Our sand volleyball courts are done! Please go check them out off of Park Drive near the Carlsbad Beach Area. Special thanks to Steven McCutcheon and MHAT for donating services, the Bureau of Land Management for their extensive assistance and our City of Carlsbad crews for their hard work. We recommend that our local sporting goods stores all consider restocking on their volleyballs. We also look forward to a time in the future when we can schedule a special match between the Carlsbad Fire Department and the Carlsbad Police Department.
Pickleball courts are also under construction and will be completed by the middle of February. We are also adding shuffleboard and cornhole boards on the other side of the river near the golf course.
Chevron is also doing its part in supporting another park in Carlsbad, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. The oil and gas company recently announced that it donated $100,000 to Friends of the Living Desert. According to a press release, these funds will be used to make energy efficiency upgrades to the park’s visitor’s center, as well as ADA upgrades and repairs to the park’s 1.3-mile path.
More:President Joe Biden halts oil and gas leases, permits on federal land and water
As with many local organizations, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park has faced numerous challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The state park features more than 50 species of animals who were rehabilitated or were born in captivity and not able to fend for themselves. The Living Desert is one of many reasons why Carlsbad recently topped Expedia’s list of scenic southwest cities, and is a popular spot for many Carlsbad families. Thanks again to Chevron for this generous donation.
Less positive news was the recent federal executive order announcing a 60-day suspension of new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on U.S. land, and right when things seemed to be picking up. The Interior Department did not limit existing oil and gas operations under valid leases, and many companies have stockpiled drilling permits, so much of the work going on in our oilfields will hopefully continue for some time.
We call upon all of New Mexico’s elected officials to oppose all proposals that go in the direction of eliminating drilling on public lands. Such an outcome would only punish poorer states such as New Mexico by moving more operations over to states with more privately-owned land, such as Texas. Environmental efforts must always be balanced with consideration of economics and fairness.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway
