Roosevelt approves Air Force resolution

PORTALES - In the interest of having "a seat at the table," the Roosevelt County Commission on Tuesday approved a resolution urging more attention from the Air Force regarding the chemical contamination to groundwater stemming from nearby Cannon Air Force Base.

Four commissioners present at Tuesday morning's regular meeting unanimously approved a resolution "requesting action and assistance from the United State Air Force to abate and prevent further spread of PFOA, PFOS, and other contaminants from the leakage at Cannon Air Force or at the Air Force Bombing Range."

Much of that local contamination plume and its impacts documented so far have been restricted to communities in Clovis and Curry County, but commissioners for the county to its south said they wanted to take a proactive approach into entering a discussion that could stretch out for a long time.

"We do support them and their initiatives from the federal all the way down to the local levels," said Commissioner Dennis Lopez, who was also named in the meeting as a representative on the contamination issues. "I want to know ... that Roosevelt County addressed this issue today."

Commissioners and members of the public expressed concern with the chemicals from Clovis' plume spreading through underground channels into parts of northern Roosevelt County. More troubling to them yet was the absence of information as to a potential similar contamination emerging from the Melrose Air Force Range, a military training range and environmental preserve of 60,000 acres.

Air Force representatives have not previously spoken to any such issues from the Melrose Range, but last year identified a potential contamination plume within a four-mile range southeast of CAFB. The base's media contact John Rebello told The News on Tuesday afternoon that the Melrose range "was not identified as having a potential risk for PFOS/PFOA contamination" during an enterprise-wide preliminary assessment conducted by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center.

"I think it's just instrumental that we are at the table," said County Manager Amber Hamilton. "Right now it's hard to determine what our true exposure is."

Also at Tuesday's meeting, from which Commission Chairman Shane Lee was absent:

n Unanimous approval of a resolution prohibiting illegal dumping in unincorporated areas of the county. The resolution also authorizes a reward of up to $500 for information leading to the conviction of violators.

n There was a 2-2 vote between the four commissioners regarding a proposed resolution to participate in programs of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments. Commissioners Dennis Lopez and Tina Dixon voted in favor while Paul Grider and Matthew Hunton opposed, with no action following.

n Unanimous approval of contracts with the Department of Finance and Administration to fund two capital appropriation projects. According to the contracts, the county will be reimbursed for up to $100,000 for improvements at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and up to $450,000 "to purchase and equip motor graders for the county."

n No action on a proposed easement agreement from the county's water cooperative, with the topic expected for discussion again at the next commission meeting May 21.