HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 49

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Jeannette O. Wallace

A JOINT MEMORIAL

IN SUPPORT OF LOS ALAMOS COUNTY FOR THE COUNTY'S EFFORTS TO COMPEL THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TO CEASE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A ROAD CHECKPOINT PROJECT PENDING RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS.

     WHEREAS, the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration are constructing road checkpoints that could potentially eliminate access to parts of Los Alamos county and detrimentally impact the Los Alamos county economy; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration are required to conduct an analysis of the environmental and other impacts of such road checkpoint construction, but have not yet conducted this analysis; and

     WHEREAS, the county council of the incorporated county of Los Alamos has made repeated efforts to make the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration address community concerns associated with the construction and operation of the proposed road checkpoint project; and

     WHEREAS, the impact of this project includes all of Sandoval county, the Jemez mountain area and the many visitors to Bandelier national monument and other tourism destinations in the region; and

     WHEREAS, the county council of the incorporated county of Los Alamos has offered substantive proposals for the resolution of community concerns, such as the construction of a bypass roadway to divert traffic around Los Alamos national laboratory; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration have consistently rebuffed Los Alamos county by failing to consider any revisions or alterations to the planned construction and operation of the road checkpoint project; and

     WHEREAS, the course of conduct of the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration demonstrates a palpable willingness to ignore community concerns to the detriment of the state of New Mexico, its local governments, including Los Alamos county, and the residents of the state; and

     WHEREAS, an opportunity does exist for the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration to turn the page on a new chapter in their relationship with state and local government by engaging in substantive dialogue about actions the agencies intend to take, prior to committing resources to projects, programs and activities, that will have a profound impact on the state and local government; and

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico encourages the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration to demonstrate their commitment to this relationship by changing their approach to the road checkpoint project, meeting with representatives of Los Alamos county and accepting substantive changes to the project that will address local concerns;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state of New Mexico support the incorporated county of Los Alamos and respectfully request that the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration cease construction and operation of the road checkpoint project until the agencies can address the legitimate concerns of the community; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration embrace the new era at Los Alamos national laboratory by changing their approach to relations with state and local government by cooperating on matters of broad community concern, rather than engaging in unilateral decision-making; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state of New Mexico support resolution of the dispute between the United States department of energy and national nuclear security administration and Los Alamos county that provides unimpeded access to motorists through an alternative route or changes to the proposed road checkpoint project; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy and the administrator of the national nuclear security administration.

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