Mission

Public Notice: The New Mexico Environment Department-Surface Water Quality Bureau opens comment period for Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2026 Nationwide Permits.

The certification request is from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the 2026 Nationwide Permits (NWPs). The purpose of the NWPs is for the USACE to authorize categories of activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 that have no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. More information on the proposal to reissue the NWPs is available in June 18, 2025 Federal Register.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues CWA Section 404 permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material. The purpose of CWA Section 401 is to ensure the discharge will comply with state water quality standards. NMED has authority under CWA Section 401 to certify, certify with conditions, or deny certification of the permit. Procedures for certification of Section 404 permits are found at 20.6.2.2002 New Mexico Administrative Code.

The 30-day comment period on this certification request will open October 17, 2025, and will close November 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. MDT. This public notice and associated information are posted at the NMED Public Notice Webpage. Formal comments for inclusion in the public record must be submitted in writing via the NMED Public Comment Portal, or alternately in writing to:

Program Manager Watershed Protection Section
Surface Water Quality Bureau
New Mexico Environment Department
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5469
Email (preferred): wpsprogram.manager@env.nm.gov

For more information on the 2026 NWPs, please contact:
Alan Klatt
Watershed Protection Section
Surface Water Quality Bureau
New Mexico Environment Department
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5469
telephone: 505-819-9623
email: alan.klatt@env.nm.gov

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:
Alan Klatt
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502
telephone: 505-819-9623
email: alan.klatt@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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Aviso público: El Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México, Oficina de Calidad del Agua de Superficie, abre el período de comentarios para la Certificación de la Sección 401 de la Ley de Agua Limpia de los Permisos Nacionales 2026 del Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de los Estados Unidos.

La solicitud de certificación procede del Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de los Estados Unidos (USACE) para los Permisos Nacionales (NWP) de 2026. El objetivo de los NWP es autorizar por parte del USACE categorías de actividades en virtud del artículo 404 de la Ley de Agua Limpia y del artículo 10 de la Ley de Ríos y Puertos de 1899 que no tengan más que efectos adversos mínimos, tanto individuales como acumulativos, sobre el medio ambiente. Para obtener más información sobre la propuesta de reemisión de los NWPs, consulte el Registro Federal del 18 de junio de 2025.

El Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de los EE. UU. emite permisos de la Sección 404 de la CWA para la descarga de material de dragado o de relleno. El propósito de la Sección 401 de CWA es garantizar que la descarga cumpla con los estándares estatales de calidad del agua. El NMED tiene autoridad bajo la Sección 401 de la CWA para certificar, certificar con condiciones o denegar la certificación del permiso. Los procedimientos para la certificación de los permisos de la Sección 404 se encuentran en el Código Administrativo de Nuevo México 20.6.2.2002.

El período de comentarios de 30 días sobre esta solicitud de certificación se abrirá el 17 de octubre de 2025 y cerrará 17 de noviembre de 2025 a las 5:00 p.m. MDT. Este aviso público y la información asociada se ha publicade. Los comentarios formales para su inclusión en el registro público deben enviarse por escrito a través del Portal de comentarios públicos del NMED, o alternativamente por escrito a:

Gerente de Programa Sección de Protección de Cuencas Hidrográficas
Oficina de Calidad de Aguas Superficiales
Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5469
Correo electrónico: wpsprogram.manager@env.nm.gov

Para obtener más información sobre 2026 NWPs, comuníquese con:
Alan Klatt
Sección de Protección de Cuencas Hidrográficas
Oficina de Calidad de Aguas Superficiales
Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5469
teléfono: 505-819-9623
correo electrónico: alan.klatt@env.nm.gov

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:
Alan Klatt
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502
teléfono: 505-919-9657
correo electrónico: alan.klatt@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.

Public Notice: Los Alamos National Laboratory Hazardous Waste Facility Permit, EPA ID No. NM0890010515

Activity: The State of New Mexico is authorized to operate a hazardous waste management program in lieu of the federal program for most provisions of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Federal Facilities Compliance Act (FCCA) is codified in RCRA §6001. Under the authority of the New Mexico Hazardous Waste Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 74-4-1 to -14 (1953, as amended through 2018), and the New Mexico Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (20.4.1 NMAC), the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) may issue a Federal Facility Compliance Order (FFCO) to federal facilities located within New Mexico’s borders.

On October 4, 1995, NMED issued an FFCO to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and Regents of the University of California (UC) (collectively, the Respondents). Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) replaced UC as a co-operator in 2006. In 2019, Los Alamos Newport Nuclear BWXT-Los Alamos LLC, (N3B) and Triad National Security LLC (Triad) replaced LANS as the co-operators. The FFCO requires compliance with the Site Treatment Plan (STP) Compliance Plan Volume (CPV) for the treatment and disposal of mixed waste at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The Respondents must comply with the New Mexico Hazardous Waste Act, Sections 74-4-1 to -14 and Section 3012(b) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. §6939(c), as amended by the FFCA of 1992, Public Law 102-386, 106 Stat. 1505 (1992). In accordance with Section X, “Revisions” of the FFCO, all proposed or required revisions shall be made available to the public for review at appropriate locations.

Revisions to the FFCO include but are not limited to changes in the covered mixed waste inventories and compliance dates reported in the STP Fiscal Year (FY) Update reports received by NMED since the FFCO was issued on October 4, 1995.

NMED may: approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove; the proposed STP Update for fiscal year 2024, Revision 35.0.

Pending public input, NMED intends to approve the requested STP Update and Revision 35.0.

Availability:
The proposed permit modification is available for public review on weekdays between 8:00 am and
5:00 pm at:
NMED - Hazardous Waste Bureau
2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 1
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505-6313
or at the LANL STP website: https://www.env.nm.gov/hazardous-waste/lanl-ffco-stp/

For questions or comments please contact:
Siona Briley
NMED-Hazardous Waste Bureau,
2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 1, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505-6313
Telephone (505) 476-6000 or by e-mail at: siona.briley@env.nm.gov

The Permittee’s compliance history is available from the NMED contact person (Siona Briley) or at the web address listed above.

Owners, operators, and testers of petroleum storage tank systems, please email all required tank system test results to: PSTB.compliance@env.nm.gov with a copy to the facility inspector, if known, to allow for receipt and tracking of these reports. Report a suspected or confirmed leak or spill from a petroleum storage tank within 24 hours here (this includes failed or inconclusive test results). Send passing test results within 60 days of when they're done.

Please name the documents you send as follows:

[Facility ID#] [Owner ID#] [Facility name] [Type of Test] [Date of Test]

For example: 30211 53489 Jack’s Quick Mart ATG Test 2021-06-25

The facility ID# and Owner ID# are on the registration certificates you receive after you pay your tank fees every year or may be found in the storage tank lists available near the bottom of the main PSTB (Petroleum Storage Tank Bureau)  webpage, https://www.env.nm.gov/petroleum_storage_tank/.

Information that must be included in reports:

1. facility name and address;
   (2) facility ID number;
   (3) owner and operator name and address;
   (4) owner ID number;
   (5) date report was completed;
   (6) date of the test;
   AND MORE. See 20.5.107.715.D NMAC and others referred to below.

PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE TANK ID #

New Mexico's Petroleum Storage Tank Regulations are at 20.5 NMAC. You can look up different parts at https://www.srca.nm.gov/chapter-5-petroleum-storage-tanks/ or download the whole book here.

If you are unable to email required test results to PSTB.compliance@env.nm.gov, mail them to: Testing Results, PSTB, 2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 1, Santa Fe, NM 87505.The Petroleum Storage Tank Regulations (20.5 NMAC) that were adopted by the Environmental Improvement Board on May 25, 2018 and effective July 24, 2018 require that most test result reports be sent to the Petroleum Storage Tank Bureau:

• Storage tank system owners and operators must provide the department all reports as required in 20.5.107 NMAC within 60 days of completion of the tests (20.5.107.715.B NMAC). Owners and operators must report any failed tests or inspections to the department within 24 hours of completion of the test or inspection in accordance with 20.5.118 NMAC (20.5.107.715.C NMAC). 20.5.107.715.D NMAC lists what must be included in the reports. Similar requirements are outlined in 20.5.108.816 NMAC, 20.5.110.1016 NMAC, and 20.5.111.1112 NMAC.
• Failing or abnormal results of ANY test or monitoring result, including investigation of an alarm, are signs of a suspected release, and owners, installers, junior installers, and testers must report these within 24 hours both by sending them to PSTB.Compliance@env.nm.gov with a cc to the PSTB inspector AND by contacting the Leak of the Week listed here: https://cloud.env.nm.gov/waste/pages/download.php?direct=1&ref=13965&size=&ext=pdf or by calling (505) 827-9329 outside of state business hours if it's an emergency. Owners and operators must also investigate these suspected releases within seven (7) days of discovery and conduct appropriate testing, site check, etc. (20.5.118.1801 NMAC).
• Unless an owner or operator shows within 30 days that a release that was reported as a suspected release is not a release, it will be treated as a confirmed release, and you must comply with 20.5.118 NMAC and 20.5.119 or 120 NMAC, including taking corrective action, for confirmed releases.

Other requirements pertaining to testing of tanks include:

• A qualified tester must perform the first test or inspection of existing spill and overfill prevention equipment and interstitial monitoring containment sumps by July 24, 2021. (5.105 NMAC; 20.5.106.613 NMAC, 20.5.107.704, 707, & 714 NMAC, 20.5.108.811 & 813 NMAC, 20.5.109.910 NMAC, 20.5.110.1005 & 1015 NMAC).
• If you have a UST and/or piping that uses ATG (automatic tank gauging)(only allowed on USTs and/or piping installed before April 4, 2008), a qualified tester must test it at least annually by July 24, 2021 . (20.5.105 NMAC; 20.5.108.805 NMAC, 20.5.108.815 & 816 NMAC).

Helpful brochures to explain many requirements of the regulations are available at: https://www.env.nm.gov/petroleum_storage_tank/guidance-documents-ast-and-ust/

• Llene un recipiente limpio de vidrio o plastico sin olores, con al menos un cuarto de galon o un litro (32 oz) de su agua de pozo.
• Si la casa tiene un sistema de filtracion para toda la casa, recolecte el agua en la cabecera del pozo antes de cualquier sistema de filtracion o sistema de ablandador, si es posible.
• Deje correr el agua 2-3 minutos antes de recolectar la muestra.
• Recoja la muestra lo mas cerca posible del momento de la prueba.

• Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any odors, with at least a quart or liter (32 oz) of your well water.
• If the home has a whole house filtration system, collect the water at the well head prior to any filtration or softener systems, if possible.
• Let the water run 2-3 minutes before collecting the sample.
• Collect the sample as close to the time of testing as possible.