July 2007 - PUBLIC EDITION

• HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
• Committee News
  • Education Committee
  • Government Affairs and Local News Stories
• NMSHMM Member Profile: Brian Salem
• Upcoming Meetings and Events
• Monthly Meeting Location
• Job Openings
• NMSHMM Officers and Committee Chairs

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
Richie Spangler, CHMM
Sandia National Laboratories

I want to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July in celebration of our 231^st birthday as a nation. NMSHMM has been busy during the last month getting exciting things for our membership ready to roll out. First on the list, since we are all already in a celebratory mood, is the promised NMSHMM night at Isotopes Park in celebration of our 10^th anniversary.

NMSHMM has reserved the Blake's Lotaburger picnic pavilion for its membership and their families on Sunday, August 5, 2007. That night the Albuquerque Isotopes take on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox starting at 6:05 pm. Everyone attending will receive a reserved seat in specially designated area for NMSHMM and dinner consisting of the "FASTBALL" menu of hot dogs and hamburgers, baked beans, cole slaw, sliced watermelon, chips, and unlimited soft drinks from 6:15 until 7:45 pm. This means you can relax in the picnic area from approximately the first through fourth innings enjoying dinner with your NMSHMM friends before heading to your individually reserved seat. NMSHMM is subsidizing this event for all members and their families making the total cost only $10.00 per person. Please respond to me no later than July 25^th and let me know how many people will be coming. You can either pay in cash or check that night or via credit card with your e-mail to me. Please understand your reservations cannot be refunded after July 25^th.

The next big event is the upcoming National Overview Course (NOC) that will be presented by NMSHMM in October. A great big thank you goes out to Larry Watson for organizing this year's NOC and to Paul Karas for volunteering to take over as Chair of the Education Committee Chair, which is responsible for putting on the NOC each year. This event is the primary money maker for NMSHMM, which allows us to do things like the Isotopes night mentioned earlier. Please encourage your colleagues interested in becoming a CHMM to join us October 10-12 for the course. Also, if you are a few Certification Maintenance Points (CMPs) short for your recertification, the NOC counts towards your total if you attend and it also can help with your CMPs if you volunteer to teach a section of the course. Anyone interested in more information can contact Larry Watson or Paul Karas ().

It is time for our spring (yes I meant spring) field trip. With the events going on this spring, we were forced to push out our normal spring field trip to later in the year. Advent Solar has offered a tour of their facilities in August instead of our normal luncheon meeting. A special announcement will be sent out when the details have been finalized. Thanks to Mike Sanders for putting this special event together.

I also want to recognize Sandra Martin for volunteering as NMSHMM's representative to the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM) national membership committee. She participated in last month's conference call and then attended the NMSHMM board meeting to report on what was happening. Just as a reminder, all members are invited to join the board at its monthly meeting to see what goes on behind the scenes.

Our June luncheon meeting was particularly well attended where Dr. Cliff Ho, from Sandia National Laboratories, presented on the Mixed Waste Landfill. Cliff showed everyone how Sandia used modeling to statistically sample the various parameters affecting the performance of the landfill cap and identify uncertainties in its long-term performance. He told us the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is currently evaluating the results in order to make a final decision on the Mixed Waste Landfill. Thank you to Cliff for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about this controversial topic.

Lastly, I want to again mention the ACHMM national conference in Alexandria, VA taking place August 12 through 15. Please be certain to make your reservation at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202) prior to the midnight, Thursday, July 19, 2007 to get the special conference rate.

By the time you read this, you will likely have already celebrated your Fourth of July holiday, and I hope it was a fun time for you and your families. Fourth of July festivities typically take the form of barbeques and fireworks (at least at my house). Everyone has their favorite type and colors of fireworks, but did you realize that fireworks are related to hazardous materials more than just because they go boom? Fireworks are colorful because of the trace metal compounds used in the explosive mixtures. These metal compounds can actually be regulated metals, such as barium, which burns with a beautiful green color. Other metals that have been used in fireworks include copper (blue), lithium/strontium (red), sodium (yellow), calcium (orange), and magnesium (white). Now, you can say my favorite is the barium chrysanthemum . . .

Up to Table of Contents

Committee News

Education Committee
Paul Karas, CPG, CHMM
Chair, NMSHMM Education Committee

As summer begins some of your colleagues were already busily planning for an important fall event; the annual NMSHMM offering of the National Overview Course (NOC). Hard-working members of the NMSHMM Education Committee have initiated the organizing and scheduling, developing announcements, identifying instructors, and a myriad of other tasks necessary for another successful course. This annual event is important not only to those hazardous material professionals who participate in the multidiscipline refresher, but also to NMSHMM and to our professional community. This year's NOC is scheduled for October 10-12, 2007.

The NOC is based on material developed by the ACHMM using the "Hazardous Materials Management Desk Reference" as a source and outline. During three days of instruction, qualified professionals with specialized knowledge and experience provide participants with a comprehensive review of environmental laws and regulations, basic and applied hazardous materials management principles, and relevant aspects of science and technology. The NOC represents an excellent cross-training opportunity for hazardous materials professionals with a strong technical background whose careers have focused on a more narrow range of the business. It is designed also to assist individuals in preparing to take the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) national certification examination administered by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Managers (IHMM).

The IHMM CHMM program is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Board (CESB), an independent, voluntary organization that recognizes, through specialty certification, the expertise of individuals practicing in engineering and related fields. The CESB accredits numerous other professional certification programs including the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and Diplomat of Environmental Engineering (DEE). Over 5000 CHMMs nationwide enjoy the professional recognition of federal agencies including the US Air Force, Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), governments of several states, and private corporations such as electric power utilities, TRW Corporation, Boeing, Delphi, and General Motors.

NMSHMM relies on the NOC as a principal fundraiser, as outlined in our annual operating plan and budget. Income from the course helps fund our newsletter publication, sponsorship of local and regional science and engineering fair awards, and subsidies to help cover the cost of our field trips, annual meetings and other events. A well-run and well-attended course is important to all involved.

You too can be involved in this endeavor! Pitch in to help the Education Committee with the NOC planning effort. Consider enrolling in the course yourself or encouraging others in your organization to do so. If you or others you know have specialized expertise in a particular area, be it Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), toxicology, health physics, or other applicable field, consider volunteering to teach a NOC module. Look for the NOC link on www.nmshmm.org, or contact me () for more information. We look forward to your participation in October!

Up to Table of Contents

Government Affairs and Local News Stories
Compiled by Barry Birch, CHMM, and Eric Johnson, AICP, CHMM

• About $3 million in New Mexico Corrective Action Funds will pay for the clean-up of at the A-1 Auto gas station in Peñasco. The project includes removal of approximately 11,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and replacing approximately 700 feet of water line (Taos News, 5-17-07)
   
• Governor Bill Richardson and NMED Secretary Ron Curry are proposing the adoption of a Clean Cars program to increase the use of cleaner and more-efficient vehicles to reduce air emissions and reduce New Mexico's contribution to global warming. The Clean Car program aims to: (1) reduce volatile organic compound emissions by 5% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 11%, (2) set fleetwide average emission standards for automakers for 2016 cars requiring cars to produce 34% less global warming gases and light industry trucks to produce 25% less global warming gases; and (3) require automakers to research and produce advanced-technology vehicles. (Albuquerque Journal, 5-22-07)
   
• NMED denied an air quality permit for a proposed 35-megawatt biomass power-generating plant in Torrance County. Western Water Power Production LLC had proposed to build a plant that would produce electricity by burning trees, shrubs, and other locally available wood material. (Albuquerque Journal, 5-23-07; NMED press release, 5-22-07)
   
• NMED approved an air quality permit for a proposed ethanol plant to be constructed near Clovis. ConAgra Trade Group, Inc., still has to obtain a groundwater discharge permit for the plant. The State of New Mexico has about $20 million invested in this project through the Carlyle/Riverstone Renewable Energy Infrastructure Fund I. Concerned Citizens of Curry County oppose the project and intend to appeal the permit decision (Albuquerque Journal, 5-23-07; Associated Press, 5-29-07)
   
• NMED is making funds available to groups that need funding for river ecosystem restoration projects. Priority will be given to physical projects with the ability to show tangible results and water quality improvements. (NMED press release, 5-23-07)
   
• NMED is encouraging individuals to drop off rechargeable batteries at NMED offices rather than throw the batteries in the trash. NMED is partnering with the Rechargeable Batter Recycling Corporation to recycle batteries containing nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, and small sealed lead (NMED press release, 5-23-07)
   
• Safety-Kleen Systems will pay a $10,000 penalty for improper hazardous waste management practices at its Albuquerque service center as well as to correct the violations and conduct two environmental projects in Española. The violations included failure to perform tests on a hazardous waste storage tank, failure to post warning signs in certain areas, and not storing hazardous waste in a manner that allows for periodic inspection. (NMED press release, 5-25-07)
   
• A 625-foot smokestack and a 500-foot smokestack at the Phelps-Dodge smelter in Hurley and a 599-foot smokestack at the Phelps-Dodge Hildalgo smelter in Playas were demolished with dynamite. (Albuquerque Journal, 5-25-07, 5-26-07, and 6-6-07).
   
• A proposed Los Alamos plutonium lab will likely not be funded. With cost estimates ranging from $837 million to $1.5 billion, the plant is not expected to receive funding from Congress. (Albuquerque Journal, 5-27-07)
   
• After the death in August 2006 of Mary Carnes a City of Albuquerque environmental scientist at the closed Los Angeles landfill, the pit where she was working has been classified as a permit-required confined space that will require new safety procedures. Ms. Carnes died near a methane-gas-extraction well, but state medical investigators were unable to determine the official cause of her death. The closed landfill is currently used as recreational vehicle campground fro the Balloon Fiesta Park. Subsequently, New Mexico Occupational Safety and Health Safety Bureau inspectors found hazard at the campground that included insecure circuit breakers, substandard equipment, and electric lines located near water lines or standing pools of water (Albuquerque Tribune, 5-29-07 and 5-30-07; Albuquerque Journal, 5-30-07)
   
• Proposed transportation improvements of Paseo del Oñate in Española are being held up in part because of the need to remediate a Superfund site created by chemical leaks from a dry cleaning business. Failure to reach agreement with Santa Clara Pueblo over right-of-way and easement issues is also delaying the project (Santa Fe New Mexican, 6-4-07)
   
• Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was unable to account for 38 containers of radioactive material after an inventory of the LANL Area G nuclear dump site. LANL spokesman James Rickman said none of the containers held "high activity" or more radioactive materials: "It's not refined plutonium or weapons-grade stuff." Greg Mello of the Los Alamos Study Group said the amount of radioactive material is "enough for an advanced nuclear weapon." (Albuquerque Journal, 5-5-07)
   
• The National Research Council release a report concluding that LANL still has much work to do in order to understand groundwater contamination threats to the regional aquifer. LANL scientists do not have a good understanding of how contaminants could travel between watersheds, such as through shared aquifers, according to the report. (Santa Fe New Mexican, 6-8-07)
   
• LANL will pay $251,870 as a penalty for failure to report chromium contamination in a monitoring well. Four groundwater samples taken in 2004 and 2005 from Mortandad Canyon well R-28 detected above standard levels of hexavlent chromium, but the findings were not reported to NMED until late 2005. (Associated Press, 6-15-07)
• Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez plans to gradually increase recycling and energy production form waste materials at a level that would allow the city to stop adding to landfills by 2030. At present, only 1.5% of overall waste is recycled in Albuquerque (Albuquerque Journal, 6-16-07).
   
• Guzman Construction Solutions was fined for dumping garbage at a location at a location without a permit. Guzman removed the material form an area approximately 172 feet long by 110 feet wide by 30 feet deep. The company will pay a reduced fine of $58,900 because they removed the garbage (Kob.com thanks to Paul Romero).

Up to Table of Contents

NMSHMM Member Profile

We are bringing back our NMSHMM member profiles. Every few months the newsletter will include information on one of your fellow memberships including a few surprises. This first profile is of Brian Salem, NMSHMM Past President. Can you guess where Brian is from? (Hint - it is east of New Jersey.)

Brian Salem

Agency name and location: NMED/Hazardous Waste Bureau, Albuquerque

Title: Environmental Specialist

Hometown: New York, New York

Family: Wife, Laura and Son, Chris, who is a Sophomore at Manzano High School

Words that best describe me: Busy, field oriented, imaginative

Favorite current project: Landscaping new house in the East Mountains

Biggest challenge on job: Writing the perfect Hazardous Waste Permit

If I won the lottery: Retire, buy a plane, and travel the world

People would be surprised if they knew: I'm from New York

An accomplishment that makes me feel great is: Past Presidency of NMSHMM

Last book read: Pompeii

If I could travel any place, I would go to: The Moon

If I just had more time, I would: Exercise more

Words of wisdom: Keep accepting new challenges

Up to Table of Contents

Upcoming Meetings & Events

July 17, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

July 18, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, 6601 Uptown Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Michelle Vattanno, NMED, will discuss the NMED Pollution Prevention (P2) Program.

July 19, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) monthly technical meeting at Furr's Family Dining (6100 Central Avenue SE, southwest of San Pedro) in Albuquerque.

August 5, 6:05 pm, NMSHMM Night at the Isotopes Game. Join NMSHMM for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox game and "Fastball" dinner. Cost only $10.00 per person. Please RSVP to  by July 25. No refunds after July 25.

August 7, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at Furr's Family Dining (6100 Central Avenue SE, southwest of San Pedro) in Albuquerque. Jennifer Dann of Kirtland Air Force Base, will present Biodiesel Usage at Kirtland Air Force Base, a Case Study.

August 12-15, ACHMM National Conference in Washington, D.C. area at Crystal City Virginia. See ACHMM web site for more information.

August 16, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) monthly technical meeting at Furr's Family Dining (6100 Central Avenue SE, southwest of San Pedro) in Albuquerque.

August 21, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

Mid to late August, NMSHMM Field Trip to Advent Solar. Date and location information to be provided by e-mail.

September 4, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at Furr's Family Dining (6100 Central Avenue SE, southwest of San Pedro) in Albuquerque.

September 18, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

September 19, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, 6601 Uptown Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

September 20, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) monthly technical meeting at Furr's Family Dining (6100 Central Avenue SE, southwest of San Pedro) in Albuquerque.

October 3, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at Furr's Family Dining (6100 Central Avenue SE, southwest of San Pedro) in Albuquerque.

October 10, 11, and 12, NMSHMM's National Overview Course for the CHMM Exam, University of New Mexico, Science and Technology Park Rotunda, 801 University Boulevard SE, Albuquerque.

October 16, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at CDM offices, 6000 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 200. All members are welcome.

October 17, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill, 6601 Uptown Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.

October 18, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) monthly technical meeting at Furr's Family Dining (6100 Central Avenue SE, southwest of San Pedro) in Albuquerque.

Did we miss something? To get your event added to the calendar please contact Eric Johnson at .

Up to Table of Contents

Monthly Meeting Location

Our regular monthly meetings are held at Uptown Sports Bar and Grill (6601 Uptown Boulevard Northeast; click here for a map). Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month (unless replaced by a special event as announced via this newsletter) from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm. If you have any ideas for speakers or field trips, please contact a NMSHMM board member.

Up to Table of Contents

Job Openings

For the latest job openings, please click here.  (MEMBERS ONLY)

Up to Table of Contents

Please send contributions for future newsletters to Eric Johnson at . Thanks!

Return to NMSHMM Newsletters Page