Mission

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 ChevronMining, Inc. McKinley Mine, permit # NN0029386.

This is a notification that EPA’s public notice and associated federal comment period have opened for the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Chevron Mining, Inc. McKinley Mine, Mine, permit # NM0029386. Additionally, NMED has opened the simultaneous comment period for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification of the draft NPDES permit.

When EPA Region 9 drafts an 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 approximately 24 miles northwest of Gallup, New Mexico, on Highway 264, in McKinley 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.

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
P.O. 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 MDT) on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Individuals who submit public comments will be added to the NMED 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
P.O. 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 abierto para el permiso borrador preliminar de la mina McKinley de Chevron Mining, Inc., número de permiso del Sistema Nacional de Eliminación de Descargas de Contaminantes (NPDES, por sus siglas en inglés) NN0029386. Además, el Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México (NMED, por sus siglas en inglés) 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 NPDES mencionado anteriormente.

Cuando la Región 9 de la EPA redacta un permiso del NPDES 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 aproximadamente a 24 millas al noroeste de Gallup, Nuevo México, en la Carretera 264, en el condado de McKinley, Nuevo México.

• El Porvenir Creek (SFNF bnd to Hollinger Canyon) – Plant nutrients, temperature
• Gallinas River (Aguilar Creek to USGS Gage 08382000) – E. coli, plant nutrients, temperature, turbidity
• Gallinas River (Pecos Arroyo to Las Vegas Diversion) – Plant nutrients
• Gallinas River (USGS Gage 08382000 to Pecos Arroyo) – Plant nutrients
• Glorieta Ck (Perennial prt Pecos R to Glorieta Camps WWTP) – Plant nutrients
• Indian Creek Subwatershed – Specific conductance
• Pecos River (Alamitos Canyon to Jack’s Creek) – Temperature
• Pecos River (Canon de Manzanita to Alamitos Canyon) – Plant nutrients
• Pecos River (Santa Rosa Reservoir to Tecolote Creek) – Plant nutrients
• Pecos River (Sumner Reservoir to Santa Rosa Reservoir) – E. coli, plant nutrients
• Pecos River (Tecolote Creek to Villanueva State Park) – Total recoverable aluminum, E. coli, turbidity
• Pecos River (Villanueva State Park to Cow Creek) – E. coli, turbidity
• Tecolote Creek (I-25 to Blue Creek) – E. coli
• Willow Creek Subwatershed – Sedimentation

• Mailed to all persons who submitted written comments by Monday, September 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; and
• Available electronically on the bureau’s website or by contacting Meredith Zeigler via email or phone number provided above.

• Beaver Creek (Rio de los Pinos to headwaters) – Temperature
• Canada Tio Grande (Rio San Antonio to headwaters) – E.coli, temperature
• Embudo Creek (Rio Grande to Picuris Pueblo bnd) - Temperature
• Rio Fernando de Taos (Tienditas Creek to headwaters) – Temperature
• Rio Grande (Cochiti Reservoir to San Ildefonso bnd) – Aluminum, gross alpha, PCB, plant nutrients, temperature, turbidity
• Rio Hondo (South Fork Rio Hondo to Lake Fork Creek) – Plant nutrients
• Rio Nutritas (Rio San Antonio to headwaters) – E.coli, temperature
• Rio de los Pinos (New Mexico reaches) – Aluminum
• Rio San Antonio (CO border to Montoya Canyon) – Aluminum, temperature

• Mailed to all persons who submitted written comments by August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; and
• Available electronically on the bureau’s website or by contacting Heidi Henderson via email or phone number provided above.

• El Porvenir Creek (límite de SFNF a Hollinger Canyon) – Nutrientes vegetales, temperatura
• Gallinas River (Aguilar Creek a la estación de medición USGS 08382000) – E. coli, nutrientes vegetales, temperatura, turbidez
• Gallinas River (Pecos Arroyo hasta la derivación de Las Vegas) – Nutrientes vegetales
• Gallinas River (estación de medición USGS 08382000 hasta Pecos Arroyo) – Nutrientes vegetales
• Glorieta Ck (Tramo perenne de Pecos R hasta la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales [WWTP] de Glorieta Camps) – Nutrientes vegetales
• Subcuenca de Indian Creek – Conductancia específica
• Pecos River (Alamitos Canyon hasta Jack’s Creek) – Temperatura
• Pecos River (Canon de Manzanita hasta Alamitos Canyon) – Nutrientes vegetales
• Pecos River (embalse de Santa Rosa hasta Tecolote Creek) – Nutrientes vegetales
• Pecos River (embalse de Sumner hasta embalse de Santa Rosa) – E. coli, nutrientes vegetales
• Pecos River (Tecolote Creek hasta Parque Estatal Villanueva) – Aluminio total recuperable, E. coli, turbidez
• Pecos River (Parque Estatal Villanueva hasta Cow Creek) – E. coli, turbidez
• Tecolote Creek (I-25 hasta Blue Creek) – E. coli
• Subcuenca de Willow Creek – Sedimentación

• Enviadas por correo a todas las personas que hayan presentado comentarios por escrito a más tardar el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026 a las 5:00 p. m.; y
• Estarán disponibles electrónicamente en el sitio web de la oficina o comunicándose con Meredith Zeigler a través del correo electrónico o número de teléfono indicados anteriormente.

• Beaver Creek (Rio de los Pinos a los manantiales) – Temperatura
• Canada Tio Grande (Rio San Antonio a los manantiales) – E.coli, temperatura
• Embudo Creek (Rio Grande a la banda de Picuris Pueblo) - Temperatura
• Rio Fernando de Taos (Arroyo Tienditas a los manantiales) – Temperatura
• Rio Grande (Reserva Cochiti a la banda de San Ildefonso) – Aluminio, alfa total, PCB, nutrientes de plantas, temperatura, turbiedad
• Rio Hondo (Ramal Sur del Rio Hondo al arroyo de Lake Fork) – Nutrientes de plantas
• Rio Nutritas (Rio San Antonio a los manantiales) – E. Coli, temperatura
• Rio de los Pinos (tramos de Nuevo México) – Aluminio
• Rio San Antonio (del borde del CO al Montoya Canyon) – Aluminio, temperatura

• Serán enviadas por correo a todas las personas que enviaron sus comentarios por escrito antes de las 5:00 p.m. del 14 de agosto de 2026; y
• Estarán disponibles de forma electrónica en el sitio web de la oficina o contactando a Heidi Henderson por correo electrónico o al número telefónico proporcionado con anterioridad.

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 ChevronMining, Inc. McKinley Mine, permit # NN0029386.

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) hereby gives notice pursuant to 20.6.2.2001 NMAC of a public comment opportunity in the state’s Clean Water Act §401 Certification of the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit: 2027 Construction General Permit (NMR100000) for stormwater discharges from construction activities to surface waters.
 
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.

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
P.O. 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 MDT) on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Individuals who submit public comments will be added to the NMED 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
P.O. 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 abierto para el permiso de los borradores de Permiso General de Construcción, número de permiso del Sistema Nacional de Eliminación de Descargas de Contaminantes (NPDES, por sus siglas en inglés) NMR100000. Además, el Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México (NMED, por sus siglas en inglés) 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 NPDES mencionado anteriormente.

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.

Si tiene comentarios que le gustaría que el NMED considere a medida que se redacta la Certificación de la Sección 401 de la Ley de Agua Limpia, envíelos utilizando el Portal de Comentarios Públicos de NMED o envíelos a:
Susan A. Lucas Kamat, Program Manager
P.O. 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. MDT) del miércoles, 16 de septiembre de 2026.

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
P.O. 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.
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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.

• 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.

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/