Notice of Right to Inspect Public Records
By law, under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, Sections 14-2-1 to -12 (1941, as amended through 2023), every person has the right to inspect public records of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), subject to certain exceptions. Requests for reasons or justification on why certain actions were taken by NMED and requests for answers to questions are not proper requests under this law.
Procedures for Requesting Inspection of Records
All requests to inspect the public records of NMED should be directed to the Public Records Custodian. To submit a records request, use the following link to our JustFOIA portal:
https://nmenv.justfoia.com/publicportal
The JustFOIA portal connects directly to our Public Records Custodian and is the fastest and easiest way to submit a public records request and to receive requested records. NOTE: you will NOT be required to create an account to use the portal.
Alternatively, NMED also accepts records requests via mail or telephone to the contact information included below. A person desiring to inspect public records may submit a request orally or in writing. However, the procedures and penalties prescribed by IPRA apply only to written requests.
New Mexico Environment Department
Attn: Christina Espinoza, Public Records Custodian
P.O. Box 5469
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502
(505) 827-2855
A public records request must contain the name, address and telephone number of the person making the request. The request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable the Public Records Custodian to identify and locate the requested records.
The Public Records Custodian must permit inspection immediately or as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 calendar days after the Public Records Custodian receives the inspection request. If inspection is not permitted within 3 business days, the person making the request will receive a written response explaining when the records will be available for inspection or when the public body will respond to the request. If any of the records sought are not available for public inspection, the person making the request is entitled to a written response from the Public Records Custodian explaining the reasons inspection has been denied. The written denial shall be delivered or mailed within 15 calendar days after the Public Records Custodian receives the request for inspection.
Procedures for Requesting Physical Copies and Fees
There is no fee for electronic records of fewer than 1,000 pages. For electronic records requests generating more than 1,000 pages of records, there is a $0.05 per page fee. An additional fee of $5.00 will apply to records downloaded to a USB/thumb drive. If a requestor would like physical copies of public records, a reasonable fee will be charged. The fee for printed documents that are 8.5 inches by 11 inches or smaller is $0.25 per page. The fee for larger documents is $1.00 per page. The Public Records Custodian may request that applicable fees be paid in advance, before records are made available for inspection. A receipt indicating that the fees have been paid in advance will be provided.
IPRA embodies New Mexico’s policy of open and transparent government by providing the public with a broad right to inspect public records. The New Mexico Environment Department is fully committed to honoring both the letter and spirit of IPRA. Compliance with requests to inspect public records is an integral part of the routine duties of the officers and employees of the NMED.
Please note: The New Mexico Environment Department does not have jurisdiction over air quality issues in Bernalillo County. Please contact the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department at (505) 768-1972 for such records.
