Environmental Sustainability Board Meeting - October 1, 2026

The Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) met on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with members Chandler, Growe, Blairs, La Shell, and Hampton present, constituting a quorum. The board approved an agenda amendment, unanimously approved the August minutes, received briefings on the proposed Northern New Mexico Regional Landfill and the county's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, and finalized its annual update to County Council, scheduled for presentation on October 20, 2026. No public comment was offered for items not on the agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda amended by unanimous consent to move the Integrated Pest Management update ahead of the review of the annual ESB update to Council.
• August meeting minutes approved unanimously.

Landfill Feasibility Study Overview

Presented by Armando of the Environmental Services Division:

• The proposed Northern New Mexico Regional Landfill is a regional project intended to provide a sustainable, long-term solid waste disposal option for participating communities. A feasibility study completed under a memorandum of agreement between the City of Española and Rio Arriba County evaluated a 62-acre parcel owned by the City of Española, located approximately 6.5 miles west of Española on 31 Mile Road, and determined it is viable for development as a regional landfill.
• Potential regional partners include the City of Española, Rio Arriba County, Los Alamos County, Santa Clara Pueblo, and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. The project is in the planning, coordination, and funding stages; the full process could take five years or more.
• Los Alamos currently hauls municipal solid waste (MSW) approximately 135 miles one way to Valencia County. The proposed site, about 28 miles and a 43-minute drive one way, would reduce contracting hauling costs, fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, equipment repairs, and maintenance, and would help control long-term costs affecting customer rates.
• The regional landfill would complement, not replace, the county's existing diversion programs. Current program costs include: household hazardous waste collections averaging $18,000 per month ($216,000 per year); medical sharps about $1,500 per quarter (~$6,000 per year); metals and freon-containing appliances shipped to Oklahoma City (~$18,000 per year for about one load); glass shipped to Broomfield, Colorado at about $2,400 per shipment (about six per year, ~$14,400 per year); and tire waste shipped to Denver City, Texas at $2,500 per shipment (about seven loads per year, ~$17,500 per year). Green waste is processed into mulch and biocompost.
• Current disposal costs: a 20-ton trailer (tipping and hauling fees) costs about $2,000 to the current landfill and about $2,400 to Rio Rancho; haul costs to the proposed site would be almost one-third less than hauling to Valencia County.
• A board member noted that the estimated build cost is about $39 million, with strong grant opportunities, and that over a 55-year lifespan savings could reach $148 million for the region; the presenter agreed Los Alamos would provide the bulk of tonnage, largely attributed to LANL.
• The presenter recalled an expected lifespan of about 55-60 years if well managed; a board member asked about a 30-year expectation in the study, and the presenter indicated diversion programs could extend the life. The presenter also noted that methane extraction currently occurs, but the gas is flared rather than captured; gas-to-energy capture could be considered eventually.
• In response to questions, the presenter said the site is near an old pumice mine, about six miles off pavement from the Fairview/Industrial intersection in Española; partner communities do not have diversion programs as extensive as Los Alamos's, and the county could help coach partners on recycling. A board member expressed interest in touring the facility in five years; another called the projected return on investment 'crazy.'

Integrated Pest Management Update

Presented by Mr. Styron of Parks and Recreation:

• The IPM plan was formally adopted about two and a half years ago. Mechanical control methods have proved challenging in hard-to-maintain areas such as medians and rock gardens, and hiring and retention of entry-level staff remains difficult for both Parks and Recreation and Traffic and Streets.
• Preventive measures are coming online: a redesign of the Canyon medians to minimize cracks and joints (presented to the Park Board; a County Council presentation is anticipated in October), and, with Traffic and Streets, a permanent crack-seal program placing higher-level venues on a five-year rotation to prevent vegetation growth and protect sidewalks and curbs; a stand of elm trees is already causing long-term maintenance concerns.
• The county now has a fleet of 14 electric robotic mowers, reducing carbon emissions and freeing staff time.
• Pollinator gardens have been established with the BCD US group at the golf course; a demo garden near the summer house was moved back to PEAK due to maintenance challenges.
• Council added three positions last year, but recruitment remains constrained, primarily by housing; the division is exploring trainee positions modeled on a successful lifeguard program.
• A board member praised the golf course pollinator garden as 'fabulous,' noted a weeding session the following Thursday, and said a larger area between holes 12 and 13 is planned for redo next spring.

Annual ESB Update to County Council

The update will be presented to County Council on October 20, 2026:

• The update covers the board's four teams (Sustainability Alliance, Supporting Local Food Systems, Education and Outreach, and Commuter Trip Reduction), 2026 accomplishments, events, presentations, priorities, challenges, and opportunities.
• Accomplishments highlighted: ESB endorsement of the Fleet Conversion Plan and Community-wide EV Charging Plan (both later passed by Council); contribution to the year-one Climate Action Marketing Plan; and a work group that proposed a single-use plastic bag ordinance, which the ESB did not endorse and Council did not pass.
• Events included booths at the PEAK Earth Day Festival and the County Earth Day celebration, support for Science Fest (the following weekend), farmers market booths, the DPU Water Festival, the sustainability newsletter, and Facebook/Instagram; the upcoming Cleanup LA Day and recruitment of new board members were also noted.
• Board feedback included: add the Open Meetings Act inspection to the presentation; expand descriptions of the local food systems and commuter trip reduction work groups; include the Climate Action Plan (CAP) dashboard showing progress on 13 focus areas; add food composting and the search for an alternative compost site as a priority; change 'climate action initiatives' to 'sustainability and climate action'; and consider 'community and council priorities.'
• Members discussed the tension between the CAP and shifting community and Council priorities, citing the proposed plastic bag ban, the natural gas phase-out, and a Councilor's Ridwell-type proposal that was rejected due to cost (about $9 per household).
• Members proposed being more proactive in advising Council, reviewing the CAP against emerging community priorities more frequently (quarterly, semi-annually, or at least annually with the work plan), and developing recommendations for Council on the 'next big thing' based on current community priorities, using the CAP dashboard and public polling for input.
• Members noted that quarterly ESB updates to Council, the board's community goodwill, and popular initiatives such as recycling and food composting are opportunities to build trust and momentum.

Board, Committee, and Work Group Reports

• Chair's report: Cleanup LA Day will be held Saturday, October 3, from 9:00-10:00 a.m., meeting at the Smith's parking lot (southeast corner facing the canyon) along Canyon Rim Trail; gloves and bags will be provided.
• Board of Public Utilities update (September 2 meeting): review and discussion of water rate code ordinance 02-387; DPU FY2028 strategic focus areas, goals, and objectives; Foxtail Flats business plan update; and DPU quarterly report. At the prior evening's meeting: an Energy Day Ahead Market (EDAM) discussion and presentation by UAMPS, and authorization of tariff fee expenditures for repairs to the Abiquiu hydroelectric plant.
• Transportation Board update: a lengthy public hearing on the Fairview project (streets, sidewalks, utility connections, and moving sewer lines from backyards to under streets, requiring reconnection under homes); Canyon median redesign, possibly extending to Diamond Drive; and agreement to install a crosswalk with high-intensity flashing beacons at Diamond and Sycamore, linking bus stops near the high school and Pueblo Complex. A board member said they had nearly been hit by cars there.
• Parks and Recreation update: Los Alamos Mesa Trail Rehabilitation (tie-in near LA Assisted Living, new railing, widened switchback); North Mesa Picnic Grounds plans (disc golf expansion to about 18 holes with some ADA-compliant holes, preserved native character, enhanced playground and picnic shelters, nature play area, cornhole, horseshoes, updated trail connections and equestrian access); national gold medal finalist for park and recreation excellence; completed work includes athletic field renovations, North Mesa and East Park court updates, Rose Garden improvements near Fuller Lodge, playground updates at 37th Street and Piñon Park, golf course improvements including a gray water system, and an outdoor classroom planned at Mesa Public Library.
• No Council report was given. The Sustainability Alliance did not meet in September. The Education and Outreach work group is not currently populated (Sue Barnes is still participating; decision deferred).
• Commuter Trip Reduction: coordinating with LANL (Helica made the connection; Shannon Blair will assist); a full report is expected in October.
• Supporting Local Food Systems: one meeting held; compiling existing local food resources into one accessible place; exploring a yard-sharing program (area residents with acreage are already registered on the platform); farm visits planned (Culsa Farms, Stone Family Farms, and possibly Rooms and Wildflowers); outreach to the farmers market coordinator planned; recommendations to come.

Staff Report

• The sustainability newsletter continues to grow in readership and subscriptions.
• EV charging at Mesa Public Library: site work is complete; commissioning planned the week of the meeting; go-live depends on a software services agreement. Next: EV chargers for the county fleet at PCS.
• The county issued an RFP for off-site food composting services after on-site sites proved challenging; responses have been received and are being evaluated.
• On-bill financing for electrification, which could offer low-interest loans to residents, is in very early exploration; new staff member Elsa, from the Netherlands, brings renewable energy and financing experience.
• The last farmers market of the season was skipped due to weather. Cleanup LA Day is Saturday, October 3 (9:00-10:00 a.m.); Science Fest is the following Saturday; volunteer help is requested.
• August data: recycling was up slightly; trash and yard trimmings were down compared with the prior year, attributed by staff to the very dry summer.
• A board member attended tours of the wastewater treatment facility and White Rock; Abby may arrange different facility tours next year and will seek input.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda amendment and August minutes approved unanimously.
• No formal votes were taken on the landfill or IPM items; both were informational.
• The board finalized feedback on the annual ESB update; staff will incorporate the requested changes, and the update will be presented to County Council on October 20, 2026.
• The board agreed to schedule a Climate Action Plan review, including development of recommendations to Council, for its November 2026 meeting.
• Upcoming agenda item: Gary Goddard will present on the Brain Box pilot project at the Municipal Building, which reduced energy usage.