Ash-cap soil at Cochiti Lake after the Las Conchas wildfire

The New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service, in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture, is hosting a Wildfire Run Off on Soil Workshop to discuss the potential impacts of ash recently produced by the Las Conchas wildfire on local agricultural and livestock interests. View the flyer: Workshop on Soil Erosion Cochiti Pueblo

On Thursday, November 10 from 1 – 2:30 pm at the Cochiti Pueblo Center, a workshop will be held to answer questions related to the following topics:
*Ash-cap soil (water repellent soil)
*How will ash in irrigation affect fields?
*What should be done for fields that are covered with ash from the wildfire run-off?
*Will the ash hurt or help my fields?

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED.

Directions from Santa Fe:
1.Take I-25 south to exit 264.
2.At exit 264, head west on NMSR16 to its intersection with NMSR22.
3.Take a Right on NMSR22 (north) about three miles.
4.Turn left at the “Welcome to Cochiti” sign.

Directions from Albuquerque:
1. Take I-25 north to exit 259.
2. At exit 259, head west on NMSR22 about fifteen miles, through Santo Domingo Pueblo and the Town of Pena Blanca.
3. Turn left at the “Welcome to Cochiti” sign.

For more information, please contact Joseph Garcia at 505-852-0480 or jogarcia@nmsu.edu.

LANL Stormwater Monitoring Plan

LANL Storm Water Monitoring Objectives:

Monitoring of stormwater runoff following the Las Conchas fire will be conducted to assess potential impacts and document potential perturbations in water quality associated with the post-fire runoff environment.

Sample collection:

Figure 1: LANL and NMED Storm Water Stations Map and Monitoring Plan

Stormwater samples will be collected from runoff events at gage stations located to represent water quality for runoff flowing onto and off of Laboratory property. Stations included in this monitoring plan include stations upstream of the Laboratory E026, E240, E252, E253, and E265; and stations generally downstream of the Laboratory: E250, E350, E050.1, E060.1, E099, E109.9 (Figure 1). The samplers at these stations are automated and collect water into multiple containers throughout the runoff event. Crews obtain the samples from the automated samplers, typically the day after the runoff has ended.

Sample processing:

The sampling plan has been developed to provide fast turnaround data analysis at offsite analytical laboratories. The current estimate is that results from a runoff event will be publicly available in approximately 15 – 20 calendar days.  Samples will be processed and shipped with the highest priority. Stormwater data requires a large number of analyses to be executed on samples (more than for air), and the laboratories that do this are located out of state. Those laboratories will be analyzing the samples as fast they are capable of doing, and LANL personnel will be monitoring and assisting daily to ensure the samples have top priority. However, some analyses have a minimum time requirement due to the need to prepare the sample (settle the water to remove silt, sample digestion, etc.). When data are available, the sample results will be sent to LANL electronically.

The fast turnaround time is still longer for stormwater samples than it was for air samples collected during the fire because the sample matrix involved and the tests required are more complex. Air samples were collected on filters and the tests required were easily modified for quicker turnaround times. The filter can easily be digested as received from the Laboratory and tested for radionuclides and metals from the same digestion. There are several reasons why water samples take longer to process. For example, water samples with greater than 5% suspended solids in the samples, which is typical in post-fire runoff, are required to sit for 18 hours to have the solids separated from the aqueous portion of the sample. Additionally, water samples analyzed for radionuclides must then be dried and plated before analyzing, further increasing the analysis time.

Reporting:

Stormwater data will be loaded into the RACER database and can also be viewed as separate files below. Additionally, LANL has begun preparing post Las Conchas Fire weekly summary reports and rain event maps for their stormwater monitoring reports.

Post Las Conchas Fire – Weekly Summary Reports by LANL:

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: November 4 – November 10, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: October 28 – November 3, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: October 21 – October 27, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: October 14 – October 20, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: October 7 – October 13, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: September 30 – October 6, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: September 23 – September 29, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: September 15 – September 22, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: September 9 – September 15, 2011

Weekly Summary Report for LANL: September 1 – September 9, 2011

Rain Event: September 15, 2011

Rain Event: September 9-10, 2011

Rain Event - September 6, 2011

Rain Event: September 4, 2011

Updated on September 6, 2011:

Fire Impacts on Stormwater Runoff at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Part 1:

Fire Impacts on Stormwater Runoff at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Part 2:

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Update provided by LANL on August 19, 2011:

The rain events over the past week have not been severe enough to create any significant floods, or notable damage, on lab property.  As of August 17, a total of 15 stormwater samples have been collected at the stations enhanced for fire-related flood impacts. Two samples have been missed due to damage of the sampling equipment by the floodwaters. At this time, the results from the first 5 of those samples are available:

• 1^st Sample – Collected Wednesday, July 20 at a western Laboratory boundary station called E240. This sample represents the first “baseline” (non-Laboratory affected) result of run-off.
• 2nd  Sample – Collected Friday, July 22 at the confluence of Los Alamos Canyon and the Rio Grande at E109.9.  Sediment loading of stormwater runoff on July 22 was so high that this sample could not be analyzed as water, instead it is being analyzed as a sediment. This Stormwater was sourced from Guaje Canyon north of LANL.
• 3rd  Sample – Collected Wednesday, July 26 in Frijoles Canyon at E350, south of LANL and downstream of the Bandelier visitors center.
• 4th  Sample – Collected Thursday, July 27 – E240 collected a second sample.
• 5th  Sample – Collected Friday, July 28 at a western Laboratory boundary station called RA113902. This station is at the stormwater culvert under SR-501 in Canon de Valle.

All sample results received to date represent “baseline” results for stormwater (i.e., no results available to date have passed through LANL property). One sample has been collected from the Eastern boundary of the Laboratory from Water Canyon, near the Hwy 4 crossing. Analysis results from this first cross-laboratory run-off have not yet been received.

These “Baseline” results continue to indicate the following:

•       PCB’s and Dioxin and furans, consistent with partially-burned wood, were detected above the applicable regulatory standards at E240.  However, comparisons to Cerro Grande results are difficult because the detection limits from the analytical methods in use at the time are greater than concentrations currently being observed.

•       Cyanide is being detected at elevated concentrations.  While cyanide is an ingredient in some fire retardants, it is LANL’s understanding that cyanide was not used in Las Conchas fire retardant. It is possible these results are remnants of the retardant used during the Cerro Grande fire.

•       The typical Cold War-era fallout radionuclides, including Americium-241, Cesium-137, Plutonium-239/240, and Strontium-90 were detected at elevated concentrations and generally consistent with Cerro Grande values. Fallout from above ground nuclear testing during the Cold War is detectible worldwide, but concentrates in the ash after a forest fire.

•       Metals were detected generally above lowest applicable standards and consistent with Cerro Grande values.

•       No explosive compounds have been detected from “baseline” samples.

Other activities that have occurred during the past week are:

1)      The continuing repair to damaged culverts and roadway shoulders caused during flooding in early August.

2)      A field tour with community leaders took place on Friday, August 12 which included a visit to many of the flood mitigation efforts in Los Alamos Canyon and the structures associated with the Buckman Early Notification System.

3)      LANL participation in the Las Conchas Fire Public Meeting held on August 18.

_____________________________________________________________________

Updated on August 8, 2011:

Measurable increases in the migration of materials, whether through increased runoff or erosion, were seen after the Cerro Grande fire burned on and around Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) property in 2000.

On June 26, 2011, the Las Conchas fire began in the Jemez Mountains and quickly spread to the periphery of the lab. Unlike the Cerro Grande fire, which burned approximately 7,000 acres of LANL property, the only fire that occurred on lab property during the Las Conchas fire was a one acre spot fire in Technical Area 49. Both fires, however, burned a large amount of area at elevations above LANL property leaving these areas susceptible to increased runoff and erosion.

LANL has stated that they “expect to see elevated values for some constituents, with many of those exceeding standards. This is consistent with the data observed in stormwater runoff measured after the Cerro Grande fire and with runoff results of other forest fires. These elevated values derive from constituents found in ash and include metals and radionuclides. The concentrations of these constituents in water are only present for a short time and therefore do not necessarily imply a risk to human or ecological health. Risk assessments conducted following the Cerro Grande fire concluded only a very minimal incremental increase in risk compared to pre-fire conditions and that the risk was below regulatory limits.”

To view LANL’s post-fire stormwater data, use the following link:

Click image to view LANL Post-fire Stormwater Data collected on July 20, 2011

For information related to the risk assessment conducted following the Cerro Grande fire:

• Summary Report – Analysis of the Exposure and Risks to the Public from Radionuclides and Chemicals Released by the Cerro Grande Fire at Los Alamos, June 2002
• Post Cerro Grande Flood Risk Assessment, July 2001

The following stormwater plan was developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory for the purpose of monitoring and documenting potential impacts to water quality following the Las Conchas fire.

_____________________________________________________________________

LANL Stormwater Monitoring Plan

LANL Storm Water Monitoring Objectives:

Monitoring of stormwater runoff following the Las Conchas fire will be conducted to assess potential impacts and document potential perturbations in water quality associated with the post-fire runoff environment.

Sample collection:

Stormwater samples will be collected from runoff events at gage stations located to represent water quality for runoff flowing onto and off of Laboratory property. Stations included in this monitoring plan include stations upstream of the Laboratory E026, E240, E252, E253, and E265; and stations generally downstream of the Laboratory: E250, E350, E050.1, E060.1, E099, E109.9 (Figure 1). The samplers at these stations are automated and collect water into multiple containers throughout the runoff event. Crews obtain the samples from the automated samplers, typically the day after the runoff has ended.

Figure 1: LANL and NMED Storm Water Stations Map and Monitoring Plan (Available for download at http://permalink.lanl.gov/object/tr?what=info:lanl-repo/lareport/LA-UR-11-11152)

Sample processing:

The sampling plan has been developed to provide fast turnaround data analysis at offsite analytical laboratories. The current estimate is that results from a runoff event will be publicly available in approximately 15 – 20 calendar days.  Samples will be processed and shipped with the highest priority. Stormwater data requires a large number of analyses to be executed on samples (more than for air), and the laboratories that do this are located out of state. Those laboratories will be analyzing the samples as fast they are capable of doing, and LANL personnel will be monitoring and assisting daily to ensure the samples have top priority. However, some analyses have a minimum time requirement due to the need to prepare the sample (settle the water to remove silt, sample digestion, etc.). When data are available, the sample results will be sent to LANL electronically.

The fast turnaround time is still longer for stormwater samples than it was for air samples collected during the fire because the sample matrix involved and the tests required are more complex. Air samples were collected on filters and the tests required were easily modified for quicker turnaround times. The filter can easily be digested as received from the Laboratory and tested for radionuclides and metals from the same digestion. There are several reasons why water samples take longer to process. For example, water samples with greater than 5% suspended solids in the samples, which is typical in post-fire runoff, are required to sit for 18 hours to have the solids separated from the aqueous portion of the sample. Additionally, water samples analyzed for radionuclides must then be dried and plated before analyzing, further increasing the analysis time.

Reporting:

Stormwater data will be loaded into the RACER data system daily, when available.

The first post-fire storm water runoff sample was collected on Wednesday, July 20 at a western Laboratory boundary station called E240 (see Figure 1), which is in Pajarito Canyon just below NM-501 and up-canyon of Lab operations. That sample represents the first “baseline” (non-Laboratory affected) result of run-off for comparison to down-canyon results and to past Cerro Grande results.  Those results were validated on August 10 and indicate the following:

· Dioxin and furans, consistent with partially-burned wood, were detected above the applicable regulatory standard.  Comparisons to Cerro Grande results are difficult because the detection limit was 10 times higher at that time.

· Cyanide was detected at elevated concentrations.  While cyanide is an ingredient in some fire retardants, it is LANL’s understanding that cyanide was not used in Las Conchas fire retardant. It is possible these results are remnants of the Cerro Grande fire.  Further data will be helpful for resolving this uncertainty.

· PCBs were detected above applicable regulatory standards. PCBs are detectible worldwide after their use as lubricants and in electrical transformers until the 1970s.  These concentrations are difficult to compare to Cerro Grande results because those were all non-detections using a less-sensitive sampling method.

· The typical Cold War-era fallout radionuclides, including Americium-241, Cesium-137, Plutonium-239/240, and Strontiumr-90 were detected at elevated concentrations and generally consistent with Cerro Grande values. Fallout from above ground nuclear testing during the Cold War is detectible worldwide, but concentrates in the ash after a forest fire.

· Metals were detected generally above lowest applicable standards and consistent with Cerro Grande values.”

Wednesday, October 19
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Pojoaque Valley School Administration Building (see map below)
1574 New Mexico 502, Santa Fe, NM

The October 19 Forum for Environmental Education and Dialogue (FEED) will focus on three topics (please follow links to view presentations):

Click image to view larger map

1. LANL’s $212 million work and completion of three projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, presented by Alan Chaloupka of Los Alamos National Laboratory
2. Community Relations Plan for the LANL Hazardous Waste Facility Permit, presented by Lorrie Bonds Lopez of Los Alamos National Laboratory
3. Discussion of improvements/changes to future Forums

Communications personnel from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) informed the New Mexico Community Foundation (NMCF) on Friday, October 14, that LANL will not present information about Material Disposal Area G (MDA-G) at the upcoming FEED on Wednesday, October 19. LANL stated that until potential changes to the Consent Order, a site-wide cleanup agreement between LANL, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the Department of Energy (DOE), are complete, information about MDA-G, as well as information related to other Consent Order actions, will not be provided at upcoming public meetings.

A recent news release entitled “NMED Begins Series of Discussions with LANL On Clean-Up Priorities” and posted to NMED’s website on September 20, states that NMED met with DOE and LANL representatives on Monday, September 19 “to establish a framework for moving forward on Governor Martinez’s clean-up priorities for Los Alamos National Laboratory”.

“Governor Martinez has emphasized that continued acceleration of above ground transuranic (TRU) waste disposal is a major priority, and protection of ground water and drinking water systems must continue to be priorities notwithstanding potential federal budget decreases,” New Mexico Environment Secretary David Martin said. ”

As a result of the initial September 19 meeting, NMED, DOE and LANL have formed a steering committee that “will begin to define the highest risk areas at the lab site that require clean-up.” Secretary Martin said, “Our desire is to maintain the momentum already established by the current Consent Order. It is now our task to update the Consent Order for more active remediation.”

The New Mexico Community Foundation is working to obtain more information about decisions that affect our ability to coordinate current and community-requested topics and presentations at future public events. An update will be made at Wednesday’s Forum.

Updated 10/19 FEED Agenda:

In addition to a presentation made by Lorrie Bonds Lopez on LANL’s Community Relations Plan under the Hazardous Waste Facility Permit, Wednesday’s Forum will also feature a previously requested presentation about LANL’s use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Alan Chaloupka, Program Director for Material Disposal Area B, will present on LANL’s $212 million work and completion of three projects under the Act:

• Excavation of Material Disposal Area B
• Installation of 16 groundwater monitoring wells
• Decontamination and demolition of 24 buildings at Technical Area 21.

Topics of discussion for each FEED meeting will be determined by participant input.  To propose a presentation or a topic for the upcoming or future meetings, please complete the Presentation Proposal Form.

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Air Monitoring Data, Presented by Mike McNaughton

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New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau’s Air Monitoring Data, Presented by Bill Bartels

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Air Particulate Matter During the Las Conchas Fire, presented by Rita Bates

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Fire Impacts on Stormwater Runoff at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Presented by Dave McInroy

In addition to air data collected by the New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau (NMED OB) during the Las Conchas Fire, stormwater is also being monitored for chemicals and radionuclides as storm events occur. The following data were collected during the first storm event after the Las Conchas Fire on July 22, 2011.

NMED OB presenting their Las Conchas Air Monitoring Data:

NMED Air Quality Bureau presenting information on particulate matter in air during the Las Conchas Fire:

Click image to view NMED-OB Stormwater Data (collected July 22, 2011)

Updated on August 4, 2011:

In response to the Las Conchas fire (started June 26, 2011), the New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau (NMED OB) collected air samples in the vicinity of Los Alamos National Laboratory to measure for radiological particulates in the air. The first samples were collected on air particulate filters which were run continuously from June 21 to July 1. The second data set are for a six-day period collected during the fire.

NMED reports that, “The sample results listed…are slightly elevated over the long term measured results, which have been established as normal for ambient conditions. The slight elevation in these measurements may result from a combination of more particulate matter present (and captured on the filter) and a smoke component that is generally expected to have greater radiological activity. All results are much closer to the long term observed values than the federal limits in 40CFR61 show in the data tables.”

NMED’s six sampling stations include five AIRNET stations: 1) Los Alamos McDonalds; 2) Royal Crest Trailer Court; 3) Well PM-1; 4) White Rock Fire Station; and 5) Los Alamos Airport. The sixth sampling location, Off-grid Los Alamos Airport #1, is a solar-powered station that utilizes larger filters than the AIRNET stations. The solar-powered station is located close to NMED’s Los Alamos Airport station (*this location is not pictured on the attached map*).

New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau AIRNET Stations

To view these data, as well as more information about the monitoring activities and results, visit:

• NMED Website: “Radiological Particulates in Air, Los Alamos, NM, Las Conchas Fire Air Monitoring Results, June 21 to July 7, 2011″
• RACER Website: “Interagency Agreement Outlines Plan for Making Las Conchas Fire Data Publicly Available”

On Wednesday, August 3, these 410 air monitoring records were uploaded to the RACER Database where users may map, graph and export the data using the RACER Data Analysis Tool (www.racerdat.com).

To access a sortable spreadsheet of these data, visit:

• NMED Las Conchas Air Monitoring Data

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Las Conchas Air Monitoring Data, Part 1

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Las Conchas Air Monitoring Data, Part 2

Las Conchas Fire Air Monitoring Data:

• LANL Las Conchas Air Data (Updated to RACER on 8-25-11)
• LANL Las Conchas Air Data (Updated in RACER on 8-16-11)
• Preliminary Air Concentration Data from Los Alamos During the Las Conchas Fire (Updated to RACER on 7-2-2011)
• Preliminary Air Concentrations Data from Los Alamos During the Las Conchas Fire (Updated to RACER on 7-1-2011)

__________________________________________________________________

Updated on June, 29, 2011:

Los Alamos National Laboratory has increased its onsite, perimeter and regional air monitoring efforts during the Las Conchas Fire.

Map of the Las Conchas Fire - 7/1/2011

Preliminary results from air data are now available and being uploaded to the RACER database (see links below). Data are being collected using eleven high-volume air samplers (placed in and around Los Alamos County) which are designed to collect a large amount of particulate matter within a short period of time. Data are also collected using LANL’s sixty AIRNET sampling stations which are located near Los Alamos, White Rock, on Laboratory property and in the region. Unlike the AIRNET sampling system, which LANL uses for ongoing monitoring purposes, the high-volume air samplers are used for measuring data resulting from situational events.  For example, high-volume air samplers were used to measure the increase in airborne radioactivity emitted from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.

Use the following maps to see where AIRNET sampling stations are located.

LANL AIRNET Stations with Aerial Photography Layer

The samples collected during the fire were split into two samples and sent to the Health Physics Analytical Laboratory (HPAL) located at LANL for fast preliminary results and also to ALS Laboratory in Colorado for accelerated conventional analysis. Filters from the AIRNET and high-volume samplers are being analyzed at the off site commercial analytical lab (ALS Laboratory) for americium-241,plutonium-238, plutonium-239, uranium-234, uranium-235, uranium-238, gross alpha and beta, gamma spectroscopy, TAL metals, beryllium and mercury. LANL is also analyzing high volume filters onsite at the Health Physics Analytical Laboratory for gross alpha and gamma spectroscopy.

The results from the preliminary testing performed at LANL’s onsite laboratory (HPAL) can be viewed at the following links and are also posted to the RACER database:

Preliminary Air Concentrations Data from Los Alamos During the Las Conchas Fire (7-1-2011 RACER Update)

Preliminary Air Concentration Data from Los Alamos During the Las Conchas Fire (7-2-2011 RACER Update)

**Please note that the high uncertainties in these preliminary data sets are due to the very short collection times used in this special event monitoring. Initial results show no detectable radioactivity (i.e. <Minimum Detectable Activity). Please also note that there is no official reference level for gross alpha radiation. For a guidance level, refer to the EPA Manual of Protective Action Guides and Protective Actions for Nuclear Incidents. The smallest (most restrictive) guidance level is 1 million aCi/m3.**

LANL’s Emergency Operations Center made the following statement on Wednesday, June 29, “Preliminary results of air samples taken at Los Alamos National Laboratory boundaries show no radioactive materials from Laboratory operations or legacy waste in smoke from the Las Conchas fire.”

Results from the offsite ALS Laboratory have not yet been received by LANL but are anticipated to arrive during the week of July 11th. As soon as data can be validated and converted to a form usable to RACER they will be uploaded.

Additionally, the New Mexico Environment Department is collecting air sampling data from stationary units near the Las Conchas Fire. Once they have received and reviewed the data, they will be uploaded to RACER and posted at the following website: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/nmrcb/EPAairplane.htm

LANL AIRNET Stations

Please join us for a panel presentation followed by an open discussion of the following topics:

• Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Emergency Preparation and Operations during the Las Conchas Fire – presented by Manny L’Esperance from LANL
• Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Air Monitoring Data - presented by Mike McNaughton from LANL
• New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Monitoring Data - presented by Bill Bartels from New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau
• Fire Impacts on Storm Water Runoff at Los Alamos National Laboratory - presented by Dave McInroy from LANL
• Discussion of Risks to Human Health and Environment resulting from the Las Conchas Fire
• Information booth about the Valles Caldera National Preserve

In an effort for participants to be fully prepared for the monthly topics of discussion, information relevant to upcoming topics will be posted on this page for review prior to each forum.

For more information about this meeting, please see:

LANL’s Post Las Conchas Fire Stormwater Monitoring Data

NMED’s Las Conchas Fire Air Data

Summary Report – Analysis of the Exposure and Risks to the Public from Radionuclides and Chemicals Released by the Cerro Grande Fire at Los Alamos, June 2002

Post Cerro Grande Flood Risk Assessment, July 2001

Topics of discussion for each FEED meeting will be determined by participant input.  To propose a presentation or a topic for future meetings, please complete the Presentation Proposal Form.

As part of NMED OB’s mission to “ensure that activities at DOE facilities in New Mexico are managed and controlled in a manner that is protective of public health and safety in the environment”, NMED OB collects air particulate samples on an ongoing basis at six co-located perimeter stations in close proximity to residences and workplaces near Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Every two weeks, the filters from these stations are analyzed for a suite of radionuclides that is identical to those of the LANL AIRNET program.

While the Las Conchas Fire burned in proximity to LANL property, NMED OB was involved in collecting samples from their six low-volume air sample stations on a daily basis around LANL, as well as assisting the EPA deploy 18 high and medium-volume regional air samplers. Input from community members and organizations was influential in determining the location of EPA air samplers.

NMED’s six sampling stations include five AIRNET stations: 1) Los Alamos McDonalds; 2) Royal Crest Trailer Court; 3) Well PM-1; 4) White Rock Fire Station; and 5) Los Alamos Airport. The sixth sampling location, Off-grid Los Alamos Airport #1, is a solar-powered station that utilizes larger filters than the AIRNET stations. The solar-powered station is located close to NMED’s Los Alamos Airport station (*this location is not pictured on the attached map*).

New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau AIRNET Stations

While filters are normally collected every two weeks as part of NMED OB’s routine air monitoring near LANL, in response to the Las Conchas Fire filters were changed daily to preserve the possibility of obtaining daily results should enough particulate matter be captured. This sampling method would allow the results to be correlated with smoke levels/fire activity during a particular day at a particular monitoring station. However, because not enough mass was collected on the daily filters to provide meaningful analytical results, the daily filters for each location were analyzed together as a composite.  After four to six filters were collected at a location, the filters were batched and sent to ALS Laboatory in Colorado. This approach provided enough particulate mass to obtain accurate measurements representing a longer interval (4-5 days) with lower uncertainty. While results from analyzing the filters as a composite rather than individually will still show the occurrence of a “spike” or anomalous measurement, the composite result can not be correlated with a specific day. By checking the samplers and collecting the filters daily, NMED OB preserved the opportunity to obtain the most meaningful results knowing that filters could be analyzed as a composite if too little mass was collected each day.

While raw data will not be available through the EPA Scribe Database, they may be requested directly from the NMED OB once data are available to the public.

A link to NMED OB’s Air Monitoring Results during the Las Conchas Fire are now available on the NMED Radiation Control Bureau Website. These data have also been uploaded to the RACER Database (NMED Las Conchas Air Monitoring Data).

The Emergency Operations Center released the following statements today, Wednesday, June 29th:

“As scientists we need data to ensure that our employees and regional neighbors are not affected by our operations. Preliminary air sampling results confirm this,” said Laboratory Director Charles McMillan.

“Preliminary results of air samples taken at Los Alamos National Laboratory boundaries show no radioactive materials from Laboratory operations or legacy waste in smoke from the Las Conchas fire.”

“The preliminary data shows no levels of radioactive materials in concentrations higher than that seen in smoke elsewhere in the region. Director McMillan on Tuesday pledged to make air-sampling data available to the public as soon as possible. Routine updates to the New Mexico Community Foundation’s  RACER  environmental monitoring website will reflect these data and other information at http://racernm.com.”

RACER receives automatic data updates from LANL on a weekly basis.  Because the laboratory facilities are currently closed for all activities, we are working on obtaining data from LANL through a manual update process in order to make these important data available. We will post an announcement once the data has been uploaded to RACER.  Please continue to check back for updates.

The June 14 Forum included the following presentations (please click the links below to view each presentation:

• Contaminant Transport in Los Alamos Watershed Stormwater 2003-2008- presented by Dave Englert of the New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau
• Stormwater Mitigation Projects in Los Alamos-Pueblo Canyon Watershed – presented by Danny Katzman from Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Discussion about how the Forum for Environmental Education and Dialogue can be improved
• Discussion about presentations and topics of discussion for future FEED meetings

Topics of discussion for each FEED meeting will be determined by participant input.  To propose a presentation or a topic for future meetings, please complete the Presentation Proposal Form. In an effort for participants to be fully prepared for the monthly topics of discussion, information relevant to upcoming topics will be posted on this page for review prior to each forum.

Additional Information for the June 14 Forum:

“Los Alamos Canyon Watershed Stormwater Monitoring from 2003-2008: Contaminant Transport Assessment, April 2011″ by Dave Englert and Ralph Ford-Schmid

“Stormwater Performance Monitoring in the Los Alamos/Pueblo Watershed During 2010, February 2011″ by Los Alamos National Laboratory

Directions:

Campus Map – Directions to Administration Building

Click to view a google map to Northern New Mexico College

*Stipends are available to compensate participants for both mileage and time in order to ensure that every person interested in attending has the means to be involved.  Beverages and light refreshments will be available*