1000 Friends of New Mexico

Great Streets Round 2

The Environmental Planning Commission was reluctant to recommend adoption of the Great Streets Facilities Draft Plan (.pdf) at the May 8 hearing. Instead, the commission delayed their decision until their meeting on May 15. Until then, the Commission will receive public comments.

We are urging community members to take action by emailing the Commission in support of the Great Streets Plan by 9AM on Tuesday, May 13. Ask the Commissioners to recommend adoption of the plan as it has been offered, as a Rank 2 plan. More voices are needed to call on the EPC to support this policy level plan that could finally implement key goals of the Comprehensive Plan and its Centers and Corridors policies. http://www.cabq.gov/planning/advance/projects.html

Streets and sidewalk standards are included in the Great Streets plan to address the need and demand for safe travel choices on our streets. To walk. Bike. Take transit. And drive responsibly.

Also, check out the Commission’s deliberations by going to the hearing! The Commission has placed Great Streets at the end of the agenda for the May 15 meeting, which means some time in the afternoon. Call the Planning Department receptionist that day, and request the estimated time, at 924-3860.

See the rest of this post for Joanne McEntire’s take on what occurred at last week’s EPC meeting: Read the rest of this post »

Posted on May 12, 2008 at 1:10 pm and filed under Growth and Development, Local Advocacy, Vibrant Neighborhoods, Transportation and Active Living | Permalink | Comments (0)

EPA Seeking Comments on Draft of Paper on Water and Climate Change

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water is seeking comments on a draft of the National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change. This draft document represents the National Water Program’s initial effort to identify potential impacts of climate change for clean water and drinking water programs and define actions to respond to these impacts. Comments are due May 27, 2008. See National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change

Posted on May 7, 2008 at 9:34 am and filed under Climate Change, New Mexico Water | Permalink | Comments (0)

1000 Friends submits comments to Office of the State Engineer

During the 2007 legislative session, HM42 (Mimi Stewart) was passed; it requested the State Engineer to convene a group to make recommendations regarding related to water acquisition and development by cities, counties, schools and universities, and some water systems. 1000 Friends of New Mexico’s Water Project submitted comments on April 30 related to the elements of “water development plans” which form the basis for requests to transfer water rights for use in the future. For more information, contact Conci Bokum at conci@1000friends-nm.org.

Posted on at 9:33 am and filed under New Mexico Water | Permalink | Comments (0)

Albuquerque Alliance for Active Living - Prescription Trails

The Alliance was present at a press conference with Mayor Chavez announcing the Albuquerque Prescription Trails Pilot Program. Our program director, Joanne McEntire, has facilitated the program during the last two years, and generated supporting funds from the New Mexico Department of Health and McCune Charitable Foundation, as well as in-kind support from the National Park Service Rivers and Trails program. Read the rest of this post »

Posted on at 8:35 am and filed under Transportation and Active Living | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted on at 8:30 am and filed under Transportation and Active Living | Permalink | Comments (0)

ABQ City Council to Vote on Stronger Water Conservation Measures Monday (5/5)

Update: Action on this proposed change to the city ordinance has been postponed. See this article in the New Mexico Independent for an overview.

Note: 1000 Friends of New Mexico’s, Gabriel Nims, submits this dispatch on local water policy. He is currently a member of the Water Utility Authority’s Customer Advisory Committee, which is currently discussing the range of water conservation strategies the region should employ. 1000 Friends is asking its membership and the larger community to express its concerns about the need for stronger requirements directly to the City Council BEFORE the Council Hearing on Monday. See links at the bottom of this post to email your councilor right away!

Changes to the city ordinance (O-07-02) requiring property owners, the city, and new developments to reduce water consumption will be debated at Monday night’s City Council hearing in Albuquerque. Read the rest of this post »

Posted on May 5, 2008 at 11:54 am and filed under Growth and Development, Local Advocacy, Climate Change, New Mexico Water | Permalink | Comments (0)

Join Us! Great Streets hearing at the Albuquerque Environmental Planning Commission

by Joanne McEntire, Program Director

The Albuquerque Planning Department will present the Great Streets Facilities Draft Plan to the Environmental Planning Commission on Thursday, May 8. Event details here.

The Great Streets plan provides specific design recommendations to make streets more walkable and transit friendly. The improvements would address the roadway and pedestrian ‘realms’ of selected segments of streets in the city. In the roadway, there may be marked crosswalks at intersections, and medians with pedestrian refuges on major streets, such as those in the Nob Hill area. In the pedestrian area, the sidewalks would be wide enough for wheelchairs, strollers, and folks who take their time. Shade trees would add some comfort, as would lighting on the walking area. Many other features could be provided on a Great Street. Read the rest of this post »

Posted on April 23, 2008 at 3:09 pm and filed under Local Advocacy, Events, Transportation and Active Living | Permalink | Comments (1)