About NMED

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is the environmental agency for the State of New Mexico. We have over 550 employees throughout our main offices in Santa Fe and 22 district offices state-wide.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO:

INFORM citizens and businesses on environmental protection and health and safety requirements.

MONITOR air and water quality and assess land to assure state and federal standards are met.

ISSUE PERMITS to facilities and businesses to ensure operations meet established environmental and health standards.

INSPECT work sites and industrial facilities to ensure they meet environmental laws and protect public and employee health and safety.

ASSIST facilities with compliance requirements of environmental laws and regulations through outreach and technical assistance.

RESOLVE environmental issues that have or could have a direct impact on the health of our state’s residents.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO:

• Providing clear articulation of our goals, standards, and expectations in a professional manner so that employees and the public may make informed decisions and be actively involved in setting priorities.
• Promoting environmental awareness through the practice of open and direct communication and sound decision-making by carrying out the mandates and initiatives of the department in a fair and consistent manner.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The department is organized into the the Secretary’s and General Counsel’s offices, Divisions, Bureaus, Programs, field offices, boards, councils, and commissions.

District Map

Contact Sheet

NMED Offices, Divisions, & Programs

Org Chart

Office of the Secretary

• Cabinet Secretary & Deputy Secretary
• Public Information Officer
• Hearing Officer
• Tribal Liaison

Office of General Counsel &
Environmental Policy

• General Counsel
• Attorneys & Paralegals
• Policy Analyst

Administrative Services Division

• Human Resources Bureau
• Financial Services Bureau

Resource Protection Division

• Department of Energy (DOE) Oversight Bureau
• Hazardous Waste Bureau
• Petroleum Storage Tank Bureau
• Solid Waste Bureau

Water Protection Division

• Construction Programs Bureau
• Drinking Water Bureau
• Ground Water Quality Bureau
• Surface Water Quality Bureau

Environmental Protection Division

• Air Quality Bureau
• Environmental Health Bureau
• Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA) Bureau
• Radiation Control Bureau

Boards, Councils, & Commissions

• Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) – Promulgation of rules and standards
• Occupational Health & Safety Review Commission – Labor and industrial commission
• Office of Natural Resources Trustee – NMED Secretary is the appointed Trustee
• Storage Tank Committee – Advisory committee for ground water protection
• Wastewater Technical Advisory Committee – Evaluation of wastewater technologies
• Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC)– NM water pollution control agency

DEPARTMENT HISTORY

The New Mexico Environment Department was created by the 40th state Legislature in 1991 under the “Department of Environment Act” (Chapter 25). As a regulatory agency, NMED enforces various state regulations and federal laws relating to protection of the environment, resources, and public health and safety.