Title
Supplemental Agreement to Existing Grant of Easement No. M24NA70474 within Los Alamos County to include Tracts A and C in the Vicinity of the Community of White Rock
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve a supplemental agreement to existing Grant of Easement No. M24NA70474 within Los Alamos County to include Tracts A and C in the Vicinity of the Community of White Rock.
County Manager Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Body
In 2002, the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) conveyed Tract A-19 to Los Alamos County under PL 105-119. The quitclaim deed included several perpetual easements, however the easement for the 115kV Norton Transmission line was non-exclusive and the fence was not identified in the quitclaim deed. A portion of the fence has been removed to access a public trail along the easement right of way. This poses a safety and security concern due to public access to the high voltage Norton Transmission Line as well as potential for unauthorized trespass into LANL TA-54.
At the request of DOE/NNSA, easement No. M24NA70474 was approved by County Council on August 27, 2024, to the United States of America, acting by and through the DOE/NNSA. This easement was granted for the purpose of constructing, operating, maintaining, and repairing a LANL boundary fence along the Norton Transmission Line. This fence and provisions for future maintenance mitigated safety and security risks by preventing public access into the easement. (See Attachment A).
Following granting of this easement, the DOE/NNSA identified additional areas immediately to the west and requested an amendment to the easement to include these areas behind the Mirador development. This amendment is for the same purpose, of constructing, operating, maintaining, and repairing a LANL boundary fence along the Norton Transmission Line. (See Attachment B)
Like the original easement, this amendment will be granted perpetually and is assignable and may be terminated in accordance with terms in the easement.
Attachments
A - Original Grant of Easement
B - Supplemental Agreement to Easement No. M24NA70474