On June 24, 2016 NMED and DOE entered into the 2016 Compliance Order on Consent (Consent Order). The Consent Order fulfills requirements for corrective action and compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the New Mexico Hazardous Waste Act (HWA). Corrective action is a requirement under RCRA for facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste to investigate and clean up releases of contamination.


December 30, 2024 – Independent Technical Review of the Chromium Interim Measures Remediation System

NMED and DOE participated in an independent technical review of the hexavalent chromium plume project that began in early 2024. This review was aimed to find resolution on an impasse caused by a difference in technical positions. The review team consisted of a wide variety of industry experts that included representation from the DOE, private industry, academia and the EPA. The final report includes recommendations on a series of questions mutually posed by NMED and DOE that address key issues in topics that include regulatory matters, interim remedy efficacy, groundwater model development, and monitoring well design.

Final Report – Independent Technical Review of the Chromium Interim Measures Remediation System

The review supported NMED’s stance that there is not adequate information currently available to move forward with a corrective measures evaluation and final remedy selection process. It concurred with HWB’s regulatory position by recommending modification and expansion of the interim measures pump-and-treat system. Recommendations also included utilizing the MODFLOW code for the groundwater model to facilitate more effective review by regulators and to allow for more transparent communication with the public.


October 24, 2024 – Environmental Management Cleanup Forum

DOE is hosting an Environmental Management Cleanup Forum on October 24, 2024 from 6:00-8:00pm to discuss the settlement with NMED and the revised 2016 Consent Order. Please see the agenda for further information.

Virtual Meeting Information  

Microsoft Teams

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 284 616 926 592

Meeting Password: UgBMtX

Or

Dial in by phone

+13234861924,,842206352#

United States, Los Angeles

Phone Conference ID: 842 206 352#

If you have any questions, please contact N3Boutreach@em-la.doe.gov.


2024 Settlement Agreement and Modified Consent Order

On August 30, 2024 NMED and DOE signed this Settlement Agreement in full settlment of the litigation filed by NMED in 2021. NMED and DOE have participated in negotiations since 2021 seeking resolution of the concerns raised in the complaint, which have resulted in this modified Consent Order and Settlement Agreement.

Settlement Agreement and Consent Order

Fully Executed Consent Order – Modified September 2024

NMED will host a community forum for the public on September 26, 2024 to discuss primary modifications and the terms of the Settlement Agreement. The public notice for this meeting is available below.

Public Notice – English

Public Notice – Spanish

September 26, 2024 Community Forum Presentation


2016 Consent Order

Consent OrderModified February 2017

List of Acronyms

Appendix A- SWMU/AOC ListUpdated January 2023

Appendix B – Milestones and Targets Updated March 2024

Appendix C – Campaigns Updated January 2023

Appendix D – Document Review/Comment and Revision Schedule

Appendix E – Document Templates

Appendix F – Sampling/ Analytical/Field Method Regulatory Guidance

Rules and Regulations

State and federal laws and regulations governing hazardous waste in New Mexico are available on the Laws and Regulations page.

Contact us

Ph: 505-476-6000

2905 Rodeo Park Dr. E, Building 1
Santa Fe, NM 87505

A listing of all Bureau staff and contact information is available here.

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