Purpose:
This committee is charged with protecting the environment and improving the safety and security of our surroundings in the Sandia Heights neighborhood, by staying abreast of any changes or potential impacts. The E&S Committee fosters communication with homeowners, local government, and other public entities, to achieve our goals, and makes recommendations to the SHHA Board as necessary. The committee also plays a role in educating residents about traffic, safety, security and environmental issues.
Contact the Committee Chair: ESCChair@sandiahomeowners.org
Bylaws Authorizing this Committee
See Section 7.2.7 of Bylaws
Charter
Committee Policies, Procedures, and Internal Working Documents
- None other than Charter
Links to other Committee-Relevant Pages
1. Wildfire Prevention, Home Hardening & Vegetation Risk Reduction
A. Home Hardening
- Ember-resistant vents and vent screening
- Safer roofing and siding materials
- Sealing eaves, soffits, gaps, and attic openings
- Fire-resistant decking and fencing options
- Removing combustible materials near the home
B. Defensible Space (0–100 ft Zones)
- Creating defensible space
- Creating defensible space for certification - not required yet by home insurance companies
- Dead tree and ladder fuel removal
- Pruning native vegetation for spacing
- Safely managing pine needle litter
- Clearing “ember catchers” near structures
- Relocating wood piles and propane tanks
- Seasonal maintenance schedules
C. Vegetation Management & Fuel Reduction
- Fire Wise Plant Materials
- Reducing overgrowth while protecting healthy vegetation
- Managing disturbed soil and invasives
- Annual fuel-lot review guidance
D. Tumbleweeds as Fire Fuel
- Tumbleweed accumulation hazards
- Preventing infestations on disturbed ground
- Community-wide prevention & seasonal cleanup
- Resident education on seed-cycle control
E. Wildfire Alerts & Evacuation Preparedness
- Ready–Set–Go education
- County/state alert systems (CodeRED, ReadyNM, WEA)
- Household evacuation kits
- Choke-point awareness on narrow SH roads
- Notifications for Red Flag Warnings
F. County Restrictions & Fire Behavior Awareness
- Open burning rules and burn bans
- Fireworks prohibitions
- High-wind fire danger periods
- USFS/Cibola restrictions and closures
2. Wildlife & Responsible Coexistence
A. Coexisting Safely with Wildlife
- Keeping Bears Alive - and You Safe!
- Living with Predators - Coyote and bobcat awareness
- Rattlesnake safety practices
- Deer, birds, small mammals
- Mice and Rats!
- Plague and Hantavirus
- Pet safety & outdoor practices
B. Covenant-Related Wildlife Protections
- Trash-bin rules (timing, bear season)
- No feeding wildlife
- Exterior lighting practices protecting nocturnal wildlife
3. Green Waste Management & Environmental Quality
A. Composting & Green Waste Management
- Backyard composting best practices
- Composting do’s and don’ts (to avoid wildlife)
- Community Compost Collection Service - Little Green Bucket
- Handling branches, needles, and vegetation safely
B. Environmental Quality
- Air quality alerts (ozone, dust, wildfire smoke)
- Light pollution and night-sky protection
- Noise pollution basics
4. Traffic & Pedestrian Safety
A. Road Safety & Driver Behavior
- Speed limit compliance on narrow, curvy roads
- Drag-racing or reckless driving reporting
- Seasonal hazards (monsoon, ice, snow)
- Safe driving in wildlife areas
B. Pedestrian, Cyclist & Shared-Road Awareness
- Pedestrian Rules of the Road
- Safe passing distances
- Cyclist and runner etiquette
- Leashed pets near roadsides
5. Community Safety, Security Coordination & Emergency Preparedness
A. Coordination with Sandia Heights Services (SHS)
- Daily patrol liaison
- Reporting patterns of incidents
- Reviewing SHS logs for recurring concerns
- Water main break or infrastructure incident coordination
B. Crime Prevention & Security Awareness
- Neighborhood Watch education
- Theft and break-in prevention tips
- Holiday-season or vacation-season alerts
- BCSO emergency vs non-emergency guidance
C. Emergency Preparedness
- Enrollment in County/State alert systems
- Household emergency planning
- Go-bags, medication lists, documentation
- Power outage preparation
- Evacuation coordination with SHS/BCSO