MISSION: Southwest Research and Information Center is a multi-cultural organization working to promote the health of people and communities, protect natural resources, ensure citizen participation, and secure environmental and social justice now and for future generations

SRIC Extras

2004 Central & Northern New Mexico Combined Federal Campaign
It's that time of year again. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) will have two Kick off events - one on September 21st at the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Albuquerque (also known as the VA Medical Center), the second on September 28th on the Kirtland Air Force Base. We would like to invite all interested individuals to attend one of these events to learn more about our programs.

The Veterans Affairs Kick off site is at the same place as last year - go through the Gibson/San Mateo gate to the grassy courtyard just west of the main hospital building. The time is noon - 3:00 PM. This event is open to all federal employees in the Central and Northern New Mexico CFC area.

The Kirtland event will be at the Rio Grande Community Center located on the Kirtland Air Force Base on the corner of Texas Street and G Avenue. Time is from 11 AM - 1 PM, with lunch provided by the Kirtland CFC organizing team. This Kick off event is specifically for Department of Defense and Department of Energy employees working at Kirtland Air Force Base.

If you cannot attend either of these events, but are interesting in pledging to Southwest Research and Information Center during the campaign, please note that our CFC code remains the same: 7067.

Public Hearing To Determine Fate of Toxic Waste Dump
An estimated 100,000 cubic ft. of radioactive and hazardous waste sits in shallow, unlined pits and trenches at Sandia National Laboratories, above Albuquerque's sole source water supply. The dump is located on the East Mesa next to the planned Mesa del Sol development. There are schools nearby that are not far from the site.

Sandia and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) proposed plan is to leave the waste in place, cover the dump with dirt, put signs and fences up around it, and use the land for industrial purposes to limit people's exposure to the waste and prevent excess cancer risk. Due to the types and volumes of waste, the landfill will remain hazardous essentially forever.

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has issued a draft permit modification that gives initial approval of Sandia/DOE's plan. Please join efforts in telling the NMED that the Mixed Waste Landfill needs to be cleaned up to guarantee protection of our aquifer, our environment and the health of nearby communities over the long-term.

A public hearing for the Mixed Waste Landfill will be held on December 2, 2004, 9 a.m., at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 2500 Carlisle Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. For more information call Citizen Action at (505) 280-1844 or www.radfreenm.org

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Southwest Research and Information Center is a multi-cultural organization working to promote the health of people and communities, protect natural resources, ensure citizen participation, and secure environmental and social justice now and for future generations.