 54 Freeway north of Diana Drive and just across from Castner Range itself. Viva El Paso and Ballet Folclórico will be on hand. Animals from the Zoo will howl upon command. The Brass Quartet will play to beat the band. A surprise VIP from old DC will be there to see us take a stand. And best of all (for the rest of the folks in DC) the event will be live-streamed.

But the biggest focus will be on you. The DC decision-makers need to hear why you want Castner Range to be a National Monument. They must hear why you support the drive to conserve the Range. So when you go to the open mic, you’ll have a chance to “speak Castner to power” and tell DC both loud and clear that the time for a Monument is now (and not another 50 years from now).

So let us know that you’ll be there at 10 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 19th. Please RSVP by emailing me at janae@fronteralandalliance.org or by phoning me at 915.351.8352. Leave a message if you wish.

We really hope to see you on Saturday the 19th. We need to see you there.


Janaé

Castner Range Celebration

Click on image to enlarge.

Castner Range Conservation Clears First Hurdle

Please ask President Obama to designate Castner Range as a National Monument.

David Soules gives a presentation about the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.
Photo by John R Miller, Happy Destiny Photography

Frontera Land Alliance Executive Director,  Janae' Reneaud-Field, announced at a joint annual dinner last evening that her office has now received well over 1,000 letters addressed to President Obama asking him to designate Castner Range as a National Monument. Of course, many more letters will need to be signed; but the first deadline has been reached.

The dinner at the elegant El Paso Club was a joint meeting of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition and the Friends of the Rio Bosque. Richard Teschner, President of the Friends of the Rio Bosque, made arrangements for the event. 

Scott Cutler, President of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coaltion, spoke about FMWC and Castner Range and introduced the guest-speaker, David Soules, who was instrumental in having the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks designated as a National Monument.

John Sproul, the Manager of the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, then spoke about the huge difference that year-round water has made at the Rio Bosque. The park is truly beginning to be a sustainable wetland thanks to the PSB/EPWU which constructed a pipeline from its Bustamante Water Treatment Plant to the Bosque.

Scott Cutler speaks with Congressman (and future President) Beto O'Rourke.
Photo by John R Miller, Happy Destiny Photography

Of course, what really generated enthusiasm last evening was the buzz about Castner Range. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who has introduced legislation for its preservation, greeted members of both prominent El Paso environmental groups.

Again, more letters - many more letters - are needed. Please go HERE to download a letter to President Obama asking him to designate Castner Range as a National Monument. Then print and mail your letter to Janae' Reneaud-Field, Executive Director, Frontera Land Alliance, 3800 N. Mesa St., Suite A2-258. El Paso, TX 79902. You can also scan and email your letter to her at Janae@Fronteralandalliance.org. Don't mail your letter to President Obama. Janae' will do that.

Help Preserve Castner Range with Letter to President Obama

Mexican Poppies on Castner Range. Photo by Chuck Kooshian

Sample Letter to Presdident Obama

Earlier today I went to the Frontera Land Alliance Office to turn in some letters to the Executive Director, Janae' Reneaud Field. She told me that we have until January 20, 2016 to get the first 1,000 letters to President Obama asking him to designate Castner Range as a National Monument.

You can download a sample letter (above) by clicking on the title. Download, print, fill out (you can hand print), sign and mail or email the letter  to Janaé Reneaud Field, Frontera Land Alliance, 3800 N. Mesa St., Suite A2-258. El Paso, TX 79902. E-mail: Janae@Fronteralandalliance.org.

Please don't return to the President. We want to collect all the letters first and then send them.

You can learn more about the effort to preserve Castner Range as a National Monument by visiting:

https://www.facebook.com/castnerrange/?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/CastnerRange

http://castnerrangenationalmonument.org/

http://fronteralandalliance.org/

O'Rourke Seeks National Monument Designation for Castner Range

The office of Beto O'Rourke announced just a few minutes ago that Rep. O'Rourke has introduced legislation to preserve Castner Range. The proposed legislation is in concert with a current letter campaign which asks President Obama to use his "authority under the Antiquities Act to protect the Castner Range landscape in western Texas as a national monument that honors the cultural, historical, scientific and environmental connections to the region."

You can download the letter from HERE. After printing it and signing, send to Janaé Reneaud Field, Executive Director, Frontera Land Alliance, 3800 N. Mesa St., Suite A2-258, El Paso, TX 79902 or email Janae@Fronteralandalliance.org.

Congressman O'Rourke's office issued this press release:

"Today Congressman Beto O'Rourke introduced the Castner Range National Monument Act. Castner Range is a 7,081-acre mountain range surrounded by the Franklin Mountains State Park in Northeast El Paso. This bill would protect Castner Range in perpetuity by making it a national monument.

The bill is the result of a community effort led by the Frontera Land Alliance, the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition and other environmental community leaders who have been working to protect Castner Range since the 1970s.

O’Rourke’s legislation will ensure that the public can continue to enjoy these lands forever while shining a national spotlight on El Paso. Castner Range would become the first national monument in West Texas and also the largest in any major metropolitan U.S. city. A national monument designation would also help El Paso realize new opportunities for economic development through tourism and outdoor recreation.

This legislation eventually transfers the mountain range from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Interior.

Congressman Beto O’Rourke said, “Castner Range is the crown jewel of West Texas. It deserves to be protected and preserved in its natural state. This legislation is written to do just that. I am grateful to the Frontera Land Alliance, the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition and our environmental and community partners for helping me write this legislation.”


For more information:
The Frontera Land Alliance's Castner Range Facebook page and Twitter page. 

Castnerrangenationalmonument.org should soon be live.

O'Rourke to Lead Campaign for Preservation of Castner Range

Click on image to enlarge.

I just got this from the Director of Frontera Land Alliance, Janae' Reneaud-Field:

Important announcement from Congressman Beto O’Rourke: He will lead the campaign to make Castner Range a National Monument, preserving it forever! 

On Nov. 12 we met with Congressman Beto O’Rourke and five members of his senior staff at the El Paso Community Foundation’s “Foundation Room.” There, Beto announced that he himself will lead the campaign to make Castner Range a National Monument, thus preserving it forever!

And now we’ve got our marching orders: “Work harder than ever to conserve Castner Range!!!” Since Nov. 12 we’ve been collecting letters of support, with the goal to get 1,000 letters by January 6, 2016, 5,000 by April and 10,000 by September. We’re also seeking City of El Paso and El Paso County resolutions. We are setting up a Castner Range National Monument webpage, twitter, and Facebook site. Until the sites are up and running you can learn more about Castner Range by watching a 10-minute summary: http://fronteralandalliance.org/castner/.

As all of you know, Castner Range occupies 11 square miles on the eastern slopes of El Paso’s Franklin Mountains, just east of the state park. The Range is in nearly pristine condition thanks to the stewardship of the US Army that owns the land, and the unexploded ordnance that possibly lies thereon. But commercial development of Castner has been a constant threat for decades and is still a threat today. 

Anyway, please send us your letter of support to designate Castner Range as a National Monument. Mail or email the letter to Janaé Reneaud Field, Frontera Land Alliance, 3800 N. Mesa St., Suite A2-258. El Paso, TX 79902. E-mail: Janae@Fronteralandalliance.org

If you’d like to help in these efforts or if you want additional information, please call Janaé at 915-351-8352 or send her an e-mail.

One way to sign the letter is to visit Santa at the El Paso Zoo December 12-13. Go see Santa, the Meerkats, the other animals, and stop by the Frontera booth to sign the letter.

Below is the letter. Click on the title above it, then download and print. Please sign, print name, address, etc. underneath your signature. Send to Janae' at the address above and NOT the President.

Letter to President Obama to Preserve Castner Range as National Monument

Former Congressman Silvestre Reyes laid a foundation for the Castner preservation. He arranged for "a $300,000 grant to the Castner Conservation Conveyance Committee, which from early 2010 through September 2015 did a ton of background work (including two book-length publications and a ten-minute video) and truly prepared the way for O’Rourke’s current effort," according to CCCC member, Dr. Richard Teschner.

O'Rourke made the announcement that he would lead the preservation effort this past Saturday, November 21st, at a town hall meeting at Fire Station #5 in South Central El Paso.

Frontera Land Alliance Announces New Initiative

[Janae' Reneaud Field, the Executive Director of Frontera Land Alliance introduced a new conservation initiative yesterday at the Open Space Advisory Board. The initiative leverages funds and partnerships. Below is the initiative. Do become familiar with Frontera. Support it with your tax-free donations.]

Introduction of Frontera Land Alliance and why it started this initiative

The Frontera Land Alliance (Frontera), a local 501(c) (3) non-profit focuses on the conservation of water, land and open space. We work in Hudspth, Culberson El Paso, and may work in southern NM counties.

We focus our efforts on:  

1) Enhance the protection of the Franklin Mountains with additional buffer lands; 
2) Protect water resources—rivers, streams and wetlands, watershed, aquifers; 
3) Protect species diversity, rare species habitat and other significant habitat, and enhance the protection of these ecosystems; 
4) protect working farms and ranches; 
5) Preserve scenic views, critical open space and historic character of the built and unbuilt environment;  
6) Link protected lands and promote existing greenways, trails and provide opportunity for new trail development, or other recreational opportunities and; 

One way to achieve the above goals is with an initiative Frontera is investigating, which is a collaborative project that will leverage funds and partnerships.  

Examples of the types of grants available
1) Types of support that possibly could be provided by foundations and government agencies include the purchase of conservation easements or acquire fee simple lands. 
a. Lands of conservation interest could include  natural arroyos, recreational lands, connector trails for wildlife and people 
b. Conservation easements allow funds to go further & landowner stays on tax roll and they are the managers of their lands. 
2) Address flooding in low income neighborhoods by conserving lands around them to allow a place for the water to flow naturally away from low income neighborhoods
3) Conservation of large animals and their habitat such as the mountain lion
4) Address the mental and physical health of people by getting people outside and allowing them the places to become active or just be in nature

Frontera has relationships with several foundations that have interest in conservation, but we need matching funds before we can approach them for additional grant funds. 

Example of how this process might work:

To be able to approach the foundations we need to know who is participating, what the parties and individuals can bring to the table (land or matching funds). Need to know details such as the number of acers to be conserved and what method (fee simple, conservation, donations of land or conservation easements), and the amount of matching funds we have and what amount of grant funds we are asking from them, and finally a map of the lands. We will summarize this information and present it to the identified foundations asking for permission to submit a full proposal. 

Click on image to enlarge.

Please support elpasonaturally©. Go HERE to donate and help turn El Paso "green".

Water and land: why care if it will always be there - right?

In Texas, where about 95 percent of the land is privately owned, and 83 percent of that land is rural farms, ranches, forests, plains and deserts, it’s essential that all Texans understand the connection between land and water to ensure the healthy stewardship of both, according to natural resource professional Kathy Wythe (Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas H2O).

Did you know that rain—whether it falls in Colorado, New Mexico or Texas—replenishes our water supplies so we have water that comes out of the tap at home? When land is managed properly, water will flow to rivers or be absorbed into the ground. It is critical to know that good water stewardship is not enough; we must also conserve the lands that help us conserve our water.  

A Texas statewide voter opinion survey conducted by Hill Research in December, 2014, found that 92% of respondents saw parks as especially important in tough economic times and that 88% viewed parks as essential to healthy living and an active lifestyle for Texans. In addition 84% understood the need for protecting natural areas. 

We have even stronger support in west Texas for open space and parks. The survey by Hill Research goes on to state that in West Texas 96% of the people believe that unless we protect Texas’ natural areas we will lose the very things that makes Texas such a special place in which to live. In addition, the survey showed that 94% believe that public parks and natural areas are especially important to families needing an affordable recreational outlet. 

It’s clear that there is support for conservation and preservation of our region’s water, wildlife and open lands. One way to ensure that land is preserved is with a conservation easement.  A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust such as the Frontera Land Alliance, that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values, while allowing the owner to retain title and continue to manage the land with certain mutually agreed upon limitations.   

The Frontera Land Alliance and the landowner work together to write a conservation easement that reflects both the landowner's desires and ensures the protection of all existing conservation values. A conservation easement restricts development to the degree that is necessary to protect those values be they scenic views, water, wildlife habitat, plants, forests, deserts, etc. Every conservation easement is uniquely tailored to a particular landowner's goals and land. 

Through such preservation you’re impacting more than just you and your family. You are leaving a legacy to for future generations by maintaining an irreplaceable view of a mountain, the preservation of a working pecan groves or cotton fields, by keeping an arroyo open for water to flow naturally, or by assuring that a natural corridor continues to provide a safe pathway for wildlife in an ever-growing urban setting. 

El Paso is a very special place. We’re separated by great distances from other large urban centers in Texas and surrounded by ranches, farms, deserts and a major mountain range. The types of plants and wildlife found in our region are irreplaceable (as are, of course, the people who live there). And it’s also the case that “It’s better outdoors!” to cite the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s motto. So by being outdoors you improve your mental and physical self - whether sitting on a bench or biking on a trail. A conservation easement is a very effective way to protect those special places in our lives and ensure they will be there for those who follow us.

-Janae’ Renaud Field

Open Space Should be Included in New Community Developments

Bird of Paradise blooms in Resler Canyon, a nature preserve managed by Frontera Land Alliance.

Over the past several years The Frontera Land Alliance has been working with Sumner Swaner (Utah State University; Swaner preserve and Eco Center; Swaner Design; American Institute of Certified Planners, etc.). Mr. Swaner was one of the expert practitioners that we asked to participate in a webinar to share his approach to large landscape conservation. The Franklin and Organ Mountains Conservation Cooperative hosted a webinar (June 2013) with experts from The Conservation Fund, the University of Utah Ecological Planning Center and the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources to learn about various approaches to community-based  landscape conservation.  

Mr. Swaner has shared a presentation that The Frontera Land Alliance feels would be of interest to all.  His findings state that there are two basic reasons that make open space so important. On one hand, there are many advantages to conserving and protecting open spaces, including physical, psychological, economic, and ecological gains. On the other hand, there are disadvantages to losing open spaces. Opportunities for exercise and for mental/emotional fulfillment are diminished. Aesthetic quality, habitat connectivity, and environmental conditions are degraded. Open space is important, therefore, both as a means of capitalizing on major benefits and of avoiding serious costs.

The open space connectedness survey, conducted by Mr. Swaner, consisted of 800 randomly selected people from seven states, who participated in phone or online interviews: approximately 115 participants each from California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and West Virginia. They targeted specific counties within each state were targeted, in order to reach people living in a range of urban, rural, and suburban areas. 

The open space connectedness survey had three objectives. First, to determine the opinions and feelings of Americans regarding their connection to open space in their residential communities. Second, to confirm that, in addition to deriving physical and recreational benefits, Americans have a deep psychological connection with open space. Third, to determine Americans’ preferred methods of residential open space planning. The survey had two targeted research questions: 1) Is there a preference for development with a significant proportion of open space?   2) Is this preference so important that city planners need to integrate open space into their planning and subdivision regulations?

The open space connectedness survey showed that the majority of Americans place a high value on open space. More than 80% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with these statements: “Open space is important to mental well-being,” and “Open space is an integral part of any community.”  Regardless of age, geographic location, urban or rural living conditions, and even political affiliation, people across the country feel that their community cannot do without open space, and that open space is important not only for exercise and recreation, but for mental and emotional health and rejuvenation. 

Americans are calling specifically for open space planning and development. Around 75% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with these statements: “Open space should be automatically included in new community developments,” and “Real estate development and land conservation should occur together.” 

Similarly, around 60% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with these statements: “I would prefer to have my same residence, but in a neighborhood that has large, shared open spaces,” and
“A lack of coherent planning of open space will prevent conservation.”  Residents quite clearly think that their cities should be taking active steps to protect the places they love.  

The Frontera Land Alliance is working with a wide variety of agencies ranging from local, state and federal to achieve these very goals. If you are interested in conserving your land whether it is urban or rural feel free to contact The Frontera Land Alliance at 915-351-8352. 

The Frontera Land Alliance
Janae Renaeud Field
915-351-8352
janae@Fronteralandalliance.org

Boy Scouts to Take Over Cement Lake?

In case you missed the story in last week's EP Times, the Texas Transportation Commission okayed leasing 222 acres of public land to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for what might be the largest urban BSA camp in the country. The land between Executive Blvd. and Sunland Park and I-10 and Paisano includes Cement Lake, one of the priorities for preservation by El Paso's Open Space Advisory Board.

Marty Schladen, who wrote the Times article, included the angle that the International AIDS Empowerment of El Paso and Las Cruces opposes the lease because the BSA discriminates against gay men. Openly gay youth may join the scouts but a ban on gay scoutmasters persists. (If you are a gay Eagle Scout and want to continue in the organization as a volunteer leader, you are suddenly unworthy.) The BSA policy may be based on the irrational fear that gay men are sexual predators - a notion that is easily dismissed by the facts and statistics. There may also be something akin to "don't ask/don't tell" at work here.

Skip Rosenthal, the Executive Director of International AIDS Empowerment of EP and Las Cruces, points out that El Paso has a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. The municipal code reads:

"The City shall afford equal employment and benefit opportunities to all qualified individuals in compliance with all applicable laws, without regard to their race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, color, religion, ethnic background or national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state, or local law."

Putting aside the issue of discrimination for a moment, there is the matter of preserving this spring-fed lake and the land around it.  The proposed lease is for 25 years with an option to go another 25 years after that. How well can we expect the Boy Scouts to preserve and conserve Cement Lake? 

BSA has an excellent reputation for land conservation. They even have an "idea sheet" about conservation planning for boy scout properties. The "sheet" mentions that land will not be abused but it also discusses resource management and it does suggest land development and the use of "heavy equipment". So can the local Yucca Council of BSA be trusted to be good stewards of Cement Lake and its pristine surroundings?

If the Texas Transportation Commission truly cares about the preservation of this land, one way to ensure it is to place the land under a conservation easement. That way there would be precise preservation language in the lease agreement and a third party overseeing the easement to make sure that neither TxDOT nor the Boy Scouts violates that language. A conservation manager can be a land management organization such as Frontera Land Alliance or even the City of El Paso.

Something tells me that the Transportation Commission will never enter into any kind of conservation agreement. So, no matter how good the reputation of Scouts may be, without solid assurances that the land will be carefully conserved and preserved, there is good reason to oppose any kind of lease especially if there are no non-discrimination assurances by BSA. 

elpasonaturally will keep an eye on this one.

The Friday Video: Perspectives:The Frontera Land Alliance

Learn more about the Frontera Land Alliance as well as the relationship between land conservation and water conservation. The latter is critical and is why you don't want City Council in control of PSB land so that they can sell it off for the immediate gratification of instant revenue. Keeping your Public Service Board independent means water today and water for your grandchildren's grandchildren.



Save our land. Save our water. Save our PSB.

Why Conserve Arroyos or Any Land at All?

The following is an op-ed piece that first appeared in the El Paso Inc. It is by Janae' Reneaud Field, the executive director of the Frontera Land Alliance.

Why Conserve Arroyos or Any Land at All?

Do you sometimes wonder why The Frontera Land Alliance spending so much time restoring Resler Canyon? It’s simple: Resler is a very visible open space—seen by thousands every day—that clearly demonstrates how a natural arroyo functions. Also it allows Frontera to show how an area such as this can be managed at a low cost with a positive impact on the community. What better way to educate the general public, elected officials, and government employees on how to manage open space properties in their natural state?  

Natural areas can create opportunities for our local economy by promoting investment in working ranches and farms as well as land for outdoor recreation. Such investments have a ripple effect. For example, investment in a nature-based park can create more jobs and lead to more visitor spending. With their growing international reputation as tourist destinations for nature and adventure, our mountains can bring more outside dollars to the area. “In 2006, Hueco Tanks brought in $582,207 in county sales [and] $331,774 in county residents’ personal income. In 2007, Hueco Tanks and the Franklin Mountains State Park brought 72,644 visitors to El Paso County.” (Texas State Park, Natural Economic Assets) The Backpacker Magazine states that “Natural open space improves mental and physical health. Researchers hypothesize that exposure to the natural outdoors causes significant, measurable changes to the brain. These changes lead to clearer thinking, greater ability to focus and maximum cognitive ability. In short: enjoying nature makes you smarter. Recent studies have already linked spending time in nature with stress reduction and overall happiness.” Imagine having a natural open space near your office to take a break and walk for a few minutes before getting back to work. How much more productive and friendly we would be! Finally it’s been proven that “Outdoor education provides students with an opportunity to connect with nature, learn hands-on science, achieve personal growth, and develop a commitment to environmental stewardship and community service. We believe outdoor education provides a better future for our students, our communities and our world.” (Outdoor Education Foundation) 

Having natural areas benefits the local economy, creates new business and lowers infrastructure costs long-term. And just by being outside in nature or at a ranch or a farm, you improve your mental and physical health.  

Frontera, the only 501 (C) 3 non-profit local land trust, is working hard to create and maintain a high quality of life for the community through the management of open natural areas that provide wildlife habitat, water recharge and peace of mind.  To learn more contact Frontera Land Alliance at info@FronteraLandAlliance.org or 915-351-8352.

Bad News, Good News

Some bad news and some good news:

The current policy shift in the City from sustainable planning to development for development's sake is taking a toll on morale among Development and Planning personnel. The word is that Plan El Paso is being shelved. Long range planning is out while pushing permits is in. Conventional building is in; smart development is out. Mixed use building is out; single use building with extensive parking lots is in. I've heard that some of this is a bit exaggerated but that morale is low nevertheless. 

According to my sources the shift in policy is being driven by the Mayor's Office. This is too bad because conventional building is actually a huge economic drain on the city. Less energy efficient buildings and the favoring of sprawl depletes the disposable income of El Pasoans who must pay for higher energy and transportation costs with their monthly income. Consequently the sales tax base is low. With such policy combined with the tactics of TxDOT to favor automobile/petroleum industry over mass transit and bicycle infrastructure and even cultural heritage, El Paso will continue as a poorer city that can, at best, attract only low paying call center industry but little more. The Mayor would do well not to tout Prudential's opening a call center here. Answering calls and flipping hamburgers and being paid meager wages in the building trades - all keep El Paso from becoming a rich metropolitan center where we all prosper.

The good news is that an attempt to scuttle the Sustainability Office failed and that office is now safe under General Services and bolstered by the new Resiliency Grant.

The grant leads to more good news for the City and for a potential Conservation Cooperative tool.  From an email this afternoon from Janae' Reneaud Field, the Director of Frontera Land Alliance:

Dear Franklin and Organ Mountains Conservation Cooperative, El Paso Update: Last week Wednesday, April 23, 2014, the Resilience Grant by the Rockefeller Foundation agreement was executed by El Paso City Council. The City’s next step is to recruit a resiliency officer. The city will move forward with developing a Resilience City Plan that will help El Paso withstand shocks while still maintaining its essential functions. The Rockefeller Foundation defines resilience as "the ability of a system, entity, community, or person to withstand shocks while still maintaining its essential functions and to recover quickly and effectively." Simply put, resilience is what enables people to survive, adapt, and thrive in the face of acute shocks and chronic stresses.   http://100resilientcities.rockefellerfoundation.org/ 

We will stay in touch with the Resilience Program with the goal of participating and adding our objective of developing a mapping tool that will identify and classify lands that best accommodate development and gray infrastructure while also considering lands to conserve. The Land Conservation Inventory Tool is a collaborative approach specifically designed to obtain community input, create goals, assist in designing policies, identify land protection focus areas and develop funding mechanisms to create a lasting legacy in our region. This tool will strengthen and provide scientific data to assist in managing the Plan El Paso, Northwest Master Plan, the El Paso Sustainability Plan, the El Paso Open Space Plan, Dona Ana County Comprehensive Plan and other regional efforts that identify preserving large, connected natural areas. Again, the purpose of the project is to provide scientific data to assist in providing better information to organizations, government agencies, individuals, developers and business owners about the existing resources which will assist in their decision making. The Franklin and Organ Mountains Conservation Cooperative’s goals are: (1) safeguard natural and cultural features, (2) improve wildlife habitat and connectivity, (3) address the health of our regional watershed and (4) contribute to the local economy of our communities.

Castner Range Is Being Destroyed Not Preserved

This past Saturday, the Frontera Land Alliance unveiled a new video produced by Jackson Polk entitled "Conserving Castner". Elpasonaturally posted it this last Monday. It has been a dream of many El Pasoans, the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition and Frontera to conserve this land now owned by Ft. Bliss by making it a part of the Franklin Mountains State Park. Since it was used for artillery practice, the Army has been reluctant to turn it over until unexploded munitions have been accounted for and destroyed. One would think that the range remains in pristine condition since it is off limits. Trespassing will result in a heavy fine . . . if you are caught that is.

Think again about that pristine state. The truth is that people do explore Castner particularly the higher elevations. There are places of great beauty - that is, there were places of great beauty. Castner is not protected. The United States Army cares nothing about natural beauty (including huge sections of the Hueco Bolson that they now trample and destroy playing war games). The longer Castner remains without real conservation, the more of it gets destroyed. 

Although members of the FMWC and others have tried to get Castner transferred to park land for decades now, the issue remains unresolved and seemingly no closer to resolution. All the while, gangs despoil the natural beauty with graffiti and camp sites. Litter and paint are left behind. There is little outcry from the media probably because there has been little publicity about the matter. The Range is off-limits, remember.

It is high time that people see the destruction of pristine canyons and arroyos in their Franklin Mountains. It is time that the U.S. Army deed land to the State Park if only the higher elevations in the beginning. If the Army cares, they should send up battalions to wipe-off the graffiti from the rocks of the Franklin Mountains. After all, they have been stewards of this land for a very long time and their legacy is nothing more than unexploded ordnance and ugly graffiti.

Resler Canyon Needs Your Help!

Click to enlarge image.

The Frontera Land Alliance needs wattles and seeds to prevent erosion on the site of recent improvements to stormwater infrastructure in the Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve at Resler Canyon in El Paso.

Wattles are straw-filled, biodegradable net tubes staked out across areas subject to erosion. You see them next to highways. They’ll be used in t he Canyon to slow down rain runoff and let water slowly soak into the soil. The wetter the soil, the better the chance that seeds can germinate and hold the soil in place. And when plants take hold and grow, the leaves reduce the impact of raindrops, further cutting back on erosion. The wattles come in 100 foot lengths; we need over 5,000 feet to adequately protect the site. We’ll be gathering surplus seeds from Canyon shrubs, but we must also buy about 80 pounds of fast-growing, native grass seed to quickly generate ground cover. The cost of the erosion control and reseeding is $25,000.

You can help by sponsoring a wattle or a 10-pound bag of seed. Each wattle length costs $100. The seed is $200 per bag. Even smaller contributions will help. Your sponsorship is tax deductible. Your name will appear on a marker to celebrate your contribution.

Want more info about contributing to this important conservation project contact Janaé Renaud Field, Frontera's Executive Director, at (915) 351-8352 or janae@FronteraLandAlliance.org.  

Give at:  http://fronteralandalliance.org/site/how-to-help/donate 

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Land-Use Plan for Castner Range Available for Public Comment

Click on images above to enlarge.

Land-Use Plan for Castner Range Available for Public Comment

Contact: Janaé Reneaud Field
915-351-TFLA
janae@fronteralandalliance.org

A draft version of a Castner Range Land-Use Plan has been made available for public comment by the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition and The Frontera Land Alliance, two El Paso-area conservation organizations. Everyone interested in the future of Castner can review the Plan at www.FronteraLandAlliance.org (link in upper right hand corner of home page).

As you drive up into the mountains on Transmountain Road from Northeast El Paso, you may not realize you are driving through territory that still belongs to Fort Bliss. This 7,081-acre property, known as “Castner Range,” is not open to the public because there may be unexploded ordnance on the land.

Fort Bliss is undergoing a process of determining the best use of this land. For the last several years, members of the boards of The Frontera Land Alliance and the Franklin Mountains Wilderness coalition have been collaborating (as the “4C’s”—the Castner Conservation Conveyance Committee) with Fort Bliss to propose options for Castner Range’s acres. The 4C’s goal is to preserve, in perpetuity, the natural areas, wildlife corridors and natural springs that are present on Castner Range. After considerable study and work, the 4C’s have drafted a Land Use Plan that will be turned over to Fort Bliss to aid the Department of Defense in determining the future use of the Range, as soon as results from the survey are in.

The survey asks this: How would YOU like to see this land used (once it’s declared safe for using)? Do you want the land to be closed to the public so you can enjoy the natural beauty from a distance with no disturbance? Do you want hiking, biking and horse trails on the land? Maybe you prefer limited recreational development, once the land is transferred to the Franklin Mountains State Park? Or would you prefer full-scale development such as home, businesses, factories and office complexes? Perhaps you have another idea, one not considered yet, for the conservation of Castner Range.
All survey responses will be incorporated into the Plan, which will then be revised. “The Plan is open for commentary through September 15, 2013,” says Janaé Reneaud Field, Executive Director of The Frontera Land Alliance and a member of the 4C’s collaboration.

Conservation Workshop Tomorrow Morning

The Frontera Land Alliance, the El Paso area’s only non-profit 501 c (3) land trust organization, is hosting a Conservation Workshop beginning tomorrow, Friday, November 2 beginning at 8 a.m. at the downtown El Paso Doubletree Hotel, 600 N. El Paso Street, just south of I-10.  This is a great opportunity for advisors, landowners and anyone else interested in getting up-to-the-minute information on various ways to conserve land. Please join their guest speakers—several attorneys from Braun and Gresham, PLLC and Robertson/Smith Attorneys at Law—to hear all about the many conservation tools that are available.  More information online here and here.

Here are a couple of other events of importance:

City Representative Carl L. Robinson is hosting Ed Drusina, the Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) at his monthly breakfast meeting tomorrow, Friday, November 2^nd, at the Denny’s Diner at 4690 Transmountain Road at 7:30 a.m.  The IBWC provides “binational solutions to issues that arise during the application of United States - Mexico treaties regarding boundary demarcation, national ownership of waters, sanitation, water quality, and flood control in the border region.” With the issues of drought, water scarcity and looming water “wars”, we should all become very familiar with the key players such as the IBWC and Mr. Drusina.

If you are a dog lover and you are looking for a furry hiking buddy, mark your calendar now for Happy Tails and Happy Trails on Saturday, November 3^rd beginning at 9 a.m. at the Tom Mays Unit. I’ve posted the info for this on my neighborhood association blog. Be sure to click on the image to enlarge and read all of the information. We just have to find Lambert (and his buds) a home. This event is yet another great brain-child of Park Ranger Adrianna Weickhardt. Kudos, Adrianna!  Be sure to see the November schedule of events and hikes sponsored by the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Congratulations to the Borderland Mountain Bike Association for the completion of the Lost Dog Trailhead. I comment about it and the Palisades in a blog post.

Take note that the Sierra Club’s lawsuit against TxDOT over Transmountain has come to an end.

Finally, you read here or in the Times about Professor Phil and Kathy Goodell generously donating  a new Center of Entrepreneurial Geosciences at UTEP, a brainchild of Dr. Goodell.  Read the UTEP News story. It gives some fresh and interesting details.

Positives from PSB's Strategic Planning Meetings

From the environmentalist/conservationist perspective, the PSB’s Strategic Planning sessions this year were quite positive. Here’s why:

1.       The debate over water for the Rio Bosque has dramatically shifted. The discussion is no longer about should it get water but rather how should it get water. Even in email chat yesterday and today over the central El Paso retention pond (some suggesting that water from there go to the Bosque), EPWU VP John Balliew was part of the discussion. (More on the new El Paso hole below.) The pond isn’t a solution as it is too far from the Bosque – but Mr. Balliew related that there may be ways to harvest that stormwater closer to the Bosque. Remember: the Rio Bosque is potentially an $18 million source for eco-tourist revenue for  El Paso.  It’s not just a “tree hugger” issue.

By the way, John Sproul, Director of the Bosque, wrote a white paper which included suggestions for storm water usage for the Bosque. Read Meeting Water Needs at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park: Strategies Involving El Paso Water Utilities. See items 4 and 5 on page 9:

Meeting Water Needs at Rio Bosque: Strategies Involving EPWU

Click on title or icon in bottom right corner to enlarge.

2.       It was suggested that the PSB swap the Palisades for the Rio Bosque. Indeed a motion passed authorizing Mr. Archuleta to begin a discussion with Joyce Wilson.  But why the swap? Perhaps because the City purchased a piece of the Palisades from the PSB at one time? Perhaps because the PSB failed to buy enough land with open space funds to begin with? No matter. Swapping land is akin to having an equal amount of money in two banks and writing a check from each account to the other for the same amount. It is all City land and which ledger for accounting and management purposes, doesn’t matter. What does matter, from my perspective as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, is that El Paso’s Parks and Rec department doesn’t have the soul, the skill set, or the value system to manage open space. One will have to see a huge mindset change (perhaps in the next P&R Master Plan) before one can see P&R do more than plant and water sod in retention ponds.  The Open Space Advisory Board at its November meeting will consider whether the City should just turn over the Bosque to the PSB.

3.       Mr. Archuleta proposed last year and the idea got traction this year for a Water Smart Home and a public working committee of El Pasoans to look at more ways to conserve water. Making positive changes to building codes, the City’s design manual, and doing more with Green Infrastructure/Low Impact Development are all part of the mix. In short, rain water harvesting not just flood control have become part of the vocabulary, part of the strategic planning.

4.       Dr. Bonart has raised the issue of a water use budget. The idea is that only so much water can be allocated for certain uses. For example, the City’s Parks and Rec department gulps down nearly a fifth of the City’s allocation of river water each year. Certainly they will slurp down more now that they have instigated an over-seeding program during the winter. However, most on the PSB don’t think that, as sellers of water, they can regulate how much water a customer can purchase. This may be a good objection to implementing a water use budget from the supply side. However, implementing such a budget from the consumer side is not such a bad idea. It is time that the PSB, County, City, school districts, etc., sit down at a water summit/powwow and come to an agreement on values and policies regarding water use.  Somebody call Mayor Bloomberg. Not only would we be getting a 16 oz. cup, we won’t be able to super-size by buying two or three more cups.

Some quick thoughts about El Paso’s newest hole: the central retention pond at Luna and Gateway West built for flood control and touted by the EP Times as Beautifying Flood Control. No doubt it is a solution to all that storm water rushing off the southeast slopes of the mountain (my neighborhood). I just wonder this: instead of one more hole in El Paso, why wasn’t the money spent doing some green infrastructure/low impact development up and down Copia and Piedras and beautifying those increasingly busy thoroughfares? In other words: keep the water where it falls or first runs off the mountains. Think of all the trees and landscape improvements which could have beautified central El Paso homes, businesses and streets. Think of all the contractors, landscapers and engineering firms who could have benefited and provided more jobs if the storm water solution had been green infrastructure and not just another hole in the ground.

There are too many holes in El Paso. In fact, I think that we can declare El Paso the hole capitol of the world where the wind flies our City’s flag, the plastic bag, in every ugly chain link fence surrounding these holes which are too often lined and filled with rock gouged from our gorgeous mountain. (Stand at the far north end of the Wyler Tramway parking lot or hike the Directissimo and see the CEMEX quarry devour the Franklins.)

The Frontera Land Alliance, the El Paso area’s only non-profit 501 c (3) land trust organization, is hosting a Conservation Workshop on November 2 at the downtown El Paso Doubletree Hotel, 600 N. El Paso Street, just south of I-10.  This is a great opportunity for advisors, landowners and anyone else interested in getting up-to-the-minute information on various ways to conserve land. Please join their guest speakers—several attorneys from Braun and Gresham, PLLC and Robertson/Smith Attorneys at Law—to hear all about the many conservation tools that are available.  More information online here and here.

Speaking about Frontera: congratulations to the newest Frontera Board member, Eileen Karlsruher. She is a tremendous asset on whatever board or in whatever capacity she serves. Super choice, Frontera!

Also speaking about Frontera, there will be a guided walk through the Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve at Resler canyon this Sunday morning beginning at 8 a.m. Information including where to meet-up can be found here.

Finally, multi-kudos for the Guru of Geology, Dr. Phil Goodell, Professor at UTEP since 1975. He and his lovely wife, Kathy, just donated $1million to the University for a new Center of Entrepreneurial Geosciences at UTEP.  The Executive Summary reads in part: “Exploration for natural resources, oil/gas and minerals, is a unique activity. Success means discovery.”  

Conservation Easement Workshop November 2

The Frontera Land Alliance

Conservation Easement Workshop

November 2, 2012

The Frontera Land Alliance, the El Paso area’s only non-profit 501 c (3) land trust organization, is hosting a Conservation Workshop on November 2 at the downtown El Paso Doubletree Hotel, 600 N. El Paso Street, just south of I-10.

Please join our guest speakers—several attorneys from Braun and Gresham, PLLC and Robertson/Smith Attorneys at Law—to hear all about the many conservation tools that are available.  Two sessions will be offered. The first (8 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) is aimed at advisors; the second (8 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) is oriented toward the needs of landowners and the general public eager to learn how a conservation easement can be of use to them. 

Half-day Landowner Session (8-1:00): This session is for landowners and the general public. Topics: What landowners need to know about intrusion on surface use – Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Power Lines, and Condemnation; Wildlife Management for Property Taxes; Estate Planning; Introduction to Conservation Easements; Landowner comments about experience on donating conservation easements; Farm and Ranch Properties—Family Legacy or Liability; and Closing Comments.

·         Admission is free for owners of ranches, farms or natural areas. All others please pay $30.

All-day Advisor Session (8-4:00): This is a full-day workshop for attorneys, estate planners, CPAs and appraisers, who will learn how conservation tools can benefit their clients. (All participants earn continuing-education credits.) Topics: Estate Planning; Conservation Easements 101; Farm and Ranch Properties: Family Legacy or Liability; What Landowners Need to Know about Intrusion on Surface Use – Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Power Lines, and Condemnation; Wildlife Management for Property Taxes. Cost to each advisor: $80.00, which includes breakfast, lunch, and all materials, in addition to earning continuing-education credits.

·         6.5 attorney/estate planners  (To clarify: An estate planner doesn’t get credit unless they are an attorney or a certified financial planner);

·         4.0 for CPA’s,

·         7.0 for CFP’s  

·         6.0 for real estate 

Over view of topics:

Estate Planning

This course examines the issues and strategies for asset protection, limiting liability, planning for mental disability to avoid conservatorship, dealing with probate, minimizing or eliminating federal estate tax, and the options for leaving land to heirs. The impending end of the Bush-era tax cuts makes these issues more challenging for landowners. This overview of issues and strategies will equip you to identify issues related to estate planning and  answer initial questions from your clients.

Conservation Easements 101

This introductory course covers the nuts and bolts of this topic, including conservation easements basics, how they generate financial benefits, such as federal income and estate tax savings, how best to structure transactions; practical considerations in negotiating conservation easement terms, selecting and working with land trusts, and the use of conservation easements with other planning strategies.

Farm and Ranch Properties — Family Legacy or Liability?

Review of strategies and tools for estate planning that involve significant rural land holdings. Farms, ranches and recreational lands present unique challenges to estate planners if the family wishes to keep land undeveloped. Tools such as conservation easements, sale of development rights, sales of ecosystem services, tenants in common and management trusts will be covered.

Seating is limited. For more information or to register please contact Janaé Reneaud Field, Executive Director, The Frontera Land Alliance, 915-351-8352 or janae@fronteralandalliance.org.

Contact:

Janae’ Reneaud Field

Executive Director

The Frontera Land Alliance
Janae@Fronteralandalliance.org
Office Phone: 915-351-TFLA (8352)
Fax: 915-351-8353
Office Address: 1201 N. Mesa St., El Paso Texas 79902
Mailing Address: 3800 N. Mesa, Suite A2-258,  El Paso, Texas 79902
www.Fronteralandalliance.org

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for the November 2, ½ day or full day Conservation Workshop.

Advisors can earn continued education credits: 6.0 attorney/estate planners  (To clarify: An estate planner doesn’t get credit unless they are an attorney or a certified financial planner); 4.0 for CPA’s, 7.0 for CFP/estate planners, and 6.0 for real estate. Seating is limited. For more information or to register please contact Janaé Reneaud Field, Executive Director, The Frontera Land Alliance, 915-351-8352 or janae@fronteralandalliance.org.