Mission

Our mission is to protect and restore the environment and to foster a healthy and prosperous New Mexico for present and future generations. We implement our mission guided by four tenets:

Science

Using the best available science to inform our decision-making in protecting public health and the environment.

Innovation

Employing creative engineering and technological solutions to address environmental challenges.

Collaboration

Engaging communities and interested stakeholders in environmental decision-making outcomes.

Compliance

Ensuring meaningful compliance with state regulations and permits; leveling the playing field through enforcement.

Non-Employee Discrimination Complaints

NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities. To learn more or to file a complaint, visit our Equity webpage.

Quejas por Discriminación de No-Empleados

El Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México (NMED, por su sigla en inglés) no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, discapacidad, edad o sexo en la administración de sus programas o actividades. Para obtener más información o para presentar una queja visite Equity webpage.

Happening Now

01 Sep

30-day Public Comment Period: DCP Operating Company LP/ Phillips 66 – Zia II Gas Plant Air Quality Operating Permit Application P270-R1

The 30-day comment period is open for this permit application. Visit the NMED website www.env.nm.gov and look for the Public Participation menu in the top right. Click Public Notices and look under Lea County to see documents related to this permitting application. Click Public Comment Portal on the Public Participation menu to submit comments or use the link below.
02 Oct

60-Day Public Comment Period: NMED Statement of Basis Material Disposal Area-C

5pm MST

The Department of Energy (DOE) submitted the Corrective Measures Evaluation Report for Material Disposal Area (MDA) C, Solid Waste Management Unit 50-009, at Technical Area 50, Revision 1 (CME), on June 30, 2021. The CME fulfills a proposed 2021 fiscal year Appendix B milestone under the Los Alamos National Laboratory 2016 Consent Order (CO).  The CME presented the results of the investigation activities and evaluated the remediation technology alternatives and also provided DOE’s preferred technology recommendation.  The CME evaluated five alternatives, including no activity, referred to in the CME as Alternatives 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4.  DOE recommended Alternative 3B, which is a combination of an evapotranspiration (ET) cover, soil-vapor extraction, and institutional controls.  TThis corrective measure would include the installation of an ET cover over Material Disposal Area (MDA) C to prevent precipitation from infiltrating into the MDA and transporting solid and liquid wastes into the environment.  The subsurface data indicates that VOCs and tritium have already been released into the environment and were proposed to be addressed with the installation of a soil vapor extraction system. 

In accordance with the 2016 Compliance Order on Consent (CO) Section XVII, NMED is selecting a remedy based on the information presented in the CME Report, and RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) reports.  NMED may choose a different remedy from what was recommended in the CME Report and is issuing this Statement of Basis and the public notice to provide an opportunity for public comment. 

For maximum protection of human health and the environment and to ensure that the drinking water resource can be conservatively protected, NMED has determined that the selected remedy for MDA C must consist of waste excavation, characterization, and appropriate disposal of the buried waste.  The selected remedy will also include an active and passive soil-vapor extraction (SVE) system to remove the VOC contamination detected in the soil pore gas, and plume monitoring and institutional controls.  Excavation will ensure that the source of contamination at MDA C is removed, and the SVE system will mitigate and control vadose zone vapor phase contamination.  Detailed information on this selection can be found in the Statement of Basis.

The Statement of Basis, the CME, and related documents along with the 2016 Consent Order, may be reviewed at the following location:

NMED—Hazardous Waste Bureau, 2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 1, Santa Fe, NM 87505-6303 or on the NMED website under Material Disposal Area C Statement of Basis at: https://www.env.nm.gov/hazardous-waste/lanl/.  

Should you need additional information regarding the Statement of Basis, please contact Neelam Dhawan at neelam.dhawan@env.nm.gov or at (505) 690-5469.  To obtain a copy of any of these documents, please contact NMED by calling (505) 476-6000.

NMED will accept public comment on the Statement of Basis for 60-days.  Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed Statement of Basis should submit written comments, along with their name and address, to the NMED Hazardous Waste Bureau, 2905 Rodeo Park Drive, Building 1, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505-6303. Electronically by sending comments to the NMED Public Comment Portal, or by email to neelam.dhawan@env.nm.gov.  Only written comments received by 5:00 p.m. MDT, November 6, 2023, will be considered by NMED in making a final decision.

03 Oct

Training: Basic Financial Management for Water Systems

6 – 8pm MDT
October 3rd 6 p.m.–8 p.m., 2.0 Operator or Board Credit hours offered (web based)
As a member of the governing body, you have very important financial responsibilities, including establishing financial policy, planning for the system’s financial future, preparation and adoption of budgets, monitoring and oversight of financial performance, and ensuring accountability and integrity of the financial system. The goal of good financial management is to ensure that your utility is operated as a financially sustainable enterprise while providing safe and reliable water, both in the short- and long-term, to your utility’s custom­ers. Topics include:
  • Developing financial policy
  • Reserve accounts recommended for water systems
  • Developing an annual budget
  • Accounting overview
  • Financial statements and reporting
04 Oct

St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day: Nambe Pueblo

Nambe Pueblo, St. Francis of Assisi Annual Feast Day. 
04 Oct

Reunión pública virtual sobre regulaciones para Autos Limpios Avanzados y Camiones Limpios Avanzados

4:30 – 6:30pm MDT

Reunión pública sobre las reglas propuestas para Autos Limpios Avanzados, Camiones Limpios Avanzados y Ómnibus de Bajo Óxido Nitroso (NOx). El personal de NMED facilitará esta reunión y responderá las preguntas de los asistentes.

04 Oct

Virtual Public Meeting on Advanced Clean Cars and Advanced Clean Trucks Regulations

4:30 – 6:30pm MDT
Public meeting on the proposed Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Trucks and Omnibus Low Nitrous Oxide (NOx) rules. NMED staff will facilitate this meeting and answer questions from attendees.
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