Contents:
FMWC Next Meeting
NEWS
Transmountain Corridor
Petitions
Castner Range
FMSP NEWS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Ardovino’s Dessert Crossing Farmers’ Market
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
Free Tours of the Museum
2011 Summer Archaeology Day Camps
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance:
Track Your Wild Path:
Organ Mountains Plein Air Painting Workshop:
LONE STAR LEGACY
FMWC IN CYBERSPACE
FMWC BOARD
Next Meeting: WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2011
MEETING LOCATION: Our meeting will be held at The Garden Center, Memorial Park, 3105 Grant St. from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Map:
http://www.cichlidpress.com/elpasocactusclub/graphics/gardencenter.jpg
NEWS
Transmountain Corridor:
Austin law firm of Loweree, Frederick, Perales, Allmon & Rockwell submitted comments on behalf of the El Paso Regional Group (Rio Grande Chapter) of the Sierra Club on April 1, 2011, to TxDOT regarding TxDOT’s recently submitted Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed Transmountain Freeway Project. The law firm noted that the EA failed to adequately analyze the noise, visual, vegetation, wildlife, and cumulative urbanization-inducing impacts of the proposed Project. The EA also did not take a “hard look” at the impacts to Franklin Mountain State Park which “Section 4(f)” of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regarding “parkland” requires. These failings, viewed individually or, especially, in sum, result in an EA that cannot justify the “will not impact” conclusion the TxDOT EA reaches and cannot be accepted because it is unsupported. A full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared.
The law firm comments were prepared in collaboration with David Simon, who served as the Director of the New Mexico State Park System from 2003 through 2010 and is a recognized authority on the impacts of urbanization on high-desert terrains and, especially, on parks in those terrains.
Word from Jim Tolbert on the petitions to preserve land in the Transmountain Corridor: “Keep collecting and asking others to collect. We are over 1548 – but those have not been checked and we can bet that many are not valid. Please get me petitions as you can so we can check them and not have to rush through them all at once. “ Petitions are available for downloading at our website.
Castner Range (Richard Teschner, Castner Conservation Conveyance Committee):
Texas House, Senate Pass FMWC/Frontera “4-C’s”-Sponsored Resolution Supporting Conservation of Castner Range
Thursday, May 5, 2011. Austin, Texas. Today the Texas State Senate unanimously passed a resolution which expressed its support for the conservation of El Paso’s eleven-square-mile/7,000-plus-acre Castner Range, a “closed” U.S. Army property between the eastern boundary of the Franklin Mountain State Park and the U.S. 54 Patriot Freeway. And two days earlier the Texas House of Representatives passed—also unanimously—an identical resolution supporting the conservation of Castner Range.
The resolution was written and promoted by the members of the joint Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition/Frontera Land Alliance “Castner Conservation Conveyance Committee” (aka “the 4-C’s”)—members Judy Ackerman, Steve Bonner (SONRI Corporation), Scott Cutler, Doug Echlin, Mike Gaglio, John Moses, Richard Teschner, Kevin Von Finger and Pat White. In the House, the resolution was sponsored by District 77 Representative Marisa Márquez (D-El Paso, ably assisted by her Chief of Staff Haley Greer); in the Senate the resolution was moved forward by State Senator José Rodríguez (D-El Paso), his Chief of Staff Corinne Chacón and his office’s Communications Director Emily Amps Mora. The 4-C’s greatly appreciate the support and hard work of Representative Márquez and Senator Rodríguez and their staffs. Ongoing efforts toward our common goals are being aided by a $300,000 Office of Economic Adjustment/Department of Defense grant to collect data concerning the application of a conservation conveyance onto the area. The grant was obtained for the 4-C’s in 2009 by U.S. Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso), who was honored with Frontera’s “Rock Solid” award at its annual “Taste of Frontera” celebration in February 2010.
The joint resolution runs to over two pages and makes points that the readers of this newsletter have long been familiar with: that under the stewardship of the U.S. Army, Castner has been allowed to rest in its natural state since 1971, when munitions operations ceased; that since 1995 (and in particular recently) the Army has been clearing old artillery rounds from Castner’s surface; that the range contains “some of the most geologically complex and visually striking parts of the Franklins and is prized for its Mexican gold poppy”; that Castner is “the only known site in Texas where several rare plants can be found” as well as “the greatest concentration of springs in the Franklins”; that the El Paso City Council and the El Paso County
Commissioners Court have unanimously passed resolutions in recent years advocating that Castner be left undeveloped and conserved for recreational use; and that “the Franklin Mountains State Park management plan takes the range into account, envisioning a network of trails in the canyons and lower elevations.”
The joint resolution stipulated that the chief clerk of the House and of the Senate “forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the commanding general of Fort Bliss, to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, to the president of the [U.S.] Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives … and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress.”
FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK NEWS (John Nunez)
Greetings all from the crown jewel of El Paso: Franklin Mtns. State Park!
The latest news obviously at the park and all state parks is the issue regarding the state budget crisis. All park staff are waiting to hear how each park will be affected by the budget crisis. There have been rumours of park closures, but there will be no speculation till the park managers get the official word by June 1st to see how exactly the parks will be affected. We are hoping for the best.
Business as usual at the park. Park staff have been kept busy with the steady flow of people coming out to enjoy all the wonders the park has to offer. With increased visitation, however, there can be some negative consequences. After the crowd left on Easter, there was a great deal of trash that needed to be cleaned and picked up. Park Ranger Felipe Camacho was busy doing cleanup all day after Easter.
A major problem we are facing is the destruction of the Ron Coleman trail and the overall destruction of Smuggler's
Another target area is the newly opened trailhead at North Hills. Park staff and volunteers have witnessed first hand people coming through parts of the fence that have been cut. Others have been seen walking right past the kiosk and pay station making rude comments about paying. What people don't realize is that area was set to be developed. The majority of the park's funding comes from the entrance fees.
All of us at Franklin have been working with each other to help improve the signage all around the park. Park rangers have been finishing up the trailhead kiosks and are near completion. Also new park trail signage will be installed in the Northeast side and all the signs at Tom Mays are currently being repaired.
It is that time of the year where all of us are busy with tours. Lately there have been large school groups attending the tours that we offer at Franklin. Tours are an excellent opportunity to teach people of all ages the many benefits that await them when they come out and hike in the Franklin Mountains. For many, it is the first time they have ever hiked in the Franklins. All park staff take pride in teaching people all that they can do to enjoy nature in their backyard.
With so much going on at the park and across the state, we are always busy and rarely is there ever a dull moment. Every day is different with many challenges ahead, but all of us at Franklin Mtn. State Park will continue working hard and take advantage of the fact that we leave the at the end of the day feeling a sense of great accomplishment.
*Photos available in our e-newsletter.
More FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK NEWS
All the latest news and information about upcoming events at the Park are available at the Park’s great website. Check it out!!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Starting 28 May, Every Saturday, 7am - Noon
Ardovino’s Dessert Crossing Farmers’ Market
Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition has had great success with our booth at Ardovino’s Dessert Crossing Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings from 7am to noon. This year we will team with The Frontera Land Alliance to share the booth. You can join in the fun by helping to staff the booth. FMWC President Scott Cutler is working with Richard Teschner of the Frontera Board to coordinate volunteering activities. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Richard at teschner@utep.edu. He will send you the sign-up sheet which indicates the dates that are still open.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
Exhibit, Programs, Tours
May – August 2011
El Paso Museum of Archaeology Continuing Exhibit extended through October 9, 2011:
Settlement Legacy: Native Americans of the Pass of the North
Free Admission
Guest Curator Nicholas P. Houser, local anthropologist and historian, tells the dramatic story of the Manso, Suma, Piro, and Tigua Indians who, over four centuries ago, founded the missions and pueblos that evolved into today’s sister cities, El Paso-Ciudad Juárez.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Dr. Mario Garza speaking on the Coahuiltecans: The Struggle for Legitimacy in a Hispanic World
This lecture is presented by the El Paso Archaeological Society in partnership with the El Paso Museum of Archaeology and is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Specifically, the award has been drawn from a federal grant made available through We the People, an initiative designed by the National Endowment for the Humanities to strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture.
Free Tours of the Museum
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 1:00 pm
Museum Tour for Adults
Saturday, May 21, 2011, 1:00 pm
Museum Tour for Families with Elementary-School Age Children
Sunday, May 22, 2011, 2:00 pm, Free Admission
Zip Tour of the Settlement Legacy exhibit
Free Lecture with Sign Language interpreters for the hearing impaired at 2:00 pm in conjunction with the exhibit:
2011 Summer Archaeology Day Camps
9 am to 12 pm, Tuesday through Friday
For ages 7 to 9 years/Grades 2-4 (must have completed first grade)
June 28 to July 1 or July 26 to 29
For ages 10 to 12 years/Grades 5-7, July 12-15 or August 9-12
An interactive, hands-on course about the science of archaeology and the prehistory of the Americas held on the museum’s grounds and in the galleries with a field trip (to be announced). Cost $70 for non-members, $55 for museum members per child. Space is limited to 12 students per camp. Registration taken on a first come, first served basis. For information and registration form: 915-755-4332 or guidamr@elpasotexas.gov.
June 11, 10:00 am
Master Gardeners/Master Naturalists Speaker To Be Announced, Free Admission.
June 19, 2:00 pm
El Paso Archaeological Society, speaker, Dr. Arthur Harris, Professor of Biology, UTEP, Free Admission
August 13, 10:00 am,
Master Gardeners/Master Naturalists, speaker Dr. Corral, Free Admission
August 13, 2:00 pm,
Family Workshop with Ceiba, Exploring the Music of the Americas, Free Admission
August 21, 2:00 pm,
El Paso Archaeological Society, speaker to be announced
Year Round:
Teachers and Group Leaders: Schedule a Free Tour of the museum for your School or Group with two weeks advance reservation, call 915-755-4332
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance:
If you haven't already picked up a copy of the 2011 Wild Guide, now's the time. Don't miss out on any more action! Order your guide online or contact craig@nmwild.org because just a few of these fun-packed, beautifully designed books are left!
Track Your Wild Path:
May 22 in Santa Fe - This free family event at Santa Fe's Museum Hill features interactive art projects with local artist Daniel Richmond. Get to know the endangered animals that inhabit our state's wild lands. Plus get free admission to Santa Fe museums! Learn more online or contact demis@nmwild.org
Organ Mountains Plein Air Painting Workshop:
May 20-21
Student art show to follow May 22 -
Let yourself be inspired by the stunning backdrop of the Organ Mountains at this outdoor painting workshop taught by critically acclaimed local artists Bonnie Mandoe and Nancy Begin. Beginning to intermediate painters of all ages encouraged to attend. The class will be held at beautiful Aguirre Springs Recreation Area outside Las Cruces; lunch will be provided Friday and Saturday.
Learn more & get registration info online or email Bonnie at bdmandoe@gmail.com
LONE STAR LEGACY
You can make a lasting contribution to the future of Franklin Mountains State Park with your tax-deductible donation to the Lone Star Legacy Endowment Fund. Checks, payable to "Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation" can be sent to: Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Attention: Lone Star Legacy, P.O. Box 191207, Dallas, TX, 75219. Mark your donation to the endowment fund for Franklin Mountains State Park.
FMWC IN CYBERSPACE
This is the electronic version of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition newsletter. To be added to or removed from the distribution list, contact: j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net.
Many of you also receive the paper version of this newsletter. If you wish to help us save paper and postage by receiving the e-newsletter only, contact: j.p.ackerman@sbcglobal.net.
FMWC BOARD
President: Scott Cutler
Vice President: Jane Fowler
Secretary: Judy Ackerman
Treasurer: Pat White
At Large Members:
Raul Amaya
Nick Havlik
