Catron County Solid Waste Update

by David Peters
Feb 3, 2014

The Catron County Commission has authorized a committee of citizens to investigate solutions to the solid waste problem in Catron County. A meeting was held on January 30, 2014 at the County Courthouse. The attendees were Cathlyn Snyder (county manager), Mark Atwood ( solid waste superintendent), Kate Fletcher ( accounts payable), Susan Johni Griffin ( county assessor), and Connie Shipley (county treasurer) representing the county. David Peters, Dell Gigante, Wayne Ashby, Bob Howell,Cindy Howell, and Charles Pollina representing the citizens. The purpose of the meeting was to establish the committee and gather background information to clarify the problems associated with solid waste disposal in Catron County.

We are in the process of forming this committee and are soliciting both your help and consideration. If you are interested in volunteering or have ideas or information you would like to share please contact Dave, Wayne, or Dell. (contact information below).

These problems have existed for many years and cannot be solved overnight. However, our objective is to have a solution before the next billing cycle which will occur in June, 2014. There is a lot of important information regarding the current situation that is too complex to discuss here. Dell, Wayne, and I are putting together plans for Town Hall meetings to explain the situation and answer questions. We plan for these to take place in Reserve, Glenwood, Datil and Quemado over the next few weeks.

We all want to be heard, but individuals taking an abusive attitude with the county will not help. Please be patient and allow this committee to work. We will find an answer. Carol Auffrey will be sending out more information when we nail down the Town hall Meetings. Please plan to attend and ask your neighbors to attend. Through Carol we will keep you updated as timely and accurately as possible. Accurate information, embracing creative solutions and the willingness to work together will get this job done. Thank you for being part of the solution.

David Peters
committee chairman
533 6027 coyotemoonranch@gilanet.com

Dell Gigante 772 5541 trailsend@gilanet.com

Wayne Ashby 533 6603

Carol Auffrey 7734991 himtnhideout@gilanet.com 

Catwalk Receives Major Flood Damage

Glenwood, NM; September 19, 2013—Preliminary assessment of flood damage to the popular Catwalk National Recreation Trail has determined that major damage has occurred due to the recent unusually intense rainstorms in the area. The entire Catwalk area will remain closed indefinitely due to the inaccessibility of the area.

N.M. Highway 174 to the Catwalk is impassable due to landslides, damage to the highway and high water levels at the low water crossings. Water levels in Whitewater Canyon remain high and dangerous. Complete assessment of the Catwalk and Whitewater Picnic Area will occur when it is safe to do so and access has been restored. 

“Decisions about reopening the facility will wait until safe vehicle access has been restored and the entire trail has been evaluated as the full extent and severity of the damage to the Catwalk is unknown at this time,” District Ranger Pat Morrison said.

The National Weather Service indicates that very little additional rainfall is needed to trigger flooding. Despite the overall decrease in rain activity, flood advisories or warnings can still be expected.

Flood damage to the Catwalk area at this time includes:

• Portions of the Civilian Conservation Corps rock stairs were damaged including the trail’s metal grillwork.
• A 30 foot section of the cement bridge that crosses Whitewater Creek has been washed away. 
• Several landslides and rockslides have occurred along both the “universal trail” and the “old” trail 
• Debris including trees, branches, boulders, rocks and sediment are present in the Whitewater Picnic Area, parking area, and access road.

“I know this is a huge disappointment to everyone especially since the Catwalk trail had been recently restored and re-opened to the Octagon. My main focus at this time is the protection of life and property,” adds Ranger Morrison. Please contact the Glenwood Ranger District office for further information, 575.539.2481.

Andrea G. Martinez
Public Affairs Officer
GILA NATIONAL FOREST
3005 Camino del Bosque
Silver City, NM 88061
575.388.8211 office
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GilaForestPAO
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gilaforest/sets/

Catron County flood report for Gov. Martinez

Catron County Flood Response
Incident Status   9-17-13   1600 Hours
Issued by: Catron County, NM

Arrival         1600-1630
Introductions  - Blue Front Café.
Review Work at Highway 180 Bridge in Glenwood.
Look at flood damage to private property along Whitewater Creek – Circle Drive.
Drive to Highway 180 bridge at Alma.
Look at flood damage to private property up Mineral Creek.
Return to Blue Front Café.
Overflight of Hwy 159 into Mogollon.
Possible overflight of Willow Creek Subdivision.

Alan Beaty – Incident Commander
Lorenzo  Espinoza       DHSEM Liaison
Bucky Allred  -     County Commissioner District #3
Cathlyn Snider – County Manager
Doug Boykin – Public Information

STATUS

In response to flooding brought on by a week of intense rains, officials are in the process of cleaning up and re-establishing basic services to residents along several drainages in and around the communities of Glenwood (Whitewater Creek), Mogollon ( Silver Creek) and Alma (Mineral Creek). While most of the county received over 8 inches of  rain in the last 7 days, the area around Glenwood was the most effected by the devastating floods, where waters breached levees, flooded homes and businesses and destroyed a portion of NM 159 into the mountain community of Mogollon, leaving 13 residents stranded.

Mineral Creek

Crews are working with heavy equipment to re-establish the main road up Mineral Creek where multiple homes are located. Twenty-two residents are still unable to get out of the upper part of the canyon. Work is progressing to pioneer a new road in areas where Mineral Creek jumped its banks so that food and water can be taken to those residents if they are in need. This work should be done within 48 hours. After that, as resources permit, work will be started to restore the road to the original condition, which may take several weeks. One home was directly affected by the flood waters, multiple homes received minor flood damage, an RV park and a mobile home park were damaged and several others close to the new channel are in immediate threat. Power and phone lines that were damaged have been restored. One Catron County bulldozer is on scene with one more due to arrive this afternoon.

Glenwood

Whitewater Creek crested the US Hwy 180 bridge on Sunday night and flooded several low-lying areas adjacent to the creek. Currently, there is less than 3 feet of freeboard under the bridge and officials are working with NM DOT to try to clean the channel in the event of additional rain fall in upper Whitewater Creek, which was devastated by the 2012 Whitewater Baldy Fire. Currently there is one business and 3 homes that were directly impacted by the flood waters, along with several outbuildings.  The NM Game and Fish Hatchery is threatened and the Game and Fish Department is mobilizing equipment to build up the dike separating Whitewater Creek from the hatchery. 

Mogollon (Silver Creek)

From pictures received by sources inside the community, Mogollon has received the most damage and flood effects associated with the rains. NM Hwy 159 has been totally destroyed from where it enters Deadwood Canyon , southwest of Mogollon, east to where it climbs out of Silver Creek about 3 miles upstream of the town site. Based on best available information, there are still 13 residents still in Mogollon. Power and phones are still working and officials are working with local crews from the Glenwood Ranger Station/Gila National Forest in packing in food and water. Heavy equipment from NMDOT is working east on Hwy 159 to pioneer a 4 wheel drive road down Deadwood Canyon and the south fork of Silver Creek into Mogollon.  Work is slow because there are spots on NM 159 (a single lane, paved highway) that may have been damaged and there are reports of sink holes associated with washed out culverts.   Best available estimate is that the initial ATV/OHV/4 wheel drive road access will be established by late tomorrow if things go according to plan.  There are reports of one person missing from Mogollon. The last time anyone heard from him was when he left Mogollon on Sunday night and headed towards Glenwood. Crews are searching in the area in case he did not make it out. 

There has been a media report that the NM National Guard has been called in to supply Mogollon with food and water. Due to the narrow, steep and extreme terrain around Mogollon, there are not landing zones where a National Guard Helicopter can land.  As a result of this, supplies are being taken in on foot to the citizens of Mogollon. 

Due to the unprecedented damage to NM 159, it may be several months before it is open for public travel.

Resources Assigned

Representatives of NM Dept. of Homeland Security, Catron County, NM State Forestry, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, NM State Police, NM DOT and the US Forest Service have set up an Incident Command Post at the Blue Front Café in Glenwood. A Type 3 Incident Management Team from the City of Santa Fe has been ordered to assist Catron County with recovery and re-construction.  Heavy equipment from Catron County and NM DOT are either on scene or en-route to start clearing roads, bridges, repairing dikes, etc. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Glenwood Elementary School.

Public meeting - Motor Vehicle Department office in Catron County

Monday, July 15th 10am – Catron County Town Hall Meeting – Reserve Community Center. The Town Hall meeting agenda is the Motor Vehicle Department issue in Catron County. MVD Director Mark Williams will attend and listen to our concerns. This is your chance to voice your concerns. Everyone in Catron County is encouraged to attend. For additional information call Richard at 575-533-6744.

Wildfires on the Gila National Forest

Silver City, NM; June 8, 2013 - Widespread thunderstorms passed through the Gila National Forest yesterday afternoon with multiple lightning strikes reported on the forest. A chance of new starts today is likely.

Wildfires on the Gila National Forest: 

Indian Fire: 
Detected: 6/7/2013
Location: 10 miles north of the Gila Cliff Dwellings
Size: 80 acres
Resources: Heavy Air tankers, Smoke jumpers, 2 hotshot crews, 1 type 2 hand crew

Silver Fire:
Detected: 6/7/2013
Location: 7 miles southwest of Kingston, NM
Size: 2 acres
Resources: Heavy air tankers, a type 3 incident commander, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 type 2 hand crew, and district personnel

Papoose Fire:
Detected: 6/7/2013
Location: 11 miles north of the Gila Cliff Dwellings
Size: 80 acres
Resources: Heavy air tankers and smoke jumpers

Sawmill and Kerr Canyon Fires: Contact Sharma Hutchinson at 575-773-8262.


THE GILA NATIONAL FOREST IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS. http://firerestrictions.us/nm/

Fire restrictions for the Gila National Forest include allowing campfires only in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, which must be in a Forest Service provided grill or fire pit. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are acceptable, provided they meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety. Smoking is limited to a vehicle, building, or 3-foot area cleared of all flammable materials.

For additional information contact: 575-388-8262

Sawmill Canyon Fire

Gila National Forest Service

Quemado Ranger District

For Immediate Release Contact: Sharma Hutchinson
Date: July 6, 2013 575-773-4678
11:00 a.m. 
Fire Update: Sawmill Canyon Fire
Fire Information: 575-773-4678 Website Info: http://www.inciweb.nwcg.gov (available later today)

Fire Facts
Date started: July 5, 2013
Cause: Lightning
Location: 10 miles southwest of Quemado, NM
Size: 42 acres
Percent Contained: Perimeter lined, no percentage of containment
Number of Personnel: 125
Equipment: 2 Hotshot Crews, 2 Type 2 Crews, 1 Engine Module, 8 Smokejumpers, 5 engines
Resources Threatened: residences, watersheds
Aircraft: helicopters 2 Type 2 Helicopters, 2 Air Attack, 1 Lead Plane, 3 Air Tankers Available if needed
Injuries to Date: 0

FIRE ACTIVITY:
The fire started in the Sawmill Canyon drainage and continued up the ridge to the North yesterday afternoon. Crews, Air Tanker and Helicopter support worked throughout the day to aggressively suppress the fire. The fire was primarily burning in grass and needle cast on the ground with isolated torching of trees. Crews worked in to the night and have lined the perimeter of the fire.

Today’s weather predicts isolated showers and thunderstorm with 5% chance of rain with a maximum temperature of 81 degrees. With that weather prediction crews remain vigilant in strengthening containment lines. A Strike Force of Engines will be in place today to assess the subdivisions in the proximity of the fire as an added precaution.

THE GILA NATIONAL FOREST IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS. http://firerestrictions.us/nm/
Fire restrictions for the Gila National Forest include allowing campfires only in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and must be in a Forest Service provided grill or fire pit. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are acceptable, provided they meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety. Smoking is limited to a vehicle, building, or 3-foot area cleared of all flammable materials. The following campgrounds and picnic areas have been designated for campfire use:

Kingston Campground Apache Creek Campground El Caso Campground Big Horn Campground Pueblo Park Campground Lower Scorpion Campground Upper Scorpion Campground Upper End Campground Lake Roberts Picnic Area Little Walnut Picnic Areas McMillan Campground Upper Gallinas Campground Railroad Canyon Campground

Juniper Campground Piñon Campground South Fork Campground Cottonwood Campground Grapevine Campground Forks Campground Sapillo Campground Mesa Campground Apache Creek Campground Cherry Creek Campground Iron Creek Campground Lower Gallinas Campground Dipping Vat Campground

Forest personnel strongly encourage extreme care when traveling in the National Forests. As always, fireworks are prohibited on National Forest System lands

For further information on the Sawmill Canyon Fire please call the Quemado Ranger District at 575-773-4678

Catwalk’s Recent Rockfall Requires Changes

Glenwood, NM; June 4, 2013—Glenwood District Ranger Pat Morrison has announced that a rockfall that occurred on June 2, 2013, has damaged the rock stairs on the primitive trail and the cliff above the stairs remains unstable. For safety purposes, the Catwalk National Recreation Area is temporarily closed from the head of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) stairs (approximately ¼ mile from the parking lot) to the end of the trail. This includes the suspended portion of the trail and all of the trail in the upper canyon.

“Although this recent rockfall requires the temporary closure of the Catwalk, the Whitewater Picnic Area remains open for day-use. The ¼ mile portion of the trail leading from the picnic area to the closure gate can still be enjoyed for a brief walk and view of the canyon area, and its many trees and vegetation,” says Ranger Morrison.

Ranger Morrison adds, “I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding of this recent event.  The unstable cliff above the trail presents a serious hazard for visitors and until the rockfall can be removed and the cliff evaluated for further rockfall potential, the trail will remain closed.”

The accessible trail remains closed pending completion of the safety inspection and maintenance contract for the rock face area above the trail. The Glenwood Ranger District is working with Catron County and the local community to develop alternatives to manage the Catwalk during the monsoon season.

Please contact the Glenwood District office, (575) 539-2481, for updated information prior to visiting the area. Further  information may also be obtained from the forest website:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila

Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place for the Gila National Forest!

Andrea G. Martinez
Public Affairs Officer
Gila National Forest
3005 E. Camino del Bosque
Silver City, NM  88061
  575.388.8211 office
 575.388.8204 fax
Twitter:  @GilaForestPAO

Gila NF: Another Portion of the Catwalk Expected to be Re-Opened

Glenwood, NM; May 17, 2013— Work is going full steam ahead for re-opening an additional portion of the popular Catwalk National Recreation Trail located on the Glenwood Ranger District, Gila National Forest. Forest employees, many of them firefighting personnel, are working to replace an additional ¼ mile of the trail up to the octagon (the 8-sided view area) in hopes of having work completed by Memorial Day weekend. “Although we are working towards this date, we may face some challenges with fire season upon us,” says Pat Morrison, Glenwood District Ranger. No fees are currently being charged at the Catwalk. Once the new toilet is installed, the $3.00 per vehicle fee may be reinstated.

 

“The Forest Service is supportive of the Catwalk restoration recognizing its popularity among local citizens and tourists from throughout the country and internationally; the local economies of the Glenwood area and Catron County are also of high value to us,” adds Ranger Morrison.

On May 26, 2012, the Catwalk and Whitewater Picnic Area were closed due to public safety concerns from the Whitewater-Baldy Fire Complex, the largest wildland fire in New Mexico history. Since October 6, 2012, the Catwalk trail has been partially re-opened from ¼ mile from the picnic area, including the portion of the picnic area located at the Catwalk entrance.

During times of rain events, it will be necessary to temporarily close the opened portions of the  Catwalk recreation area due to potential flashfloods and flooding. 

For other fun activities in the Glenwood area, a glimpse back in time of a historic mining community can be enjoyed at the Ghost Town of Mogollon. There are also a number of historical sites including Cooney’s Tomb, WS Cemetery and Meador’s stage stop.

Free camping opportunities are available at the Bighorn Campground and the  Hot Springs Trailhead both near Glenwood plus Pueblo Park Campground, 20 miles northwest of Glenwood.

The Blue Range Wilderness, one of the three wilderness areas on the Forest, offers abundant opportunities for hiking and solitude. From west of the San Francisco River, the road system provides opportunities for ATV rides, including some loop rides.

Please contact the Glenwood Ranger District, 575.539.2481, for further information.

Dutch Oven Cookoff

The eleventh annual Dutch Oven Cookoff will be held April 6 in Glenwood NM.  More at GlenwoodGazette.com/

Sarah Merklein Benefit November 10

Reserve, NM.  A benefit function for Sarah Merklein will be held on November 10th, 2012, at the Catron County Fairgrounds in Reserve. Sarah Merklein, Catron County Manager, is currently undergoing cancer treatment and all proceeds from this function will be donated to her. A benefit account under the name of Sarah Merklein Benefit account has been set up at the Catron County Bank. Anyone who wishes to donate directly can send a check to – Catron County Bank, P.O. 377, Reserve, NM 87830, with a note stating that the check be deposited to the Sarah Merklein Benefit account.

The scheduled benefit function will be three fold: 1. A live auction of donated items will be held from 6pm to 8pm. All residents are encouraged to donate wonderful items to be auctioned. 2. A Country Western dance to be held from 8pm to 12am, conducted by two local bands who will graciously donate their time for this function. 3. A barbeque dinner will be available during these hours. All events are a donation charge. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to support this most worthy benefit.

Further inquiries can be directed to:

Anne Menges Applegate - 533-6267
Richard Torres - 533-6744
Cathlyn Snyder – 533-6633
Mary Rakestraw – 533-6062

Photos from Glenwood Afternoon of July 3

Photos from Glenwood Afternoon of July 3

GLENWOOD, NM  JULY 5, 2012
Richard Torres reporting

These pictures were taken in the afternoon of Tuesday, July 3rd.

The above photo shows the staging area for the Village of Reserve Volunteer Fire Department at the Glenwood School lot. VRVFD has been deployed daily since Monday, July 2, as part of the readiness preparations.

The above photo shows members of the Glenwood and Reserve VFD, as well as members of the Rancho Grande EMTs.

The above photo is taken on the bridge over the Whitewater River on Highway 180 in downtown Glenwood. Picture is taken facing east.

The above photo is taken on the bridge over the Whitewater River on Highway 180 in downtown Glenwood. Picture is taken facing west.