This month CEHMM celebrated our 20th anniversarye Anniversary with an Open House event, which was well attended by many in the community. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped us celebrate this momentous occasion.
Funding for the development of the Center of Excellence for Hazardous Materials Management, established in 2004 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the state of New Mexico, was part of an appropriations bill to fund the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Built on the WIPP legacy of significant expertise in hazardous materials management, CEHMM has expanded scientific research into new areas that would benefit the public and the environment. The aim of the CEHMM projects is to work on practical solutions to problems that affect both human health and the environment. The projects serve the community, the region and the state through educational activities, job creation and research that leads to solving key technical and environmental challenges.
Since its inception, CEHMM has identified and pursued applied research projects that have a nationwide impact and are innovative, meaningful and practical. Originally housed in an office on Greene Street, CEHMM created a wide range of advanced programs including the development of technology for the use of algae as a feedstock for biofuels and byproducts, biomonitoring for avian influenza and West Nile viruses, cooperative conservation of species listed as warranted , but excluded from listing under the federal Endangered Species Act.
In 2006, CEHMM began working on the Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Candidate Conservation Agreements in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and ranching and industry partners. These voluntary agreements allow ranchers and industry to continue working on the landscape if a species is listed as threatened or endangered, while protecting them from being taken over. In 2007, CEHMM built two algae ponds through Department of Energy grants, which launched our research into biofuels. That year, CEHMM also conducted research into bird flu and the West Nile virus. In 2008, CEHMM completed the Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Candidate Conservation Agreements and began engaging stakeholders in the programs.
In 2009, CEHMM, in partnership with the City of Carlsbad, purchased an extraction unit to remove oil from algae and produce biodiesel. In 2010, we expanded CEHMM’s algae farm and were successful in producing algae oil from our factory. In 2011, we produced 200 gallons of algae biofuel, and the Conservation Agreements were able to fund habitat restoration projects to support the Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Dunes Sagebrush Lizard. In 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard did not warrant a listing under the Endangered Species Act, largely due to the success of CEHMM’s Candidate Conservation Agreement Programs and our conservation partners. In 2013, CEHMM developed our Environmental Services department, which aims to assist the industry with environmental permits. In 2015, CEHMM again began developing Candidate Conservation Agreements, this time in support of the Texas Hornshell Mussel, which makes its home in the Black and Delaware Rivers south of Carlsbad. In 2017, this agreement was developed and CEHMM began involving both livestock and industry partners in the programs.
CEHMM has grown tremendously since our founding and now operates from two offices in Carlsbad and one in Milnesand, New Mexico. Currently, CEHMM’s main focus is on conservation and environmental services, and we work closely with farmers and industry to keep landscape projects moving in the face of endangered species. Due to our current focus, we have begun changing our name to the Center for Environmental Health, Monitoring and Management. It is through our relationships and partnerships with industry, farmers and the local community that CEHMM has been so successful over the years. We thank everyone for your support and dedication to our programs.
CEHMM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Carlsbad, New Mexico. We are here to keep the industry on the ground running while at the same time making conservation efforts through cooperative conservation. For more information about how CEHMM can support your landscape activities, visit our website at www.cehmm.org or call the CEHMM office at 575-885-3700.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: CEHMM celebrates 20 years of success
