HJM 49

Page 1

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

HJM 49

Page 2

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

HJM 49

Page 3

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

HJM 49

Page 4

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.