Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus
achedden@currentargus.com

A nuclear waste repository near Carlsbad was approved by the federal government to mine out more space for waste disposal, in line with the state of New Mexico’s 10-year operations permit issued in 2023.

The New Mexico Environment Department included in its hazardous waste permit issued to the U.S. Department of Energy in November 2023 language for two new panels where waste will be emplaced, allowing the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant to operate for 10 more years.

Those panels were given final approval July 31 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency via a letter transmitted to Mark Bollinger, manager of the energy department’s Carlsbad Field Office.

At WIPP, the Energy Department disposes of transuranic nuclear waste (TRU), which is clothing materials, equipment and other debris irradiated during nuclear activities. The waste is buried at WIPP in a salt deposit about 2,000 feet underground. The salt gradually collapses on the waste, burying the refuse and blocking radiation from escaping.

Panels are mined out areas in the WIPP underground where drums of waste are placed for disposal. The permit gives approval to mine out the site’s 11th and 12th panels; the previous permit approved only eight.

Panels 11 and 12 were intended as “replacement panels” for space lost to contamination after an accidental radiological release in 2014, caused by a ruptured drum of TRU waste already emplaced in the underground, Bollinger said during a July 30 public forum.

Bollinger said the new panels would not increase WIPP’s waste capacity while adding to its physical footprint, and that the facility continued to operate under the same 6.2 million-cubic-foot capacity outlined in the Land Withdrawal Act.

As of the July 30 meeting, Bollinger said WIPP was at about 2.8 million cubic feet of waste buried, about 45% of the limit.

The new panels would be mined on the west side of the WIPP underground, where workers were already mining an access drift to connect the new area with the rest of the facility. That work was nearing completion, Bollinger said.

“The Land Withdrawal Act created WIPP, and is our guidance to how we’re doing,” he said. “All waste that comes to us must be defense TRU waste and it must meet the full waste acceptance criteria.”

Bollinger said waste was currently being emplaced in Panel 8 – the final panel under the previous permit – but it was unclear when it would be full and WIPP would begin using Panel 11.

He said federal officials expect to have disposed of 424 shipments of waste in Panel 8 by the end of the federal fiscal year, which concludes Sept. 30.

“We’re making good progress there, and we are expecting to transition to a new panel very soon,” he said. “But it will take some time to fill up Panel 8, and with permission from all of our regulators, begin emplacing in Panel 11.

WIPP to expand beyond new panels

In the EPA letter signed by Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Abigale Tardif, the agency explained that the Department of Energy also included an analysis of a 19-panel facility, adding seven panels on top of those approved by the agency.

Subsequent panels beyond the 11th and 12th would require a new permit with the state of New Mexico, per the language in the newest permit that allowed for the two new panels.

“These panels (11 and 12) are intended to restore lost waste disposal capacity, primarily due to the 2014 radiological incident and other operational issues,” read the EPA letter. “Initially, the DOE submitted an analysis for a 19-panel repository, reflecting expectations for seven future waste panels beyond the two for which approval was requested.”

The EPA said it “generally agreed” with the Department of Energy’s performance analysis of the 19-panel layout.

But Don Hancock with the Southwest Research and Information Center, an Albuquerque-based government watchdog group and WIPP critic, said the approval raised several other questions tied to WIPP’s expansion and compliance with the state permit.

Southwest Research was included in negotiations for the 2023 permit, which included several clauses the Department of Energy agreed to in exchange for the new panels, Hancock said.

Among those were requirements to prioritize Cold War “legacy” nuclear waste in Panel 12, which Hancock said was WIPP’s original intended purpose, along with providing annual reports on the federal government’s process in finding a new repository outside of New Mexico and a provision that allows the New Mexico Environment Department to close WIPP should any section of the permit be violated.

The Environment Department recently opposed a federally created definition of “legacy waste” as required by the new permit, arguing it was too broad and requiring the energy department to file a revision by November.

“The letter doesn’t impose any conditions,” Hancock said of the EPA approval. “The EPA should support DOE complying with the other conditions in the permit they negotiated.

As for adding panels 13 through 19 in the future, Hancock said they would require an entirely new permit renewal, even if the energy department applies for approval before the 10-year term of its current permit.

“We have been and will continue to oppose expanding WIPP in the way the DOE has proposed to,” Hancock said. “That is allowing them to put waste at WIPP that it was not designed for.”

Future waste streams he said would be beyond the scope of WIPP included surplus plutonium, which the department of energy said it could dilute to meet WIPP’s acceptance criteria, and TRU waste created in the production of plutonium pits – triggers for nuclear warheads.

The federal government said it plans to produce 80 pits a year by 2030 to “modernize” its atomic arsenal.

Even so, adding seven more panels would put WIPP dangerously close to “busting” EPA standards for radiation emissions from the site, Hancock said.

“WIPP is supposed to be for Cold War legacy waste. The expansion is because DOE wants to use WIPP for waste that is not Cold War legacy waste. We are opposed to that,” he said.

And looking ahead, Hancock said a repository outside of New Mexico was crucial to allow the federal government to dispose of nuclear waste for decades in the future while lifting the burden from New Mexico.

“Another repository outside of New Mexico is a linchpin to the whole expansion question,” Hancock said. “They are in the position to say not all of the waste has to go into WIPP and that they are serious about finding another repository.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Aug 15

Anthony John Urban arrested for DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs, driving while intoxicated with minor in the vehicle, speeding.

LARCENY

8:44 am – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. in reference to shoplifting.

WELFARE

10:12 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Champ Clarke Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

10:54 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

DISTURBANCE

11:06 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

11:27 am – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

STOLEN

1:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

3:25 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of S. 13th St. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

ACCIDENT

2:06 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 7th St. and W. Texas Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

FRAUD

2:08 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of S. 17th St. in reference to fraud.

WELFARE

2:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

5:00 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and S. 13th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

5:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

RECKLESS

5:35 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DOMESTIC

6:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to domestic.

DISTURBANCE

11:40 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to disturbance.

Aug 16

Arrest

Trevor Wade Starkey arrested for criminal trespass.

SUSPICIOUS

12:10 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

4:11 am – Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Main St. in reference to suspicious person.

UNWANTED

8:22 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

10:38 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 N. 1st St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

12:56 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

ACCIDENT

10:58 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

11:55 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to domestic.

INCORRIGIBLE

1:00 pm- Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

WELFARE

5:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of S. 18th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

6:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

LARCENY

6:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to larceny.

WELFARE

7:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

8:05 pm – officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

8:30 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

9:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

SHOTS FIRED

10:24 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Runyan Ave. and S. 13th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

Aug 17

Arrest

Karmen Nicole Davis arrested for battery against a household member.

Tomas Lazaro Salazar arrested for battery against a household member, false imprisonment.

WELFARE

12:06 am – officer dispatched to 1600 block of N. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

BURGLARY

4:35 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to an auto burglary.

9:03 am – Officer dispatched to 2400 block of N. Pecos Ave. in reference to burglary.

WELFARE

11:57 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

THREATS

12:15 pm- Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to threats.

DEATH

1:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of E. Mill Rd in reference to an unattended death.

ACCIDENT

1:26 pm – Officer dispatched to S. Roselawn Ave. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

1:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to domestic.

5:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to domestic.

5:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of Airport Rd. in reference to domestic.

ACCIDENT

4:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

Aug 18

SUSPICIOUS

1:38 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

LOUD

1:39 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to loud noise.

DOMESTIC

10:08 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to verbal domestic.

WANTED

11:38 am – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

THREATS

1:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Champ Clark Ave. in reference to threats.

FIGHT

1:57 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a fight in progress.

DISTURBANCE

4:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

7:17 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Washington Ave. and s. 15th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

RECKLESS

7:17 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

8:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

11:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious activity.

Aug 19

Arrest

Andrew Prudencio Medrano arrested for failure to appear.

SUSPICIOUS

1:33 am – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Main St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

2:38 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to domestic.

BATTERY

3:57 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of S. 1st St. in reference to battery.

WANTED

7:29 am – Officer dispatched to W. Bullock Ave. and Watson Blvd. in reference to a wanted subject.

HARASSMENT

11:03 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to harassment.

DOMESTIC

12:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to domestic.

SHOTS FIRED

1:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to shots fired.

DISTURBANCE

4:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

BATTERY

5:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to battery.

WELFARE

9:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

10:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Briscoe Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

Aug 20

ACCIDENT

7:56 am – Officer dispatched to S. 14th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident

SUSPICIOUS

9:05 am -Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Ward Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

BATTERY

9:36 am – Officer dispatched to 2300 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to battery.

HARASSMENT

10:21 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of E. Main St. in reference to harassment.

SHOTS FIRED

10:25 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to shots fired.

SUICIDAL

2:03 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and Centennial Ave. in reference to a suicidal subject.

WELFARE

2:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

UNWANTED

3:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

INCORRIGIBLE

6:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

WELFARE

7:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Logan Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

8:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

9:19 pm – Officer dispatched 1400 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to domestic.

Aug 21

Arrest

Johnny Lee Sisk arrested for disorderly conduct.

DOMESTIC

12:15 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to domestic.

WELFARE

3:19 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to welfare of an adult.

4:55 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to welfare of an adult.

ARMED SUBJECT

8:18 am – Officer dispatched to N. 4th St. and W. Cannon Ave. in reference to an armed subject.

BATTERY

9:36 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Main St. in reference to battery.

DOMESTIC

9:37 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

10:35 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to suspicious activity.

ACCIDENT

11:25 am – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

3:30 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WANTED

2:30 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Catalina Dr. in reference to a wanted subject.

WELFARE

4:26 pm- Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

THREATS

5:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 2100 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to threats.

SUSPICIOUS

7:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

Aug 22

Arrest

Jason Carlos Rodriguez arrested for aggravated burglary with deadly weapon, forcible criminal damage to property, and possession of burglary tools.

Jimmy Ray Stevens arrested for battery against a  household member, interference with communications destroying removing.

SUSPICIOUS

8:43 am – Officer dispatched to N. 10th St. and W. Chisum Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

8:44 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ACCIDENT

10:16 am – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

10:39 am – Officer dispatched to S. 5ht St. and W. Quay Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

11:21 am – Officer dispatched 1300 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to altered mental welfare.

HARASSMENT

11:23 am – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of Briscoe Ave. in reference to harassment.

THREATS

2:34 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Lolita Ave. in reference to threats.

BURGLARY

2:57 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Main St. in reference to burglary.

HARASSMENT

3:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to harassment.

3:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to harassment.

8:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to harassment.

DOMESTIC

7:39 pm – Officer dispatched 2400 block of W. Briscoe Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

Aug 23

Arrest

Brian Silva Caldera arrested for speeding, aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs, consume possession of alcohol, open container in motor vehicle.

RECKLESS

12:20 am – Officer dispatched to N 1st St. and E. Richey Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

12:21 am – Officer dispatched to N. 26th St. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DISTURBANCE

1:29 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

9:04 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 3rd St. in reference to suspicious person.

BURGLARY

9:15 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 11th St. in reference to an auto burglary.

WANTED

10:22 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

DOMESTIC

10:40 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

WELFARE

3:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 4th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

7:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

ARMED

9:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 2800 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to an armed subject.

SUSPICIOUS

9:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

RECKLESS

10:16 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DWI ARREST

10:46 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 26th St. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to a DWI

Aug 24

ARREST

Madison Taylor Castillo arrested for battery against household member.

Anthony Michael Hall arrested for assault against a household member.

Veronica Ann Duran Gomez arrested for battery against a household member, battery, resisting evading, obstructing an office.

Alexandria Carrasco arrested for disorderly conduct.

SUSPICIOUS

12:21 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

1:27 am – officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 6th St. in reference to suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

1:23 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

RECKLESS

2:08 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

4:14 am – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Washington Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

STOLEN

5:47 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 26th St. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

FIGHT

7:29 am – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to a fight in progress.

WELFARE

8:07 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DISTURBANCE

9:26 am -Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to disturbance.

ACCIDENT

12:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

12:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a suspicious person.

1:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

2:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 7th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

4:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

RECKLESS

4:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of Hermosa Dr. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

FIGHT

5:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a fight in progress.

DOMESTIC

5:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to domestic.

SHOTS FIRED

7:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

FIGHT

8:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to a fight in progress.

DISTURBANCE

9:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

10:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Catalina Dr. in reference to suspicious activity.

Aug 25

SUSPICIOUS

12:37 am- Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Runyan Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

4:25 am – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Briscoe Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

Terri Harber

Roswell Daily Record

ROSWELL — Local employees of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) welcomed about three dozen people with a variety of outdoor interests to a public meeting on Monday night, Aug. 18, to gauge interest in potential future recreational development on the new land tract.

BLM has acquired a 240-acre tract of new land that links to the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. About 10 area officials with outdoor-oriented agencies also attended the meeting Monday night to listen to people’s opinions and answer their questions.

Local BLM Field Manager Chuck Schmidt said the Roswell area offers great opportunities for outdoor recreation on public lands.

“This property presents an opportunity to enhance outdoor recreation in the Pecos Valley,” Schmidt said.

The L-shaped site sits next to Highway 380 and contains a section of the Pecos River that is about three-fifths of a mile long with consistent water flow throughout the year. Located about seven miles southeast of Roswell, the site is being referred to as the Pecos River Oxbow.

BLM staff started off with photos, maps and a video captured from the top of Comanche Hill, then began breaking up their content by recreation interests within the new area. Hikers, cyclists, disc golfers and those interested in water sports were among the people who came to the meeting. No off-road vehicle use will be allowed there.

“Due to the concentrated resources, beautiful scenery, water and proximity to the city of Roswell, the property is expected to be very popular with the recreating public,” said Allison Nelson, natural resource specialist and planning & environmental coordinator at the BLM’s Roswell Field Office.

It’s expected to be of particular interest to hikers because of the terrain. The Pecos River provides fruitful fishing spots while also supporting aquatic fauna, Nelson noted. Some of the outdoorsmen asked if there would be a charge to enter areas created for public use. That would depend on the cost of the development.

“That’s pretty far out,” replied Mike Stetter, supervisory law enforcement ranger for the Bureau of Land Management’s Pecos District. “It’ll depend what the public wants.”

Conditions within the site also came up. Such as the river’s water level at any given time. People began providing ideas, such as online updates about certain conditions and helpful signage.

There were also concerns about target shooting in some locations, though Stetter emphasized that there is a designated location for that activity used by the New Mexico National Guard.

Nelson also said the BLM intends to partner with the city, Chaves County, Bitter Lake and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, as well as the community, because “good relationships and continued support will play a major role in the area’s future success.”

“We don’t have it all figured out, but we know it’s something special,” Schmidt added.

There will be more public meetings coming up.

For more information or to submit comments about the future development of this recreation area, reach out to local BLM officials via email at blm-pecosoxbowrecreation@blm.gov.

BLM is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior.