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Buckman board approves renewed MOU with Los Alamos National Lab to continue early‑notification system
Summary
The Buckman Direct Diversion Board approved a revised three‑year memorandum of understanding with Los Alamos National Laboratory/DOE on Dec. 4, 2025, to maintain an early‑notification system for high flows and potential contaminants; the MOU does not include sampling funding, and staff will continue seeking funding options.
On Dec. 4, 2025, the Buckman Direct Diversion Board voted to approve a revised memorandum of understanding with Los Alamos National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to continue an early‑notification system (ENS) near LA Pueblo Canyon that provides streamflow data and alerts to BDD operators.
Staff described the revised three‑year MOU as an update to an earlier agreement that improves the functionality of the gauge near the confluence of LA Pueblo Canyon and the Rio Grande, clarifies reporting to the publicly available Intellus database and updates map exhibits. The MOU as presented does not obligate LANL to provide sampling funding; staff said they are working on alternative options to secure sampling support.
Brad, the facilities manager, told the board that LANL "has also negotiated in good faith by running the ENS system while this MOU wasn't in place this last year," and said the parties have cooperated to ensure data availability when events occur. Board members asked about a force‑majeure clause that allows LANL to use alternative techniques if stations are destroyed or operational costs are excessive; staff said the clause is intended to preserve the objective of delivering timely streamflow data to permit intake shutdowns as required. The staff presentation also noted the gauge improvements will require consultation with the Pueblos that hold the land where the gauge sits; the Pueblos are not parties to the MOU but staff have made informal inquiries.
A motion to approve the MOU was moved and seconded, and the chair recorded the approval as unanimous for the record. Board members discussed dispute‑resolution language, timing for equivalent streamflow data, and the lack of sampling funding in the current document. Staff said LANL had operated the ENS system during the prior year while negotiations continued and that they will continue to pursue funding for sampling through LANL and other options.
The board approved the MOU and directed staff to continue discussions about sampling funding and to return with updates as they develop.
