Decision Makers Field Guides

From 2001 to 2009, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources joined with several state and local governmental agencies and organizations to conduct a series of field conferences for influential New Mexico decision makers. The purpose of these conferences was to present decision makers with the opportunity to learn first-hand about geological problems, opportunities, and potential solutions from some of the state's top experts, and to hear impartial (or at least balanced) opinions regarding current scientific knowledge about these matters.

The conferences were accompanied by field guides, which contain a series of short articles written by noted authorities. The books provide a timely look at issues that affect every New Mexican, and remain a valuable educational resource long after the conferences are over. The guidebooks from all the conferences to date are available to the public as inexpensive printed books and as free PDF files.

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Water Natural Resources, and the Urban Landscape
Decision-Makers Field Guide 2009

Edited by L. Greer Price, Douglas Bland, Peggy S. Johnson, and Sean D. Connell

The 2009 field guide provides a broad overview of geologic and resource management issues related to the rapidly growing Albuquerque metropolitan area. The 23 individual papers, written for a general audience, address the most critical of these issues, including water supply strategies for the future, geologic hazards of the Albuquerque area, saline waters and deep, non-potable aquifers, and flood control challenges. Several articles provide a broad overview of the geology and hydrology of the Albuquerque region. 152 pages with full color photographs, maps, illustrations, diagrams, tables, and a separate fold out map of the draninage facilities in the Albuquerque Metropolitan area.

Download free by chapter in PDF format:
(requires version 8 or greater) Note that the electronic version excludes some material.

• Table of Contents (including Introduction) (1.75 MB)
• Chapter 1: The Physical and Historical Framework (5.53 MB)
• Chapter 2: The Middle Rio Grande Today (2.97 MB)
• Chapter 3: Current Issues on the Middle Rio Grande (5.05 MB)
• Chapter 4: A Vision of the Future (4.57 MB)
• Contributor Bios, Photography, Acronyms, Graphic Credits, geologic map (4.58 MB)
• Drainage Facilities in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area (fold out map - large original size) 2.49 MB
• Drainage Facilities in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area (fold out map - 11x17" tabloid size) 1.99 MB

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Water Resources of the Middle Rio Grande —San Acacia to Elephant Butte
Decision-Makers Field Guide 2007

Edited by L. Greer Price, Peggy S. Johnson, and Douglas Bland

There is no subject of greater interest to New Mexicans than water—where we get it, how we use it, and how it is managed. This volume provides a broad overview of issues related to water resources on the Middle Rio Grande. But this timely collection of 25 articles addresses critical issues of statewide importance, including: surface water management and infrastructure; the physical, biological, and historical framework; the legal challenges that lie ahead; agricultural-to-urban water transfers; opportunities for long-term bosque preservation; and forging a stustainable water policy for the Middle Rio Grande. 140 pages with full color photographs, maps, illustrations, diagrams, and tables throughout.

Download free by chapter in PDF format:
(requires version 6 or greater) Note that the electronic version excludes some material.

• Table of Contents including Introduction (480 KB)
• Chapter 1: The Physical and Historical Framework (1.7 MB)
• Chapter 2: The Middle Rio Grande Today (848 KB)
• Chapter 3: Current Issues on the Middle Rio Grande (1.6 MB)
• Chapter 4: A Vision of the Future (392 KB)
• Contributor Bios, Photography, and Graphic Credits, Acronyms (368 KB)

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Mining in New Mexico—The Environment, Water, Economics, and Sustainable Development
Decision-Makers Field Guide 2005

Edited by L. Greer Price, Douglas Bland, Virginia T. McLemore, and James M. Barker

Mining has played a significant role in the history and develop- ment of New Mexico and continues to play an important role in the state's economic prosperity. The future of this industry will depend upon achieving a balance between our needs and desires, the changing economy, and our growing concern over environmental and social issues. This anthology of 30 articles is a timely look at some of those science and policy issues. 176 pages with tables, diagrams, maps, and color photographs throughout.

Download free by chapter in PDF format:
(requires version 6 or greater)

• Table of Contents including Introduction (1.23 MB)
• Chapter 1: The Physical and Historical Framework (3.97 MB)
• Chapter 2: Environmental and Water Quality Issues (7.39 MB)
• Chapter 3: Policy, Economics, and The Regulatory Framework (1.87 MB)
• Chapter 4: A Look to The Future (1.25 MB)
• Contributor bios, Photo credits, Acronyms, Geologic Timeline (647 KB)

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Water Resources of the Lower Pecos Region, New Mexico—Science, Policy, and a Look to the Future
Decision-Makers Field Guide 2003

Edited by Peggy S. Johnson, Lewis A. Land, L. Greer Price, and Frank Titus

Water in New Mexico is a complex and important issue. Nowhere is that more true than on the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico. This anthology of 30 short articles is a timely look at water issues along the Pecos River, from Sumner Lake to the Texas state line. Produced in conjunction with the third annual Decision-Makers Field Conference in October 2003, this volume is an authoritative look at the historical framework and a summary of where we are—and where we're going—on the Pecos River in New Mexico. 145 pages, tables, graphs, and illustrations, color photographs, and page-size maps.

Download the free PDF (12.13 MB)
Note that the electronic version excludes some material.

Or download by chapter in PDF format:
(requires version 6 or greater):

• Table of Contents only (110 KB)
• Introduction: Includes the Table of Contents (536 KB)
• Chapter 1: The Physical Framework ( 5.95 MB)
• Chapter 2: The Historical and Legal Framework (775 KB)
• Chapter 3: Current Issues (2.87 MB)
• Chapter 4: Solutions, Technology, and a Look to the Future (2.45 MB)

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New Mexico's Energy, Present and Future—Policy, Production, Economics, and the Environment
Decision-Makers Field Guide 2002, San Juan Basin

Edited by Brian S. Brister and L. Greer Price

New Mexico, with some of the most significant energy reserves in the lower 48 states, is a major player in this country's conventional energy production. The state also has enormous potential for developing significant renewable/alternative energy resources, including solar and wind. This anthology of 30 articles is a timely look at how energy works in New Mexico today, with an eye toward the promises and challenges that lie ahead. Produced in conjunction with the second annual Decision-Makers Field Conference in may 2002, this volume is an important contribution to the literature on energy in New Mexico. 152 pages, 47 tables, graphs, and illustrations, 32 color photographs, and 23 page-size maps.

or Download the free PDF (5.7 Mb)
Note that the electronic version excludes some photo material.

Or download by chapter in PDF format:
(requires version 6 or greater)

• Table of Contents(29 Kb)
  
  • Introduction: Includes the Table of Contents (485 Kb)
  • Chapter 1: Background Geology of the San Juan Basin (3 Mb)
  • Chapter 2: Oil and Natural Gas Energy (1.8 Mb)
  • Chapter 3: Coal Energy and Electric Generation (1.3 Mb)
  • Chapter 4: Renewable Energy, Efficiency, and Conservation (418 Kb)
  • Chapter 5: Mutiple Land Use (2.1 Mb)

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Water, Watersheds, and Land Use in New Mexico: Impacts of Population Growth on Natural Resources-Santa Fe Region
Decision-Makers Field Guide 2001

Edited by Peggy S. Johnson

This volume was produced to accompany the first annual New Mexico Decision-Makers Earth Science Field Conference held in Santa Fe, May 2001; however, it offers to the public at large important reference material for the natural-resource public-policy questions that confront state and local governments. Authors, who are among the most technically knowledgeable in the Southwest, present current, accurate, and unbiased information in a collection of 55 short articles that answer water- and resource- management. 160 pages, 13 tables, 37 illustrations, 44 color photographs, and 34 page-size maps. ISBN 1-883905-08-7

Out of Print. Download the free PDF (15.2 MB)
Note that the PDF version excludes some material.

Or download by chapter in PDF format
(requires version 6 or greater):

• Table of Contents (Includes Introduction) (51 KB)
  
  • Day 1: The Pajarito Plateau — Earth, Water, and Fire (5.0 MB)
  • Day 2: The Santa Fe River — Headwaters to the Rio Grande (2.9 MB)
  • Day 3: The Middle Rio Grande — Impacts of Growth on Water Resources (7.0 MB)