“Why are there so many roadside trash in Taos?” Susan Moller, Taos resident, asked this question in a Letter of the Editor published in the Taos News’ March 17 edition. Moller stated, Taos looks like Third World country because of all the trash.
She wants to know what Taos officials do in the future and the past to clean up all the litter.
It seems that quite a lot has been done, but Edward Martnez, Taos County Solid Waste Director, believes there could be more.
Martinez explained that we have eight transfer stations and two pueblos. We pick up $180 per pull, sometimes at each station. Martinez, who is on overtime leave, has been the sole driver for all 10 stations that they maintain daily.
Martinez said that Solid Waste operations are like any other, they were short on staff. All operations are managed by Lorenzo Gutierrez, Solid Waste Code Officer.
Martinez estimated that it costs $180 per transfer pull, or $600 per day. He also added Solid Waste pays Taos Regional Landfill $250,000 – $300,000 landfill fees per annum.
Volunteer trash clean-ups
There are two official trash clean ups: the annual Earth Day (April 22) and the River & Lands Cleanup in June. Gutierrez reported that over 2 tons was collected last year on Earth Day. He also stated that 80 hours and 80 bags were taken by community service workers in 2021.
Last year, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative offered lunch and supplies for volunteers who were cleaning NM-518 from Carson’s pullout over to Peasco.
Martinez said that Earth Day saw volunteers from Taos County (Amigos Bravos), TiLT(Taos Initiative For Life Together), Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and Unitarian Congregation of Taos among others.
Solid Waste used to have dumpsters in Ranchos (Questa, Arroyo Seco Arroyo Hondo and other areas, but they would overflow and we would have the same problem now, Martinez explained. Martinez also said that un-tarped loads are the biggest problem.
Taos County Sheriff Steve Miera stated Monday (March 28th) that deputies will ticket untarped loads. Although we won’t be out looking for it specifically, he said that if we see an un-tarped load we will pull you over to issue a ticket. (See the On The Books box). Untarred loads can result in fines of up to $40 and $300 respectively.
Miera also pointed out that, as usual, the Sheriffs office would be running speed enforcement operations in order to protect volunteers during roadside cleanups. He warns drivers to slow down.
Friday, April 22nd, 8-9 a.m. gathering
Bag lunches, safety t-shirts, trash bags, and a safety talk are all provided for roadside volunteers who clean up the area. You can stay as long as you like.
Sheriff deputies provide speed enforcement ops for volunteers protection.
Schools, churches, civic groups, and others interested in arranging lunches and supplies are encouraged to contact Lorenzo Gutierrez at 575-779-8941. Contact/text Lorenzo Gutierrez at 575-779-8941.
66-7-407. Loads on vehicles (1989)
A. A.
B. B.
1953 Comp. 64-7-407, enacted under Laws 1978, Ch. 35, 478; 1989, ch. 319, 10.
