Identifying and Preserving Wildlife Tracks

The following CES publication has been reissued and is now available online in PDF format. Circular 561: Identifying and Preserving Wildlife Tracks Reviewed by Sam Smallidge, Extension Wildlife Specialist LINK CORRECTION! http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR561.pdf To order printed copies, you will need to submit the PDF to the printer for processing.

Behavioral Health Resources on Zika

Behavioral Health Resources on Zika Since news about the Zika virus broke early this year, hundreds of travel-related cases in the continental United States and mosquito-borne cases in U.S. territories have been reported, including in pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that infection with the virus during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other birth defects. The developing news and updates may cause stress and anxiety for some. To help pregnant women, their families, those who work outdoors primarily, and the public, the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) has created resources you can use to learn about how to cope with feelings of anxiety caused by Zika, and understand the risks to you and your family. • Behavioral Health Resources on Zika: This special section of the SAMHSA DTAC website provides tips and resources about reducing stress and anxiety related to Zika. • Zika Virus Resources DBHIS Installment: This installment of the SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) focuses on the behavioral health aspects of Zika virus disease. It offers guidance to public officials developing and delivering appropriate messages about Zika to support the best possible public health outcomes. • Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks: This tip sheet explains common signs of stress, how to recognize when to get help, and practical ways to manage and relieve the stress by taking care of oneself. It is also available in Spanish. Watch for more SAMHSA DTAC materials on the Zika virus and other disasters and public health emergencies by signing up to receive the SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin

Section 18 request for Closer - Sulfoxaflor on pecans to control aphids (16NM01)

Section 18 request for Closer - Sulfoxaflor on pecans to control aphids (16NM01) The NMDA specific exemption (16NM01) for use of sulfoxaflor (Closer) on pecans to control aphids is currently under review. The Agency’s Biological Economic and Analysis Division (BEAD) has preliminarily reviewed your application. Additional information is needed from the state to substantiate an urgent and non-routine emergency situation. The request is deficient in meeting the criteria for a section 18 request for the following reasons: 1) The black-margined aphid and black pecan aphid can reportedly be controlled by a number of active ingredients such as chlorpyrifos, clothianidin, pymetrozine, acetamiprid, and dimethoate (among others). These alternatives are not mentioned in the request. 2) Resistance management is not a criterion for a section 18 emergency exemption request; the situation does not appear to meet the thresholds for an emergency situation. While the absence of sulfoxaflor may be non-routine, the emergency situation does not appear urgent as there are alternative chemistries to control these pests. 3) The economic data are insufficient to determine significant economic loss. NMDA did not provide any information on: • yields with sulfoxaflor (routine situation) and with the best available alternative (necessary for Tier 1 analysis), • prices (if needed, for Tier 2 analysis) to estimate revenue and distinguish any quality impacts between use of sulfoxaflor and the best available alternative, and • production costs (if needed for Tier 3 analysis) which might include changes in cost with the use of an alternative or additional sorting costs if there are quality impacts. At your earliest convenience, please respond via email to the request for more data detailed above. This data will support your application that EPA received on 6/24/16. (1) Provide more information on why these other active ingredients (registered alternatives) are insufficient to control black pecan aphid and black margined aphid? (2) Provide more information on economic loss from the absence of sulfoxaflor? Without this information, it will be difficult for the Agency to determine if an emergency situation exists. Thanks,

Heat related illness prevention

Subject: Heat Illness Prevention 2016 It’s summer and with the increasing summer heat, it is important to review the precautions to prevent heat related illnesses, which can occur when the body is unable to cool itself efficiently. Heat illnesses are serious medical conditions that can lead to death if the body’s core temperature is not cooled down promptly. The risks are particularly high for individuals who work outdoors. Personal factors such as chronic health conditions, age, prescription medications, etc. can also inhibit the body’s ability to cool itself during warm weather. Employees should know the illness symptoms and prevention methods when working outside 1. Heat Illness Symptoms Early Symptoms – Heat Exhaustion • Fatigue • Heavy sweating • Headache, Cramps, Dizziness • High pulse rate • Nausea or vomiting First Aid / Emergency What to do • Move to cooler location • Lie down, loosen clothing • Apply cool, wet cloths • Sip water • If vomiting, seek medical attention immediately Life-threatening Symptoms – Heat Stroke • High body temperature (above 103 F) • Red, hot, and dry skin • Confusion • Convulsions • Fainting First Aid / Emergency What to do • Call 911 immediately – this is medical emergency • Move to cooler location • Reduce body temp with cool cloths, ice, bath, etc. • Do NOT give fluids 2. Heat Illness Prevention Measures • Drink water frequently, every 15 minutes. Drink one quart (4 cups) of water per hour while in the heat. Don’t wait until you get thirsty. • Wear light-weight/loose-fitting clothing. Include bandana; UV-absorbent sunglasses; and a wide brimmed hat or cap. • Take frequent breaks. Five (5) minute breaks in the cool shade or inside an air-conditioned building will allow the body to recover quickly from heat stress. • Wear sunscreen. A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays. • Be mindful of medication side effects. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if there are any adverse effects to being in the sun/heat while on prescription medication. Posters have been placed in several facilities on main campus, and are available on the http://safety.nmsu.edu (links below). If you, your staff or researchers work outdoors or are exposed to the summer heat for extended periods, please print, review and distribute/post the following resources at http://safety.nmsu.edu/2016/06/its-hot-outside/ : • “It Hot Outside” - CDC Extreme Heat Brochure (brochure on EHS website, more CDC info http://www.cdc.gov/features/extremeheat/) • “Water Rest Shade” - OSHA Heat Safety Fact Sheet (on EHS website) • More heat stroke information at https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000056.htm, http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/heat-stroke-treatment Supervisors are expected to ensure water availability, shade & rest breaks, an understand of the illness hazards and symptoms, and an emergency plan (what to do in a heat illness emergency). Please contact Environment, Health & Safety with any questions, concerns or requests for more information. David L. Shearer, Assistant Director, NMSU Environmental Health & Safety, Phone: 575-646-3327 EH&S web - http://safety.nmsu.edu Unprinted email is more sustainable. If you must print,'double side it'.

Nationla Drought Information

The National Drought Mitigation Center’s May 2016 Drought and Impact Summary is now available at http://drought.unl.edu/NewsOutreach/MonthlySummary/May2016DroughtandImpactSummary.aspx May highlights: In May, a steady improvement in conditions in northern California and western Nevada led to a reduction of extreme (D3) and severe (D4) drought in these areas, but below-normal precipitation in Tennessee, northern Alabama, and northern Georgia caused an expansion of moderate drought (D1) and an introduction of severe drought (D2). Deborah Wood National Drought Mitigation Center University of Nebraska-Lincoln 817 Hardin Hall 3310 Holdrege St. Lincoln, NE 68583-0988

Guide H-258: Field Production of Organic Chile

Guide H-258: Field Production of Organic Chile By Charles Havlik (Senior Research Assistant, Ag. Sci. Center at Los Lunas), Kulbhushan Grover (Associate Professor, Dept. of Extension Plant Sciences), Paul W. Bosland (Regents Professor, Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences), and Stephanie J. Walker (Extension Vegetable Specialist, Dept. of Extension Plant Sciences) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H258.pdf

Scientists Confer on Effects of Colorado Mine Spill

Scientists Confer on Effects of Colorado Mine Spill by Jane Moorman, NMSU News Service (Published in the Albuquerque Journal, June 6, 2016) FARMINGTON – Nine months after mining sludge from the Gold King Mine turned the Animas and San Juan rivers yellow, scientists and researchers gathered here recently to share what they have learned so far regarding the contamination of the rivers from the spill in August 2015. “Immediately during and after the Gold King Mine spill, different groups started monitoring the river water, shores and irrigation systems,” said Sam Fernald, director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute at New Mexico State University. “As they have gathered data, they realized there are a lot of questions about the history of the watersheds, the natural state of the rivers, and the long-term impact. They immediately came up with all of these questions beyond the initial response,” Fernald said. The conference last month at San Juan College was a time for 150 scientists from state and federal agencies, New Mexico universities, Native American tribes and numerous cities and counties to exchange information from their early stages of research. While the spill sparked fear among those whose livelihood depends on the water, it has proven to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the scientists. “This was a historic event,” said Kevin Lombard, a horticulturalist stationed at NMSU’s Agricultural Science Center at Farmington who is conducting two studies regarding the impact of the spill on the agricultural land. “We have the opportunity to record the impact of the contaminants that were in the mining sludge.” Recording of the impact is proving to be a collaboration of researchers. “We have a common goal of figuring out what the questions are and figuring out how to address them and how to get the information out to the public,” Fernald said. Since the spill, the scientists have gathered data regarding river water quality before, during and after the spill; private wells accessing groundwater; the impact of the water quality on the fish; and the impact of irrigated river water on the agricultural land. The greatest challenge is the perception of health risks that the spill caused. The early finding is that the levels of heavy metals being monitored are within federal standards. Only when rainwater increases the rivers’ water levels do the metal levels increase briefly from the riverbank contamination in Colorado. Conference collaborators in the long-term monitoring include the NM Water Resources Research Institute, the state Environment Department, NMSU, UNM, New Mexico Tech, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District, San Juan Watershed Group, San Juan County, the City of Aztec and the City of Farmington.