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From: "joseph cummins" <jcummins1@tds.net>
To: <SRSEIS@icfconsulting.com>
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 4:15 PM
Subject: proposed NM Spaceport
Ms. Stacey M. Zee:
Fortunately, while prospecting the
Federal Register I discovered this PUBLIC COMMENTS notation relating to the
proposed Southwest Regional Spaceport, to be located in Sierra County, NM.
"The FAA invites
interested agencies, organizations, Native American tribes, and members of
the public to submit comments or suggestions to assist in identifying
significant environmental issues and in determining the appropriate scope of
the EIS. The public scoping period starts with the publication of this
notice in the Federal Register. To ensure sufficient time to consider issues
identified during the public scoping period, comments should be submitted to
Ms. Stacey M. Zee by one of the methods listed below no later than March 3,
2006."
"Comments,
statements, or questions concerning scoping issues or the EIS process should
be mailed to Ms. Stacey M. Zee, FAA Environmental Specialist, Southwest
Regional Spaceport EIS c/o ICF Consulting,
9300 Lee Highway,
Fairfax, VA 22031. Comments can also be sent by e-mail to
SRSEIS@icfconsulting.com
or by fax to (703) 934-3951."
Because TorC and Las Cruces are so far from where I presently reside and
prohibitively expensive to drive to I will not be able to attend the first
scoping meeting that will be held in TorC, NM, nor am I likely to attend the
second meeting in Las Cruces, NM. Therefore, I am electing to utilize this
email option to digitally voice (write) my concerns & comments regarding
this proposed NM spaceport.
Since 1982 I have occasionally been a
resident of Sierra County, NM and have each and every year since 1983 been
actively prospecting the Caballo
Mountains, which are located South
of TorC and West of the proposed spaceport. Prior to 1996 I was a partial
owner of several lode mining claims, but due a variety of financial
circumstances I was forced to drastically reduce the number of mining
claims, yet retain one of the best potential ore deposits I believe (based
upon extensive tests) exist in these mountains. These remaining lode mining
claims are what have given me purpose that I too might experience the
American dream by working diligently to somehow expose and encourage or
initiate a serious mining venture. And, with the help of YHVH (The Creator)
some of the known mineralized areas of the
Caballo
Mountains
will become a significant source of mining wealth for
Sierra
County
residents, whom share a rich cultural mining history. Furthermore, I want to
continue seeing that this mountain range, which includes the eastern and
western flanks of the Caballos, remains open to everyone, everyday to enjoy
and use as often as physically possible.
In 1992-93 the NM Game & Fish Department,
Bureau of Land Management and numerous green non-governmental organizations
attempted to drive all humans out of the Caballo Mountains, who included,
but was not limited to -- prospectors, wannabe miners, ranchers, spelunkers,
mountain climbers, geologists, backpackers, 4-wheelers, explorers,
rockhounds, and the hundreds of treasure hunters, so that Mexican big horn
sheep could be transplanted on these mountains.
During the time State and Federal
government agencies and green NGO's were attempting to implement their plan
of re-introduction of these so-called endangered desert sheep, they
constantly stated that these sheep could not co-exist with human activity,
especially during mating and birthing. Thus, because humans and sheep CANNOT
tolerate human presence this so-called fact became the pretext to eliminate
the human species presence in these Caballo
Mountains,
which are in intimate physical proximity of the proposed NM Spaceport.
Based upon what I hear, see and read,
desert big horn sheep are located on Ted Turner's property (Armendaris Ranch
or Fra Cristabol Mountain Range, formerly owned by Oppenheimer and was also
used to run cattle on by Robert O. Anderson). Apparently the NMDGF is still
in the Fra Cristobals attempting to breed and plant these sheep wherever
they can.
In 1992 the people of
Sierra
County rose up in opposition to the "sheep cheat" and after a lengthy
confrontation the sheep went to other mountains. But, the green NGO's, the
State and Federal agencies still have plans to plant their anti-human
darlings everywhere they can, which includes the Caballo
Mountains.
Consequently,
how could this proposed spaceport intimately co-exist with these desert big
horn sheep if no one else can?
This NGO web page
http://www.nmwild.org/places/desert/caballo obviously thinks that
infesting the Caballos with these sheep is a suitable concept and clearly
would threaten the Spaceport's existence if the Sheep are to do what is
strongly implied will be done in the years ahead.
"Special
Management Areas"
"Part of the
Rincon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is found within the
Southern Caballo Mountains unit. It is designated to protect Jornada-phase
petroglyphs. There is a nominated ACEC in the
Brushy Mountain unit
due to its suitability for desert bighorn sheep reintroduction."
In addition, this same NGO (http://www.nmwild.org/places/desert/jornada)
suggests that the Caballo
Mountains, as well as the Jorando del Muerto be designated a wilderness
area. Of course this would mean that ONLY limited human activity would be
tolerated. Certainly no mining or anything that would upset the delicate
green aspects of nature would be allowed to exist alongside the critters
that inhabit the landscape. Clearly, this also includes the immediate area
of the proposed spaceport.
Furthermore, it was, and I presume the
same State & Federal agencies continue wanting the sheep transplanted to
Caballo Mts. regions and maintain their plan to have corridors for the
migration of desert big horn sheep to and from the Fra Cristobals, Caballos
and the San Andreas (WSMR area). These corridors would include the
land-bridge area where the proposed spaceport is planned to be constructed,
and includes all of the take-off and landing region. Therefore, either the
sheep go or the spaceport does not get built. Then again, maybe the
spaceport officials will have enough political pull to get all the sheep
moved to other wilderness sites?
Concern No. 1
If the green NGOs, State & Federal
agencies were not exaggerating or out-right fabricating untruths about the
delicate nature of these protected endangered desert big horn sheep, which
are living and breeding near this proposed spaceport -- won't the spaceport
activities, including the extremely loud noise generated by rocket engine
blasts (which will be louder and last longer than any dynamiting that mining
would cause) be detrimental to these poor darling sheep?
Besides the human presence, the portion
of the Jorando del Muerto this spaceport is proposed to be built upon is
home to endangered transplanted wolves, shy pronghorn antelope that flee
when their telescopic vision spots a single human and transplanted protected
eagles personally seen resting & nesting on the tall power transmission
lines. Now, add the African imported wild Oryx hunters report seeing that
have escaped their enclosures, and a whole host of animals that make their
living in the direct path of this proposed spacecraft, such as red tailed
hawks, falcons and coyotes that prey on the varmints. Extrapolating this
potential ecological nightmare a little further into the future, what if the
spaceport construction due to legislative activity drives the varmint
predators out of the area - would the rat population detonate an exploding
flea population, which might cause a new hanta virus or black plague threat
to emerge into the entire region?
The greens consider us prospectors and
miners as vermin and have been almost successful in exterminating our
species. But, we too are part of the ecology and are necessary for the
survival of the human species. Having said this - if this proposed spaceport
drives out what has been co-existing for hundreds of years will the law of
unintended circumstances cause Murphy to visit? And, if so, who will be the
blame and make restitution?
Another related question would be - what
about the revenue the county and state will lose from loss of big game
hunters, as well as the livelihoods of the tour guides, outfitters and
ranchers that derive income from hunting activities situated on the exact
same land of the proposed spaceport? Additionally, if the Ranchers are
bought or forced out where will the revenue come from that the BLM extracts
from each cow and the city of TorC relies upon for schools?
Oddly, I have not read nor have I heard
any shouting from the green NGOs about how all this spaceport activity will
affect the animals such as the endangered sheep or destroy the Jornado's
tranquil visible vistas that a mining activity, as they constantly rant
would cause. I guess if the right heads nod or wink the big boys can get
what they want, but the little guy has to settle for and be thankful of a
few occasional scattered crumbs.
Personally, the idea of space travel is
thrilling and I would certainly enjoy the ride myself, but I am too old and
obviously cannot and will not likely ever be able to afford such an
expensive form of pleasure. Clearly, space tourism is only for the rich.
But, should this grandiose display of power be enjoyed upon the backs of the
little man, who in all probability will never ride one of these spaceships
nor live long enough to see any of the so-called fruits the promoters claim
we all will reap?
It's reported that it will cost hundreds
of thousands of dollars for a ride into and return safely from the darkness
of limitless space. Likewise, it costs well over a hundred thousand dollars
for a rich man to shoot a trophy desert big horn sheep in 2005 that reside
only a few miles from the proposed spaceport.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/press_releases/documents/3-16releases.pdf
Are those who promote this proposed
spaceport so engrossed with their own wants that they have forgotten to do
to others what they would want done to themselves?
Concern No. 2
Since 9/11 the Bureau of Reclamation has
constrained access to the Caballo
Mountains by locking the Caballo Dam
gates thereby barring the public, which includes
Caballo
Mountain
prospectors and mining claim owners, as well as hundreds of people who come
from as far away as other states to be in these Caballo Mts. The claim is
that terrorists could damage Caballo Dam and to protect the dam site the BOR
denies the public from crossing over the spillway that was always open to
travel since the creation of the dam. It is also claimed that access is not
being denied to anyone who wants to go to the
Caballo
Mountains
from the west side, because there is another road that allows access. But,
this alternate road is several miles out of the way and only known to the
few, certainly not the occasional tourist. This road closure over the dam
would not be too much of an issue if it was not for that, as I understand
it, one or more local ranchers have a key to these locked gates. Yet, when I
asked the BOR (September 03, 2005
and on subsequent dates) as to how I too can get a key I never received an
answer. Therefore, based upon the 1992-93 "sheep cheat" ordeal and the BOR's
action I am concerned that access is slowly, perhaps intentionally being
restricted, and that one day access to the Caballo Mountains and adjacent
terrain will be completely denied. This drastic idea is further enhanced due
to the fact that I can freely, without restriction of any kind, cross over
similar sized dams in Georgia that are controlled and operated by the TVA.
As a result of what I stated herein, as well as several unstated but related
coincidences it seems prudent of me to ask - is this proposed spaceport
another way by which I and thousands of others will be driven out of the
Caballo Mountains? When I first came to the Caballos in search of silver
ore, the Caballo Mountains
were constantly prospected by thousands of treasure hunters. But, as I see
it, these past 10 years, with all the governmental restrictions treasure
hunting tourism is drawing its last gasps. There are still a few hundred
die-hards who continue to prospect this mountain's terrain, but will this
area remain open and free, or become locked-up under some pretense that
human activity is detrimental to the flora and fauna? If so, then I fail to
see how the proposed spaceport can be justified.
On
August 4, 2005,
while dining at Hodges Restaurant in Elephant Butte, NM, I noticed a TorC
newspaper article relating to the proposed NM spaceport, which reads in
part:
"Every so often,
Loomis mentioned that the FAA still needs to approve the site and the plans
to build there. ‘We have an area with the most controlled air space on the
continent because of White Sands [Missile
Range],’ he added. ‘That helps with launches because you don't have to worry
about cross traffic in the air. It's one of the most ideal spots on the
earth because of it location. Gaining the FAA license will depend a lot on
the surrounding area remaining uninhabited, especially under the flight
zone, however development would prove extremely difficult in the area -
especially considering that a developer would need to gain permission from
regional and county planning offices and zoning authorities.’”
This Mr. Loomis sure seems to have
abundant or self-ordained knowledge to suggest that developers don't have a
chance in Hell of obtaining a permit to develop the area. His arrogance
compels me to speculate - is he so powerful that he can tell others what
they can, will and won't do? Or, does he have special inside political
knowledge that what he apparently stated is already a done deal? Due to this
newspaper article it seems that I am justified in construing that this
gentleman believes this spaceport is more important than any other potential
project that could threaten this empire and any associated potential money
milking schemes. I wonder if he has considered what the RVers, 4wheelers,
backpackers, recreationalists, treasure hunters, deer hunters, and tourists
think is important? On a similar subject - is it possible that he considers
prospectors & wannabe miners only a temporary nuisance who will find
themselves cast adrift in his imposed sea of red tape? Similarly, I wonder
what the probability is that the Caballo
Mountains
mining claim owners will be kicked out?
On
Thursday August 18, 2005,
while at the Sierra County Assessor's Office, after picking up my State
required mining claim Proof of Labor forms and beginning to ask the tax
assessor about the proposed Space
Port I and a Caballo compadre met a
man whose business card indicated that he was well connected to the proposed
spaceport. He began telling us, as personnel at the Assessor's Office
listened, about some of the proposals being batted around as to where and
how the Spaceport will be initiated. I asked this well spoken gentleman, if
I had an ongoing mining activity in the Caballo
Mountains
would this mining activity be affected in any manner? He basically said:
he did not think so,
but it was too early to say for sure exactly what would happen in upcoming
years. He further indicated there seems to be some concern about the
electric power lines in the Jornado. And, if these power lines or the
railroad lines could not be moved it is possible that the proposed runway
could or might be moved west towards the Caballos, and this might affect
some mining activity. Needless to say this information sent off
alarm bells, and has remained ringing loud as I write herein. Adding more
fuel to an already smoldering mental fire I read today that it is becoming
more likely that this proposed spaceport MAY indeed have to move closer to
the Caballo
Mountains.
Therefore, is this another cheat dressed in sheep's skin that will drive us
all out of the Caballos?
Based upon the numerous recent items I
have read this spaceport cannot become a reality without imposing some kind
of a tax upon the local community of Sierra
County
and specifically TorC,
NM.
Over the years I've conducted numerous
studies about Sierra County
and history has painted a rather grim financial portrait of the local people
who for the most part live on a hand-to-mouth existence. Therefore, I fail
to comprehend how adding more burdens to an already impoverished community
can possibly finance this proposed spaceport that is going to cost hundreds
of millions to billions of dollars. Maybe the tourists are going to have to
foot the bill, but what will happen when they don't keep coming? How many
tourists visit Cap Canaveral at every lift off, especially since the newness
has worn off? Who's going to foot the bills when tourists stop coming to see
lift offs? Will the local people be told they must carry more of the
financial burden to keep the rockets zooming?
History is replete with scams perpetrated
by smooth talking charlatans. The words "Ponzi and Rube Goldberg" come to
mind when I hear the word spaceport or when I see the sign on Interstate 25
indicating "future home" of the NM spaceport, as if this is going to
engender some kind of allegiance of the poor to the goals of a few rich men,
who seem oblivious of the people's plight in this area of New Mexico.
I've been around the block a time or two
and have seen many so-called good-deals that seldom benefit those who are
being lured into biting great looking bait. For instance: many times I have
seen local communities beat the poverty war drums by suggesting that if the
community will get behind the plan to build industrial complexes then big
business will come, just like in the fantasy movie "Field of Dreams"
starring Kevin Costner. The officials line up the financing, saying no new
taxes will be required to appease the people who want better paying jobs
that these industrial centers will produce. The same officials will
eventually get a few corporations to locate in these poor rural areas due to
the cheap labor and the fact that the buildings and equipment have been
bought by an unsuspecting populace to be paid for with bonds. Everything
seems fine, there are more jobs and a few people are actually prospering.
But, when it comes time for the companies inhabiting these industrial
complexes to begin paying back the accrued costs, these companies usually
suddenly close their doors and move on to greener pastures ripe for the
picking. The people end up worse off and in deeper debt than before all of
the hype, with no prospects of ever getting out of their ignorantly created
debt holes. Will this likely happen with the proposed spaceport? And, should
it happen what about the left behind environment, will the state who helped
fund this enterprise then demand the public clean up the place with more tax
dollars?
A few months ago, while in
New Mexico
I read and heard how a few hundred well paying jobs would occur if and when
the spaceport became a reality. Then, several weeks ago the job creation
picture expanded to a couple thousand and today reading this article
http://www.observer-online.com/articles/2006/02/02/news/story6.txt
the number of jobs coming about as a result of this spaceport has climbed to
6000. Jeepers, creepers, before the NM legislature hears much more testimony
to approve many more millions for this and that goodie to help lift this
spaceport off the ground the job numbers might well have grow to hundreds of
thousands. Absolutely fantastic, this exponential job growth in just a few
months suggests that everyone in New
Mexico will be working for the spaceport. The sad truth is that it is
partially reality now because the wise legislators are about to drop in the
spaceport's hog troughs hundreds of millions. And once these funds are
committed, the project will become too big too fail and likely numerous
bailouts will be required. What's really fascinating to me is how will the
environmentalist & wilderness NGO's along with their companions at the NMDG&F
turn a blind eye at what they have been saying these past 30 years for this
area? Is it possible that these green NGOs were created to drive out any
competing interests like the prospectors & miners so that they could pave
the way for a future spaceport? Of course, these green killing machines are
not new, for it has happened to logging, ranching and other self-sustaining
businesses all over the West.
There's no free lunch, the bills will
come due. I wonder if the Sierra County Commissioners who have said
(according to online news reports) they support raising taxes will dig deep
into their own pockets when Murphy comes a calling? Or, what's more likely
is that by the time the mortgaged future is due and payable those who
initiated the taxes and debt will be long gone.
Several years ago the promoted get rich
scheme being perpetrated everywhere, including Sierra
County's
largest incorporated city - Truth or Consequences - was tourism. The
promoters said TorC's financial troubles would disappear or at least be
mitigated if tourists would frequent the area. The question was how to get
the tourists to flock to this community? Some type of funding was necessary
to pay for fancy slick glossy advertising, after-all, if the strangers in
far off lands did not know about this enchanting portion of
New Mexico they wouldn't come.
As usual, the answer was lying before
everyone's eyes - taxation. Wow, slick, supposedly no taxes upon local
folks but upon rich tourists who would do all the purchasing and lodging in
this tiny tucked out of sight roadside side town. After initiating the
taxation plan -- motel rooms, gasoline, goods and services were costing
more, but this tax was fair because it did not discriminate. It did not
matter if one was poor or rich, those who came to visit had to pay. Trouble
was and is, the locals also had to pay too and continue doing so to keep
financing the plan that failed.
Why this scheme of taxing foreigners was
magnificent. It was a perpetual motion machine that would never need repair,
and like the TV bunny rabbit would keep going and going and going. What was
not mentioned was the cost to repurchase new batteries to breath new life
into this walking dead machine.
I tried to warn the
County
Commissioners in 1992-93 that tourism would be a short live phenomena that
would eventually decimate the community, where nothing would be left behind
but despair once the tourist had picked over the few remaining bones.
Naturally, my concerns fell on deaf ears, primarily because the needs of the
people were so stark and revealing, plus, the politicians had to do
something or they'd face joining the ranks of hopelessness. Besides, with
these new tax revenues the do-nothing chamber of commerce would now appear
to be the people's friend and not just another blood sucking agency.
Wherever I lived during this period of
time - tourism was being touted as clean and the old faithful, ugly and
dirty industries had to go, and leave they did and continue to do, taking
the jobs with them. If the people want taxes, and the local companies cannot
afford to dance to the tax tune, the companies quit doing the polka and
two-step out of town and eventually the country. Will this happen with the
spaceport if another state offers a better deal?
Then as now Green was in and basics were
out. Never mind that a backbone should remain to support the rest of the
body. Nope, cut-off that which is offensive, delete that which allows
freedom of movement. No need to worry, because this new green clean machine
will make all things right and bright. Yeah -- right!
As the trickling tourist taxes continued
bringing home the lean bacon, Sierra County officials somehow failed to
notice that the motels were not overflowing with tourists flocking to see
the spotted owls, eagles, wolves and sheep the greens and taxers said would
come. Strangely everyone seemed to be blinded by the razzle-dazzle of
tourist dollars to see that prosperity never arrived and misery was on the
rise.
A few days ago, while visiting the bank I
asked what the price of a ticket is to ride the tourist train from Blue
Ridge,
Georgia to Copperhill,
Tennessee, and return. I expected
the fare to be close to $100.00, but it was only a meager $20 & $30 for a
three and half hour round trip excursion through the woods. The people in
the bank said that the tourist train might not be around much longer because
the city of Blue Ridge wanted more revenue and was going to raise the tax
charge a dollar per tourist head that rode the train. Apparently, the train
owner(s) are saying they will be forced to leave, because this dollar tax
increase would cause the tourists to stop riding this ancient form of
travel. But taxes are good, aren't they? The people in the bank thought the
scene they just portrayed to me was funny. One day the bankers won't be
laughing when their customers are forced to flee due to the constantly
rising sea of taxation.
I think 13 years is a sufficient amount
of time to prove whether imposed tourist taxes in Sierra County accomplished
the intended goals or not. When I first began my annual pilgrimages to the
Caballo Mountains,
TorC was a dirty, tiny, not much hope type of town. Everyone who visited the
area knew this stark fact, but in some ways kind of enjoyed the laid-back
quietness of this quaint community. During those 13 years I actually
witnessed the death of TorC, although the walking dead didn't know it yet.
TorC is actually worse to view now than when I first visited. The out with
the old and in with the new get rich tourism scheme did not work.
Interestingly, it seems that a new repackaging form of tourism is being
promoted as rides into space, where there are jobs galore, flowing money and
everyone is living high on the hog in this new found paradise. Just imagine
- people from all over the world will come to TorC to witness the new era
liftoff. But, will they keep coming?
Let's face reality, TorC is poor and
getting poorer. There are few to zero manufacturers and it has been years
since there were decent paying jobs that build a sustainable infrastructure.
The prospect of private businesses locating in TorC is zilch. The young have
always left or seek to leave, leaving behind only the old, sick and dying to
inhabit this desolate environment where weather is the last remaining
saleable commodity, till it too is taxed into oblivion and the snow birds
are driven off.
If private enterprise is no longer
desirable and employment is only via government, where everyone is equal,
earning the exact same pay, paying exactly the same taxes, and everyone
telling everyone how to live and enjoy being told what, when and how to live
from womb to tomb then I see no problem living in this utopia. But, history
suggests this environment never existed and is not likely too in the
foreseeable future.
It's time to stop pretending that
tourism is the only option left, upon which to build a better tomorrow.
Sierra County
is rich in minerals, and these minerals are harvestable, but the greens who
only destroy free enterprise must leave. So, assuming that the spaceport is
not a carnival act or a pie in the sky pipe dream and is such a good deal
that cannot be passed-up, then why does the taxpayer have to fund what NASA
won't use?
There are several other serious issues
that could and should be presented herein that deserve scrutiny regarding
this spaceport. But, if what I have discussed so far cannot be dealt with in
a manner mutually desirable for one and all then anything else I could
discuss would be a dialog in frustration and wasted energy.
Like I said previously - the concept of
a private spaceport enterprise is a fantastic goal, but not on the backs of
those who can least afford it. Furthermore, if this spaceport is to become a
viable endeavor then it must not restrict access to and from the
Caballo
Mountains, nor inhibit any future mining operation(s) that would enhance the
pockets of Sierra County
residents. This space tourism architecture should help, not hinder the
people who inhabit Sierra
County, but I fail to comprehend how bureaucratic rules and taxes could ever
make life a more enjoyable aspect of Sierra
County,
which is already burdened beyond any recognition of freedom to experience
what America
promised the poor and downtrodden. If the State highway workers can post a
sign on the expressways saying "give us a break - slow down", then doesn't
the taxpayer deserve a break from sky-rocketing taxation?
Gravity indicates what goes up also comes
down. Likewise, because liftoff and landing are perilous it would seem
prudent for those who want to see this spaceport thrive will also want the
same for everyone else, and would not dream of damaging the rights of those
who live, work and play in the Caballo
Mountain
countryside?
I know I am a numbskull mineral
prospector, but I'm tired of being blindsided with sucker punches by the
gentle sounding promises of those who claim to have our best interests in
mind. So, I think anyone can see why I think it's a little peculiar when
those who want this spaceport never took a moment to contact the little
people that live in Sierra County
to see what they wanted. I know that I had to do a lot of online prospecting
and asking to get only a few questionable replies, and very little useful
information and absolutely no assurances that we won't get kicked out or our
desires locked up behind unassailable razor-wire fences. Therefore, if the
spaceport is to be a NM reality there has too be a way for us all to
benefit, and if not, then, perhaps the spaceport is not such a great idea,
at least not in NM.
Respectfully,
Joseph Cummins
P.O. Box 469
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559
P.S. I will be posting a copy of this email on my new website so others can
read my concerns. And, I will be sending New Mexico legislators either a
copy of this email or an address to my web site who have publicly expressed
concerns about this proposed spaceport.
<<< >>>
(posted 3-2-06)
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