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.

Tribal Liaison

The Tribal Liaison coordinates and oversees agency activities that may impact New Mexico’s tribes, nations and pueblos.

Border Liaison

Border Liaison: the States of New Mexico and Chihuahua have many ways we work together and communicate on environmental media in the Border Area.

Happening Now

15 Oct

30-day Public Comment Period: Civitas Permian Operating, LLC-Cold Snack CTB Air Quality Construction Permit Application 9923M3

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 Eddy 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.
15 Oct

Public comment period: 401 Certification of the Ranchland Utility Company WWTP NPDES NM0030368/ Periodo de comentario publico para la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de empresa de servicios públicos de los ranchos NPDES NM0030368

The NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau opens the comment period for Clean Water Act 401 Certification of the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the Ranchland Utility Company Wastewater Treatment Plant, NPDES permit # NM0030368.

This is a notification that EPA’s public notice and associated federal comment period have been opened for the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Ranchland Utility Company Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTP), NPDES permit number NM0030368.

Additionally, NMED has opened the simultaneous comment period for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification of the draft NPDES permit.

When EPA Region 6 drafts a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for a discharge into one of New Mexico’s surface waters, NMED has an opportunity to assure that the discharge will not negatively affect the receiving waterbodies. This is documented through the 401 Certification and is required in accordance with state regulations at 20.6.2.2001 NMAC. NMED can make the draft permit more stringent if based on state law or can make comments to EPA for consideration in the final permit. NMED also has the authority to deny certification if the permitting circumstances will not guarantee that the discharge will meet water quality standards. 

The facility is located at 146 Avenida del Sur, City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico. The discharges from the facility are to the Canada del Rancho in Segment 20.6.4.98 NMAC, thence to Arroyo Hondo, thence to Cienega Creek, and thence to the Santa Fe River of the Rio Grande Basin in Santa Fe County, New Mexico.

The draft permit, draft fact sheet/statement of basis, and other associated information can be found at the EPA public notice website and the NMED public notice website.

EPA has included the Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) monitoring requirements based on the memo from EPA headquarters addressing PFAS discharges in NPDES Permits and through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Programs.

For this facility, if you have comments that you would like NMED to consider as the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification is drafted, please submit them using the NMED Public Comment Portal or send them to:
     Susan A. Lucas Kamat, Program Manager
     NMED SWQB Point Source Regulation Section
     PO Box 5469
     Santa Fe, NM 87502
     telephone 505-946-8924
     email psrs.program.manager@env.nm.gov
Tutorial videos on how to use the Public Comment Portal are available in both English and Spanish.

NMED SWQB will accept written comments until the end of the business day (5pm MST) on Monday, October 28, 2024.

Individuals who submit public comments will be added to the NMED email listserv.

Persons who need language services (e.g., assistance for an interpreter) or persons with disabilities who need services to participate in this public process should contact:
     Susan A. Lucas Kamat
     PO Box 5469
     Santa Fe, NM 87502
     telephone (505) 946-8924
     email susan.lucaskamat@env.nm.gov

TDD or TTY users please access the number via the New Mexico Relay Network, 1-800-659-1779 (voice); TTY users: 1-800-659-8331.
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Anuncio del aviso público sobre el Certificación de la Sección 401 de la Ley de Aguas Limpias

Esta es una notificación de que el aviso público de la EPA y el período federal asociado de comentarios han sido abiertos para el borrador de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de la empresa de servicios públicos de ranchos, número de permiso NPDES NM0030368. Además, NMED ha abierto el período simultáneo de comentarios para la Certificación de la Sección 401 de la Ley de Agua Limpia del borrador del permiso del Sistema Nacional de Eliminación de Descargas de Contaminantes (NPDES, por sus siglas en inglés) mencionado anteriormente.

Cuando la Región 6 de la EPA redacta un permiso del Sistema Nacional de Eliminación de Descargas de Contaminantes (NPDES, por sus siglas en inglés) para una descarga en aguas superficiales de Nuevo México, se requiere que NMED concuerde con que la descarga no afectará negativamente a los cuerpos de agua receptores. Esto se documenta a través de la certificación 401 y se requiere de acuerdo con 20.6.2.2001 NMAC. NMED puede hacer que el borrador del permiso sea más estricto si se basa en la ley estatal o puede hacer comentarios a la EPA para su consideración en el permiso final. NMED también tiene la autoridad para denegar la certificación si las circunstancias de los permisos no garantizan que la descarga cumpla con los estándares de calidad del agua.

La instalación está ubicada en 146 Avenida del Sur en el Ciudad de Santa Fe en el condado de Santa Fe en Nuevo México. Las descargas de la instalación son a la Canada del Rancho en el segmento 20.6.4.98 NMAC, de ahí al Arroyo Hondo, de ahí al Arroyo Ciénega, de ahí al Rio Santa Fe en la cuenca del Río Grande en el condado de Santa Fe en Nuevo México.

El permiso, la hoja de datos/declaración de base y otra información relacionada se pueden encontrar en los siguientes sitios web del EPA y sitios web del NMED.

La EPA ha incluido los requisitos de monitoreo de sustancias perfluoradas y polifluoradas (PFAS) con base en el memorando de la sede de la EPA que aborda las descargas de PFAS en los permisos NPDES y a través del programa de pretratamiento y los programas de monitoreo.

Si usted tiene algún comentario sobre esta instalación que desea que el NMED considere al redactar la Certificación de la Ley de Aguas Limpias, Sección 401, sírvase envíelos utilizando el Portal de Comentarios Públicos de NMED o enviarlo a:
     Susan A. Lucas Kamat, Program Manager
     NMED SWQB Point Source Regulation Section
     PO Box 5469
     Santa Fe, NM 87502
     teléfono 505-946-8924
     correo electrónico psrs.program.manager@env.nm.gov
Los videos tutoriales sobre cómo usar el Portal de comentarios públicos están disponibles en inglés y español.

NMED SWQB aceptará comentarios escritos hasta el final del día hábil a las (5 p.m. MST) del lunes, 28 de octubre de 2024.

Las personas que envíen comentarios públicos serán añadidas a la lista de correo electrónico de NMED.

Las personas que necesiten asistencia de lenguaje (por ejemplo, asistencia para un intérprete) o las personas que tengan una discapacidad o que necesiten ayuda para participar en este proceso público deberán comunicarse con:
     Susan A. Lucas Kamat
     PO Box 5469
     Santa Fe, NM 87502
     teléfono (505) 946-8924
     correo electrónico susan.lucaskamat@env.nm.gov

Los usuarios de TDD o TTY pueden acceder al número a través de la red de retransmisión de Nuevo México, 1-800-659-1779 (voz); usuarios de TTY: 1-800-659-8331.
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The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. If you have any questions about any of the NMED’s non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact:
     Kate Cardenas, NMED’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator
     1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050
     P.O. Box 5469
     Santa Fe, NM 87502
     telephone (505) 827-2855
     email nd.coordinator@env.nm.gov

If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our website to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

El Departamento del 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, según lo exigido por las leyes y los reglamentos correspondientes. Si tiene preguntas sobre cualquier programa de no discriminación, norma o procedimiento de NMED, puede comunicarse con:
     Kate Cardenas, la Coordinadora de No Discriminación de NMED
     1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050
     P.O. Box 5469
     Santa Fe, NM 87502
     teléfono (505) 827-2855
     correo electrónico nd.coordinator@env.nm.gov

Si piensa que ha sido discriminado con respecto a un programa o actividad de NMED, puede comunicarse con la Coordinadora de No Discriminación antes indicada o visitar nuestro sitio web para saber cómo y dónde presentar una queja por discriminación.

15 Oct

30-Day Public Comment Period: SNL Proposed Revision 17 of the FFCO STP CPV

5pm MDT
On October 4, 1995, NMED issued a Federal Facility Compliance Order (FFCO) to the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and Sandia Corporation (Sandia) for the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Facility. DOE/NNSA is the owner, and Sandia Corporation is the operator of SNL. The FFCO requires a Site Treatment Plan (STP) Compliance Plan Volume (CPV) for the treatment and disposal of mixed waste generated at SNL. Mixed waste is waste that contains both hazardous and radioactive components.

Revision No. 17 comprises two Parts: X.C.2.a and X.C.2.b. If approved, revisions under Part X.C.2.a would set a new Compliance Date for all treatment technologies and associated treatability groups (TG) of December 31, 2028. The current STP CPV Compliance Dates will expire in December 2024; therefore, setting new Compliance Dates is necessary.

If approved, revisions under Part X.C.2.b will establish a Compliance Date for the current and future inventory MTRU Waste that is destined for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). As WIPP is currently accepting MTRU wastes on a limited basis, the Compliance Date for the treatment and disposal of all waste in this TG will be set to December 31, 2028.
15 Oct

30-day Public Comment Period: ET Gathering & Processing, LLC – Jal No. 3 Gas Plant Air Quality Operating Permit Application P090R4

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.
15 Oct

30-day Public Comment Period: Southwest Cheese Company – Clovis Plant Air Quality Operating Permit Application P280M3

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 Curry 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.
15 Oct

Board Basics: The Safe Drinking Water Act

11am – 1pm MDT
10:00AM to 12:00PM ∙ Online
or
2:00PM to 4:00PM ∙ Online
 
2 California Drinking Water Contact Hours awarded.
 
Participants will learn:
The basis for SDWA and the related U.S. code and federal regulations
How drinking water events correspond with amendments to the SDWA
How to look-up drinking water regulations under development and review
 
The recommended audience includes all water system operators and managers.
16 Oct

Rate Setting

11am – 1pm MDT
10:00AM to 12:00PM ∙ Online
or
2:00PM to 4:00PM ∙ Online
 
2 California Drinking Water Contact Hours awarded.

Many systems’ governing bodies and management lack a basic understanding of how much money needs to be collected from customer rates to recover operating costs and fully fund debt service and reserve account funding. This training will be presented to provide attendees with working knowledge and emphasize tools/resources available to understand how to develop an adequate rate structure to provide the ability to meet short-term and long-term financial obligations. Finally, the workshop will cover the latest interpretations of Prop. 218 procedures and limitations in setting customer rates in California.
22 Oct

AB54 & AB240: Ethics for Mutual Water Company Board Members

11am – 1pm MDT
By law, all mutual water board members are required to have two hours of ethics training within six months of taking office and every six years following. 
 
October 22

10:00AM to 12:00PM ∙ Online
 
2 California Drinking Water Contact Hours awarded.
 ​
This training is designed to provide system longevity and ensure that board members meet their legal responsibilities. Required training topics include conflicts of interest, fiduciary responsibilities, Safe Drinking Water Act compliance, long-term financial management and capital improvement planning. We will also cover the AB240 Open Meeting Act requirements, which affect mutual water systems as of Jan. 1, 2014.

This workshop allows mutual water systems to comply with this regulation and helps prepare them to better govern their mutual water company. This workshop meets the legal requirement for board members ethics training under AB54.
22 Oct

Basic Financial Management for Water Systems

6 – 8pm MDT
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 drinking 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
• Regulatory Reporting
• Financial Statements
01 Jan

MGT-343: Disaster Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities

5pm MDT
Course Description:  The Disaster Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities course is designed to provide training to water and wastewater professionals on issues concerning preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural or man-made disasters that threaten water and wastewater facilities and systems.

This course introduces the various natural and man-made (accidental or intentional) hazards to which water and wastewater systems may be vulnerable and the potential effects of hazards. Planning for and managing incidents are discussed, as well as disaster mitigation, response, and recovery specific to drinking water and wastewater systems. Participants are guided through portions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Response Protocol Toolbox (RPTB) to identify steps in the response and recovery processes. Case studies on a variety of disaster incidents, as well as hypothetical situations for water and wastewater incidents, are examined. Participants are also given the opportunity to practice developing a disaster response and recovery plan for a disaster affecting a drinking water or wastewater facility or system.
 
Course Objectives
Determine all-hazard threats that might affect water or wastewater systems
Practice disaster planning and management for water and wastewater incidents
Identify methods to mitigate disasters that threaten water and wastewater facilities and systems
Determine appropriate response actions to an actual or threatened incident
Demonstrate developing a disaster recovery plan

Note: This is a two-day course. It will begin on Wednesday, October 31st from 8 AM - 5 PM and continue the following day, Thursday, October 31st from 8 AM - 5 PM. 
 
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