U.S. Forest Service and Coop Argue Over Responsibility for the Las Conchas Fire
Posted on Sep 2, 2011 in Grid & Infrastructure, Land Use | Comments Off on U.S. Forest Service and Coop Argue Over Responsibility for the Las Conchas Fire
After determining that the Las Conchas fire in New Mexico was caused by a rotten tree falling onto power lines owned by Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, controversy has arisen over who should be held responsible. The coop has been maintaining its 20-foot easement along the path of the power line, but the tree in question fell from private property. The coop argues that it is the U.S. Forest Service’s job to address trees on private property that pose a threat to infrastructure like power lines. The Rio Grande Sun has more on this story.
